ELA

Each module in grades K-2 is comprised of two one-hour blocks of content-based literacy (Module Lessons and K-2 Labs) and the third hour of structured phonics (K-2 Reading Foundations Skills Block). Together, these three hours of curriculum teach and formally assess all strands of the Language Arts standards for each grade level.

Each module in our grades 3-5 second edition curriculum consists of two one-hour blocks of content-based literacy instruction. Together, these two hours of curriculum teach and formally assess all strands of the Language Arts standards for each grade level.

Eureka Math

Eureka Math²™ is a revolutionary math program designed to ensure that students move beyond rote memorization to build enduring math knowledge. It takes everything you love about Eureka Math—consistent math models, rigor to support the productive struggle, and coherence across lessons, modules, and grades—and adds a new level of flexibility and accessibility as well as visibility into student understanding to make math instruction exponentially more teachable and engaging.

Science

Michigan has adopted the new Michigan Science Standards which are based on the Next Generation Science Standards. In transitioning to the new standards, the Office of Science is piloting new NGSS aligned curriculum materials and offering professional development for teachers. Teachers are encouraged to create 3-Dimensional learning environments in their classroom by incorporating Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts in each lesson. Science electives available in the district include SmartLabs (STEM Lab), Forensics, Robotics, and Environmental Science. Additionally, schools may offer a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses which allow students to receive college credit if they pass the AP Exam with a qualifying score.

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 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. These courses incorporate civics and economics standards and build general social studies knowledge, processes, and skills. As a result, the courses form the foundation for high school social studies instruction. Upon entering high school, students across the district take state required courses in the various disciplines. Our courses are designed to provide students with the skills and disciplinary knowledge necessary to thrive in our city, nation, and the world.  

Physical Education

The goal at Fisher Lower is to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will allow them to lead healthy, active lifestyles.  To meet this goal, we teach students developmentally appropriate tasks and sport related activities, which provide the skills foundation for future physical activity.  Along with skills, we instill confidence, a positive sense of self esteem, appreciation of one's own skill level, body awareness and cooperative effort through participation.  We are committed to making physical education fun, so that they will continue to enjoy physical activity as they get older.     

Music

In Fisher Magnet Lower Academy’s music class, learning revolves around active musical engagement. While becoming musicians, students learn the fundamental dimensions of music by singing songs, moving to music, composing music, playing age appropriate instruments, and learning basic musical notation and vocabulary. Students get the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned in class through school-performances with a wide variety of music that highlight different cultures and musical styles.

 This new year has brought on new challenges in our student’s musical education. Since live performances are not viable at the moment, students are working to create on a more individual level through recording their own singing, making their own movements, and demonstrating their own sounds that can accompany a song. I look forward to bringing many of our individual performances together near the end of the year for a “Virtual Concert” so our students will still be able to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year in music class.

Library/Media

The Fisher Lower Library Media Center teach students how to be life-long learners and work to develop imagination through reading. We are committed to teaching critical thinking skills that empower students to be engaged and responsible citizens.

The collection has been developed and organized to provide access to resources that meet the information and literary needs of our students, teachers and staff. Resources support, enrich and help implement the school's educational program.

Drama

In drama class, students will do a variety of activities appropriate to their age level, including game play, acting out scenes and improvising skits.  Students will develop fthe following:

• Develop focus and concentration through participation in drama activities.

• Engage in dramatic play to create and review stories.

• Use movement and pantomime to express emotions, characters and stories.

• Identify the primary tools of the actor.

• Solve problems through creative dramatics.

• Develop physical control and storytelling through tableau.

• Portray characters vocally and non-vocally.

• Participate in collaborative decision making about artistic choices.

• Develop spatial awareness and physical control of themselves.

• Use their own words to create and retell stories.

• Develop gesture and vocal expression.

• Work in pairs to create, rehearse and perform brief stories.

• Reflect on their own work  and the work of classmates.

• Recognize plot sequence in performance and be able to act out simple dramas in linear and non-linear forms.

Study Skills

In study skills class a student will develop good strong study habits. Students will develop the following:

• identify distractions
• create a study space
• track your child's strength
• work with your child's weaknesses
• learn study skills
• learn to prioritize
• monitor their work