Welcome to Curriculum & Instruction |
NORTHERN OZAUKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT CURRICULUM AIMS
NOSD CURRICULUM AIM The overall aim of the NOSD curriculum is to respect the whole child and give him or her the tools to become a lifelong learner.
Reading/Language Arts The aim of Reading/Language Arts is for students to develop communication skills that will allow them to be successful in the workplace and in leisure activities.
Mathematics The aim of Mathematics is for students to think mathematically, and to use patterns and data to critically and systematically solve problems.
Science Education The aim of Science education is for students to apply scientific inquiry and problem-solving to a system of facts, concepts, and the world around them.
Social Studies Education The aim of Social Studies education is for students to understand and integrate historical, geographical, and social concepts in relation to the past and the present, and to make informed decisions for their future.
Fine Arts Education The aim of Fine Arts education to provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate creative expression, to understand how the arts reflect time and culture, and to create a foundation for students to appreciate its many forms.
Physical Education The aim of Physical education is to provide students with learning opportunities to develop understanding of and appreciation for physical activity as it relates to a healthy lifestyle, personal fitness, and social skills, including cooperation, sportsmanship, leadership, and respect for others.
World Language Literacy The aim of World Language literacy is to sharpen students’ intellectual skills, broaden their cultural understanding, and prepare them for life and success in the 21st century.
Career and Technical Education The aim of Career and Technical education is to provide students with relevant, 21st century career information, knowledge, and skills they can apply as they establish their pathway of lifelong learning.
Exploratory Programs The aim of Exploratory programs is to expose students to a range of academic, vocational, and recreational experiences for 21st century career options, community service, enrichment, and personal enjoyment.
Health/Wellness The aim of Health/Wellness is to build the capacity of students to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services, and apply this learning to a healthy lifestyle.
Assessment The aim of Assessment is threefold for both students and teachers: 1) To identify knowledge and understanding instruction, 2) to check and reflect on learning during instruction, and |
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
w AIM The aim of the Northern Ozaukee School District is that students at all levels will be taught the conceptual understanding required for higher-level, integrative thinking. This will be accomplished through a curriculum that:
êHas rigor, thought, diversity, and authenticity that promotes richness and depth versus coverage of material; êIs clear, understandable, and manageable by the student, parent, and educator; êIs guided by varied and engaging practices; êInvolves technology appropriately integrated throughout the curriculum; êApplies assessment that is ongoing, using data to improve learning; and êIs continually assessed, adjusted, and refined.
w STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM The primary goal of a standards-based system is to ensure that all students meet or exceed established standards.
êIn a standards-based system, all students can and will learn the standards for the courses in which they are enrolled – but not necessarily at the same time in the same way. êStudents are provided with the opportunity to learn the content and skills required to demonstrate proficiency in each standard. What has been learned is more important than what has been taught. êStudents are given feedback in relation to demonstrating proficiency around key content and performance standards.
§Norm referenced: Rank, sort, bell-curve, competition-based §Criterion-referenced: Performance judged in relation to a clear criteria; learning-based. §Seeks to ensure that all students demonstrate, or are progressing toward, proficiency in grade-level standards.
êStandards are based on criterion reference points rather than on Norman reference points. êThe purpose of schools in a criterion-referenced, standards-based system is to ensure that all students demonstrate proficiency in high standards.
w OTHER CURRICULUM INFORMATION The district is developing and implementing standards-based report cards in grades 5K-8. The report card reports students’ progress in achieving district benchmarks and standards.
Over the next several years, the district will be developing a curriculum approach that does not give students permission to forget. Learning is about developing long-term memory and not short-term memory.
Curriculum development is an ongoing process in the district. In June 2009, the K-8 curriculum will be available for review on the district’s Web site through Eclipse.
Over the next two years (2008-09 and 2009-10), Ozaukee High School will be involved in an extensive curriculum development program.
w CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT As the curriculum continues to be developed, refined, and implemented in the Northern Ozaukee School District, the following will serve as a framework:
Standards-based curriculum is taught through Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions:
êEnduring Understandings are the overarching essential content of a course. These are the big ideas and provide a larger purpose and context for the study of a subject and/or unit. êEssential Questions guide teaching and stimulate inquiry around the topic understandings and/or the over-arching understanding.
w DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS Northern Ozaukee School District participated in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Assessment Program, the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE).
Northern Ozaukee School District uses the following assessments:
Other assessments:
êOzaukee Elementary School: Benchmark assessments in reading êAll schools: Ongoing formative assessments êDistrict will implement a writing assessment in grades K-12 starting in 2008-09. Assessment will be adminis-tered in the fall and spring. |
