Curriculum & Instructional Materials

Students kindergarten through fifth grade engage in the five pillars of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In addition, students engage in writing instruction supporting the three text types: opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative. Writing instruction includes: handwriting, the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing), and writing in response to reading. The goal of ELA instruction is for students to become fluent and skilled in reading and writing and apply those skills and strategies to other content areas. ELA instructional materials align to the Washington Learning Standards for ELA.

As research and best practices in the Science of Reading continue to evolve and grow, the Richland School District is committed to staying current and knowledgeable in research and instructional practices. Scarbourough’s Reading Rope is a theoretical framework that encompasses the essential reading components based in the Science of Reading. Through systematic and explicit instruction in these components, students move towards skilled, accurate, fluent, and comprehensive readers.

K-5 ELA Instructional Materials

The purpose of health education is to develop health-literate students—students who acquire the knowledge and possess the skills needed to engage in meaningful and health-enhancing lifetime behaviors. The Health Education K–12 Learning Standards provide schools with a foundation for implementing standards-based, age-appropriate instruction for each student. These standards, adopted in 2016, are organized into six core ideas that reflect learning standards for wellness, safety, nutrition, sexual health, social emotional health, and substance use and abuse.  

Fifth grade receive instruction in Personal Growth and Development and HIV/AIDS. The instructional materials listed below are aligned to the Health Education K–12 Learning Standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.

Grade 5 Health Instructional Materials

Students kindergarten through fifth grade engage in an inquiry-based approach to teaching mathematics. Student actively explore mathematical ideas to develop understanding and fluency. They collaborate, investigate and take part in problem-based learning. During student-centered mathematics activities and collaboration time with peers, students investigate a variety of ways to solve problems and practice explaining their thinking and justify their reasoning.

Students are exposed to rich mathematical tasks that allow for multiple entry points and varied solution strategies through Investigations 3 Common Core. The program is aligned to the Washington State Mathematics K-12 Learning Standards (commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards). These standards describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The Mathematical Practices embedded with in these standards describe varieties of experience that students need to develop to be proficient in mathematics.

Math Instructional Materials

Students kindergarten through fifth grade engage in hands-on science through an integrated approach to teaching science and engineering.  The integrated approach combines engineering design along with scientific inquiry, emphasizing the relationship between scientific investigations and engineering design in solving problems and devising new ideas and technologies. The goal is for students to realize the importance of science and engineering in innovation and in solving many of today’s challenges. A working knowledge and practicality of engineering design prepares students for embracing the challenges of the future. 

Using curriculum created by Carolina Biological, students explore life science, earth and space science, physical science and engineering design through Building Blocks of Science (Kindergarten) and Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (Grades 1-5) aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.

K-5 Science Topics Explored

The Richland School District adopted PurposeFull People as its new K-5 instructional materials for Social Emotional Learning in 2023. PurposeFull People is intentionally designed to support the development of character and social emotional skills in students, staff, and families. The 10 traits that are taught include respect, courage, perseverance, gratitude, honesty, kindness, responsibility, cooperation, creativity and empathy.

PurposeFull People is aligned to the Washington State SEL K-12 Learning Standards. Schools must provide social-emotional learning (SEL) to students in grades K-3, consistent with SEL Standards and Benchmarks. SEL provides skills to do things like cope with feelings, set goals, and get along with others. No sexuality content or curriculum will be required, although districts may choose to offer additional instruction in alignment with K-12 Learning Standards for Health Education.

PurposeFull People Grade Level Skills

Publisher Information: PurposeFull People

Scope & Sequence

Students kindergarten through fifth grade engage in social studies learning that prepares them to inquire about and interact with the world around them. Instruction in social studies includes: social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history: Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills, inquiry-based research practices, and application and communication of learning that are relevant to the content and their interests. Social studies instruction in elementary school prepares students for the increased demand and rigor of social studies instruction and content in middle school.

The Washington State Social Studies K-12 Learning Standards consist of Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) that describe what students should know and be able to do in social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history.

