Student Achievement

Student achievement is the number one goal at Nolan Elementary/Middle School. Through a tough curriculum, students are challenged to reach their fullest potential and encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.

Our curriculum includes Language Arts (EL Education), Mathematics (Eureka Math), Science (Mystery Science), Social Studies.

English Language Arts (ELA)

In grades Kindergarten - 8th grade, our district has selected EL Education as our core instructional materials. In Kindergarten - 2nd grade, students will have 2 hours of instruction that includes foundational skills, module lessons, and a literacy lab. The materials are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and designed to promote critical thinking and engagement with real-world content. They also participate in 50 minutes of small group instruction/Intervention in Reading and Writing.

Grades 3-5 will have 2 hours of instruction, which is comprised of module lessons and an A.L.L (Additional Language and Learning) block for small group instruction.

In grades 6-8, instruction will be a combination of the module lessons and a small group instruction block, similar to the 3rd-5th framework.  Please visit the link for more information.

Mathematics

In grades Kindergarten - 8th grade, our district has selected Eureka Math as our core instructional curriculum.

In Kindergarten -2nd grade, students will have 75 minutes of instruction that includes application problems, problem sets, exit tickets, sprints and fluency, homework and homework helpers, spread throughout 3 workbooks for all modules.

In 3rd -5th grade, students will have a 50-minute block for instruction that includes application problems, problem sets, exit tickets, sprints and fluency, homework and homework helpers, spread throughout 3 workbooks for all modules. The second 50-minute block is for Small Group instruction.

In grades 6-8, instruction will be a 50-minute block for the Module Lesson, including classwork (exercises and examples, sprints and fluency), exit tickets and problem sets for additional practice, all found in one workbook per module.  The second 50-minute block is for Small Group instruction.  Please visit the link for more information.

Small Group Instruction is designed for students to get additional support in Math through computer apps (i-Ready, Zearn, Khan Academy) and one on one support from the classroom teacher. Groups are designed from data collected from our i-Ready and formal assessment data.

   Math Link: MATH K-8 Eureka

Science

• Curriculum aligned to state and national standards
• Data-driven differentiated instruction
• Engaging 3-Dimensional, hands-on, scientific investigations
• Classroom experiences connected to real-world phenomena
• Opportunities to engage in science and engineering practices
• Exposure to STEM-related career pathways 
• incorporating Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts in each lesson
• All third-grade classes include Lego Robotics, incorporating the program from LEGO LEAGUE
• Links for Science Curriculum IQWST: Grades 6-8, CREATE for STEM: Grades 4-5 and 6-8, Mystery Science: Grades K-5

Social Studies

Our Social Studies curriculum is aligned with the Michigan State Standards. As called for by the standards in the primary grades, the curriculum begins by introducing students to disciplines of social studies such as Geography, Economics, History, Civics, and Government through familiar, age-appropriate concepts. Concepts become increasingly more complex as students matriculate. In grades five through eight, our courses emphasize the national geography and history standards. Social Studies Link: Michigan K-8 Content Expectations

Creative Writing for Grade 4 

Creative Writing is introduced in Grade 4 to help students develop a passion for writing, practice their reading comprehension, build their vocabulary, work on spelling, grammatical or structural skills.  It is also designed to help the child think and dream big. 

Gym/Health

The gym class teaches our students about basic hygiene and age-appropriate health topics. To encourage the health topics, the class also participates in physical activities such as basketball, soccer and, when the weather permits, outside activities.

Instrumental/Vocal

The instrumental music program provides an opportunity for students to explore, understand and develop an appreciation for our diverse cultural heritage and to provide an aesthetic experience by way of a musical instrument for the enrichment of the character and personality of the whole child. Music fundamentals are introduced and those concepts are further developed through the use of increasingly complex materials and techniques. The vocal students will learn basic singing techniques to best develop the physical body as a singing instrument. During the chorus experience, the student will focus on five main units...

1. Respiration: learning to coordinate breathing to support the voice for speaking and singing production.
2. Phonation: developing agility in the various vocal registers.
3. Resonant Tone Production: producing uniform vowel colors when singing.
4. Diction: including word pronunciation, consonant articulation, and vocal tract freedom (i.e. correct positioning of the parts of the mouth and throat).
5. Expression: phrasing, meaning and mood of a song and learning to execute tempo and dynamic variations. 

Physical Education

Physical Education Curriculum is to develop in students the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that promote a healthy level of physical fitness and lead to a commitment to consistent, lifelong participation in physical activity. Physical activities will be performed in an active, supportive, and non-threatening atmosphere where all students, regardless of physical ability, will be challenged to achieve success through a spirit of cooperation, sportsmanship, and respect for one’s self and others.