Curriculum and Instruction in Newport News Public Schools
The Curriculum Management Plan provides students a standards-based curriculum which includes rigorous, high quality, learning activities, by subject and grade. The state standards are used to determine the big ideas or major understandings that students should learn. Assessment and learning activities are created to provide students with problems and situations that mirror those found in the world at large. Strategies are chosen to challenge and engage students while keeping the focus on learning. The curriculum and instructional strategies are composed of the best practices identified by current research on learning theory.
English. The goals of the English curriculum are to develop students in their reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Reading instruction and intervention strategies ensure that all students learn to read and write well. In elementary and middle schools, students develop critical reading and writing skills including comprehension strategies, grammar, and spelling. High school students focus on in-depth studies of literature and writing.
Mathematics. Newport News Public Schools follows the Virginia guidelines for Standards of Learning in mathematics. Its goal is to provide students with the problem solving skills necessary to function in a technological society. Each topic increases in complexity every grade level, which range from algebra to college level Advanced Placement courses. Topics are repeated at various times throughout the year to spiral the learning and to ensure that essential skills are revisited frequently.
History and Social Science. The history and social science curriculum focuses on history, geography, civics, and economics. Classroom instruction is supported by museum partnerships and participation in the federal grant projects. Secondary students take advantage of elective courses such as psychology, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate classes.
Science. The science curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop process skills and build knowledge through student engagement and hands-on, interactive activities with student programs at the Virginia Living Museum and citywide science fairs. Topics at the K–12 levels include: scientific investigation; reasoning and logic; force, motion and energy; matter; life processes; living systems; interrelationships in earth/space systems; earth patterns, cycles, and change; and resources. The secondary curriculum emphasizes data analysis, experimentation, communication of results, and scientific methodology.
Health and Physical Education. The health and physical education programs provide opportunities for students to participate in worthwhile leisure activities and to develop healthy lifestyles. Physical education helps students become familiar with and proficient in a variety of team sports, lifetime activities, and dance. Health instruction addresses fitness and nutrition, mental and emotional health, family and social health, body systems, growth and development, diseases and disorders, and consumer and environmental health.
Visual Arts. The visual arts curriculum is structured for students to develop an appreciation for various art forms. Elementary students discover a variety of materials and experiences in art production, art history and appreciation across time and cultures. Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in exploratory and elective courses. A variety of high school elective courses include Studio Arts, Photography, and Computer Graphics and Animation with Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options.
Music. The music curriculum enables students to understand musical concepts and to experience music through performance. The elementary program uses a variety of rhythm instruments, choral music, and recordings. Middle school music courses include band, chorus, and orchestra. High school courses include band (marching and concert), chorus, orchestra, guitar, piano, music theory, and Advanced Placement Music Theory.
Foreign Language. Through the world language curriculum, students experience a variety of foreign languages including French, German, Latin, Spanish, and Japanese. Language proficiency is the primary goal. Students begin speaking the language at the introductory level of instruction and refine their skills as they advance through the multi-year curriculum. The curriculum also provides students with a cultural awareness of the people whose languages they study.