Grade K-6 Curriculum

If you have any questions or need a print copy of the standards, please contact Dr. Matt Hilderbrand for elementary or Dr. Julee Sauer for secondary information.

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Computer Science and Technology K-12
• ELA Standards K-12
• Fine Arts (Dance)
• Fine Arts (Media Arts)
• Fine Arts (Music)
• Fine Arts (Theatre)
• Fine Arts (Visual Arts)
• Math Standards K-12
• Physical Education
• Science Standards K-12
• Social Studies Standards K-12
• World Languages

 

The Papillion La Vista Community Schools assessment program uses multiple measures in order to accurately determine what a student knows and is able to do. Some of these assessments are mandated by the State or Federal Government and others are locally determined.
The MAP test fulfills a state requirement as part of Nebraska accountability which requires us to administer a nationally normed assessment. It also serves as a valuable tool to understand how to respond to individual student learning needs, determine instructional groups, select appropriate materials, monitor progress, and differentiate instruction. In this document you will find additional information regarding the MAP test and how it will be used in the Papillion La Vista Community Schools.

What is NWEA MAP?
Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping all children learn. NWEA provides assessments called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to improve teaching and learning.

What does a MAP assessment look like?
MAP assessments are computerized adaptive tests that measure your child’s instructional level in math, reading and language usage. When taking a MAP test, the difficultly of each question is based on how well a student answers all the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. In an optimal test, a student answers approximately half the items correctly and half incorrectly. The final score is a reliable estimate of the student’s achievement level. Although MAP is not timed, it usually takes students about 45-60 minutes to complete each assessment.

Who takes the MAP test?
Beginning with the 2018-19 year, students in grades K - 9 will take the MAP Assessment. MAP may also be used at other grade levels as an initial screener for High Ability Learner (HAL) identification and intervention monitoring.

When will students be assessed?
Students will take the assessment in the fall (September/October) and winter (January/February). If your student does not finish an assessment within the time-frame set aside for his or her class, the assessment may be paused and then resumed at a later date without penalty.

Do all students in the same grade take the exact same test?
No. MAP assessments are designed to target a student’s academic performance in mathematics, reading, and language usage. These tests are tailored to an individual’s current achievement level. This gives each student a fair opportunity to show what he or she knows and can do.

What are the benefits of the MAP assessment?
MAP assessments support Nebraska College and Career Readiness standards and also provide projections for other assessments such as the ACT. The results from MAP provide teachers with accurate and timely information to assist in their classroom instruction. Teachers may use the students instructional level information from a MAP assessment to monitor student learning and pinpoint areas for more specific and intense instruction as well as celebrate areas where significant growth has occurred.

What is a RIT score?
Once students have completed the MAP, they will receive their RIT score. Similar to measuring height on a yard-stick, the RIT scale is used to measure how “tall” a student is on the curriculum scale and scores can be compared to tell how much growth a student has made. The RIT score is one of the most important pieces of information on a student’s report. This score is independent of the age or grade of the student, and reflects the instructional level at which the student is currently performing.

When will I see how my child performed on the MAP?
Parents and students will receive a student performance report following each administration of the test.

Growth Over Time
We expect RIT scores to increase over time. Typically, younger students show more growth in one year than older students. Students who test above grade level often show less growth. Sometimes RIT scores may decline from one test to the next. One low test score is not cause for immediate concern. Like adults, students have good and bad days and their test results do not always indicate what they know and can do. Students' attitudes toward the test can also affect their score. Therefore, growth over time is a better measure of student learning. Our goal is to use the data to differentiate instruction, monitor student progress, and identify those students that could benefit from additional support and intervention so that all students in PLCS can master rigorous academic expectations.

