I-SS Middle School ELA Newsletter
April 7, 2017
New ELA Standards
The State Board of Education Approved Draft 3 of the English Language Arts Standard Course of Study for 2018-2019 Implementation
On April 6, 2017, the State Board of Education approved Draft 3 of the English Language Arts Standard Course of Study for 2018-2019 implementation. The approved standards and revision process timeline can be found here. The North Carolina Department of Instruction ELA Section looks forward to supporting you in the implementation process. We will be working closely with stakeholders to develop implementation supports noted below. We will provide monthly updates.
Draft 3 will come before the SBE for action in early April.
If you have any questions, contact:Dr. Julie Joslin
ELA Section Chief
julie.joslin@dpi.nc.gov
ELA Opportunity: Digital Support Writers
To support implementation of the new ELA standards, NCDPI’s ELA Section is recruiting educators with strong writing skills and knowledge of ELA standards to develop specific resources. The resources include Clarifications, Glossary, Guides, parent resources, and a module review – all of which will be a part of the virtual implementation kit for districts to access beginning January 2018.
The first segment of the work involves Digital Support Writers (DSW). A detailed scope of work is attached. This document includes descriptions of the resources, the timeline, expectations (including both virtual and face-to-face trainings), and payment details.
To apply, complete the information found here. For your application to be considered and prior to the selection of DSW team members, you must be registered in e-procurement. See below.
The application window will close April 24, 2017 at 11:00 PM.
E-Procurement details:
To complete the VENDOR REGISTRATION go to this site:
https://vendor.ncgov.com/vendor/login
Select: register now
Video Training on Vendor Registration (optional)
NC electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) Registration
This training is designed to show vendors how to register for the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). At the completion of the training, vendors will understand the steps required to complete the registration process.
For Questions or Help
If there are any questions, please contact the NC eVP Help Desk at 888-211-7440, option 2.
April Is National Poetry Month
Favorite Poem Project
Americans are recorded saying the poems they love on video. Watch them at Favorite Poem Project.
Favorite Poem Project is dedicated to celebrating, documenting and encouraging poetry’s role in Americans’ lives. A partnership among The Poetry Foundation, Boston University, the Library of Congress, and other organizations.
Listen to Poetry
This audio guide contains distinguished actors and poets reading and speaking about poetry.
A Poem A Day: 30 Poems for Secondary Students During National Poetry Month
Using Rap To Teach Poetry
Teaching Poetry Through Rap
The Beats in Poetry and the Poetics in Rap
Learning the Elements of Poetry through Rap Lyrics and Applying Those Learned Elements to Poetry
Some of my students enjoy writing their own lyrics or free styling to beats, but find no real connection to poetry, for the idea of poetry seems so far from the lyrics they love.
The Poetics of Hip-Hop
Discussing lyrics, rhythm, form, diction, and sound in poetry. Analysis of hip hop music and lyrics can provide students with a greater understanding of rhythm, form, diction, and sound in poetry.
Def Jam Poetry Videos
Resources
Using Technology to Inspire Independent Readers
From Edutopia: Using Technology to Inspire Independent Readers
As teachers, one of our most critical jobs is to create independent readers. Getting kids excited about books is the first and most crucial step on this journey. The more passionate students are about books, the more they read, and the more they read, the better they get.
Spring Is Here
Spring is here! Celebrate it in your classroom with spring-related articles about topics ranging from the genetic makeup of butterflies to the source of a hummingbird's energy.
North Carolina English Teachers Association Writing Competitions
NCETA invites your students to enter these contests:
Amy Charles Writing Competition
The North Carolina Poet Laureate Awards
Digital Storytelling Multimedia Awards
Tech Tips
Create Online Magazines
What a great way to share class projects!
Clean Up Your Inbox
Instantly see a list of all your subscription emails. Unsubscribe easily from whatever you don’t want.
Professional Development
Apple Professional Development
- June 26th 4 days BLIF, ITC expedition - experience and designing effective PD
- June 19th 4 days elementary focus for teachers design great lessons with expedition
- June 19 - 20-1 Elementary literacy focus
- June 15 - 16-1 Secondary Teachers tech infused lesson design-or-1 Everyone can code Swift playground
- July 11 - 12-Designing Lessons
- July 18 -19-Designing Lessons
- August 1 - 2 coding Follow-up
Upcoming NCCAT Sessions
14388 - Catching Up With Your Students: Digital Learning
Our students live in a digital world, with the ability to contact anyone, anywhere, anytime. How can we catch up with them? Enter this world and acquire skills needed to navigate the flow of the digital age.
14390 - The Canvas Connection: Beginning Users
April 24-27 in Cullowhee
This program is designed for beginning users and will allow time to experiment, collaborate, and build at your own pace.
14397 - Success From the Start: How To Survive and Thrive Your First Three Years in The Classroom
May 22-26 in Cullowhee
Come prepared to build professional competence and confidence, improve student achievement, and reinforce your commitment to this profession.
Online Professional Development Opportunities Spring 2017, Session 2 - Instructor-facilitated Online Courses
These courses are available at no cost to North Carolina educators and will be facilitated by DPI professionals. The courses are completed entirely online. Participants are expected to meet all weekly deadlines in order to receive CEUs. Partial credit will not be given. For a description of the courses and associated CEUs, and on information on how to register, visit our website https://rt3nc.org/
Useful Information for EOGs
NC EOG Test Prep
Paper-and-Pencil Versions with Answer Keys
- ELA/Reading Grade 6 (Updated 7/27/15)
- ELA/Reading Grade 7 (Updated 7/27/15)
- ELA/Reading Grade 8 (Updated 7/27/15)
Paper-and Pencil Versions without Answer Keys Non-Printable
Versions with Test Items and Non-Copyrighted Selections (Printable)
North Carolina Assessment Specifications
EOG Dates
- EOG will run from May 26-June 9
- EOG Training day May 4th 3pm SD1
- EOG Materials pickup day May 23rd (changed date from calendar)
- All Answer sheets due June 2nd and books due June 9th.
Food For Thought
April is Autism Awareness Month: Four Teacher Tools For Helping Students Who Have Special Needs
April is Autism Awareness Month, and after doing a bit of research, we wanted to share some teacher tools and classroom resources relating to helping students with special needs to make your lives a little bit easier. We scoured Edmodo Spotlight for some of our favorite examples.