Novi School District Organizes Curriculum To Help Reach District Goals

—Submitted by Novi Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews

The is excited to announce the launch of the Atlas Rubicon K-12 district curriculum mapping system. Novi Schools is the first district in Oakland County to release this new organizational tool to the public. This system allows students, parents and educators to easily view the curriculum expectations of each grade level and subject in the core content areas. We believe that this valuable tool will provide a consistent, clear understanding for all stakeholders of the teaching and learning that takes place in our classrooms.

The maps in the Atlas system are the result of the collaborative effort of Novi’s K-12 teaching staff, administrators and Oakland Schools, who spent over 8,500 hours reaching a consensus on the curriculum and creating this two-dimensional graph of instructional planning. The Novi Schools’ curriculum in Atlas not only meets but often exceeds the state standards. Educators worked together in various groupings, beyond the scope of grade level and subject area, to make certain the content provides the foundation for ensuring that each student will make no less than one year’s growth in one year’s time and that all students will achieve at a high level, two of the four district goals.

Novi’s Atlas curriculum maps provide a vital communication link between school and home to provide parents an overview of what is being taught in the classroom. You will be able to view a list of main topics, essential questions, content, and skills for each core subject at each grade level. Utilizing Atlas Rubicon, parents and guardians will have an opportunity to reinforce at home the focus of learning that takes place at school.

While it is difficult for a two-dimensional map or graph to capture the multi-dimensional teaching and learning that takes place each and every day, Atlas Rubicon will be continuously reviewed and adjusted to meet the needs of our learners.

We hope that you will utilize Atlas and provide us with feedback as we strive together to fulfill Novi School’s vision of developing each student’s potential with a world-class education. To access this powerful tool please visit the Atlas link on the Novi Schools website under Parents and Community: www.novi.k12.mi.us/parentscommunity/atlas/