CURRICULUM
CURRICULUM
Wakefield's vision for ELA teaching and learning:
Every student within the Wakefield Public Schools will have an equitable experience with high quality literacy instruction and evidence-based curriculum in an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment. They will develop strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and thrive in classrooms that promote inquiry, discourse, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students will graduate as empowered 21st century citizens, ready to make a difference in their world.
As educators we believe all students can achieve at the highest levels when challenged with complex and authentic literacy experiences. In order to foster independence, we encourage risk taking and productive struggle while providing the opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of perspectives. It is our collective responsibility to meet the diverse needs of our learners and ensure literacy success for every student in the Wakefield Public Schools.
Wakefield uses EL Education as the core resource for ELA instruction.
EL Family Resources (multiple languages)
Wakefield's vision for mathematics teaching and learning:
Every student in the Wakefield Public Schools has an equitable experience with high quality mathematics teaching and curriculum. They graduate as confident problem solvers, ready to make an impact on their world.
Educators engage students of every background and ability with tasks that inspire curiosity. Our students thrive in classrooms where reasoning, collaboration, productive struggle, and problem solving are expected. Educators believe that all students can achieve at the highest levels of math; we partner with families and the community and hold ourselves accountable for the success of every student.
Wakefield uses the program Illustrative Mathematics as the core resource for mathematics instruction.
IM Family Resources (multiple languages)
In addition to the core program, students use ST Math as a digital supplement. The goal for each Grade 4 student is to complete 60 puzzles per week.
Wakefield's vision for science, technology, and engineering teaching and learning:
Every student in Wakefield Public Schools has an equitable experience with an engaging, hands-on science, technology, and engineering (STE) curriculum that ignites curiosity and fosters critical thinking.
In our student-centered STE classes, learners collaboratively engage with the science and engineering practices to make sense of relevant phenomena. Students are supported and empowered to ethically navigate real-world problems and make evidence-based decisions in their ever-changing world.
Graduates of Wakefield Public Schools are scientifically literate, globally aware, connected with their community, and prepared to pursue future STE opportunities.
In Grade 4, students have two science lessons each week with a science teacher who pushes into their class. These lessons prioritize hands-on learning and support students to learn science by doing science. Most science content is learned in these science blocks, while some content is learned during ELA instruction.
Focus areas for Grade 4 STE:
Understand how weathering and erosion (like blowing wind, flowing water, and moving ice) can break and move rocks and other things.
Understand how the different parts of plants (like seeds, leaves, roots, and fruit) and animals (like bones, legs, ears, and eyes) help them grow and survive.
Understand how energy moves and changes. Observe energy as light, sound, electricity, or heat: for example, the electrical energy that lights up a bulb when a wire is attached to a battery.
Try out the design process like an engineer: for example, plan, develop, test, and improve products to solve specific problems.
In 2018, Massachusetts updated the curriculum frameworks for History and Social Science. In Wakefield, the next content area up for curriculum review will be social studies.
Currently, Grade 4 students are evaluated on the following content on their report cards:
Use map and globe skills to determine latitude and longitude of places studied
Interpret a map using information from its title, compass rose, scale, and legend
Identify the states, state capitals, and major cities in each region
Describe the climate, major physical features, and major natural resources in each region
Give examples of how the interaction of buyers and sellers influences the prices of goods and services in markets
Describe the diverse nature of American people by identifying the distinctive contributions to American culture
Physical Education, Health and Wellness
Art
Music
Library Media
Library Media Curriculum