Board postpones K''2 social science adoption; staff recommends TCI History Alive for grades 3''5

District staff presented the first-read of recommended elementary social science instructional materials and asked the board to postpone adoption for kindergarten through second grade while moving ahead with piloting materials for grades three through five.

"We decided that 3 through 5 we would recommend TCI History Alive," Jenny Larson, the district Teaching and Learning TOSA for elementary education, told the board after summarizing the pilot that began in January. Staff described the rationale: large curriculum companies often lack Sherwood-specific, place-based content and postponing K'through'2 will allow staff to build lessons aligned to local history and Oregon standards.

Staff said the pilot ran from late January through spring break and that teachers reported high engagement during TCI lessons; Kayla Mitchell, a Middleton 4th-grade teacher who piloted TCI, said students "were actively engaged" and gave lessons high ratings. Staff also emphasized family access for review during the first- and second-read process via the district's teaching and learning webpage and principal newsletters.

On the action item, the board approved a motion to postpone the K'through'2 elementary social science instructional materials adoption. The motion was recommended by a presenter and seconded; the board called the voice vote and the motion carried (recorded as 4''00). The district will return with additional planning and a second read in May for remaining items.

The presentation referenced new social science standards released in 2024 and noted the district will implement them for fall 2026.