The Lexile Framework for Reading
After completing the MAP, students will also learn their Lexile range. A Lexile range is a score that helps identify reading material that is at an appropriate difficulty level for an individual student. Reading materials are written at a set Lexile level. Knowing your child’s Lexile range will help you identify materials that match his or her reading level. Keep in mind that Lexile does not evaluate genre, theme, content, or interest. Even though a student might be able to read books at a certain Lexile, the content or theme of the text may not be appropriate for that particular student because of his or her age or developmental level. Also, a student may be able to read more difficult content if it is an area of interest for that child since he or she may already be familiar with some of the vocabulary necessary to comprehend the text.

Examples of Sample Books
Green Eggs and Ham, Lexile = 30
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lexile = 940
Pride and Prejudice, Lexile = 1100
Charlotte’s Web, Lexile = 680

Commonly Used Terms
Here are some other terms you will hear and use as you are talking with teachers and your children about MAP.

District Average
The average RIT score for all students in PLCS in the same grade who were tested at the same time as your child.

Norm Group Average
The average score of students who were in the same grade and tested in the same term as observed in the latest NWEA norming study.

Percentile Range
Percentiles are used to compare one student’s performance to that of the norm group. Percentile means the student scored as well as, or better than, that percent of students taking the test in his/her grade. There is about a 68 percent chance that a student’s percentile ranking would fall within this range if the student tested again relatively soon.

Percentile Rank
This number indicates the percentage of students in the NWEA norm group for this grade that this student’s score equaled or exceeded.

Our curriculum provides students with the opportunity to practice and reinforce skills related to the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Additionally, teachers employ a small-group instructional approach where a teacher guides students in reading texts at an appropriate level, providing support and teaching throughout the lesson to help them develop strategic actions for processing increasingly challenging materials and applying literacy skills across various contexts. The Journey’s Reading Program is adopted and implemented across the District, combining these essential components of a comprehensive reading program.

The writing curriculum focuses on students creating authentic pieces with an emphasis on ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, grammar, mechanics, and spelling, all while utilizing the writing process to express their ideas. Additionally, writing conferences provide students with the opportunity to share their drafts with teachers, receiving valuable feedback that fosters deeper reflection on their writing and contributes to the development of a community of writers. Direct instruction in handwriting is provided using Handwriting Without Tears in the primary grades (K-1). Cursive writing is formally introduced in second grade and extended into third grade. Digital writing, or keyboarding instruction, begins in 3rd grade and continues through 6th grade, using a program called Typing Agent.

The curriculum is designed to be coherent and problem-centered, promoting an inquiry-based teaching-learning environment by identifying important mathematical ideas and embedding essential understandings. This approach allows students to develop effective reasoning skills across verbal, numeric, graphic, and symbolic representations in both conceptual and procedural knowledge. Our curriculum is structured to focus on core concepts within each grade level, fostering a more in-depth understanding of critical mathematical ideas in number, algebra, geometry, and data. Mathematics is taught using the Math Investigations curriculum from Kindergarten through 5th Grade, while 6th grade utilizes an investigative program called Connected Math.

The science curriculum is designed to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary for our students to become scientifically literate and civically minded. Students actively participate in investigations and explore concepts through phenomena-based inquiries, integrating powerful literacy, digital, and interactive content to comprehend key scientific ideas. Learning experiences intentionally intertwine science content knowledge with critical thinking tools and practices used by scientists and engineers. Students apply their literacy and mathematics skills in relevant and authentic ways as they construct scientific literacy. Kindergarten through 5th grade uses a program called Carolina Research and 6th grade implements a program called StemScopes. 

The social studies curriculum provides learning opportunities for students to question, evaluate, communicate, and apply ideas using multiple perspectives in the areas of civics, economics, geography, and history. Social studies prepares students to become engaged citizens in local, national, and global societies. The primary curriculum source for fourth grade is 'The Nebraska Adventure,' published by Gibb-Smith Education. Fifth grade utilizes 'Impact Social Studies,' and sixth grade uses resources from the 'World History' curriculum.

