Skip To Main Content

Curriculum

Teaching and Learning in Hawthorn District 73

Hawthorn District 73 educators work together as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support student growth and learning. We implement a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC), and use high-quality instructional resources. 

Professional Learning Community (PLC)

A PLC is an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively to achieve better results for the students they serve. PLC practices and structures create a sustainable focus on learning; build a collaborative culture in which learning matters; and focus on results. Our grade level team and department-based PLCs work together to ensure student learning by responding to four key questions:

  • What is it we want all students to know and be able to do? (Essential Outcomes)

  • How will we know if each student has learned it? (Assessments)

  • How will we respond when students don’t learn it? (Intervention)

  • How will we extend for the students that already demonstrate mastery? (Enrichment and Acceleration)

Hawthorn’s PLC Leadership Team includes teacher leaders as well as building and district administrators. The team participates in formal training sessions and guides the systemic implementation of our PLC practices and structures.

Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC)

A GVC is a curriculum in which specific grade level content is identified and corresponding instructional time provided. We first prioritize learning standards (grade level content) as essential learning outcomes. This ensures a common understanding and collective focus on what all students must know and be able to do.  We then work together as PLC to ensure that every student is successful in achieving these learning outcomes. In doing so, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

Hawthorn’s GVC Leadership Team includes teacher leaders as well as building and district administrators. In developing our GVC, we continually refine and clarify our understanding of what all students should know and be able to do, how we measure student success, and how to ensure implementation to best meet the needs of students.

Curricular Materials

Hawthorn District 73 has secured a number of curricular materials to support the implementation of our GVC. At the elementary level, this includes Bridges in Mathematics, Into Reading (English language arts), ¡Arriba la Lectura! (Spanish language arts), Pearson Interactive Science, and Second Step (social emotional learning). At the middle school level, this includes myPerspectives (English language arts), Glencoe Math, Glencoe iScience (Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science), Pearson Social Studies (American and World History), and Project Lead the Way (STEM). 

Curriculum Documents