Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Do we have to follow the "suggested time"?

A:  No.  Those are just suggestions and may be adjusted to meet the needs of your students.

Q:  Why do we jump from the back of the book to the beginning of the book in some maps in mathematics?  The textbook pages at the end of the book are too difficult for our students and they have not been exposed to the background knowledge needed. 

A:  Our curriculum is defined by the Comprehensive Curriculum and the GLE's - not the textbook.  The textbook pages that are listed on the maps, let you know where those skills are covered in the textbook, but are not to suggest that you must use those pages.  You should look at the CC activity to determine the complexity of the lesson needed at that point in the year and decide the best method to teach your students that skill.  You may find other textbook pages or resources that can teach that skill - if so, please share them with us and we can add them to the map.  The GLE's can be rearranged in the units and equivalent activities may be substituted to teach those skills.  Also in most cases the GLE's are covered more than once and allow you to develop mastery of the skill by the end of the year.  

Q:  What about Write from the Beginning or Write for the Future?  Can we still use those programs?

A:  Yes.  If you have been trained to use those programs and have implemented them with success in your classroom, then of course you can use them.  We want our teachers to use all available techniques to help their students.  If you have not been trained or have not fully implemented the program, then you should use the writing that is imbedded in the Harcourt / Holt reading series.  At the end of the year, we will solicit your input before deciding if the programs work well together and/or which program to keep.  I have included some implementation documents that were created by the WFTB / WFF consultants and some of our teachers.  These should help you as you use both programs. 

Q:  The benchmark test schedule does not match the timeline of the all of the units in Mathematics.  What are we supposed to do? 

A:  When putting the test together we are going to make sure that skills covered on the test have been covered by the date of the test.  We are also extending the window for the mathematics tests so that teachers can have their students take the test anytime during that window.  That would depend on the rate that teachers are able to cover the material.  As we go through this process we will be able to give more specifics about the test content and may adjust the testing dates as needed.