New curriculum resources support student learning in Houston ISD schools

Houston Independent School District has made numerous new curriculum resources available to parents this year.

According to a press release, these resources include The Vertical Alignment Matrix, Scope and Sequence, Pacing Calendars, and Literacy and Numeracy Blueprints.

Each is intended to provide parents with a better understanding of what their children are learning at any given time and when they should be learning about a specific topic or concept.

The Vertical Alignment Matrix is a document that offers a developmental map of student objectives in the curriculum by content area for each grade, according to the district's curriculum website.

Scope and Sequence is a document that outlines the standards and recommended teaching order for a specific course or grade-level.

Pacing Calendars supplement the Scope and Sequence timelines in a visual format and are designed to assist teachers in planning and pacing instruction of the curriculum.

Literacy and Numeracy Blueprints are documents that highlight key skills and concepts students should master by the end of each year and offer suggestions to help students achieve academic success.

"I have a son, and all he talks about is soccer and recess," Natasha Heard, a parent from Helm Elementary School said in the release. "So this helps me. I can say, 'Are you learning addition and subtraction? Are you are you making a diagram of it?' I'm more aware of what he should be doing and what the teacher should be teaching."

For more information about any of these resources, visit www.houstonisd.org/portal/site/Curriculum and click on the Parent Resources icon.

For more information about the Houston ISD, at 4400 W. 18th St., in Houston, visit www.houstonisd.org.