Curriculum & Instruction Home
The Watertown Public Schools’ Department of Curriculum and Instruction envisions a dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment where EVERY STUDENT experiences innovative, engaging, and meaningful learning in EVERY CLASSROOM, EVERY DAY.
We believe learning should be purposeful, connected, and empowering- positioning students as active participants in their own discovery, critical thinking, and growth. Through curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and real-world application, students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become innovative thinkers, effective communicators, and compassionate leaders prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.
If you have any questions about the curriculum, please feel free to contact Jennifer Galik (galikje@watertownps.org) or any of the specific instructional leaders listed below.
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Curriculum is our district’s plan for student learning. Aligned to state standards, it outlines what students should know, understand, and be able to do, and how their learning develops across grades and courses. Curriculum guides the learning experiences, materials, and assessments used to support students’ progress. More than a textbook or program, curriculum connects learning goals with classroom experiences so students can build knowledge, develop skills, and apply what they learn.
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High-quality instruction brings our curriculum to life through clear, engaging, and responsive teaching. Teachers establish meaningful learning goals, explain and model new learning, and give students opportunities to think, discuss, practice, and apply their knowledge. They check for understanding, provide helpful feedback, and adjust, support and challenge so every student can grow. In a respectful and supportive classroom, students develop both the skills and the independence to become successful learners.
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Assessment is how we understand and support student learning. Through classroom observations, conversations, student work, projects, quizzes, and tests, teachers gather information about what students know, understand, and can do. This information helps students recognize their progress and next steps, helps teachers adjust instruction, and helps families understand their child’s learning. No single assessment tells the whole story; together, different sources of evidence provide a more complete picture of student achievement and growth.
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The Role of the Curriculum Council
- The Watertown Public Schools Curriculum Council is a collaborative leadership team dedicated to advancing the district’s vision for teaching and learning. Through shared leadership, reflection, and continuous improvement, the Council strengthens the connections among curriculum, instruction, and assessment across schools, grade levels, and departments. By examining evidence of student learning, identifying districtwide needs, and recommending priorities and improvements, the Council promotes a coherent educational experience for all students. Its work supports a shared commitment to ensuring that every student experiences engaging, challenging, and meaningful learning in every classroom, every day.
Goals of the Curriculum Council
- Maintain a coherent, current curriculum: Support the ongoing review and revision of curriculum and corresponding instructional materials aligned with applicable state and national standards and Watertown’s Vision of a Graduate, using the district’s established curriculum templates and procedures.
- Strengthen alignment and equitable learning opportunities: Promote alignment across grade levels, courses, and schools, with shared learning expectations and meaningful opportunities that respond to students’ strengths, needs, and readiness.
- Support effective curriculum-writing teams: Identify and recommend curriculum-writing teams through district-approved protocols, ensuring appropriate representation and relevant expertise.
- Build capacity for curriculum design: Provide professional learning and ongoing support for curriculum-writing teams in the use of district templates, design practices, and review procedures.
- Plan for sustainable curriculum development: Develop short- and long-term budget recommendations to support the district’s curriculum review cycle, including curriculum writing, instructional materials, and professional learning.
- Promote purposeful technology integration: Support the integration of technology when it strengthens student engagement, accessibility, collaboration, or the application of learning.
- Support effective implementation: Facilitate the implementation of new or revised curriculum through clear communication, access to instructional resources, and ongoing professional learning.
- Monitor impact and guide continuous improvement: Examine evidence of student learning, implementation feedback, and assessment practices to identify strengths, address needs, and recommend improvements to curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
