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Board committee previews science textbooks, climate action kits and design‑thinking materials for review
Summary
Administrators presented sample environmental literacy lessons, two new science textbook options and a design‑thinking text for board review; staff said materials will be placed on a May board agenda and distributed for trustee inspection.
District curriculum staff brought several resource packets to the committee for board review, including environmental literacy lessons, climate action kits and proposed new science textbooks.
Dr. Hoffman, who led the presentation, said the district is adding environmental literacy to align with state standards and provided sample lessons for grades 3–6 titled "Shared Waters." She also described climate action kits intended for grades 4–5 and said design‑thinking lessons are being refined as part of a multi‑year curriculum rollout.
On textbooks, administrators said they are seeking board approval of a new high‑school biology textbook and a new environmental and space systems textbook. Dr. Hoffman said online licenses are typically purchased for student access while physical classroom copies are kept available for review. "But when we are seeking approval of the book, it's approval of the content of the book," she said.
A board member asked whether the district plans physical books or online access. Dr. Hoffman said the district typically purchases online licenses and keeps physical copies for classroom use or for students who require a paper copy.
Staff also showed a design‑thinking book that the presenter described as a children’s trade title the district intends to include in classroom materials; she said it would not normally require board approval but that trustees had earlier asked to see all books students would have in hand.
Administrators said they would leave copies of the materials for trustees to examine and asked that any board member who takes a text home notify staff so it can be returned. Staff indicated the materials would be placed on a May board agenda for formal consideration after trustees review the packets.
No formal approvals were recorded at the meeting; staff said the intent was to give trustees access to the materials, gather feedback and then advance the items to the full board agenda.