K-5 Social Studies Instructional Materials

Students in grades 6-8 engage in next generation learning in English Language Arts through a student-centered approach. Reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language skills are taught through an integrated approach with access to multi-genre texts. Students engage in a range of collaborative learning opportunities, analyzing texts and learning about current events and the world around them. The goal of ELA instruction is for students to become thoughtful and critical consumers of print and be able to effectively communicate their ideas and research. ELA instructional materials align to the Washington Learning Standards for ELA.

As research and best practices in the Science of Reading continue to evolve and grow, the Richland School District is committed to staying current and knowledgeable in research and instructional practices. Students engage in learning and literacy applications that prepare them for high school, college and career.

6-8 ELA Instructional Materials

The purpose of health education is to develop health-literate students—students who acquire the knowledge and possess the skills needed to engage in meaningful and health-enhancing lifetime behaviors. The 2016 Health Education K–12 Learning Standards provide schools with a foundation for implementing standards-based, age-appropriate instruction for each student. These standards, adopted in 2016, are organized into six core ideas that reflect learning standards for wellness, safety, nutrition, sexual health, social emotional health, and substance use and abuse.  

Students engage in relevant topics, real-world and hands-on activities related to their health. These courses are aligned to the Health Education K–12 Learning Standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.

6-8 Health Instructional Materials

Students in grades 6-8 engage in an inquiry based approach to real-world problems as they apply mathematics from lower grades and develop skills for new learning. Students develop mathematical reasoning, engage in discourse, and build strong mathematical habits. 

In partnership with Curriculum Associates, Ready Mathematics focuses on conceptual understanding using real-world problem solving, develops strong mathematical thinkers, and helps students become active participants in their own learning. The program is aligned to the Washington State Mathematics K-12 Learning Standards (commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards). These standards describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The Mathematical Practices embedded with in these standards describe varieties of experience that students need to develop to be proficient in mathematics.

Math Instructional Materials

Students in grades 6-8 engage in hands-on science through an integrated approach to teaching science and engineering.  The integrated approach combines engineering design along with scientific inquiry, emphasizing the relationship between scientific investigations and engineering design in solving problems and devising new ideas and technologies. The goal is for students to realize the importance of science and engineering in innovation and in solving many of today’s challenges. A working knowledge and practicality of engineering design prepares students for embracing the challenges of the future.

Using curriculum created by Carolina Biological, students explore life science, earth and space science, physical science and engineering design through Smithsonian Science for the Classroom aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.  The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.

Grades 6-8 Science Topics Explored

The Richland School District adopted CharacterStrong as its new instructional materials for Social Emotional Learning in 2023. CharacterStrong is designed to build social and emotional skills, develop character, and strengthen educator-student relationships. It intentionally teaches character traits and goes in-depth into what these traits look like and then follows up with practical ways to improve them in their own lives and with those around them. 

Social emotional skills strengthened in CharacterStrong: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Character development includes: patience, kindness, honesty, respect, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. Teaching all these skills to every student will prepare them for any opportunity in life beyond high school.

CharacterStrong is aligned to the Washington State SEL K-12 Learning Standards. 

CharacterStrong Family Overview

Scope & Sequence

Students in grades 6-8 engage in social studies learning that prepares them to inquire about and interact with the world around them. Instruction in social studies includes: social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history: Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills, inquiry-based research practices, and application and communication of learning that are relevant to the content and their interests. Social studies instruction in middle school prepares students for the increased demand and rigor of social studies instruction and content in high school.

The Washington State Social Studies K-12 Learning Standards consist of Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) that describe what students should know and be able to do in social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history.

6-8 Social Studies Instructional Materials

Prior to high school, eighth students may take high school Spanish 1 for credit.  World Language students engage in a rich-language based approach focused on communication and culture. They experience a variety of real-life situations aimed at learning language skills to communicate in the real-world.  Interactive and relevant classroom activities prepare students who will use their newly acquired language skills as they travel abroad. Students looking to study more advanced language skills or work towards language proficiency have the opportunity to take advanced courses.  

All courses are aligned to the Washington State World Language K-12 Learning Standards and the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. These standards describe what students should know and be able to do as they study and learn to communicate in languages beyond English.

