Glencoe School District 35 takes pride in offering students in Kindergarten through Eighth grades a balanced, varied curriculum that offers a differentiated experience for learners. Teachers' talents are utilized on a daily basis to turn curricular frameworks into living lessons. Our curriculum continues to be meaningful, coherent, articulated, aligned, and based on high standards.

A thorough review of curriculum includes examining recent research, exemplary programs and practical experience. National, state, regional, and local perspectives assist in determining best practices in the areas of content, instruction, assessment, and resources. Professional committee members determine needs. Instructional supports such as textbooks, technology, human resources, print and non-print sources, are also reviewed. Assessment and evaluation are considered. A strong staff development program supports instructional changes. Parent input is solicited through regularly scheduled curriculum chats and open-door communication practices.

Curriculum Action Plan 2007-2010

Included is a list of local and state assessments and administration dates. The District utilizes information in setting school improvement goals, to compare performance with expectations, in considering curricular or instructional refinements, and for more meaningful staff articulation.

Assessment Schedule 2007-08

This publication is revised annually and is organized by school. It is intended to provide parents with an overview of the District's broad based curriculum. Each review involves a host of stakeholders who spent hours studying issues and debating possibilities. The District is grateful for a high percentage of teacher involvement and parent interest in its curriculum and instruction throughout the grade levels and subject areas.

A Parent's Guide To The Curriculum

Following state standards, health goals are being met through this semester class. Topics, links to standards, and possible activities are listed.

7th and 8th Grade Health Classes

The following rubrics were created by professionals at the Illinois State Board of Education in 2006 and will be utilized to evaluate ISAT writing tests, returning in spring 2007. Students in grades 5 (expository) and 8 (narrative and persuasive) will be tested beginning in 2007. 6th graders will have testing beginning 2008 (persuasive and narrative.) 3rd graders will be tested beginning in 2009 (expository). Rubrics posted will become familiar to teachers and students as district educators help youngsters prepare for this assessment.

ISAT Rubric For Grade 3 Expository
ISAT Rubric For Grade 5 Expository
ISAT Rubric For Grade 6 Narrative
ISAT Rubric For Grade 6 Persuasive
ISAT Rubric For Grade 8 Narrative
ISAT Rubric For Grade 8 Persuasive

In each grade level from Kindergarten through Eighth, teachers have responsibilities for teaching writing focus, elaboration, and organization. Through consulting with Gretchen Courtney and Associates and Dr. Michael Heggerty, major writing components have been identified and mapped for the teaching of narrative, expository, and persuasive genres. This scope and sequence clearly shows what is taught in each grade level and how the progression ensures a systematic development of skills.

Expository Writing Curriculum
Expository Writing Curriculum 5-8
Narrative Writing Curriculum
Persuasive Writing Curriculum

Review our core grade level expectations for technology skills. Within each school technology projects are integrated in the curriculum. Grade level teams design integrated projects to provide technology rich experiences for the children.

Skill Chart

An inclusive model of Special Education mainstreams students to the fullest extent possible. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed to address each child's unique needs. The District philosophy supports a belief that students can be served in a general educational setting to the degree it serves their special needs and allows for the natural progression of the general education program. Each school hosts a special services team and curriculum consultant to assist general educators in meeting students' complex, individual needs.

A Parent's Guide - The Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities

Glencoe serves the needs of students in a variety of appropriate ways. The Curry-Samara Model for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment is the framework for differentiating the curricular content, instructional strategies, and products/outcomes. Other influences include Dr. Mel Levine's "Neurodevelopmental Constructs" and All Kinds of Minds workshops. The published works of Dr. Edward Hallowell have also been utilized. (Dr. Curry and Dr. Levine presented to the staff in 2003. Dr. Hallowell presented in 2007.) Enrichment experiences within the classroom and extended programs in mathematics are offered. Many activities are designed for individuals or groups whose needs demand a modified program.

Differentiation Brochure

7th and 8th grade Language Arts teachers have written a Central School Literacy Guidebook for parents and students. It highlights expectations for writing and provides helpful hints for success!

