English and Mathematics Curriculum Overhauled in New Haven Community Schools

NEW HAVEN, MI –  It has been a busy April in New Haven Community Schools for English and Mathematics teachers serving students in 6th through 12th grade.  Teachers of both curriculum areas have met to examine assessment data and make decisions about how to improve student achievement. “Each year our test scores improve, but not at the rate we’d like to see. These recent curriculum study sessions are resulting in some new approaches to English and Math. Students will see much more depth in each content area,” said David Rayes, Principal of Endeavour Middle School. 

Mathematics teachers are developing new approaches next year that will help students see the impact of mathematics on their everyday life. The typical “why do we have to learn this?” question will be answered by examples such as calculating sales tax, currency exchange rates, square footage and even predicting batting averages. At the high school level, students will see Algebra and Geometry concepts connected to each other rather than being taught separately, years apart from each other. The intent is for students to understand the relationship between the concepts and make Algebra more hands-on and manipulative like Geometry.

English teachers are adopting a curriculum that will be aligned from grades 6 through 12 and include much deeper understanding of an author’s purpose. Students will also read much more informational text and be asked to create opinion papers based on opposing sets of information.

 “The bottom line is our curriculum will go much deeper into each subject area. We want to ensure students learn the information. Each grade level will be aligned with each other. We’ll know exactly what we’re teaching and when,” said Keith Wunderlich, Superintendent.