NEW SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOK ADOPTIONS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL

October 28, 2003, Succasunna, NJ…Steadily growing student populations, as well as the requirement to adhere to New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards have been the main impetuses behind the adoption of a new science program in kindergarten through fourth grade and new social studies program in kindergarten through fifth grade for the Roxbury School District children. But from the looks on the children’s faces as they examine the beautifully detailed and illustrated books, the maps and globes, and the bins of science laboratory materials filled with the promise of many intriguing explorations, it would seem that the best purpose for these adoptions was to make the experience of coming to school even more enriching and enjoyable than ever before.

The adoptions followed a lengthy process that involved several phases.  First, the K-4 curricula for social studies and science were rewritten in accordance with mandated state standards.  These were collaborative efforts that reflected the input of the teachers who would be responsible for delivering the curricula.

Second, was the lengthy and exhaustive process of selecting materials to support the social studies and science curricula.  To this end, committees were formed for each discipline to survey the market, then reduce the field to four viable candidates, see presentations from each of these publishers, and finally narrow the candidates down to two for the purposes of piloting, or placing trial installations in a number of classrooms throughout the district. 

 Ten science and social studies classrooms across the grade levels had the opportunity to use each of the final candidate programs for several months to determine how well they worked in an actual classroom situation…the true testing ground.  At the end of this piloting period, the teachers involved reconvened to share experiences, and to make a recommendation regarding the programs to be adopted.  The consensus was clear: Scott Foreman for Social Studies; McMillan McGraw-Hill for Science.

Adjusting to the demands of working with two new programs is no small task, and the enthusiasm and responsiveness of the teachers to professional development to ease the transition has added a spark to the professional climate in the Roxbury elementary schools. 

Ms. Sassaman, fifth grade teacher at Lincoln Roosevelt School commented on the Social Studies text, “In regards to the new social studies textbooks, I am very happy with them.  I was on the committee that chose them last year, and piloted it last year as well.  I have heard very positive feedback from other teachers who are using them this year.  I feel that the text is very kid friendly, and the way that the information is presented is at a nice pace for the level of the students.”  Mrs. Cherry, first grade teacher at Nixon School similarly states, “I am very pleased with the Social Studies adoption.  The materials are bright, kid-friendly, and interesting to them.”

When reflecting on the Science text, Ms. Ellie Walko states, “The series has a lot of opportunities for hands on learning.  The kids are excited about it.”

As the district takes on these challenges, it does so knowing that the materials will help properly address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science and Social Studies, provide up-to-date information, and provide excellent support materials for the teachers to provide rich and engaging programs.

A joint presentation by Mrs. Patricia Bihon, the Supervisor of Elementary Humanities, and Mrs. Karen Carlson, the Supervisor of Elementary Applied Sciences, is scheduled to take place in the Lincoln Auditorium on January 7, 2004 at 7:00 PM for all interested parties.  At that time, the materials will be on display, and Mrs. Bihon and Mrs. Carlson will report on our progress, thus far in the year, integrating the programs into the lives of our classrooms.