Elementary
Grades K-5 Curriculum
In the Troy School District, we believe that a quality education can help expand opportunities for all students.
Troy School District offers each student a World Class education and opportunities to attain his or her personal best. TSD embraces deep learning, character development & thoughtfulness, athletic achievement, and artistic exploration through the fine arts. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions from early childhood through career.
World Class Pillar Descriptions for Each Pillar
World Class Pillar Descriptions for Each Pillar
Early Childhood to Career (green)
Learning opportunities designed to educate and support children from their earliest years through graduation and the world of work.
Equity and Well-Being (red)
Ensuring all students experience the academic, social, and emotional support they need to reach their potential.
Deepening Learning (blue)
Deepening learning with a commitment to developing life-long skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, character, creativity, citizenship, and communication.
Building Capacity (gold)
Providing regular opportunities for staff and families to learn from one another and from local, state, and global partnerships.
Elementary Curriculum Overview by Subject
View each grade level via the main page menu for expanded curriculum content
Math
Charts & Resources
- Less/More Chart & Principles to Action Chart
- Learning Resources
- Course Guide & MI Math Standards
- Timeline
- Elementary Program Review
- World Class Pillar Overview
Less/More Chart & Principles to Action Chart
Learning Resources
Course Guide & MI Math Standards
Timeline
Elementary Program Review
The Early Adopter Team includes 84 teachers (28% of classroom teachers) from all grade levels in 11 out of 12 elementary schools in the district. The elementary math specialists at each building are supporting teachers through co-planning, co-teaching, modeling, prepping materials, gathering, and reflecting with teachers and students. Teachers have access to attend cross district planning and collaboration time each month prior to each new unit, and teacher groups visit and observe early adopter classrooms in action through in and out of district classrooms.
World Class Pillar Overview
World Class Pillar Descriptions for Each Pillar
Early Childhood to Career (green)
Curriculum designed to educate and support children from their earliest years through graduation and beyond
Equity and Well-Being (red)
Understanding the needs and barriers that exist for children and provide access to resources to reach their full academic potential
Deepening Learning (blue)
Teaching children core tools to think critically, communicate and self-direct their own education to become lifelong learners
Building Capacity (gold)
Understanding a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and implementing evidence-based strategies to build their capacity for learning
Curriculum By Grade
Kindergarten
Kindergarten children develop mathematical skills through "hands-on" activities and games. They become familiar with numbers 1-110 by counting by 1s, 2s, and 5s. The concepts of graphing, telling time, number patterns, fractions, and money are introduced. Children compare a variety of objects using their length, weight and volume; estimate measures; and use measurement tools. Number stories provide a way for young children to read and write numbers. Games are used as a concrete way of introducing a variety of topics, including the concepts of fairness and chance. Kindergartners will occasionally bring home Math Link "homework" assignments to explore with their family.
1st Grade
First graders experience a variety of math concepts. They use three-digit numbers for counting forward and backward, identifying larger and smaller numbers, and writing numbers from dictation. Games and activities involving number facts provide addition and subtraction practice. They expand on the skills taught in kindergarten with measuring, telling time, and reading and comparing temperatures on a thermometer. Children measure length in both inches and centimeters. Telling time on an analog clock to 5 minutes or to 1 minute will be practiced. First-grade students collect, organize, and display information using an assortment of graphs and tables. Children are actively involved in constructing and identifying 2- and 3-dimensional shapes, equivalent fractions, and a variety of patterns. These experiences are extended outside of the classroom with regular Home Link assignments.
2nd Grade
Second graders focus on thinking and communicating mathematically. The children have real-life math experiences in order to practice problem solving and build a true understanding of the mathematical concepts they need. Hands-on activities and math games are used to review and learn extended addition and subtraction facts. Students spend time sharing the strategies they used to solve mental math problems. They learn that there are a variety of ways to get the same answer. Students become familiar with arrays, which serve as the foundation for multiplication and division fact families.
Money becomes a basis for many math skills in second grade. Students are expected to know the values of coins and the exchange value among U.S. coins. The calculator is used for entering and computing money amounts. Graphing, calendar skills, geometry concepts, and telling time are taught throughout the year. As with the other grade levels, parent involvement with Home Links is an important part of the program.
3rd Grade
Third graders focus on fact families in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They continue developing strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. Learning multiplication facts through the 10s is a goal this year. Other third-grade skills include understanding large numbers in addition to working with small numbers using equivalent fractions and decimals (to the thousandths). They continue the study of geometry, negative numbers, calculator skills, telling time, and geometry.
Practical application of measurement skills includes linear, weight, and capacity with customary and metric units. Students perform probability experiments that provide information for analyzing data and predicting outcomes. Third graders will have Home Links homework on a regular basis.
