Harding Township School
District Curriculum Council
2015-2016
K-4 Social Studies Highlights
Kindergarten- SS is incorporated into the Pearson reading Program. The students worked on their Presidents’ project where they
learned about a different President each day and learned the Presidents Song.
1st Grade- The students completed their My World Stacking Project and Timeline Project. They will be going to the Crayola Factory on
June 1st.
2nd Grade- The classes completed many projects this year including the Country Celebration, Business Marketplace Project and
Interview a Citizen Project. They also read non-fiction and Current Events to practice non-fiction reading strategies.
3rd Grade- Classes completed their Women in History project. They have also been utilizing Graphic Organizers to develop note-taking
skills for the future.
4th Grade- The students are utilizing chromebooks to present topics using Google Slides to prepare for tests. They are also going to
Trenton to visit the State house and Barracks. In addition they are writing a research paper on NJ.
5-8 Social Studies Highlights
5th Grade- Classes completed their Explorer’s Day and will complete the State Float parade. Also, they incorporate informational text
into their LA sessions.
6th Grade- Classes worked on a Research Paper on the Civil War. This was shared between SS, LA, and Study Skills. They also worked on
creating their own outlines.
7th Grade- Classes completed a DBQ on the Holocaust that forced them to analyze documents that revealed truth or lies regarding the
camp at Terezin. They also learned how meditation works and practiced a variety of times during the year.
8th Grade- Classes completed a variety of Research Papers and created family crests. In addition, they created their Decade Scrapbook
projects that included all subject areas.
K-4 Reading Highlights
K-4 Leveled Libraries - The new leveled readers are fantastic tools to create a lifelong love of reading! These materials help us reinforce the appropriate level while giving the students
choice in the independent reading. The 2nd grade teachers have ordered some additional readers for next year.
K-3 New DRAs Reading Assessments - Adding these assessments this past fall have aided the teachers to Measure reading levels. the comprehension component of the assessment gives precise
feedback on what the children are understanding when they are reading which is essential for an accurate reading level.
2-4 iReady Pilot year - positive results!! The Students loved working on lessons. We are currently using the MAPS testing in grades 2-4 and were looking for a online program that would
offer more feedback and could be used by the students on a regular basis throughout the year. The initial test provided very good information and The teachers were able to differentiate
and individualize instruction based on each student’s needs. Grade 4 used both the MapS and iready to find lexile levels to individualize instruction and hold reading conferences.
Grades k-4 will be using iready in the fall.
3-4 new vocabulary program called vocabulary workshop by Sadlier - The words are taught through explicit, systematic instruction that is consistent across each level. The teachers felt
that the Reading street vocabulary was not challenging enough and this program has provided the boast in the vocabulary they were looking for to meet the needs of our students.
4 Chromebooks - This year most of the Writing and reading responses in 4th grade are being done on Google Classroom. Teachers were able to attach handouts, links to websites, and
videos that the students could respond to in their writing on the chromebooks.
K-4 Reading Highlights
K-4 Reading Street - our current reading program - In grades K-2 We use Pearson leveled books for reading groups. We love the online Pearson materials.
We also like how Pearson incorporates science and social studies in the theme of the week and that it gives us the flexibility to incorporate many trade
books. Grades 3 and 4 continue to utilize the reading Street while supplementing with novels; They use novels as whole-class instruction, as well as
Literature Circles. Students work on response to text, point of view, and other topics pertinent to PARCC. Reading Street has Non-fiction little books
that have Lexile and DRA levels. These are the books the students use in small reading groups. Challenging and interesting topics are covered in these
little readers.
K-4 Readers’ Workshop Training next year - Looking forward - In the fall we will begin our year-long preparation into readers’ workshop. This program
emphasizes the interaction between readers and text. Students learn to ask questions, make connections with prior knowledge and previously read texts,
and ask questions to clarify faulty comprehension they recognize has occurred. The program includes peer conferences and teacher conferences with
students but emphasizes students' independence and allows them to become successful readers outside of the classroom. Three of the elementary teachers
already had the opportunity to go to the Teachers College at Columbia University on April 1st for a workshop on writing about reading.
