Use of Digital Social Studies Curriculum in All District Middle Schools Will Also Support the New Washington State K-12 Social Studies Learning Standards
Silver Spring, Md. (October 14, 2019) – Highline Public Schools (HPS) opened its middle schools this fall using Discovery Education’s digital Social Studies Techbook to support standards based instruction. Through this new collaboration, Discovery Education is providing educators and students in seven Highline schools access to an innovative, digital social studies resource supportive of existing Common Core State Standards, the C3 Framework, and the new Washington State K-12 Social Studies Learning Standards. Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms.
Highline serves approximately 18,000 K-12 students in the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center in northwest Washington State. To support the district’s commitment to educational equity, high expectations for all, and partnering with families and the community to ensure that all children achieve their potential, Highline sought a unique social studies curriculum. This new resource was required to support both existing and future social studies standards and seamlessly fit into the school system’s existing inquiry-focused framework.
Following a rigorous review, Highline selected Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook for integration into classroom instruction in the following schools:
The Social Studies Techbook pairs compelling core content with thought-provoking essential questions, primary source analysis, and project-based tasks to help all students experience the social studies. Specifically developed for diverse student audiences and curated by experts for ease of access, Social Studies Techbook’s high-quality, multimodal content supports the improvement of academic vocabulary, breaks down barriers to learning, provides all students multiple ways to shine, and engages students in higher-level thinking. In addition, a variety of differentiation tools integrated at point of use help educators meet the unique needs of each student. Access to two Lexile levels of core content, authentic Spanish translation—and 180 additional languages through Google Translate—as well as strategies for teaching students with special needs and English learners assist educators in creating inclusive, immersive learning experiences.
“Highline Public Schools’ strategic plan stresses the delivery of a guaranteed and viable curriculum that prepares students for the future they choose. This curriculum must prepare students to ask complex questions, read and write with a critical lens, and know how and when to take action,” said Lexi Samorano, Highline Public Schools’ Secondary Social Studies Specialist. “Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook offers materials with diverse and accurate perspectives, authentic learning through inquiry, and literacy skills driven by real world application that supports our goals. We look forward to seeing how this partnership will change student outcomes.”
To help HPS’s middle school educators integrate their digital textbooks into classroom instruction, Discovery Education is providing district teachers a number of professional learning opportunities. Through these interactive professional development opportunities, participants will learn best practices for integrating technology and digital content into teaching and learning in ways that will maximize the power of their new resources, increase student engagement in instruction, and improve students’ academic achievement.
HPS educators are also receiving support from the Discovery Education Community. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration.
“Discovery Education is excited to partner with HPS to provide its high-quality digital Social Studies curriculum for all middle schools students,” said Nellie Herchenbach, Discovery Education Partnerships Manager. “The team’s focus on equity and their innovative vision for integrating technology and multimedia content into instruction and our high-quality digital resources will help move social studies teaching and learning forward in the Pacific Northwest.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curricular resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.
Following a rigorous review, Highline selected Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook for integration into classroom instruction in the following schools:
- Sylvester Middle School
- Pacific Middle School
- Highline Choice Academy
- Glacier Middle School
- Chinook Middle School
- Cascade Middle School
- Big Picture Middle School
The Social Studies Techbook pairs compelling core content with thought-provoking essential questions, primary source analysis, and project-based tasks to help all students experience the social studies. Specifically developed for diverse student audiences and curated by experts for ease of access, Social Studies Techbook’s high-quality, multimodal content supports the improvement of academic vocabulary, breaks down barriers to learning, provides all students multiple ways to shine, and engages students in higher-level thinking. In addition, a variety of differentiation tools integrated at point of use help educators meet the unique needs of each student. Access to two Lexile levels of core content, authentic Spanish translation—and 180 additional languages through Google Translate—as well as strategies for teaching students with special needs and English learners assist educators in creating inclusive, immersive learning experiences.
“Highline Public Schools’ strategic plan stresses the delivery of a guaranteed and viable curriculum that prepares students for the future they choose. This curriculum must prepare students to ask complex questions, read and write with a critical lens, and know how and when to take action,” said Lexi Samorano, Highline Public Schools’ Secondary Social Studies Specialist. “Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook offers materials with diverse and accurate perspectives, authentic learning through inquiry, and literacy skills driven by real world application that supports our goals. We look forward to seeing how this partnership will change student outcomes.”
To help HPS’s middle school educators integrate their digital textbooks into classroom instruction, Discovery Education is providing district teachers a number of professional learning opportunities. Through these interactive professional development opportunities, participants will learn best practices for integrating technology and digital content into teaching and learning in ways that will maximize the power of their new resources, increase student engagement in instruction, and improve students’ academic achievement.
HPS educators are also receiving support from the Discovery Education Community. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration.
“Discovery Education is excited to partner with HPS to provide its high-quality digital Social Studies curriculum for all middle schools students,” said Nellie Herchenbach, Discovery Education Partnerships Manager. “The team’s focus on equity and their innovative vision for integrating technology and multimedia content into instruction and our high-quality digital resources will help move social studies teaching and learning forward in the Pacific Northwest.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curricular resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.