Central School Literacy Guidebook

Mathematics learning goals are the recommended benchmarks for each grade level. These are listed by unit and classified as beginning (just introduced), developing (revisiting skill, practice will occur), and secure (mastery is expected by the end of that school year.) Teaching teams sometimes make adjustments to these expectations based on student needs. For example, if a student is still having trouble at the end of the year with a particular "secure" skill, encouragement and practice for attaining mastery will most likely occur during the next grade level. The goals are guidelines that have been helpful in our instructional decision-making.

Mathematics Learning Goals

The Vision and Values document has been created with input from parents, students, teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members. It describes a five-year strategic plan for teaching and learning. Specific aims and their action plans are developed on an on-going basis by district staff members.

"How will we know when we get there?" and "What evaluation program will determine the goals' effectiveness?" are two critical questions to answer as collaboration continues on the "Vision." The "Values" part of long range planning will show itself through prioritizing, communicating, and promotion.

It is the district's intention to make long range planning a meaningful process that ties School Improvement Plans at all three district schools into a living document that shares common structure. Each voice is important in shaping what learning should look like in Glencoe School District 35. Open communication and frequent exchanges of ideas are encouraged as part of each strategic theme.

Visions and Values

In order to provide for the social and emotional growth and development of children, the three Glencoe Schools have come together to present common topics to be addressed throughout the school year. These topics may occur within the curriculum, through advisory and classroom meeting agendas, and through special programs designed appropriately for the children of our schools. Connecting to New Trier Township High School's WE CARE Program, Glencoe Schools continue to build on its unique program, targeted for their population.

WE CARE Themes

Curriculum Chats for 2007-08

Each voice can be heard! The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, is available to listen to parental, student, staff, and/or community input during the school year. Feel free to call for an appointment to discuss issues, topics and programs or to ask questions about current curricular content or instructional strategies. You may choose to visit individually or in small interest-based groups.

Call Dr. Howe at 847 835-7829 (direct line) at least one day ahead to schedule a chat for early morning, during the school day, or an evening time. The CIA door is always open to our school community! Since 2000-2001, the district can credit "Curriculum Chats" in part for varied, steady, meaningful growth in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Curricular Web Sites for Parents and Children

Foundation For Critical Thinking
How do our students become self-directed, self-monitored, self-corrective thinkers? Dr. Richard Paul’s Foundation for Critical Thinking describes what critical thinking is and how we can help youngsters think about their own thinking. Assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use! Research projects and resources are included in this informative site.

American Memory
American Memory, maintained by the Library of Congress, is an online gateway to unique primary source materials that relate to the history and culture of the United States.

Teaching Tolerance
From the Southern Poverty Law Center, a website for kids and parents with anti-hate messages and resources.

National Association for Gifted Children
For advocates of gifted and talented children, this website offers
publications and resources.

The New York Times Learning Network
This is a news-centered multimedia education site with up-to-date features that change daily.

BrainPOP
This subscription-based site offers more than 300 colorful narrated films on topics such as asthma, atoms, digestion, static electricity, photography and robots. It is all correlated to national standards from English, science and mathematics organizations (NCTE, NSTA, and NCTM).

Education World
Developed as a free resource guide to make it easy for K-12 educators to integrate the Internet into the classroom, it is now one of the most comprehensive sources of curriculum materials on the Web.

Ask Dr. Math
Ask Dr. Math is a great site for students who enjoy math at elementary grades through high school.

Everyday Mathematics
The University of Chicago Mathematics Project web site contains information on curriculum, tips for helping children with homework, and ideas for additional at-home math activities.

KidsHealth
Sponsored by the Newmours Foundation, KidsHealth provides accurate, doctor-approved, jargon-free heatlh information about children from birth through adolescence.

National Wildlife Science
This comprehensive nature resource is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and offers free illustrated field guides to more than 4,800 plans and animals.

Artsonia
The mission of this site is to unleash the creative potential of young artists throughout the world, and empower them with a voice. It provides an online art museum where students can display their workelectronically for global audiences.

HowStuffWorks
Information-packed explanations with animated illustrations on how thousands of devices and processes work — from automobiles to video games — organized by category in searchable content areas.

Crayola Creativity Central
This content-rich, free multimedia site presents art resources that are applicable to every curriculum area from pre-K through high school.

The Futures Channel
Real math, real science, and real careers come together in this fascinating site designed for families and educators. Watch a movie and then solve problems related to topics such as robotics, algebra, engineering, and other exciting scientific and mathematical adventures.