School Administrative Unit #9

Curriculum

Curriculum & Instruction


Across the schools in SAU#9 our focus is on teaching FOR learning so that we can realize the potential of each and every student.  At the core of our instructional program are our district competencies.  Competencies describe the "why" and "to do what" of learning.  They require students to apply and transfer their knowledge of standards to new situations.  The standards support the competencies, describing the skills students must know and be able to do.  District competencies are based upon national standards including Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics, Next Generation Science Standards and the C3 framework for Social Studies.

This space is designed to house the most recent versions of curriculum documents used to guide our instruction and assessment. 


SAU9 Portrait of a Learner

Realizing the full potential of each an every student requires the development of mindset, character, communication skills and processes needed to effectively apply knowledge and skills. Doing so will enable our learners to become productive, global citizens who can successfully choose their own paths and navigate the challenges of life.

Portrait of a Learner

 


 

CCSSNGSS StandardsC3 Cover

 

We are committed to developing a personalized, competency based model of instruction in SAU9.  Core curriculum materials include Lucy Calkin's Units of Study for both reading and writing at the elementary level.  For mathematics, educators incorporate a variety of research-based materials to help students demonstrate our math competencies. Those resources include materials from Mathematical Mindsets, Ready Common Core, EveryDay Math, YouCubed, and NCTM. 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.  Educators are developing skill in creating and implementing performance tasks. Additional tools for monitoring growth and achievement include the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessments for reading, common writing prompts and NWEA. At the middle and high school levels, departments have created common assessments based upon units of instruction.   The NH Statewide Assessment System (NH SAS) is one standardized tool used to monitor student growth towards the Common Core State Standards for students in grades 3 through 8.   At Pine Tree School they are using the NH PACE system (Performance Assessment for Competency Education), replacing NH SAS in many grades and subject areas.  At the high school, all juniors will take the SAT to meet state and federal accountability requirements.  


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