WRSD Curriculum Guide

Overview

At Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD), curriculum is reviewed informally on a regular basis but formally every 6-8 years to ensure ongoing alignment with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. WRSD’s curriculum matches the needs of our students and is open to adding new materials at any point during the teaching process. The curriculum is vertically and horizontally aligned to address our students’ knowledge and skills in each subject across all grades. In addition, we promote a hands-on approach to learning including providing experiences that promote students’ thinking and problem solving skills. The curriculum is taught based on an individual’s needs whether that be whole group, small group, or 1:1 instruction.

The Bilingual Grammar Curriculum is designed to develop a student’s ASL and English literacy skills. The framework is characterized by small sequential steps building on previously mastered objectives. The curriculum sequence is based on understanding the structure of ASL, a visual language which can be both concurrent and linear, then before delving into the English grammar rules.

Reading A-Z is a web based supplement that supports literacy across all reading levels. Leveled readers across 29 different levels, lessons, worksheets, and assessments are all used to enhance reading instruction in the classroom. 

Reading Milestones is occasionally used to supplement reading instruction, especially for those with lower reading levels. They are designed to have controlled language, syntax, and vocabulary along with chunking and repetition.

Handwriting without Tears is a supplemental curriculum designed to help students learn how to properly write letter formations. Its multisensory approach engages visual learners.

True Way ASL is used as a supplemental curriculum to support American Sign Language Development at the middle and high school levels.

Language Skill Hierarchy Frameworks are used for assessments in ASL. 

The Visual Communication and Sign Language Checklist is used for our Early Childhood students to measure their ASL development skills.

Speech and Language 

While WRSD does not have one formal curriculum for speech and language, WRSD uses two listening programs for students who have it listed on their IEP as a goal. 

WASP

The WASP listening system requires the child to listen to a syllable or word without visual access and then repeat back what they hear. The WASP has four levels that the child progresses through.

SPICE

The SPICE listening curriculum requires the child to listen to two or more presented sounds, words, or phrases with picture representations. They then discriminate what they hear and choose the correct picture. 

Mathematics

Go Math!, a math curriculum, is used from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Both paper-based and digital-based, it helps teachers differentiate instruction, building and reinforcing foundational math skills necessary for real life knowledge. 

In our high school programs at both campuses, the books vary per subject and student levels. All the books follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and WRSD pairs the books with various supplemental curriculum websites such as AlgebraCoach.com or GeometryCoach.com.

Practical Math:

• Silver Burdett & Ginn Mathematics 
• Pacemaker Basic Mathematics Third Edition Globe Fearon

Pre-Algebra

• Pre-Algebra - Prentice Hall Mathematics 
• Pre-Algebra - Glencoe

Algebra I & II

• Algebra Structure and Method - McDougal Littell
• Algebra - Pacemaker

Geometry

• Basic Geometry McDougall Littell Houghton Mifflin

Consumer Mathematics

• Pacemaker - Practical Math for Consumers
• Consumer Math - AGS Publishing  

Personal Finance

NGPF.org provides a financial curriculum that is free online for school use. Topics include checking, saving, types of credit, managing credit, paying for college, budgeting, investing, behavioral economics, career, taxes, and insurance. 

Science

FOSS (Full Option Science System) is a research-based hands-on curriculum for grades K through 8th. The curriculum allows students to learn scientific and engineering concepts as well as develop an ability to actively think and participate in investigations and analyses. The program is designed to create meaningful and relevant experiences that are engaging for the students.

Mystery Science is a supplemental curriculum that provides ready-made mysteries for elementary students. Each lesson comes with a mystery, discussion questions, supplemental reading, and a hands-on activity. 

In our high school programs at both campuses, the books vary per subject and student levels. All the books follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Biology

• Globe Fearon - Concepts and Challenges Life Science
• Pacemaker Biology 

Environmental Science

• Environmental Science - Scott Foresman Addison Wesley
• Environmental Science - Pearson AGS Globe

Physical Science

• Concepts and Challenges Physical Science by Globe Fearon

Health

• Health: Skills for Wellness - Prentice Hall 

Social Studies

TCI Social Studies curriculum aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The curriculum is designed to be student-centered and has a focus on student-led learning and immersive activities that covers the major aspects of our history and world. This curriculum covers Kindergarten through High School.

Social Emotional Learning

Second Step is a social-emotional program that promotes the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children from Early Childhood through Grade 8. This program is utilized by WRSD counselors and certain features are shared with teachers to implement in their classrooms.

OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program is a schoolwide program that focuses on long-term changes that promotes a safe school climate.  The program’s goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems and to strengthen peer relationships. WRSD counselors utilize the program and provide training once yearly to all WRSD staff.

STEAM

In addition to our Science curriculum, we also have monthly STEAM activities in our MakerSpace that are designed by our staff.

Physical Education

Willie Ross has developed its own Physical Education curriculum. It meets all the requirements of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Transition Planning

Attainment’s Pre-ETS Pre-Employment Transition Solutions, which covers Jobs and Career Exploration, Work-Based Learning, Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy, and Post Secondary Training. We also use Brigance Transition Skills Inventory and Activities, which covers Academic Skills, Post Secondary Opportunities, Independent Living, Community Participation and Self Assessments. We use assessments such as the Transition Planning Inventory - 2nd Edition, Transition to Work Inventory - 2nd Edition, and Career and Life Explorer - 3rd Edition.

School Assessments (Updated July 2024)