K-4 Writing Highlights
Writing Workshop - we jumped right in this year!
Students started the year with creating their own writer’s folders in the younger grades and writer’s
notebooks in 3rd and 4th grade. We loved how it allowed each child to work on his/her level, which
makes it easy to differentiate. The structure and schedule of conferencing helped the students feel
comfortable with the expectations and routines. The mentor texts and mini-lessons were great and
exposed the children to a variety writing genres. Students excelled in writing personal narratives,
persuasive essays, informational/research topics, and descriptive essays. We enjoyed sharing our
writing across grade levels during the year and are looking forward to our end of year celebrations
with our families!
5th-6th Grade Reading
5th Grade●
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Ten Classroom Novels
Author visit- Marian Blumenthal Lazan-Four perfect Pebbles
Drama Connection- tuck Everlasting on Broadway
6th Grade●
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Langston Hughes/robert Frost Poetry study
Shakespeare residency- A Midsummer Night’s Dream Scene Studies
Ten Classroom Novels
Kindergarten Reading Buddies
Multi= media outside novel projects- podcast, novel soundtracks and book trailers
Outside Novel Projects
7th-8th Grade reading
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Shakespeare Focus-iambic pentameter sonnets, Midsummer Night’s Dream Performance
Cross Curricular Greek Mythology Study/Guided tour of metropolitan museum greek/roman Exhibits
Holocaust unit with Social Studies Propaganda Document based responses
Utopian and Dystopian Societies
Junior great Books-Shared Inquiry Discussions= Outside Novel projects
8th Grade●
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Short Stories study for literary Elements and Edgar Allan Poe Unit
Shakespeare residency- romeo and Juliet Scene Studies+ Shakespearean england
Allegories, memoirs and Coming of Age Novel Studies
5th and 6th grade Writing
5th Grade●
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Daily Writer’s Workshop
DARE Essays
State Research reports
6th grade
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Civil War journals = Civil war research paper
Project memoir residency + Student Created memoir Anthology
Wonder point of View Chapters
Literary essays on theme and COnflict
Narrative and Love that Dog inspired original Poetry
7th and 8th grade Writing
7th Grade:
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Original Greek Myths
Student Designed Utopian Societies
Original Iambic pentameter Sonnets and Personal narrative poetry writing and Literary Analysis Essays
Book thief “Missing Chapter”
Outside Novel Projects- Scripts, Editorials, revised endings
8th grade:
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Original Short Stories and Fictional memories inspired by unit Studies
Literary Analysis- Theme, Mood , tone, Point of View
Poe inspired Short Story and paraphrased “the Raven”
Animal farm/Stalinism Allegory Analysis
Science K-5
Feedback from k-5 teachers continues to be good with the utilization of the Prentice Hall Interactive
Science Series. The first few years with this new textbook series were somewhat different from the
series previously utilized.
All K-5 teachers mentioned that the students really enjoy projects, labs, and hands on activities.
Science 6-7-8 Projects
Hot air balloons-Gas Laws and Heat transfer
Co2 Dragsters-Engineering Design Process Newton's Laws
Wind Turbine Blade Design and Testing-Renewable Energy Options
Hydroponics-Global Agricultural Food Options
Straw Rockets-Design Process and Physics Principals
Nuclear Energy-Energy OPtions and Chemistry
Science Events
Science Fair
TSA and Junior TSA Future Cities Engineering Competition
3D printed Hand Projects
Full coordination with Madison School District Science Department Planning a synchronized
transition Into NGSS
Very excited to integrate Mindset Principles into Science Curriculum and project based learning
options
K - 2 Mathematics
Kindergarten: The Math in Focus series strengthens students’ number sense and ability to do mental math.
They utilize the online resources and virtual manipulatives. They have noticed correlation between their
math and science skills, so they are reinforced.
Grade 1: They are working hard at learning their addition facts. They really love and appreciate the
magnetic 10 frame boards that the PTO purchased. It enables a smooth transition for the Singapore
inspired number bonds.
