Presentation to the Board of School Directors February 22, 2011

Mr. Robert BarnhartMrs. Karen BixlerMrs. Patricia BrokenshireMrs. Carole Burton-HaldemanMrs. Claire HertzMr. Jim HorrellMrs. Lisa BanavichMr. Matthew MahaneyMrs. Sandy Oechslin

Mr. Greg PezzaDr. Maryjane RichmondMrs. Kim TurnbullMrs. Andrea WadsworthMr. Marc Wodotinsky

Site VisitsNeeds Assessments

Parent Survey Teacher Survey Student Survey Curriculum Analysis

Research

Actual Pennridge Upper Dublin Abington Upper Merion

Virtual Jenkintown Springfield Radnor Council Rock Newtown Wissahickon Lower Merion Central Bucks Cheltenham

Scope and SequenceCurriculumStandard AlignmentCurriculum CycleResourcesTechnologySS instruction scheduleClass sizeElectives

Educational TripsCo-Teaching ModelsLiterature UsedAP’sBudgetTeam PlanningCurrent EventsGeography & Map SkillsInclusionVirtual Field Trips

Identify on-line texts with on-line resources

Maintain depth over breadth philosophy

More focus on 21st century skills Maintain focus on research and

presentation skills Align research skills across the grades

Maintain interdisciplinary program Maintain/improve focus on current

events, citizenship, and geography skills

95% of students thought we covered big

ideas 90% thought work was engaging Student and parents - more technology,

geography and current events

Pine Road Maps and geography skills Update classroom literature libraries tied

to S.S. Integrate technology Experiential learning through

simulations Current events

Murray Avenue Integrate maps, geography skills,

current events; integrate technology Incorporate electronic/paper-based

simulation activities Opportunities to develop 21st Century Skills through Webquests, etc. Investigate ways of collaborating with

students/experts in different locations

High School Offer 9th-10th grade AP elective in Human

Geog.( approved by the board on 2/15/11)

Explore opportunities to use media center in Social Studies classes

Explore ways of making CAPS a service learning project that would have a curricular connection

Explore new literature options for World Studies and American Studies

As we review curriculum and eligible content for the Keystone Exams, analyze the U.S. Government course and the need for additional requirements.

Pine Road

Murray Ave

High School

Adoption of Scott Foresman Strengths

Strong visual imagery for ELLs▪ Big books option▪ Song posters and poem charts▪ Big book atlas▪ Focus on developmental

reading skills

Technology

On-line student and teacher editions On-line teacher planner Interactive leveled readers DVD virtual fieldtrips Audio CD’s

Adoption of HarcourtBenefits of Program

• E-book read aloud• Examview test generator• Aligns with standards• Leveled readers – read aloud online in

addition to the hard copy• Study guides available as a review• Interactive desk maps• Multimedia resources • Timeline display

• Adoption of Holt Social Studies

• Rigorous and Relevant

• Stresses higher cognitive skills

• Units are organized by big ideas and essential questions to align with the state standards

• On-line texts with multimedia presentations

• User-friendly for teachers and students

• Emphasis on Social Studies skills development

• Adoption of Holt Social Studies - Cont’d

• Interactive Maps and geography resources

• Primary and Secondary Resources and enrichment activities

• Audio book • Differentiated activities (adaptable for IEP, ELL

and GIEP students)

• Interactive eBook and Resources

• Assessments include PSSA type questions

Ancient CivilizationsGeographyMesopotamiaEgyptGreeceRome

European History Middle Ages Renaissance Reformation Scientific Revolution Enlightenment and Revolution The Modern World Geography

Exploration and SettlementLife in the ColoniesRevolutionary WarConstitutionBuilding a New Nation (Early

Presidents) Jackson Era and Western ExpansionSectionalismCivil War and ReconstructionGovernment/Economics/Citizenship

Quality of ancillaries

Availability and quality of online edition

Differentiated instruction

Alignment with PA standards

Compliance with College Board for AP materials

Positive student feedback and learning

outcomes

Maintain current curriculum sequence

World Studies (Grade 9) American Studies (Grade 10) Political Science, Economics, AP U.S. (Grade

11) AP Government, AP Economics, AP European,

Introduction to Law, Introduction to Sociology & Psychology, Current Issues (Grade 12)

Add Grade 9/10 AP Human Geography elective

World History: Patterns of Interaction by Holt McDougal (2012) for all levels

Newest edition of current text (continuity)

On-line interactive text/maps

Effective use of technology

Aligned to state and national standards

The American Vision by Glencoe/McGraw Hill (2010) for all levels

On-line interactive text/maps

Effective use of technology

Aligned to standards

Excellent ancillary materials

Aligns with state standards

Magruder’s American Government by Pearson/Prentice Hall (2010)

Newest edition of current text

On-line text and support materials

Organized around essential questions

Strong connection to current events

Aligns with state standards

Street Law: A Course in Practical Law by Glencoe/McGraw Hill (2010)

Newest edition of current text

Offers a practical application of the law

Strong current event connection

On-line support/materials

Sociology Now by Pearson/Prentice Hall (2010)

Organized around “Big Questions” of today

On-line resources

Connection to contemporary issues

Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship in American Politics by CQ Press (2011)

Aligned with College Board AP curriculum

On-line support center with teacher and student resources

Strong connection to current events

Human Geography by McGraw Hill (2010)

On-line support center with teacher and student materials

Aligned with College Board AP curriculum

Excellent visual representations and explanations of concepts

Pine Road - $71,367Murray Avenue - $55,217High School - $57,540Total = $184,124

Special thanks to our Lead Teachers: John Haldeman, Andrea Wadsworth and Karen Bixler for their leadership and commitment to this project. I would also like to thank the members of the committee who generously gave of their time and expertise.

Dr. Maryjane Richmond