4th Grade
Fourth graders explore geometry concepts and apply shape properties to create geometric figures. They use several different techniques to find the perimeter and area of assorted shapes. Children in fourth grade apply their knowledge of math facts to fact extensions, such as 4 X 8 = 32 so 40 X 80 = 3200, and develop strategies for multi-digit multiplication problems. They use their knowledge of estimation, place value, and the relationship between multiplication and division to develop a division strategy.
Children are able to apply a variety of strategies for adding or subtracting multi-digit numbers and can apply them to situations involving decimal values. In the fourth grade, children use manipulatives to conduct probability experiments and to explore equivalent decimals and percents. Homework pages are now called Math Links.
Fourth-grade students experience a yearlong project, the World Tour. They "travel" to Washington, D.C. from Troy and then "visit" five other regions of the world. Math skills include reading tables for information, collecting numerical data, using map scales to estimate distance, locating points on a grid, and using latitude and longitude for locations on Earth. Children are also involved in performing experiments and conducting surveys where they have the opportunity to collect and organize data, display the information, and analyze and interpret the results.
5th Grade
In fifth grade, students continue to investigate naming numbers in a variety of ways, including factors, exponents, fractions, decimals. They continue to practice with the division algorithm and apply their strategies for whole-number computation to decimals.
Fractions are used in measurement, equivalent forms, ratios, and addition and subtraction situations. Decimal and percent concepts are extended to equivalent forms, number lines, grids, probability, and circle graphs. Fifth graders use manipulatives to explore negative numbers and simple algebraic expressions and problems. They link their measurement and algebra skills by using formulas to find perimeters, areas, and volumes of shapes and solids. They continue their study of geometry, working with angles, 2-D and 3-D figures, and corresponding math tools.
Fifth graders participate in a yearlong American Tour. They examine changes in population, societal trends, demographics, and geography of the United States from its beginnings to the present. This integrated project allows students to use mathematics as a tool in a variety of applications. As with the other grade levels, parent involvement with Math Links is an important part of the program.
ELA - English Language Arts
Science
Parent Guides & Science Standards
K-12 Science Practices & Concepts
Science & Engineering Practices
The K-12 Science and Engineering Practices, show below represent the ongoing behavior or students as they build understanding of core ideas.
1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
2. Developing and Using Models
3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
6. Constructing Explanations (for science) and Designing Solutions (for engineering)
7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Crosscutting Practices
The K-12 Crosscutting Concepts, shown below, are overarching themes that span multiple scientific disciplines and connect core disciplinary ideas.
1. Patterns
2. Cause and Effect
3. Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
4. Systems and Systems Models
5. Energy and Matter in Systems
6. Structure and Function
7. Stability and Change of Systems
Curriculum Development Phases
Social Studies
- Kindergarten Social Studies Curriculum
- 1st Grade Social Studies Curriculum
- 2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum
- 3rd Grade Social Studies Curriculum
- 4th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
- 5th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
Kindergarten Social Studies Curriculum
Kindergarten Curriculum
Through the Kindergarten curriculum, "Myself and Others", children learn about the world around them, starting with their own classroom and expanding into their community, country, and world. Through a variety of classroom experiences, students begin to develop skills in history, geography, economics, and civics. Kindergarteners experience how stories, poems, and songs relate to their world. Good citizenship skills are emphasized as students learn to make good choices and help others. Students begin to explore the core democratic values.
1st Grade Social Studies Curriculum
1st Grade Curriculum
Unit 1: Civics
Unit 2: History & Geography
Unit 2: History & Geography
- Distinguish Between Producers & Consumers
- Distinguish Between Goods & Services
- Scarcity & Choice
- Why People Trade
- How To Earn Money
- Why People Use Money
- Distinguish Between Past, Present & Future
- Investigate Family History
- Use Historical Sources to Draw Conclusions About Family and School Life In Past
- Compare Life Today to Life In The Past
- U.S. Holidays
Unit 3: Geography
Unit 3: Geography
- Construct Maps to Show Aerial Perspective
- Use Absolute & Relative Location
- Use Maps to Distinguish Between Landforms & Water
- Distinguish Between Physical & Human Characteristics
- Describe boundaries of Different School Regions
- Describe Diversity in Family Life
- Describe How We Modify & Adapt to Physical Environment
The first grade social studies curriculum, “My School and Family,” introduces students to their world as they explore their own school, family, neighborhood, and country. First grade students compare and contrast families and schools of today with those of the past, while discovering the important part natural resources, government, and citizenship play in their lives. Students are taught skills in history, geography, civics, economics, problem solving, and study skills, with literature being used to reinforce these social studies concepts. They learn that although their world consists of diverse peoples, we all have a lot in common. First graders continue to expand their knowledge of citizenship as they explore the core democratic values.
