This document provides an overview of a cultural advisory curriculum presented by Victor Fitzjarrald. The curriculum was designed for a school of 224 students in grades 7-13 who read on average at a 5th grade level. The curriculum aims to increase literacy and cultural relevancy through 60 lesson plans across 12 presentations and 10 writing assignments on topics like self-identity. Example units introduce themes through readings and presentations. The vision is to make the curriculum available online for other educators to view and edit, coupled with book readings.

1. Cultural Advisory
Integrating Cultural Relevancy via an
advisory curriculum
Presented by:
Victor Fitzjarrald
Math / Science / Technology Lead Teacher
Denver Center for 21st Century Learning
e. v_fitzjarrald@dc21tb.org

2. What is DC-21?

3. Our Students…
• 224 students grades 7-13
• 29 Middle School, and 46 GED
• Usually in the top Tier of RTI
• Average reading level = 5th Grade
• Average number of prior suspensions = 3

4. What do you teach?
Gary
Soto
DeBois
Malcolm X
Tupac
Myers

5. Our Focus…
• Our students read (on average) at the 5th
grade level. Our school-wide area of
focus is increasing literacy…
• Write to Read Assessment
• Maps Intervention
• Intensive writing/reading advisory…

6. Our Scheme…
• Integrate PDU, SGO’s, SIG, Master
Schedule, PD, mentoring, and UIP to
create a unique plan of improvement.
• Explained by Candace Farmer (English /
Social Studies Lead Teacher)

7. How do you teach it?
Tatum
ADL
Tolerance
Cultural Advisory

8. The Curriculum…
• 60 Lessons and Counting
• 12 Presentations (from Tatum)
• 10 Long Writing Assignments
• 30 Readings
• Music, Art, Group Dynamics being added

9. Example Unit Outline
1. Introduction of a Topic…
• Through ID powerpoints, or via reading
excerpts
• Introduces a theme “Unit 1: Define Self”
• Provides the foundation for the Unit.

10. Example Unit:
We are going to switch over to the curriculum now…

11. Our Vision…
• Put it all online in the form of a
wiki, where educators from all of DPS can
view, edit, and comment on the lessons.
• Couple with book readings…
Hopefully complete by 3/15/2012 @
Culturaladvisory.wikispaces.com

12. Introduction
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Extra’s
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