Comments on: Curriculum Changes…Oy!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 06:45:12 +0000

We use CSCOPE in my district and I do not like it! I'm sorry to burst your bubble even more! I don't use the lessons, just the skill pacing. Hopefully you will have the same freedom and things will be o.k.

By: Dawn Hilburn

Dawn Hilburn — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:04:22 +0000

We use C-scope in our district too and thankfully we are given the choice of pulling our own stuff and not having to follow every lesson. I use the Year at a Glance and IFDs. I teach first grade, every subject, so it can be extremely overwhelming. Since we use Journeys and Envision math, I don't really use much in C-scope for those subjects. The first year I taught it, it was interesting to see the things my son (who was in 5th grade at the time) brought home and I could see where C-scope was going with alot of their stuff. He would be doing the same concepts at the same time. I do like the science and social studies. Not a fan of the rest of it.

By: Heather Lamia

Heather Lamia — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:06:48 +0000

Our school district uses CSCOPE as well and we are also only required to follow the Year at a Glance documents and IFDs. There is a LOT of information on the website!! Don't get too bogged down with all the details!! Hopefully they will allow you to adapt it to your style!! It can be very overwelming if you let it.

By: The Science Penguin

The Science Penguin — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 07:34:27 +0000

CSCOPE is a Texas thing. It is great for scope and sequence, but if you are reading directly from the script as you go through each lesson, you are not doing your students justice. In the past, I look through what lessons they have, pull a couple of things (maybe), then use my own materials, teammates' materials, or other resources.
I know in some districts/schools, they were required to use the lessons and be on a particular lesson each day and admin would check on it!
CSCOPE really doesn't allow for differentiation when used as is, but I did pull some things out for RTI groups in math.
Overall, it's okay... as long as you still have professional freedom to determine what is right for the students in your classroom. :)
The Science Penguin

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:05:05 +0000

Thanks Jeannie! We use Lucy Calkins too. I use golf pencils because kids cannot erase with them and they are small, which makes it easier for them to write. I start my WWS using pipsqueak markers too. The kids love it. I think I will try pens this year too. :)
<>< Crystal

By: Christina Collinsworth

Christina Collinsworth — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 20:09:26 +0000

I am not familiar with CSCOPE but my district provides us with National Geographic but even with that they tell us that is not our curriculum… Our curriculum is our standards and we use the NatGeo as supplement to teach the standards and we should not use everything in it but use bits and pieces

By: Mary K

Mary K — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 08:35:22 +0000

Hey we have been using CSCOPE for the past 5 years, I am not going to promise you that it is the perfect curriculum, but what I will say is it makes sure each grade level is teaching what they need to be teaching. I teach in a small Texas town and we are not required to use the lessons, they ask us to use the IFD( which by the way will become your best friend) and the sequencing. They really do have some amazing lessons but many times the prep work is just overwhelming. My first year because I am severely OCD I about killed myself going over every document, in the years that followed I have learned to take baby steps as there is A LOT of information. I have given up on trying to print out things for an extended period because they(CSCOPE) is always making changes to improve the "program".
Good Luck
If you ever have any questions feel free to email me, I can try to help you!
mkroll@ascisd.net
Mary 🙂

By: Katie Lawson

Katie Lawson — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:02:15 +0000

My school district (in Texas) uses Cscope. At first, as a new teacher it was very confusing to navigate.

We are allowed to tweak the lessons as needed as long as we are following the basic framework.

Some of the concepts are taught for a very long time but I just keep telling myself there must be research backing this.

The only area that has really been a hassle for me is Math. For 2011-12 they did not move the files- resources, attachments, etc…over. We have to go to the previous year & find those resources in the particular unit/lesson. It was really frustrating for me at first. I had to ask another teacher where to find it. When I asked someone who was involved in Cscope & the changes, I did not receive much support-basically "that's just the way it is" vibe.

On the positive side- It is nice to have something to follow especially as a new teacher while you are getting your footing. The guiding questions are pretty helpful. I also like that it provides a list of vocabulary. You can NEVER have too much vocabulary! Good luck! http://kindergartenfunn.blogspot.com/

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:04:39 +0000

My school uses it. It has its positives and negatives. It is better than nothing and you found out now and not right before school starts.

By: Jessica Stanford

Jessica Stanford — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 02:44:12 +0000

I'm still stuck on the picture! It's so pathetic hehe
Blessings,

Jessica Stanford
Mrs. Stanford's Class
I need your help! Please check out my last post