Instruction

Curriculum and Instruction

Education at Duluth Edison Charter Schools is designed to meet the unique needs of the whole child while guiding them to develop their best self. Our highly trained teachers and staff accomplish this through the use of research-based and innovative strategies,  implementing high-quality curriculum, and focusing on the social/ emotional needs of all students.

Core Instruction:

DECS designs educational opportunities for students based on the Minnesota State and National Standards. For a list of our standards follow the links below. 

Reading Standards

Math Standards

Science Standards

Social Studies Standards

The Arts Standards

Innovative Instructional Approaches:

• A Play-Based Learning focus in primary grades 
• Hands-on and experiential learning K-8
• Adaptive teaching based on student needs and learning styles
• Technology-enhanced instruction
• Immersive learning through field experiences such as Starbase, Wolf Ridge, Lester River Rendezvous, Hawk Ridge, and many more!

High Quality Curriculum:

Reading:

Journeys Reading Curriculum K-5th Grade

District Designed Units K, 1st, 5th-8th Grade

Fundations utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy. As a supplemental word study program that complements our core reading curriculum, students in grades K-2 receive a systematic, cumulative, explicit, diagnostic program in critical foundational skills. Fundations teaches reading, spelling and handwriting skills using a multisensory approach, appropriate for all students in K-2 in tier 1. Fundations is a whole class program universally designed to serve all K-2  students. Lessons are delivered by the classroom teacher for 30 mn. per day. The standard lesson plan is accessible to all students because the concepts are taught and reinforced in ways that integrate multiple learning modalities.

Heggerty The Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum provides educators with 35 weeks of explicit Phonemic Awareness lessons. The Phonemic awareness lessons take place within a classroom literacy block and are part of the tier 1 curriculum for the whole class in K-2 classrooms. The Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum provides students with consistent and repeated instruction in blending, segmenting, manipulating words, syllables and phonemes each day. With daily lessons, students are able to build the necessary foundation to become automatic decoders of print.

Mathematics:

Everyday Math K-4th Grade

Prentice Hall Math 5th-8th Grade

Science:

Delta Science K-5th Grade

Kesler Science 5-8th Grade

Mystery Science K-8th Grade

Social Studies:

History Alive/Social Studies Alive K-8th Grade

Northern Lights 6-8th Grade

Social Emotional Learning:

Second Step K-5th Grade

Ruler 6th-8th Grade

Circles/ Restorative Justice