Elementary Curriculum

School curriculum refers to the set of learning experiences and educational content designed to help students achieve academic goals. It is made up of standards-based learning objectives, instructional materials, teaching strategies, and assessment methods. The curriculum outlines what students need to know and be able to do at each grade level, guiding teachers in delivering effective instruction and fostering student growth.

Instructional Resources by Core Elementary Subject

Reading and Writing

Reading and Writing resources in the elementary level come from a variety of approaches and resources in order to maintain a well-rounded evidence based approach. Our resources and literacy instructional practices are aligned to the Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy. Our resources include:

  • Orton Gillingham instructional resources and strategies for phonological awareness, phonics, and moropholgy

  • Shared reading (FPC)

  • Mini Lessons (FPC)

  • Small Group instruction using Guided Reading (Literacy Footprints) and strategy groups based on student need

  • Classroom libraries including decodables (Flyleaf), as well as both leveled and non-leveled texts by genre/interest

  • Amplify CKLA is a primary curriculum resource in grades 4 and 5.

Mathematics

Math Expressions is the primary curriculum resources in grades K-5. Math Expressions is a comprehensive, standards-based K-5 mathematics resource that offers a balanced approach to teaching and learning mathematics. Math Expressions uses manipulatives, visual models, conceptual language, and real-world situations to help students build deep mathematical understanding.

What does Math Expressions look like in the classroom?

Structures of the Program:

Quick Practice - Involves whole-class responses or individual partner practice and is frequently led by student leaders.

Student Leaders - Teachers facilitate students' growth by helping all students take on leadership roles with structured practice activities.

Building Concepts - Objects, drawings, conceptual language, and real-world situations strengthen mathematical ideas and understanding.

Math Talk - Students explain thinking using drawings that support understandings and promote meanings.

Helping Community - A classroom in which everyone is both a teacher and a learner to enhance mathematical understanding, competence, and confidence.

Science

Amplify Science is the primary curriculum resource for grades K-5. Amplify Science is an engaging, phenomena-based curriculum designed to captivate students in hands-on learning while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Tailored for elementary education, it integrates science practices with literacy and mathematics, encouraging students to think and act like real scientists and engineers. Each unit in the curriculum presents students with a compelling real-world problem to investigate, helping them build a deep understanding of key scientific concepts.

List of Units by Grade Level:

  • Kindergarten

    • Needs of Plants and Animals

    • Pushes and Pulls

    • Sunlight and Weather

  • 1st Grade

    • Animal and Plant Defenses

    • Light and Sound

    • Spinning Earth

  • 2nd Grade

    • Plant and Animal Relationships

    • Properties of Materials

    • Changing Landforms

  • 3rd Grade

    • Balancing Forces

    • Environments and Survival

    • Weather Patterns

  • 4th Grade

    • Vision and Light

    • Earth's Features

    • Energy Conversions

  • 5th Grade

    • Modeling Matter

    • The Earth System

    • Patterns of Earth and Sky

Social Studies

The Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum (MC3) is a comprehensive K-12 social studies program developed collaboratively by Michigan educators to align with the state's content expectations. It offers structured units and lessons that integrate history, geography, civics, and economics, aiming to prepare students for informed and active citizenship. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and the development of civic competencies.

MC3 Units by Grade Level:

Note: The following is a general outline; specific units may vary by district.

  • Kindergarten:

    • Understanding Myself and Others

    • My School and School Community

    • Exploring My Neighborhood

    • Learning About Jobs People Do

  • 1st Grade:

    • Families and Schools

    • How Do We Learn About Places?

    • How Do People Live Around the World?

    • How Do We Get What We Need and Want?

  • 2nd Grade:

    • The Local Community

    • Using Maps to Learn About Communities

    • The History of the Local Community

    • Understanding Local Government

  • 3rd Grade:

    • The Geography of Michigan

    • The Early History of Michigan

    • The Growth of Michigan

    • The Economy of Michigan

    • Public Issues Facing Michigan Citizens

  • 4th Grade:

    • Foundations in Social Studies

    • The United States in Spatial Terms

    • Human Geography in the United States

    • Exploring Economics

    • Our Federal Government

    • Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

  • 5th Grade:

    • Our Government

    • Three Worlds Meet

    • Colonization and Settlement

    • Life in Colonial America

    • Road to Independence

    • The American Revolution

    • Founding the New Nation