Crafting Learning: A Curriculum Design Podcast

Implementation Preparation for UFLI and IMSE Morphology

Joined by Learning Resources teachers Cindy Thom, Lacey Ramsey, and Shannon Faella. We are adopting a new phonics program (UFLI) from Kindergarten through 2nd grade. As a result, materials needed to be set up, scope and sequences created to bridge the gap from FUNdations, and instructional decisions needed to be made. Additionally, 4th grade is adopting a new morphology program (IMSE) and logistics for when to teach, how to teach, and what to teach needed to be determined for the first year of implementation.

Beginners 3/4 Outdoor Curriculum

Liz Unger and Kristin Keneally return to the podcast to share their design work to create more opportunities to teach and learn in our outdoor spaces for our youngest learners. Their intentions for outdoor learning include building a strong sense of connection to our natural environment, additional sensory experiences, gross motor skill development, creative and curious exploration, growth in social emotional skills including empathy, gratitude, and collaboration.

Beginners - Grade 9 Spanish

A conversation with World Language teachers Catherine Mendoza, Sean Robb, Abby Cali, and Loren Chavez who are all currently teaching Spanish from Beginners through Grade 9 at NCCS. The entire WL team had attended a conference recently and we got to learn about those experiences as well as other elements that are experienced by students throughout our program.

Upper Level Latin Redesign

Two of our Upper School World Languages teachers collaborated over the summer to make sure the Latin 2 program at NCCS allows a student to move to any Latin 3 program and be successful in any Latin 3 classroom. This can be challenging considering Latin programs can really vary school to school. Since students are now getting farther in Latin curriculum, we can cover more topics with students that should prepare them for Latin 3 including Participles, Comparatives, Superlatives, and the Subjunctive while also experiencing updated topics around culture.

Physical Education & Athletics: Beginners Motor and G5-9 Interscholastic Sports

In this episode we hear from NCCS' Physical Education and Athletics team as they share recent curricular design work in two areas: beginners (preschool) motor and coaching. Our guests are: Kendall Cornine, Cherie Corchard, Jay Thornhill, Keri Kern, Byron Reding, and Steve Willson. On the Beginners Motor curriculum design work: This curriculum promotes physical, motor, and emotional development for ¾ the early childhood program through weekly structured activities. Each week focuses on a specific skill set;  with guidance from Shape America guidelines. Skills such as locomotor skills, object control, balance, and spatial awareness. These skills can be used in engaging games and activities like obstacle course tag games and creative movements. Students will also enhance their social skills, cooperation, and self-confidence through fun, interactive exercises that progressively prepare them for advanced tasks. On the Coaching curriculum design work: This will serve as a reference or seasonal plan for coaches, as they can follow along day to day, week by week for practice goals, drills, skill milestones we would like to hit. This curriculum is easily accessible and can be given to a new coach with little experience as a guide for the season, or it can be referenced as needed by experienced coaches, ensuring coaches are covering in practice what is outlined in the full curriculum.