NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Comprehensive Goal 1: Student Achievement – All students demonstrate high levels of achievement that provide pathways for college and career success
Strategy #1- Expand learning options for students through the use of digital resources and technology tools.
Curriculum Goal in support of Comprehensive Goal 1, Strategy #1 - To integrate technology integration as part of the instructional process as well as defining key
technology skills and programs that support the knowledge and skill development. The primary reason for any technology integration component of curriculum
development is to increase and facilitate student learning. The following are examples of actions taken this year in support of the district comprehensive plan.
Elementary Reading
• Reading a-z / Raz Kids - All K-3 / ESL / Sp. Ed.
teachers have access to the Raz Kids resource where
students are “assigned” texts to their portfolio.
Students can annotate and regularly engage in digital
texts at their level. Accessible on iPads / laptops.
• Newslea - All 3-6 / ESL / Sp. Ed. teachers have
access to Newslea which houses informational texts
written about current events at a variety of Lexile
levels. Students can engage in text digitally. Teachers
can use the resource to differentiate instruction
within the informational text structure. Accessible on
iPads / laptops.
Secondary Reading
• READ 180 and SYSTEM 44 – Learning
curriculum and instructional framework
based on a technology model used for station
rotation lesson design.
• Reading Grade 7 - Collections Resource
o One-to-one laptops in Reading 7
classes
o This is a digital first resource.
Students engage in multiple levels and
a variety of genres and text-structures
on-line.
o Differentiated and individualized
through the use of technology.
o Annotation and written work stored
within each student’s dashboard.
Secondary Mathematics
• High School Mathematics - Texas Instruments
new calculators now include robust software for
engaging students in problem solving and even for
classroom management.
• The middle school Strategic Math teachers
received training to become familiar with the Number
Worlds resources. These online resources support
project based learning and interactive games for
learning. Online assessments support immediate
feedback for student learning.
• Use of computer adaptive models of programs
to reinforce individualized learning. These programs
include ALEKS Math, Agile Mind, and Catch Up Math.
Elementary Math
With the completion of Go Math! implementation in
Grades 4-6, Elementary teachers continue to receive
training in Go Math! online resources including the
Animated Math modules, online PD videos and the
electronic glossary. Also, Go Math! online resources
supported in class instruction through animated math
manipulatives and the Animated Math modules.
Secondary Social Studies
Grade 7 Social Studies - World Geography Course. Use
of the Discovery Education Tech Book supports (1)
current events in relationship to Geography and
understanding of different nations/ cultures, (2)
increased primary source documents and use of nonfiction text in an electronic medium that uses
hyperlinks and multi-media, (3) heightened and
interaction global maps for greater understanding of
geography and curriculum.
World Languages
• French 1 and 2 - With the implementation of
new textbooks, the accompanying technology
resources like News and Noteworthy extend the
learning to global sites in the target language
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
Health/PE
• Fitness Grams is an instructional software
that supports Health and PE curriculum with students.
Specifically, students can track their own wellness
data for improvement of fitness and wellness goals.
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Goal 1: Student Achievement – All students demonstrate high levels of achievement that provide pathways for college and career success
Strategy #2 – Increase student achievement through rigorous instruction preparing students for college and career success.
Curriculum Goal in Support of Strategy #2 Increased Student Achievement through PA Core Standards Implementation - To develop and implement curriculum
and instruction aligned to ELA and Mathematics PA Core Standards at both the elementary and secondary levels. The PA Core Standards were developed in order to
prepare students for college and career success. The following represents actions taken in support of implementing the PA Core Standards.
English Language Arts
The following represent key instructional elements of the PA Core Standards in
English Language Arts:
● Instructional Shifts
Elementary - Continuing work in Year 2 of “Bites to the Core” at the elementary
level. Each month Reading Specialists and Principals receive a “Bite” sized
focused on specific implementation of an instructional shift in the classroom.
This “Bite’ is then turned around back in the building via faculty meetings and
PLCs. All resources are housed on a wikispace. Concentrated efforts this year
are on the implementation and application to the classrooms. Teams are
building close reading lessons around text-dependent questions using complex
texts. Secondary - Content specific training for the ELA instructional shifts in
Health, FCS, English, Social Studies through internal personnel as well as
through Discovery Ed trainings.
● Close Reading Strategies
As an integral part of TDA process, Close Reading instructional process
supported at both elementary and secondary levels. Coaches are working to
provide the guided practice in close reading lesson planning. Use of Beers’
Notice and Note and Fisher &Frey’s Rigorous Reading are part of the PD
implementation plan.
