Curriculum Overview

Math

Our math curriculum and instructional practices emphasize conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and real-world application. Over the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, we are implementing the Illustrative Math (IM) curriculum to grades K-5 in a phased approach. We are implementing the IM curriculum districtwide this year in grades 3-5. At grades K-2, some schools will be early adopters of the IM curriculum, while others will continue to implement our SPS-developed curriculum. In 2025-26, all K-2 classrooms will use IM. The IM curriculum supports students’ understanding and application of mathematics and creates a coherent and cohesive math learning experience K through 8. In middle grades, the Illustrative Math curriculum ensures a strong transition from the elementary grades program. 

English Language Arts (ELA)

A good introduction to literacy (reading) needs a strong foundation. In early grades, our curriculum and instruction strive to build that strong literacy foundation. The National Reading Panel defines effective reading instruction includes phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. These concepts are also reinforced by the latest research on literacy development and dyslexia. Together, these five pillars make up the components of successful reading instruction by shaping learners' brains to learn to read and understand the written English language. In PK, we use the SEE Every Child curriculum. In grades k-5 we use FunDations, DIBELS, and i-Ready (grades 3 and up). In the 2024-2025 school year we are partnering with the Hill For Literacy to go through a curriculum review process.  

In middle grades, the purpose of our ELA curriculum is to help students to discover and further develop the joy of reading and expression. Students will gain a broad understanding of the world and the human experience through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will develop skills to investigate and analyze a text. They will also express their thinking orally and in writing, and consider multiple perspectives and audiences. Our curriculum is standards-based, intellectually challenging, invites critical thinking, and encourages discourse. In grades 6-8 we use the Fishtank Curriculum.

Science, Technology, and Engineering

We believe that strong science education fosters a child’s curiosity about the world, developing critical inquiry and problem-solving skills needed for college and career readiness. On any given day, you might see students developing experiments about matter, building bridges, or creating a website about energy conservation. Since 2016, we have collaborated with a team from Boston University to develop science units for grades K-5. The units are all designed around anchoring phenomena that guide students to make sense of scientific concepts. Grades 6-8 adopted the StemScopes Curriculum beginning in 2019.

Social Studies

We believe the purpose of Social Studies is to help students develop into effective, informed, and engaged citizens of local, national, and global communities. Our curriculum promotes values of compassion, empathy, curiosity, perspective taking, and respect for human differences. We strive to provide knowledge & skills for students to investigate interests and critically analyze information. Currently, we use educator-developed, standards-based curriculum. We are also in the process of implementing the Investigating History Social Studies curriculum. 

 

Additional Curriculum Offered:

Art Instruction

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/art
We provide a diverse and comprehensive visual arts instructional program that encourages all students to integrate the arts into their core curriculum and their social and emotional well-being. Research shows that students who participate in a visual arts program develop basic skills that encourage visual awareness and are fundamental to intellectual growth and creative self-expression.

Health/Physical Education

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/health-pe 
We provide a comprehensive health and physical education instructional program that encourages all students to make healthy decisions and live an active lifestyle to the best of their ability across their lifetimes. School-based physical education instructors provide rigorous, fun, and active class instruction. Health topics are taught by a combination of classroom teachers, physical education instructors, guidance staff, school nurses, and community partners.

Science and Health Topics: 

  • Hygiene
  • Nutrition and Food Groups
  • Personal Safety
  • Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
  • Accident Prevention, Household Safety
  • Staying Healthy: Mental, Physical, Family, and Social
  • Growth and Development
  • HIV/AIDS Awareness, Diseases, Immune System
  • Family, Values, Attitudes, Respecting Others
  • Basic First Aid
  • STDs
  • Puberty and Body Changes
  • Violence Prevention, Conflict Resolution, and Decision-Making
  • Reproduction
  • Abstinence
  • Wellness, Self-Esteem, Depression, Suicide Prevention, and Fitness
  • Heimlich Maneuver, Introduction to CPR
  • Eating Disorders

The list above shows the Science and Health Topics taught in our schools. Parents/guardians may exempt their student(s) from the italicized topics only. In order to request an exemption, you must send the request to your child’s school principal in writing. Please include your child’s name and grade. Students will be provided with alternate assignments. If you have questions as to the content, or would like to look at a lesson plan, please feel free to request this also.

Social Emotional Learning

We support every student’s social and emotional development through curriculum and practices called SEL (Social Emotional Learning). SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. To learn more, visit the Student Services page of our website.

Library / Media Instruction

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/library-media     
The Library Media Department helps to develop information-literate students, and to locate information in a variety of formats (including text-based, audiovisual, computer formatted, and Web-based). Information literacy is best taught through the integration of library media use skills into subject specific activities, including research papers, projects, computer generated presentations, etc. Using methods that include the Big Six steps of research, the library media specialists’ goal is to work cooperatively with staff and students to develop activities that reinforce and expand classroom learning.

Music Instruction

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/music
The Music Department offers weekly music instruction to students in grades PK-8. In addition, free instrumental music lessons are available to students in grades 4–8. SHS offers many music electives and an opportunity for “major” study in music theory and practice. Performance is an important part of the instructional process. Elementary and high school student performance ensembles perform regularly in school and in the community. 

Reading Instruction

We teach literacy skills in all curriculum areas and across all grades. For students needing additional support, services may be provided by certified Reading Specialists. Our services vary and include: intensive support for early readers, in-class help for students needing more attention during reading and writing activities, and small group instruction to support successful comprehension of content area reading.                                                         

World Language Instruction

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/world-languages      
The World Language Department endorses the research that shows that students who learn another language reach higher academic performance, display greater cognitive benefits, and develop a more positive attitude toward the target language and the speakers of that language. Middle school world language instruction in Spanish was introduced in 2012–2013. High school world language instruction includes opportunities to master Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.

Third Grade Swim Lessons and Special Pool Programs

All third grade students are offered free swim lessons during the school year and school day, as part of the Physical Education curriculum. The swim program is a collaboration between the Somerville Parks and Recreation Department, and SPS. Team-building adventure programs for special education and at-risk students are also conducted at the pool. These programs provide students with a solid foundation in water safety and introduce them to the lifelong benefits of swimming and water activities.

Grade-Level Curriculum Guides

Somerville Public Schools Elements of Successful Literacy Instruction Overview, provides an introduction to the literacy curriculum and grade-level examples.