Each Year District 95 Teachers Set Expectations and Invite Our Students to Join Us in The

Each year District 95 teachers set expectations and invite our students to join us in the learning process. We assure students they are capable of the learning challenges they will face, and provide supports to ensure each child is successful. With our curriculum units, the District has identified the knowledge and skills students need to acquire and the strategies students will need to be successful. This framework allows teachers to use a common vocabulary as we demonstrate what thoughtful learners do, name the strategies that we have demonstrated and then transfer the responsibility to the students.

The District 95 curriculum committees have been working diligently to align the curriculum to the Illinois Common Core State Standards, identify materials for classroom use, and create engaging accessible learning opportunities for all students. The committee work this year will focus on assessment.

The Standards should be recognized for what they are not as well as what they are. As noted in the introduction to the standards, the most important intentional design limitations are as follows: 1. The Standards define what all students are expected to know and be able to do, not how teachers should teach. 2. While the Standards focus on what is most essential, they do not describe all that can or should be taught. 3. The Standards do not define the nature of advanced work for students who meet the Standards prior to the end of high school. 4. The Standards set grade-specific standards but do not define the intervention methods or materials necessary to support students who are well below or well above grade-level expectations. 5. It is also beyond the scope of the Standards to define the full range of supports appropriate for English language learners and for students with special needs.

Common Core esources for parents and guardians:  For more information about the Common Core State Standards visit: http://www.corestandards.org/  To see resources compiled by the Illinois State Board of Education visit: http://isbe.net/common_core  To view resource guides created by the Illinois PTA for parents visit: http://isbe.net/common_core/htmls/resources

District 95 Administration Center - 400 South Old Rand Road - Lake Zurich IL 60047-2459 Phone: (847) 438-2831 FAX: (847) 438-6702 District 95 Curricula and Resources

Literacy: Classrooms are moving to a workshop model for literacy instruction. Components of a reading workshop model include read alouds, direct instruction mini-lessons, small group instruction, time for independent practice, writing about reading, conferring with the teacher and time for collaborative conversations. Students will read and work with a wide variety of authentic literature and trade books.

Reading Fundamentals is the series K-5 classrooms will use to guide reading instruction. Each Unit of Study includes mentor texts, a variety of leveled books for guided reading and independent reading, and a selection of digital shared teaching resources that systematically integrate reading skill/strategy instruction with the study of genre. For more information visit www.schoolwide.com.

Please note: Students will be assessed using the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System in the fall and spring by the classroom teacher to determine guided reading levels. Additional testing may occur if needed.

Writing: This year District 95 elementary classrooms are implementing a new writing curriculum using the Schoolwide Fundamentals Writing Units. It mirrors the reading curriculum and is aligned to the Common Core standards. Writing instruction will also be taught using a workshop model in which students will experience direct instruction, guided instruction and time for independent writing practice. Within the writing instruction, students will learn narrative, informational/explanatory, and opinion writing.

Word Study/Phonics/ Spelling: Teachers provide direct instruction of word study as it is developmentally appropriate for students and in the context of literacy instruction. Word Study is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing words. Many teachers are using the Words Their Way resources to support a developmental approach to word study.

Math: Stepping Stones by Origo is the series used in K-5 classrooms. Stepping Stones is an online teaching resource that is fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Students have print journals, but there will not be a printed mathematics textbook. The focus of the Stepping Stones series is an emphasis on conceptual development of mathematics. You can expect your child to have many hands- on experiences with manipulatives and visual representations in addition to traditional computation. Number sense and fact fluency will continue to be emphasized.

District 95 Administration Center - 400 South Old Rand Road - Lake Zurich IL 60047-2459 Phone: (847) 438-2831 FAX: (847) 438-6702 Science: Each grade studies units on earth, life, and physical science topics over the course of the school year. The current text resource for science instruction is National Geographic Science. The series offers a broad range of print and digital resources as students engage in science study and inquiry.

Social Studies: K-1 teachers introduce students to concepts of family and community life. Second grade begins the study of peoples and places. Third grade has an in-depth study of the state of Illinois. Fourth grade studies the regions of the US, while the fifth grade students learn about the building of our nation. A variety of textbook resources are used.

Music/Arts/Physical Education/Library Media/Technology: Lake Zurich schools are proud to offer students a variety of classes that provide high-quality, standards based instruction in the fine and applied arts, physical education, and library media/technology.

Typing:

Currently our students receive limited basic keyboarding introduction through the Library Media Centers. Research shows that in order for students to develop effective keyboarding skills requires a commitment of time that includes ongoing practice and support. The District’s current keyboarding program, Typing without Tears, supports at-home practice by providing an online portal for accessing the program from home. Students are encouraged to practice at home 2-3 days each week.

Listening/Speaking:

The Common Core Standards bring a renewed focus to the integration of listening and speaking skills across all content areas as students summarize concepts, collaborate with peers, and present newly learned information to audiences.

Homework: Homework varies from grade level to grade level. As teachers begin to fully implement the Illinois Common Core State Standards through the adoption of the new literacy and math curriculums, parents should NOT expect large volumes of worksheets requiring rote practice. Instead, homework will feature more real-life application of learning. In literacy, students should be reading for homework on a daily basis.

Resources for parents:

District 95 Administration Center - 400 South Old Rand Road - Lake Zurich IL 60047-2459 Phone: (847) 438-2831 FAX: (847) 438-6702 For more information regarding District 95’s textbook resources, District objectives by grade level, or support programs visit the Curriculum webpage at: http://www.lz95.org/departments/curriculum/vision_and_goals.aspx

Did you know District 95 offers a variety on online resources for students and parents to access from home? These resources include research tools, online books, typing programs, etc. Parents can access online resources and student login and password information through the Home Access Center at: http://www.lz95.org/students/home_access.aspx

District 95 Administration Center - 400 South Old Rand Road - Lake Zurich IL 60047-2459 Phone: (847) 438-2831 FAX: (847) 438-6702