Curriculum & Instruction
Across the schools in SAU#9 our focus is on teaching FOR learning so that all students achieve high standards and are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Curriculum in English/Language Arts and Mathematics is based upon the Common Core State Standards. Science curriculum is being revised to meet the Next Generation Science Standards. Follow the links below for more information.
English Language Arts/Literacy Standards
Mathematics Standards
We are committed to integrating a workshop model into instruction in all content areas. Currently, literacy instruction in kindergarten through grade 8 uses a Reader's and Writer's Workshop approach. Students engage in learning activities that are focused on specific learning objectives while having choice, personalization, relevance, and rigor incorporated. Workshop is a structure in which it is ok to say, "I don't know yet." It is about personal growth in understanding. In a workshop classroom, instruction begins with a mini-lesson that lasts for 10-15 minutes where students receive direct instruction. The majority of the class time is spent with students engaged in work. They may be working independently, in partnerships and/or in small groups. During that time the teacher is either conferring with students to monitor their learning and help them set goals or facilitating small groups. At the end of the lesson, students come back together to share their learning, reinforcing the objectives for that lesson. We are working to implement this instructional structure into the other disciplines as well.
Core literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking) curriculum in kindergarten through grade 8 is based upon Lucy Calkin's Units of Study. Mathematics in kindergarten through grade 6 uses Everyday Mathematics 4 as its core material. At the middle school, College Preparatory Mathematics is the resource on which the core curriculum is based. Science, social studies, and unified arts units of study are developed by educators using a variety scientifically based resources aligned to standards.
At Kennett High School, educators have developed enduring understandings that are at the core of all learning. These enduring understandings represent what we expect all students to understand as a result of their time at Kennett. Each course has its own specific enduring understandings that are connected to the global ones. Curriculum design follows an "Understanding by Design" approach, where teachers begin with standards to clarify the learning goals, develop assessments to show student understanding and then craft learning activities that will allow students to achieve the goals.
Kennett High School Enduring Understandings
Students will understand……..
- Cooperation, rights, respect, empathy, and responsibility create an orderly and productive learning environment, establishing the foundation for citizenship.
- Literacy in all its forms is an important lifelong skill.
- Critical thinking is necessary to gaining new perspectives.
- Continually developing a strong work ethic is vital for individuals to achieve success.
- Modern global society is a result of the connections and interactions between people, culture, events, both past and present.
- Technology is a tool that can be used for collecting, organizing, creating and presenting information.
- Solving problems requires the application of technology, math, reading and writing skills.
- Active learning occurs through collaboration, observation, effective communication, taking risks and overcoming setbacks.
Mathematical and scientific models and reasoning are necessary to collect, represent, analyze and interpret data.
- Positive self-image can be developed through wellness, creativity and leisure.
Student learning is assessed in many formal and informal ways. At all levels, through the use of common assessments teachers are able to monitor individual student learning. Tools include Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessments for reading, common writing prompts, EveryDay Mathematics Unit Assessments, and performance assessments for science. At the middle and high school levels, departments have created common assessments based upon units of instruction. NWEA is use to monitor student growth in literacy and mathematics for students in kindergarten through grade 8. The Smarter Balanced Assessment is one standardized tool used to monitor student growth towards the Common Core State Standards for students in grades 3 through 8. At the high school, all juniors will take the SAT as their measure.