● Text Dependent Analysis
Elementary 4-part Faculty Mtg series focused on changes in PSSA and test
component constructs/ follow-up meetings focused on application in PLC/small
groups. After-school Workshops are being offered to further support
application and development of TDAs / classroom implementation. Literacy
coaches integral in this effort at all 13 elementary buildings.
Secondary TDA – Text Dependent Analysis coach worked with all 7th and 8th
grade PLCs in English and Social Studies with developing and implementing
TDAs with classroom instruction.
● Argumentative Writing
Elementary - Embedded argumentative writing skills within the “Bite to the
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
Mathematics
o The following represent key elements of the PA Core Standards in
Mathematics:
 Mathematical Practices
Elementary teachers received training on the instructional shifts and
received the new curriculum frameworks to review with their grade level
team members who developed the frameworks
Teachers received a half -day pull-out in-service to discuss the
instructional shifts and focus on the practice standards
K-3 teachers received in-service time to study the math practice
standards through a book study. Teachers were able to collaborate with
grade level teachers district wide.
 Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge
Teachers from grades K-3 met in grade level groups to reflect and meet in
cross-level groups to discuss the progression of skills across grade levels
K-3 teachers received a hands-on workshop to develop more teaching
learning materials to supplement instruction aligned with the standards
 Emphasis on Mastery of Mathematical Learnings and Application
Grade 6 teachers will receive a full-day workshop in January 2015 to
develop a deeper understanding of mathematical content in Statistics and
Probability. They will receive a follow up training in February to receive
additional training in the application of the content
An instructional math coach meets with teachers individually and in
small groups when contacted by teachers to help them plan, implement,
and reflect on individual math lessons.
Based on teacher survey results, a workshop will be offered after school
for teachers to reflect on their instruction by answering the following
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Core” work. Reading Specialists and Coaches working with 6th grade to grow
specific understanding of mode via PLCs. Opinion Writing continues to be a
focus 3-5.
Secondary - Year 2 work continues with an articulated writing program that
outlines writing requirements, including Argumentative Writing.
● Text Complexity
Elementary - Expanding the use of RAZ Kids / Newslea / Anchor
Comprehension to supplement current classroom resources with additional
complex text.
Secondary - Anchor Units support an increase with Text Complexity. Lexile
study had been done on English curriculum. Additional works added to
curriculum now include more rigorous texts.
• Foundational Skills
Elementary - Use of Fountas and Pinnell’s The Continuum of Literacy Learning
to further expand teachers’ understanding of the complexities of foundational
skills and targeted reading behaviors that emerge at each level of growth.
● Academic Vocabulary
Elementary - embedded within the “Bite to the Core” work. Reading Specialists
/ Coaches working on developing instructional support with the teaching of
Academic Vocabulary and embedding language into close reading lessons.
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
questions:
What would we ideally see in a classroom in which instruction is aligned to
the Standards?
What are the greatest challenges for your students and how might they be
overcome?
In what types of activities would the children be engaged?
How would differentiation be apparent?
 Coherence - Stronger linkages between mathematical concepts
The math coach visited Knapp Elementary school to present a review of
curriculum frameworks and a study of progressions in Algebra, Concepts
of 10, and the distributive property across grade levels (If provided more
PD time, this workshop could be offered district-wide).
•
Practical application of mathematical concepts to real world
situations
• Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) Training
In support of increasing conceptual knowledge as well as application.
Elementary Ed. received training in September 2014 with Brad Weitzel
on this. Additional training in CRA through Pattan.
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Goal 1: Student Achievement – All students demonstrate high levels of achievement that provide pathways for college and career success
Strategy #2 – Increase student achievement through rigorous instruction preparing students for college and career success.
Curriculum Action Plan in Support of Strategy #2 Increased Student Achievement through Rigorous Instruction and Assessment To increase rigor in curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs through tools such as Webb’s Depth of Knowledge
● To promote higher level questioning in Curriculum, Assessment and Classroom Instruction
● To develop a curriculum-based assessment program that targets higher level questions and application of knowledge and skills
● To continue to develop rigorous enrichment programs and higher level courses in order to promote Advanced Placement
participation and success
Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum Frameworks were developed K-12 based on the PA core
standards with increased rigor throughout all content areas.
Reading, Writing and Thinking in Science
Science teachers who participated in the MISE Leadership Academy
will be offering Peer Teacher Workshops through the Merck Grant
funds monthly to fifty teachers K-12 about the implementation of
science practices in ELA and mathematics. This professional
development will continue yearly, if funding allows to provide
professional development to a larger population of teachers districtwide
Elementary Mathematics – Unit Assessments
Elementary Mathematics teachers developed unit exams. These
assessments include the rigor and higher level questioning reflecting
the PA core standards and increased rigor.
