Maude Saunders Newsletter
September 8, 2020
Mission & Vision
Mission:
To be a place where all students succeed and achieve to their maximum potential utilizing a curriculum that is a dynamic response to each student's needs.
Vision:
Maude Saunders Elementary School will create and sustain a school climate that expects excellence.
One School
One Team
with One Mission:
EXCELLENCE A+
PLCs at Work: Excellent example of the conversations that should be happening as a result of analyzing formative common assessments
ELA PLC Objectives
1. Greater focus on standards alignment and high-quality texts (multiple texts).
2. Create both Common Assessments and Common Formative Assessments based on standards taught within the lesson/unit and determine levels of proficiency.
3. Plan Lesson/Unit
a. Questioning: Develop quality questions and tasks both oral and written which integrate standards and help students understand content and meaning of text.
b. Engagement: Ensure lessons provide students with opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson.
4. Implement Lesson and Administer Common Assessment(s).
a. Purpose of administering a Common Formative Assessment:
Identify 1)individual students who need additional time and support for learning 2) the teaching strategies most effective in helping students acquire the intended knowledge and skills 3)curriculum concerns – areas in which students generally are having difficulty achieving the individual standard 4)improvement goals for individual teachers and team.
b. Purpose of administering a Common Assessment: A common process utilizing the same criteria as state or district testing to determine the quality of student work. Provide a basis of comparison that turns data into information and helps individuals identify strengths and weaknesses in instructional strategies and problem areas in curriculum that requires attention.
5. Analyze Data and determine where we go from here.
a. Common Assessment(s)
b. STAR
NOTE: In order to accomplish your goals, it is highly recommended to take advantage of common planning time to collaborate and improve team efficacy.
SHOUT OUTS!
Ms. Edens created an AWESOME spreadsheet that automatically calculates student and class proficiency by standard.
MSE's 4th Grade PLC Team demonstrates collaboration at its finest as a result of analyzing common formative assessments.
Important Information
Mid-Term Reports go out on September 10, 2020
Follow ALL Safety Guidelines and Procedures we have discussed in our Re-Opening Plan: Screenings, social distancing, masks, frequent hand washing, seating charts for classroom, lines, and lunches. Remember that WE are modeling the expectations placed on our students. Perception is REALITY. If you do not have soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, microfiber cloth, and sanitizing spray, let us know immediately.
- Student Masks: Continue to remind students to wear their masks during transitions - especially dismissal. All bus riders are required to wear a mask. If a bus rider does not have a mask, provide one for them. We have plenty in the office.
- If you feel a student needs to be screened, please call the front office and Nurse Rosemary will assist.
- ATTENDANCE: Attendance should be entered into FOCUS before 8:30 a.m.
- Bus Information: Send bus notes up front every morning and give the signed note back to the students so that the bus driver will have it.
Title I with Krisy Spence
If you haven’t made that initial positive contact with all your parents, now is the time! Reach out to those parents you haven’t heard from and let them know that working as a team - the school, the family, and the student- is a powerful tool to raising student achievement.
Digital Technology - Christine Peterson
Christine Peterson will be available on September 9th to address any digital learning questions you may have.
During the dates she is scheduled at MSE, listed below are some examples of support topics and how teachers and students can utilize these virtual support days.
Individual/Grade Level or PLC Coaching Sessions
- Technology infused lesson planning
- Evaluating classroom data from digital resources such as Edgenuity (Compass), Study Island, All in Learning and/or Khan Academy
- Digital resource questions and features
- Lesson or unit planning
- Professional development
Classroom Support
- Digital Citizenship Lessons
- ClassLink Navigation
- Office 365 and Teams Tutorials
- Technology Tool Introductions
Professional Development Topics
- Technology Implementation Best Practices
- FSA, FOCUS, STAR Reporting with Data Driven Instruction
- Technology Integrated AVID Strategies
- Differentiated Instruction
- Khan Academy Coaching, Reporting and Assignment Tools
- Small Group Technology Rotations
- Computer Science Standards Integration
- Clear Touch Program Review
- Collaboration within Office 365 and Teams
- Science Instructional Materials and Assessments within Study Island (grades 3-8)
- Personalizing Compass/Pathblazer: Analyzing Data and Creating Standards Aligned Assignments
- Tracking Student Mastery with ALL In Learning
- Instructional Materials Support with Technology
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
Example of a Performance Scale using Achievement Level Descriptors for Grade 3 ELA
quote for the week
Ask yourself:
- What have you purposely done to improve your personal knowledge of both academic and other areas?
- How does your personal knowledge influence your ability to assess students?
- What could you do that would make you a better reader?
Lesson Links
- Ask students what they have learned recently. Have them explain how what they learned made them better at something.
- Ask them what things have made them better readers since they first learned to read.
- Ask students how assessment can help them gain knowledge.