Grade 8 World Language Instructional Materials

Students in grades 9-11 engage in next generation learning in English Language Arts through a student-centered approach. Reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language skills are taught through an integrated approach with access to multi-genre texts. Students engage in a range of collaborative learning opportunities, analyzing texts and learning about current events and the world around them. Students in twelfth grade can choose from a variety of ELA elective course offerings to support their interests and personal goals. The goal of ELA instruction is for students to become thoughtful and critical consumers of print and be able to effectively communicate their ideas and research. ELA instructional materials align to the Washington Learning Standards for ELA.

As research and best practices in the Science of Reading continue to evolve and grow, the Richland School District is committed to staying current and knowledgeable in research and instructional practices. Students engage in learning and literacy applications that prepare them for college and career.

High School ELA Instructional Materials

The purpose of health education is to develop health-literate students—students who acquire the knowledge and possess the skills needed to engage in meaningful and health-enhancing lifetime behaviors. The 2016 Health Education K–12 Learning Standards provide schools with a foundation for implementing standards-based, age-appropriate instruction for each student. These standards, adopted in 2016, are organized into six core ideas that reflect learning standards for wellness, safety, nutrition, sexual health, social emotional health, and substance use and abuse.  

In partnership with Savvas Learning Company, through relevant topics high school students build upon their health knowledge and acquire new skills necessary to develop and enhance life long healthy behaviors. This course is aligned to the Health Education K–12 Learning Standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.
 

High school mathematics builds on the foundation set in middle grades by deepening students understanding of linear and exponential functions, introducing students to mathematical reasoning and arguments, and developing students understanding of advanced algebraic concepts and the application to real-world problems.  Students looking to further their math skills have opportunities to apply their knowledge in advanced courses such as statistics and calculus.  A strong mathematics program prepares students for success in college, trade, school, employment or the military.

Real-world scenarios give students the opportunity to share and connect to their own unique experiences. The programs are aligned to the Washington State Mathematics K-12 Learning Standards (commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards). These standards describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The Mathematical Practices embedded with in these standards describe varieties of experience that students need to develop to be proficient in mathematics.

High School Math Instructional Materials

High School students engage in hands-on science through an integrated approach to teaching science and engineering. The integrated approach combines engineering design along with scientific inquiry, emphasizing the relationship between scientific investigations and engineering design in solving problems and devising new ideas and technologies. The goal is for students to realize the importance of science and engineering in innovation and in solving many of today’s challenges. A working knowledge and practicality of engineering design prepares students for embracing the challenges of the future. 

These courses are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards,  K–12 science content standards that set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do.

High School Science Instructional Materials

The Richland School District adopted CharacterStrong as its new instructional materials for Social Emotional Learning in 2023. CharacterStrong is designed to build social and emotional skills, develop character, and strengthen educator-student relationships. It intentionally teaches character traits and goes in-depth into what these traits look like and then follows up with practical ways to improve them in their own lives and with those around them. 

Social emotional skills strengthened in CharacterStrong: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Character development includes: patience, kindness, honesty, respect, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. Teaching all these skills to every student will prepare them for any opportunity in life beyond high school.

CharacterStrong is aligned to the Washington State SEL K-12 Learning Standards. 

CharacterStrong Family Overview

Scope & Sequence

Students in grades 9-12 engage in social studies learning that prepares them to inquire about and interact with the world around them. Instruction in social studies includes: social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history: Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills, inquiry-based research practices, and application and communication of learning that are relevant to the content and their interests. Social studies instruction in high school prepares students for college and career.

The Washington State Social Studies K-12 Learning Standards consist of Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) that describe what students should know and be able to do in social studies skills, civics, economics, geography, and history.

High School Social Studies Instructional Materials

High School students engage in a rich-language based approach focused on communication and culture. They experience a variety of real-life situations aimed at learning language skills to communicate in the real-world. Interactive and relevant classroom activities prepare students who will use their newly acquired language skills as they travel abroad. Students looking to study more advanced language skills or work towards language proficiency have the opportunity to take advanced courses. 

All courses are aligned to the Washington State World Language K-12 Learning Standards and the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. These standards describe what students should know and be able to do as they study and learn to communicate in languages beyond English.

High School World Language Instructional Materials