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
Secondary Mathematics
Math teachers developed new mid-term and final exams to reflect
the Keystone Anchors/ Eligible Content as well as Pa Core standards
with the use of Webb’s DOK.
Secondary Science
Secondary Science teachers developed new mid-term, final exams,
and unit assessments with the use of Webb’s DOK.
Secondary English Language Arts
Development of Assessment Blueprint, which articulates the use of
“cold reads” and higher DOK 2 and 3 questions on mid-terms and
final examinations.
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Goal 1: Student Achievement – All students demonstrate high levels of achievement that provide pathways for college and career success
Strategy #3 - Ensure equity and access to all aspects of the academic program.
Curriculum Goals in Support of Strategy #3 – Closing the Achievement Gap.
Review and revise course placement processes to ensure equity and access for all students.
Ensure that instructional expectations and student supports at all grade levels K through 12 provide learning that allows mastery of
content and skills.
Continued development of curriculum and instructional activities that embraces diversity.
Course Levels and Placement
To review secondary course levels and course placement process
Analyze data for sub-group population representation in all
course levels
Develop specific guidelines for improved course level
recommendation based upon competencies and levels or
proficiency
Ensure ways in which students can successfully move to higher
course levels
Culturally Diverse Curriculum
To continue to implement cultural diversity curriculum tool to
support an understanding of cultural diversity - Curriculum,
Materials/ Resources, Instruction
Continue to expand the representation of culturally diverse
materials and resources in content areas (i.e., English course
literature, Social Studies resources, etc.)
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
Rigorous, Standards-Based Curriculum
Develop specific curriculum expectations of performance, rigor
for all course levels to ensure high levels of student proficiency in
that content areas
Vertical Articulation of Skills
Continued work to ensure that skills represented within the
curriculum are aligned.
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Goal 1: Student Achievement – All students demonstrate high levels of achievement that provide pathways for college
and career success
Strategy #5 – Align the local assessment system to the revised state standards and higher order thinking skills.
Curriculum Goals in Support of Strategy #5
● Revise the curriculum-based assessments and benchmark assessments to align with standards and expected
level of rigor.
● Continue to review and analyze student achievement data at the district, building, and teacher levels to
monitor and adjust instruction.
Curriculum-Based Assessments – Alignment to Standards
• All secondary mid-terms, semester finals, and final exams have item alignment to national or state standards.
Newly aligned in 2014-15 are the PA Core Standards with ELA and Mathematics assessments.
• By providing an item alignment, teachers are able to determine from assessments areas of student strengths and
needs based upon standards. This, in turn, supports greater student achievement.
• Teachers also use assessment data to provide areas of instructional and curriculum improvement for the ensuing
school time or next school year. This helps to improve programming.
• At the elementary level, new mathematics units and end-of-year examinations have item alignment to standards.
This supports student achievement through the identification of areas of student strengths and needs in the attainment
of mathematical concepts.
Data Analysis Protocol
• In support of RtII, elementary teachers and administrators use a specific data analysis protocol to support the
identification of students into the tiered groups.
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
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NPSD Curriculum Department Update 2014-15
Snapshot of Upcoming Curriculum Department Goals and Activities
in Support of the District’s Comprehensive Plan
Elementary ELA
• Newly revised curriculum framework documents and unit
plans aligned to PA Core Standards – New curriculum supports more
rigorous instructional expectations of PA Core Standards.
• New textbook, materials and resources adoption planned for
2015-16 school year, pending board approval
Elementary Mathematics
• Continued work on new PA Core Standards Mathematics
curriculum and use of Go Math! materials and resources
• Content specific focused professional development
Elementary Technology Integration with Curriculum
• Continued implementation of current resources
• Expansion of online resources through new ELA adoption,
pending board approval
District-Wide Curriculum-Based Assessments
• Exploration of use of online assessment tools at both
elementary and secondary levels
• Continued work on use of item analysis and other data
analysis of curriculum-based assessments to support student
achievement needs
Curriculum Department – Update 1.8.15
Secondary ELA
• Continued work with Anchor Units (multi-genre thematic
approach to teaching literature and literary analysis)
• Continued development of rigorous curriculum-based
assessments and writing program
• New textbook adoption anticipated in the 2016-17 school
year, pending board approval
Secondary Mathematics
• Continued refinement of mathematics assessments
• Implementation of new calculators and online technology
resources to support student engagement, learning and problem
solving
Secondary Technology Integration with Curriculum
• Continued implementation of current resources
• Expansion of online resources through new curriculum
adoptions, pending board approval
Closing the Achievement Gap Measures
• Continued work with course outcomes and alignment
• Continued work with course placement processes
• Improvement of effectiveness of intervention programs
targeted to get students to proficiency
• Continued work with diversity in the curriculum
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