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum
2nd Grade Curriculum
Unit 1: Civics
Unit 2: History & Geography
Unit 2: History & Geography
- History of Troy Community
- Chronological Thinking
- Different Perspectives in History
- Troy Community Change Over Time
- Troy Community Maps Through Time
- Spatial Organization of Troy
- Physical & Human Characteristics of Troy
- Community Land Use
- City of Troy Culture & Diversity
- Interacting and Preserving Troy’s Environment
Unit 3: Economics
The social studies curriculum in second grade focuses on the concept of community and includes an in depth study of Troy, past and present. Through interactive experiences, students gain knowledge about their community’s history, government, economics, and geography, while learning problem solving and study skills. Students compare their own community with others around the country and world, discovering similarities and differences. Second grade students continue to explore the core democratic values.
3rd Grade Social Studies Curriculum
3rd Grade Curriculum
Unit 1: Civics
Unit 2: Geography
Unit 3: History & Economics
Unit 3: History
- Exploration to Statehood (1837)
- Indigenous Beliefs / Histories
- Interaction / Modification of Environment
- Indigenous / Explorers Interactions
- Daily Life in Settlements
- Statehood Timeline / Major Events
Unit 3: Economics
- Scarcity / Choice / Opportunity Cost
- Influence of Incentives
- Role of Location / Natural Resources in Economic Development
- Entrepreneurs & Natural / Human / Capital Resources à Goods & Services
- Entrepreneurship
- Specialization & Interdependence
- International Economy / Trade
The third grade social studies curriculum focuses on regions. Students begin by examining regional communities in Michigan and then go on to explore the five regions of the United States. Students actively participate in inquiry-based lessons that emphasize knowledge of history, geography, economics, and political science as they compare and contrast the US regions. Third graders continue to expand their knowledge of citizenship as they further explore the core democratic values.
4th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
4th Grade Curriculum
Unit 1: Civics
Unit 1: Civics
- Purpose of Government / Preamble
- Limiting Powers of Federal Government
- Rights Guaranteed by Constitution
- Powers of Federal / State / Tribal / Local Govt
- Structure of Federal Government
- President / Congress / Elections / Supreme Court
- Federal Taxing & Spending – Functions of Govt
- Civic Responsibilities / Civic Rights / Citizenship
Unit 2: History & Economics
Unit 2: History
- Statehood (1837) to Present
- Economic Development & Resources
- Economic Activity in Past & Present
- Underground Railroad
- Automobile Industry Beginnings
- Emergence of Labor Movement
- Threats to Natural Resources / Govt Response
Unit 2: Economics
- Good / Services & Economic Questions
- Characteristics of Market Economies
- Positive / Negative Incentives
- Substitute / Complementary Goods
- Specialization & Division of Labor
- Competition: Buyers & Sellers
- Role of Money in Exchange of Goods & Services
- Factors of Unemployment / Employment
Unit 3: Geography
Fourth grade students take part in an in-depth study of Michigan’s geography, history, economics, and government. Students are given the opportunity to discover differences and similarities between Michigan and other states. Students use knowledge of core democratic values to take a stand on current public policy issues.
5th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
5th Grade Curriculum
- Unit 1: Beginnings to 1620
- Unit 2: Colonization & Settlement - 1585-1763
- Unit 3: Revolution & New Nation - 1754-1800
Unit 1: Beginnings to 1620
Unit 2: Colonization & Settlement - 1585-1763
Unit 2:
Colonization & Settlement 1585-1763
- European Struggle For Control
- Southern / New England / Middle Colonies
- Patterns of Settlement
- Impact of Geography / Economies
- Human Interactions / Economies
- European Slave Trade & Slavery in Colonial America
- Triangular Trade Routes / Goods & People
- Middle Passage
- Life of Enslaved
- Maintenance of Culture & Histories
- Life in Colonial America
- Daily Lives & Differing Perspectives
- Emerging Labor Forces
- Regional Differences
Unit 3: Revolution & New Nation - 1754-1800
Unit 3:
Revolution & New Nation 1754-1800
- French & Indian War
- Cause / Effect of Major Events
- Differing Views on Representative Government
- Role of 1st & 2nd Continental Congress
- Declaration of Independence
- Key Players
- Revolution & Its Consequences
- Advantages / Disadvantages
- Course of War / Treaty of Paris
- Creating The Constitution
- Articles of Confederation / Challenges /
- Constitutional Convention / Compromise / Slavery
- Ratification / Federalism / Bill of Rights
Students in fifth grade study the historical development of the United States, from the settlement by native peoples through colonization and, later, the American Revolution. They focus on the major events and people that have impacted our country's development. Fifth graders are introduced to ways in which business and industry have affected the economy over the years. Through interactive lessons, geography, problem solving, and study skills are expanded. Students also increase analytical skills by taking a position on an issue, and writing persuasive arguments on topics of social relevance. Fifth grade students further their knowledge and understanding of core democratic values upon which our government is based.