February ELA Update
ELA Update sent out on the first Tuesday of each month
ELA Textbook Adoption - Going on Now
Our Core Committees have met and viewed presentations for our three finalists. They will be working through the evaluation rubrics to determine the two strongest textbook. Please feel free to visit with your building rep to provide feedback.
Committees will vote on February 10th to narrow the field to two choices.
From there we will have opportunities for all ELA teachers to attend in person or zoom presentations. Teachers must attend either an in person or zoom presentation to receive a ballot to vote.
A page has been created on my website with login information for the three choices. Once we have our finalists the schedule below will be used to view presentations.
TNT Day - February 21st - In Person Presentation Options
- 8:30-10:15 (K-6)
- 10:30-12:15 (K-6)
- 1:15-3:00 (Pre K)
**This is a fully optional day. You are NOT required to attend on this day.
Zoom Presentations
- February 22 (K-6) 4:15-5:45
- February 23 (Pre K) 4:15-5:45
- February 24 (K-6) 4:15-5:45
- March 1 (PreK) 4:15-5:45
ELA Textbook Adoption Page
Feel free to email me with any questions: MichelleBurks@mooreschools.com
Revised ELA Standards and Testing Update
It's time to start looking at the newly revised ELA standards. I think you will really like them. In my opinion they are easier to understand and use more concise language. Once textbook adoption is wrapped up, we will start a PD series covering the revised standards.
With State Testing just around the corner, please make sure you are focusing your time on the most important standards. Your ELA Blueprints are linked below along with the Item Specs. These documents are your guide to understanding the OSTP.
The 21-22 OSTP will be based on the current standards. The newly revised ELA standards will be used for assessment starting in the 22-23 school year.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for ELA - Print/View new standards. Pay special attention to the "Crosswalk" documents that highlight changes for your grade.
ELA Assessment Page - Key Items here: Test and Item Specifications. A consolidated version was given out in a binder at the beginning of the school year. The full document is linked on this page.
OSDE - DonorsChoose Funding
Calling all Oklahoma public school teachers! We're (OSDE) funding $800 per teacher request on DonorsChoose starting THIS FRIDAY (2/4).
We encourage teachers to familiarize themselves with DonorsChoose and to start writing rough drafts of their classroom requests before we open submissions on Feb. 4. Note: Projects cannot be submitted before that date.
We are expecting the funds ($6 million) to go quickly!
How to qualify:
- Teach PreK - 12 in an Oklahoma public school.
- Be a classroom teacher.
- Create a new project on or after February 4, 2022
- On the "Hi" page while creating your project, enter the campaign code OKLAHOMA by clicking "apply a campaign code."
- Request resources to support students' social, emotional, and mental well-being as well as the impacts of interrupted learning as a result of COVID-19.
- In your project essay, make sure to describe how the resources you're requesting will help your students through pandemic-impacted learning.
What is the Science of Reading?
Have you heard of LETRS, but unsure what it stands for? Are you hearing more and more about the Science of Reading, but need some clarification? This quick article by Dr. Louisa Moats is a great place to start.
Why Every Educator Needs to Understand the "Science of Reading"
MPS will begin another LETRS cohort in May 2022. Information will be sent out in April and 60-80 teachers will be selected to attend. We hope that all elementary teachers will go through this training over the next few years.
You are welcome to join the State of Oklahoma's LETRS trainings, but you can also wait and join us in May!
To learn more, check out The Reading League!
Podcast of the Month
Are you a Malcom Gladwell Fan? Do you love history? You might just love Revisionist History by Malcom Gladwell.
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time.
To learn more, click here, or go wherever you listen to your podcasts :)
Michelle Burks
Currently Reading: Pony by R.J. Palacio
