Detroit Community Schools – Curriculum
Reading
Grades K-3: Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt (supplemented with Orton-Gillingham and Walpole Early Literacy)
HMH is grounded in evidence-based research and guided by learning sciences, HMH makes it easy to deliver K–12 literacy instruction that drives student achievement. Students benefit from high interest, culturally relevant texts and characters that have undergone a rigorous review for quality. The HMH literacy programs offer a range of instructional approaches to ensure every student succeeds.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy when reading, writing, and spelling does not come easily to individuals, such as those with dyslexia. It is most properly understood and practiced as an approach, not a method, program, or system. In the hands of a well-trained and experienced instructor, it is a powerful tool of exceptional breadth, depth, and flexibility. The essential curricular content and instructional practices that characterize the Orton-Gillingham Approach are derived from two sources: first from a body of time-tested knowledge and practice that has been validated over the past 80 years, and second from scientific evidence about how individuals learn to read and write; why a significant number have difficulty in doing so; how having dyslexia makes achieving literacy skills more difficult; and which instructional practices are best suited for teaching such individuals to read and write.
Walpole early literacy blocks are used to differentiate reading instruction. It is used to plan and deliver effective literacy instruction tailored to each student’s needs. Walpole has a detailed framework for implementing differentiated small-group instruction over multiweek cycles. Each component of the beginning reading program is addressed—phonological awareness, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Grades 4-12: Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt
Science
Grades K-6: ATLAS
The ATLAS Science curriculum enables children to learn the important knowledge and concepts to describe and question the materiality of the world. They will learn the important role that science plays in the sustainability of life on earth and have knowledge and skills to question, and investigate scientific theories. We aim that children following this curriculum will be equipped to go onto their secondary education with curiosity, passion and a desire for further discovery and study of the subject.
Grades 7-8: STEMScopes (supplemented with ATLAS)
Built on the 5E lesson model, STEMscopes Science™ combines research-based teaching strategies with the invaluable insight of real-life educators to provide a carefully curated, rigorous curriculum that both challenges and sparks the curiosity of students across the country.
Math
Grades K-12: Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt
HMH has innovative digital tools and skills-practice resources that provide a multimodal approach to ensure every learner can achieve math success. As students build mathematical fluency and proficiency, they can envision themselves excelling in math throughout their lives.
Social Studies
Grades K-12: Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt (K-8 is supplemented with ATLAS)
HMH challenges students to explore the past and present. The HMH social studies curriculum delivers compelling, interactive experiences that cultivate the critical thinking and analytical skills children need to succeed in college, career, and civic life. Following the Inquiry Arc of the C3 Framework, students gain a deeper understanding of social studies concepts, sparking meaningful connections to daily life.
Assessments
To ensure that each student’s learning is on track and to tailor instruction to their needs, we utilize a variety of assessments throughout the school year.
NWEA Math & Reading (Grades K-11)
The NWEA assessments provide valuable insights into students’ academic progress in math and reading. These assessments are given periodically to help measure growth and inform instruction, allowing teachers to adjust lessons and resources to meet each student’s individual learning needs.
IXL (Grades K-12)
IXL’s Diagnostic is a flexible tool that reveals exactly what students know and helps you take actionable steps to foster growth at every level. It allows staff to accurately assess student knowledge. It is used for individual learners and the whole district to get precise insight into student knowledge. IXL’s Real-Time Diagnostic pinpoints students’ grade-level proficiency in key math and English language arts strands in just 45 minutes per subject.
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