Curriculum

Textbooks and Instructional Materials

The District is proud of the quality of instructional materials which students and teachers use to learn the grade level standards. We provide state adopted textbooks for all students in English/language arts, mathematics, science and history/social science.

Assembly Bill X4 2 (Chapter 2, Statutes of 2009-10 Fourth Extraordinary Session) signed on July 28, 2009, suspended the process and procedures for adopting instructional materials, including framework revisions, until the 2013-14 school year. Senate Bill 70 (Chapter 7 of the Statutes of 2011) extended that suspension until the 2015-16 school year.

Although teachers are already teaching to the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS), new textbooks will not be available for several more years. We will continue to use our current instructional materials--and will be modifying instructional strategies, assigning different student work and supplementing curriculum as replacement units become available. Teachers will be focusing specifically on the Common Core Standards and will be using the texts along with supplemental materials to ensure that students are mastering the Standards.

English Language Arts

Core textbooks:

 

Supplemental programs and materials that are used include in language arts:

  • Step Up To Writing
  • Read Naturally 
  • Write Source
  • Read Well
  • Language!
  • Leveled Readers
  • Accelerated Reader

As stated in the California English-Language Arts Framework, the goal of developing lifelong readers and writers begins early in students' lives and represents a unique balance of competence, motivation, accessibility and experiences with print. Sunnyvale School District uses the California content standards as the platform to provide students with a balanced, comprehensive instructional program. Four essential components of this program are 1) a strong literature, language, and writing program 2) decoding skills needed to read fluently 3) ongoing diagnosis and assessment and 4) early intervention for students at risk of failure in reading.

11455/659._9685.

Mathematics

11455/661._9687.

As stated in the California Mathematics Arts Framework, mathematics education must provide students with a balanced instructional program.  In such a program students become proficient in basic computational and procedural skills, develop conceptual understanding, and become adept at problem solving.

Core textbooks:


Supplemental materials:

K-5 Investigations - Scott Foresman
K-5 Jiji Math --Mind Research Institute
K-5 Mathscore.com
K-5 Context For Learning    
Grades 6-7  
Grade 7 Navigator -- America's Choice
Grades 6-8 ALEKS -- Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces
Grades 6-8 Problems of the Month from Silicon Valley Math Initiative

http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/
http://www.insidemathematics.org/index.php/home

English Language Development (ELD)

All English Learners benefit from daily instruction and practice in English Language Development.  On November 7, 2012, the California State Board approved new standards for English Language Development (ELD). http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/eldstandards.asp It remains to be seen how the new standards will impact CELDT.

Core Program:

Supplemental Resources and Materials

  • EL Achieve 
  • Carousel of IDEAS Grades K-5
  • McDougal Littell ELD 60
  • Into English

Social Studies

11455/665._9691.

Core textbooks:

  • K-5   Harcourt Reflections
  • 6-8   Glencoe Discovering Our Past


As stated in the California Social Studies Framework, there are three major goals of the social studies program: Knowledge and Cultural Understanding, Democratic and Civic Values and Skills Attainment and Social Participation.  We believe that a deep understanding of history, geography and of social institutions matched with critical thinking, inquiry and research skills are essential skills for all students.

http://www.us.iearn.org/
http://www.oneworldeducation.org/
http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/
http://teachunicef.org/
http://www.choices.edu/
http://www.clevelandart.org/learn/distance%20learning.aspx
http://www.globaldimension.org.uk/
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/
http://asiasociety.org/education/resources-schools

iCivics prepares young Americans to become knowledgeable, engaged 21st century citizens by creating free and innovative educational materials. In 2009, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics to reverse Americans’ declining civic knowledge and participation. iCivics has produced 16 educational video games as well as vibrant teaching materials that have been used in classrooms in all 50 states. It offers the nation’s most comprehensive, standards-aligned civics curriculum that is available freely on the Web.

Icivics.org

Science

11455/667._9693.

Core textbooks:

  • K-5   Pearson Scott Foresman California Science
  • 6-8   Pearson Prentice Hall Focus on Science
  • 6-8 Family Life  (Teachers can download lessons here . Note, this is a password protected page.)


As stated in the California Science Framework, understanding science for science sake, without any particular career goal-but merely to enjoy and understand their planet-is the goal of the K-8 science program.  We believe that some concepts are best learned through reading and writing, while other concepts are best learned through exploration.  Above all, we want students to enjoy learning science in ways that enriches their own lives and help them be stewards of the Earth.


Arts

11455/669._9695.

Care is taken to ensure that the arts program supports and enhances the academic goals and incorporates the academic goals and incorporates the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards.

All K-5 students participate in 18 weeks of arts instruction in the disciplines: Dance, Drama and Music. Classes are scheduled once each week—with the minutes being appropriate for the discipline. Teachers are present to support the instruction—which gives the added value of professional development in the arts. 

K-5 arts instruction is provided by Starting Arts -- a California nonprofit organization whose mission is the promotion and preservation of quality arts education in public schools. Since 2001, Starting Arts has partnered with school communities and districts in the San Francisco Bay area.

Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to take electives in three fine arts disciplines: drama, music and visual arts.  Dance is taught to all students through the core physical education program.  Students may elect to participate in chorus, band or orchestra.

Applied arts electives are offered in grades 6-8.  These vary from year to year, but include courses such as: woodshop, robotics, computer generated graphic arts, mixed media.

Wellness

11455/671._9697.
Health education, including nutrition education, and physical education is taught in grades K through 8. Student goals foster and promote health literacy, defined as “the capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that are heath-enhancing.” Physical education is a planned sequential program of curricula and instruction that helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for an active lifestyle. Teachers use the SPARK curriculum to help student meet the physical fitness standards.
 
 

Revised November 2012

Phone: 408.522.8200 x 235 • Fax: 408.522.8336