Educational Services - District Curriculum

Textbooks and Instructional Materials

The District is proud of the quality of instructional materials which students and teachers use to support the curriculum standards.

Textbooks are adopted on a state curriculum cycle by the district from a list of materials approved by the state of California. The district has adopted textbooks for English/language arts, mathematics, science and history/social science.

English Language Arts

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Core textbooks:

K-5 Open Court Reading
6-8 California Holt Literature and Language Arts

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
SIPPS
SRA
Leap Frog

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.

Mathematics

Core textbooks:

K-5 Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVisionMath California
6-8 Holt, Rinehart and Winston Holt California Mathematics
Geometry Holt, Rinehart and Winston Geometry

Supplemental materials:
Problems of the Month from Silicon Valley Math Initiative Grades 6-8

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.

To reach these goals, our K-5 Math Leadership team is simultaneously participating in a professional development program called Developing Mathematical Ideas and piloting two mathematics programs that we hope will support a balanced math approach. Our middle school teachers are in year two of participation in the Silicon Valley Math Initiative. We believe that through a truly balance program, with none of the three components neglected or underemphasized, that students will become mathematically proficient.

English Language Development (ELD)

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Core Program:

K-5 Carousel of IDEAS
6-8 High Point

Supplemental Materials

Rosetta Stone
Into English
Leap Frog

Social Studies

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.

Science

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

All K-5 students will participate in 24 weeks of arts instruction in the four disciplines: Dance, Theatre, Music and Visual Arts. 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.
Care is taken to ensure that the arts program supports and enhances the academic goals and incorporates the California State Visual and Performing Arts Standards.

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.

Wellness

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.

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Phone: 408.522.8200 x 235 • Fax: 408.522.8336