Did you know that by raising fish in a tank, you can have everything you need to nurture a garden? Two new aquaponics systems at PWHS bring the process to life.
Curriculum
The Curriculum Department features a team of content supervisors who have the “big picture” view and can make sure that concepts are covered in a relevant way and that the curriculum builds effectively from year-to-year – offering our students all the academic skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the future.
The curriculum serves as a living document that can continually evolve in response to student and societal needs. With embedded 21st Century Skills (such as communication, collaboration and active participation) and authentic real-world experiences, course offerings foster skills and attitudes that enable children to think critically, creatively and constructively – and gives our students the tools they need to be ready for college and a career.
In addition to monitoring and refining what students learn in the classroom, the Curriculum Department also studies best practices in lesson delivery and design and administers a strategic award-winning professional development program for staff.
Our Core Beliefs
OUR CORE BELIEFS
- Excellence can be achieved by all students.
- Instructional and assessment tasks are at the heart of the teaching-learning process. Therefore, ongoing assessment is an integral part of both the curriculum and instruction and assists students in meeting and exceeding the standard.
- To tap the full intelligence and learning potential of all students, a curriculum must be a coherent organized set of instructional opportunities that allow for tiered student learning.
- To make learning meaningful for all students, the curriculum must go beyond traditional resources and actively involve students in real-life experiences. With this model, children may find meaning in their learning and connect and apply learning to new situations.
- Curriculum provides connections with home and community experiences and maximizes students learning conditions.
- The curriculum must develop independent responsibility as well as a sense of responsibility to others.
- The curriculum is a process that continually defines and redefines experiences students have in learning situations. Therefore, it is viewed as an on-going process that is every teacher’s responsibility.
Curriculum News
While you may have heard of "Hour of Code," elementary students as young as kindergarten recently completed a "Unit of Code" in the Colonial School District.
Students will have a chance to learn more about merchandising, marketing, human resources, finance and IT through internships with the company.
Campers used 3D modeling software and 3D printers to make fidget spinners in addition other projects designed to inspire them to pursue STEAM in school and as a career.
Colonial's Master Teachers are experienced classroom teachers who explore the latest best practices and share what they learn. Click here to watch a video.
Innovative spaces encourage students to create. Click here to watch a video.
Differentiated Instruction is a student-centered learning model, where teachers meet students at their different "levels of readiness."
CONTACT CURRICULUM:
- Dr. Liz McKeaney, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, 610-834-1670, ext. 2155
- Dr. Katy Giovanisci, Curriculum Supervisor, 610-834-1670, ext. 2225
- Maria Wileczek, Curriculum Supervisor, 610-834-1670, ext. 2149
- Nancy Aiken, Administrative Assistant, 610-834-1670, ext. 2154