CCE Curriculum

We are excited to be in our fifth year of implementing the Wonders reading curriculum, a core literacy curriculum that meets updated guidelines from the Colorado Department of Education. All Highlands Ranch area schools use this curriculum.

The Wonders curriculum has drawn upon decades of rigorous literacy studies, collaborated with preeminent reading researchers and experts, and listened to and incorporated feedback from educators and users.

Sean Ryan, president of McGraw Hill, says “The 2023 edition ensures the continuation of high-quality, consistent and effective literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading. Students will encounter the right content at the right moment in their learning journey, promoting stronger educational outcomes.”We are loving this curriculum, and have seen amazing growth in our students! To learn more about Wonders, please visit their website. 

Coyote Creek uses EnVision Math curriculum. EnVision combines problem-based learning with visual learning. Students learn more about math by solving rich, reality-based problems. They gain a deeper, clearer understanding of math concepts with visual models and scaffolds in every lesson. Some of the resources including in the enVision math curriculum are:

• Problem-based learning followed by visual learning

• Student-centered Pick a Project activities

• 3 Act Tasks that use modeling for productive struggle

• Differentiated instruction strategies included in lessons

EnVision Math is used at our feeder school, Ranch View Middle School, so that students will have a seamless transition from elementary to middle school mathematics. To learn more about EnVision Math, please visit their website.  

Depending on the grade and student needs, two of the programs we use are Orton Gillingham (OG) and University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI). OG is a direct, multisensory, structured and prescriptive way to teach literacy when reading, writing, and spelling does not come easily to students such as those with dyslexia. OG is a phonetic, alphabetic, morphemic, syntactic, semantic approach to teaching.

UFLI is an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. 

Reading ComprehensionReading comprehension is supported in small groups consisting of 5-8 students.  In lower grades we focus on strategies such as picture clues, vocabulary development, predictions, sequencing, and retell.  In upper grades, students work on skills such as summarizing, finding the main idea/ supporting details, and determining the theme of a story.  Students may be moved in and out of these groups based upon data, the specific skills being covered, and reading growth.  

At Coyote Creek we use iReady math diagnostics, EnVision Math, and classroom performance to determine if a student needs additional support in math. Math RTI groups are flexible based on the skills and concepts introduced in each unit.  Math intervention may  look different at each grade level, but it always supports the skills and concepts covered in the Envision Math curriculum.  In small groups, we are able to provide hands-on experiences and visual representations of concepts to enhance student understanding. 

Teachers at CCE use a variety of resources to teach Science & Social Studies curriculum. For example, we use STEMscopes for science. Built on the 5E lesson model, STEMscopes Science combines research-based teaching strategies with the invaluable insight of real-life educators to provide a carefully curated, rigorous curriculum that both challenges and sparks the curiosity of students across the country.

Teachers also have access to Generation Genius. These resources are aligned to science standards and were created in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association. 

Our counselors, Debbie Edwards and Sophia Atwood, and our social worker, Michele Thompson, support students with social-emotional skills, executive functioning, behavior support, self management, problem solving, and more. They use resources such as the CASEL Framework and the MindUP curriculum. 

MindUp resources support social emotional learning. MindUp was founded to help children develop the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, regulate emotions and face the challenges of the 21st century with optimism, resilience and compassion.

In order to support students in using social emotional skills, Coyote Creek uses a framework called PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Support). Students learn to use their "PAWS" - P = Positive Interactions, A = Aware of Self and Others, W = Wise in Academics, and S = Safe. Throughout the year, students are recognized for showing their PAWS! 

We also incorporate the philosophy of restorative practices in our approach to problem solving. We aim to help students understand how their actions affect others as well as helping to strengthen relationships among individuals.