Reeths-Puffer Schools' Curriculum
The curriculum created here at Reeths-Puffer Schools is the "road map" for every student that walks through our doors. This map starts all the way back in Kindergarten and charts a course toward high school graduation, each year building on the skills previously learned. As a parent of a Reeths-Puffer student it is your right to know what will be expected of your child and the skills they will learn at each stop on their journey toward graduation. It is also important for Reeths-Puffer parents to know how our curriculum has been created.
In 2004 the State of Michigan adopted the first Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) in English Language Arts and Math. Since that time the core subject areas have been created for all grades, kindergarten through twelfth, and now include the High School Content Expectations (HSCEs). The content expectations have been used as the foundation for curriculum development here at Reeths-Puffer. As new Content Expectations are released teachers conduct a gap analysis, which identifies the gaps between the new expectations and what has been taught in the class. After curriculum gaps are identified in every class adjustments are made to ensure all necessary Content Expectations are covered.
Teachers have developed curriculum maps and common assessments for each of their classes. A curriculum map identifies the essential CE's that every student should master in a particular class throughout the school year. The curriculum map also identifies the resources, (text, activities, etc.) and important vocabulary taught to students to ensure mastery of essential Content Expectations. Finished maps are shared across grade levels and subject areas to ensure that students master the same material regardless of school building or teacher and are adequately prepared for state assessments.
Common assessments are created by our teachers to determine how effectively we have taught the essential Content Expectations and to identify any areas in which students are struggling. The common assessments give us the data necessary to adjust our curriculum maps and instruction to ensure that students at Reeths-Puffer Schools receive the best possible education.
A tremendous amount of work and time has been devoted to the creation of the Reeths-Puffer curriculum. It is constantly being updated and refined and will continue to change and improve over time. The process Reeths-Puffer Schools uses to create our curriculum is based on the research of many experts in the field of education including, John R. Anderson, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Eric Jensen, Robert J. Marzano, Spence Rogers, and Mike Schmoker. We will continually strive to ensure that Reeths-Puffer Schools remains a great place for children to Learn, Contribute and Compete.