Grade 2: They are working on math centers and additional ways to differentiate instruction.
Magnetic 10 frames
To learn
facts to 10
3-5 Mathematics
● Thought iReady was very effective; may use this for summer review
● Incorporated projects to reinforce Common Core standards
● Created math centers to differentiate instruction
Technology:
● Use interactive Smart Board lessons to practice bar modeling.
● Chromebooks provide computer based test practice
6-8 Mathematics
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First year of Big Ideas Math in 6-8; aligns well with CCCS and transitions well with Math in Focus
Some classes began using electronic notebooks
Grade 7 will learn about investing, and will visit the New York Stock Exchange
Next year grades 7-8 will have 1½ math classes every day; grade 6 will not change
6-8 Mathematics
Picture of QR
code for a lesson
on Interquartile
Range
Special Subjects: Foreign Language
French: 6th Grade students did a project entitled, "Au Cafe".
They acted out a scene from a French cafe, talking in French
about food, drinks, and prices, etc.
Additional time has added more time for
students to practice the language. The
application of vocabulary and phrases is more
sophisticated and interesting.
Special Subjects: Foreign Language
Spanish
Chinese calligrapher to
8th grade reading
teach students to write
Assignment: level
3 Spanish
Students celebrate Chinese New Year
7th grade Spanish
fashion show
Special Subjects: Music
Music/Chorus:
Band:
68 students participated in the Middle School chorus this
year.
Jesse Kim and Ahn-Minh Tran played in the NJSMA Region 1
band
Join us Wednesday, May 25
7:00 p.m.
Brock Bierly played with the MUJC Jazz band
Spring Concert
Cinderella
Special Subjects: technology and art
Technology:
Art:
Typer Island Adventure
Three dimensional artwork on display at the Kemmerer
Library from mid-March, to mid-May.
The 8th graders made ceramic houses in the style of the “Seven
Sisters” houses of San Francisco.
A new, online typing program for Grades 1-3
Special Subjects: library Media
● Battle of the Books
● Digital Storytelling
● Brand new curriculum to reflect Student’s educational needs
Special Subjects: Health and Physical Education
First and second graders raised $2600
6th graders participated in Play 60
Grace SIttig and Ryan won tickets
to a Jets Game
Special
Education
The Special Education Department added a new self-contained classroom in 2015.
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Ensures that our children with special needs are included in the general school population with supportive services and
accommodations.
Keeps our children in the Harding School District.
Allows for partial inclusion into general education activities or content area subjects.
Provides smaller groups with a more individualized and flexible
■ instruction.
Mrs. McInerney’s goals for 2016-17 are to bring
The new Reading and Writing Workshop into her classroom.
Moving Forward: Growth MindSet for Teachers
Fall 2016 - 2017
Harding Township School will begin our new year with a focus on Growth Mindset, a belief that we can develop our most basic abilities
through grit, perseverance and tenacity.
Professional Development Day - August 31 ,2016
All staff (With grateful thanks to the HTEF),have received the book “Mindset” by Carol S.Dweck,Ph.D. to read and annotate over the
summer vacation and note two Action points to implement in the fall of 2016 School year.
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DCC members will Lead off PD day with a Team ICE- Breaker Requiring A Growth Mindset to be Successful~
Staff will complete a self-assessment Grit quiz to determine mindset and bias .
Teachers will brainstorm and Share Mindset Language for the Classroom:sentence frames for feedback to students and
Questioning. In Addition, A brief Discussion will be held on Authentic Assessments that Support A Growth Mindset .
Growth Mindset for STudents
Fall 2016 - 2017
Students will learn, understand and apply growth mindset qualities into their daily lives. They will begin to understand how a growth
mindset versus a fixed mindset can create a love for learning and a focus on improvement.
New Curriculum
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Growth Mindset competencies have been introduced into the Rubicon Atlas Character Education curriculum.
Competencies include: grit, perseverance, tenacity, gumption, resilience,integrity, tenacity, effort, confidence, purpose,
focus
Mentor texts and multimedia resources have been provided to assist teachers in classroom discussions.