Curriculum Philosophies

Literacy
Mathematics
Science
Social Science

Literacy Philosophy

Literacy is the ability to construct meaning and manipulate the language for a variety of purposes through reading, writing, and speaking and listening.

The K-12 literacy curriculum integrates the study of reading, writing, and speaking and listening to meet the goals identified in the Illinois Learning Standards. Reading instruction includes a balance of phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The literacy curriculum recognizes the recursiveness of literacy skills. Thus, the curriculum provides increasingly sophisticated content and fosters increased independence of the learner.

The K-12 curriculum encourages students to become knowledgeable, reflective citizens who possess a life-long passion for learning.

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Mathematics Philosophy

Mathematics is a universal language that allows us to make sense of fundamental principles, thoughts, ideas, patterns, problems, and phenomena surrounding us and to communicate our understanding and resolutions of these concepts to others. In order to develop and enrich student understanding of mathematics, District 203 will provide a comprehensive and cohesive mathematics curriculum in which mathematical topics are explored and analyzed with significant depth.

The environment in every mathematics classroom will provide the following: active and responsible engagement in the learning of mathematics, an atmosphere of risk taking, in-depth investigation and analysis of intriguing situations and problems, ample opportunities for reflection and interaction, and connections to everyday life.

Instruction in every mathematics classroom will provide a rich variety of cognitively appropriate strategies and resources so that all students have opportunities to experience both success and challenge.

As a result of this curriculum, environment and instruction, District 203 students will experience the utility, power and beauty of mathematics as they become proficient in using and applying fundamental mathematical concepts and skills including: computation, critical thinking, reasoning, and resourceful problem solving.

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Science Philosophy

Science is a comprehensive process by which we continually refine our understanding of the universe. Scientific literacy enables us to make informed, responsible decisions that affect our daily lives.

District 203 will provide an inquiry and standards based comprehensive curriculum in life science, earth and space science, and physical science. An integral part of this curriculum is to promote an understanding of the interconnections within the sciences and the interactions among science, technology, society, and the environment.

Instruction in every science classroom will model and provide opportunities for students to participate in scientific inquiry as they experience the wonders of science. A rich variety of cognitively appropriate strategies and resources will be utilized so that all students have opportunities to experience both success and challenge.

Using inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. The environment in every science classroom will have students actively constructing knowledge by being engaged in observing, questioning, investigating, problem solving, predicting, evaluating, and communicating ideas.

As a result of this curriculum, instruction and environment, District 203 will graduate scientifically literate students who ask and investigate scientific questions, evaluate claims and evidence, and make responsible decisions in a rapidly changing world.

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Social Science Philosophy

The purpose of the social sciences curriculum is to provide an integrated study of the social sciences to prepare students to become responsible citizens.

A viable K-12 social sciences program incorporates the five perspectives of social sciences identified in the Illinois Goals for Learning and the Illinois Learning Standards.

Five perspectives of social sciences (historical, economic, political, geographic, and behavioral sciences) should be included in the curriculum at each grade level.

The K-12 curriculum should build upon itself…expanding and broadening skills and concepts throughout the grades.

The K-12 curriculum should organize information, which will allow students to understand connections and to make multiple applications of this knowledge.

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