In the PLCS district, we employ a choice-based (studio/learning) centers approach to teaching art. This concept allows the curriculum to be presented in-depth within the context of work chosen by student artists. With broad responsibilities and high standards, children can organize their reality into art. The authenticity lies in the creative problem-solving and intrinsic motivation that occurs within a choice-based model. Art classrooms provide students with experiences to build skills in the artistic process while adhering to the Teaching of Artistic Behavior philosophy.

The elementary music curriculum provides students with the opportunity to practice and reinforce skills related to the three pillars of musicianship: create, perform, and respond as defined by the Nebraska Department of Education. The instruction, delivered by highly trained educators, is experience-based, dynamic, and active, with exploration being a central component of learning new material, enabling students to create age-appropriate musical outcomes. Students will diversify their music experience by engaging with a broad range of music from various cultures. Assessments use performance as a major cornerstone, and are designed based on multiple learning styles and adapted to meet the needs of all learners.

Students have the option to join the band program in 6th grade. Students can choose from a variety of musical instruments. Fundamental instrument playing skills, music theory, and expression are taught in small groups and big band sessions.

Physical education in elementary schools aims to promote physical health, motor skills development, social skills, and a positive attitude toward an active lifestyle. It contributes to the holistic development of students and lays the foundation for a lifetime of physical well-being.

The Papillion La Vista Community Schools counseling program is an integral part of the educational process, addressing the academic, career, and personal/social needs of all students. This collaborative program is primarily delivered through a counseling curriculum but also includes individual student planning sessions, management, and accountability components. The counseling curriculum aims to promote positive well-being and personal success by teaching essential knowledge and skills for learning in school and throughout life. Additionally, students will practice interpersonal skills to understand and respect themselves and others, as well as explore the world of careers and job opportunities.

The school library curriculum plays a vital role in empowering students to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, and responsible users of information resources. Our curriculum focuses on introducing students to a diverse range of age-appropriate literature, spanning various genres, while engaging children in exploring new worlds through literature and cultivating a love of reading. The curriculum incorporates information literacy skills, teaching students how to locate, evaluate, and utilize information effectively and responsibly. Basic research techniques, source evaluation, citation methods, and ethical use of information are introduced in a developmentally appropriate manner. 

Outdoor Ed Information

This year Outdoor Education will take place at Carol Joy Holling Camp and Retreat Center, located near Ashland.  Day 1 is an extended day.  Students will have all the experiences they have had in past years with the exception of the overnight stay.

Departure will be 8:00 a.m. from the school by bus for Day 1 and Day 2

Return will be 9:30 p.m. on Day 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Day 2

 

Directions to the Carol Joy Holling Camp and Retreat Center

Carol Joy Holling Camp is a nonprofit camp and retreat center located on 320 acres of land in Ashland, NE.

27416 Ranch Road
Ashland, NE 68003

 

Outdoor Ed Camp Menu

Day 1 Lunch 

Hot Dog with Bun
Kettle Chips
Baked Beans
Brownies

Day 1 Afternoon Snack

Graham Cracker Scooby Snacks

Day 1 Dinner

Goulash
Green Beans
Breadstick
Chocolate Cake

Day 2 Morning Snack

Nutra Grain Bars

Day 2 Lunch

Chicken Patties with Bun
Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips
Corn
Cookie

 

2024-2025 Outdoor Ed Dates

August 26-27 - Tara Heights

August 28-29 - Carriage Hill

September 4-5 - G Stanley Hall

September 9-10 - Parkview Heights

September 11-12 - Hickory Hill

September 16-17 - Portal

September 18-19 - La Vista West

September 23-24 - Anderson Grove

September 25-26 - Prairie Queen

September 30-October 1 - Ashbury/Golden Hills

October 7-8 - Patriot

October 16-17 - Trumble Park

October 21-22 - Rumsey Station

October 23-24 - Bell

October 28-29 - Walnut Creek