Elementary E-News
Issue 19 - January 2015
Happy New Year!
"The amount of talk that students do is correlated with their achievement." Speaking Volumes, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
Educational Leadership November 2014
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov14/vol72/num03/Speaking-Volumes.aspxWinter Point People Dates
Math Update
Math TEKS
ALL elementary grades include the following Math processing standards in their TEKS: “ The student will be able to display, explain and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written and oral communication”.
How are students on your campus sharing and justifying their mathematical thinking? What conversations are you having with teachers to ensure this standard is being fostered in classrooms?
Upcoming Trainings:
Please note the meeting date changes for vertical teams 3 and 4
January 27- K-2 Vertical Team 1
January 29- K-2 Vertical Team 2
February 3- K-2 Vertical Team 3
February 5- K-2 Vertical Team 4
Is your campus interested in looking at how to make the most of their problem solving block or the power of student work? If so please contact me!
Kerise Ridinger
Science Update
Chicks (1st Grade) and Fish (Kinder) are coming soon/4th Quarter. Time to get out the incubators and aquariums. Classes to help teachers prepare for a great experience for our students:
Everything Chicks- Minshew Elementary 3:30-4:30 February 19th Sign up in Eduphoria
Everything Fish- McClure Elementary 3:30-4:30 February 19th Sign up in Eduphoria
Elementary Regional Science Fair: Campus and Student Entry Forms due to Keir by Monday, January 19th. Forms are in Forethought in 5th Grade Science “Resources tab” and were also sent to AP’s and 5th Grade Point People.
Science Tutoring:
If you need support or input in planning 5th Grade Science intervention/tutoring please let me know.
Have you thought about contact our high schools to see if students needed Green Cord hours would come to tutor students in Science after school?
Have you thought about using Science reading passages during reading tutoring? Math problems can contain Science facts.
PEROT MUSEUM- Free Educator Admission to the http://www.perotmuseum.org/events-and-programs/school-programs/educator-resources/educator-resources.html
Mini-CAST - Saturday, February 7th in Garland. This is a great opportunity for Science teachers to improve their practice, network, take specific classes, etc. Only $30. Scan QR code for registration information:
Science and Social Studies OI Trainings
Science and Social Studies 2nd Grade: February 2nd
Social Studies 4th Grade: January 20th
Science 4th Grade: January 20th
Science 5th Grade: January 29th
Social Studies Update
Pledge to the Texas Flag: While rendering the salute to the Texas Flag, a person should stand erect, face the Texas Flag and hold their right hand over the heart.
IMA Committee: Campuses should have received materials and/or log in directions from these vendors: TCI, Pearson, TCM, and Nystrom. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt materials should be coming soon. The other vendors on the rubric I sent out may or may not be sending any materials. We will have a vendor showcase at the beginning of February for committee members and any other interested teachers (more info later). Please contact me if you have any questions.
District Assessment Windows 3-5
3rd Grade DA2 Diversity: February 6-February 27
4th Grade DA2 So Long Santa Ana: February 13-March 6
5th Grade DA2 US Constitution and Bill of Rights: December 15-January 21
Interested in training your staff on Thinking Maps? I would love to talk with you about this for next year!
Stacie Nickols snickols@mckinneisd.net
Want to learn more about Thinking Maps first? http://thinkingmaps.com
Martin Luther King Jr.
ELM Campuses
ELM Twitter Chat- Come ENGAGE with other ELM/PBL teachers.
February 24th 3:30-4:30 #McKELM
Opportunities for Crit: Keir and Stacie are available to offer crit on your plans at any stage of their development! email one or both of us to set up a time for us to come to your campus
Just InTime Trainings- All trainings at Glen Oaks 3:30-4:30
January 15th
§ Authentic Launch- (30 mins)
F.1-Engage students in the purpose and challenge of each unit during the launch utilizing authentic audiences.
§ Developing Questions- (30 mins)
F.3- Utilize questioning to guide in-depth problem analysis, stimulate deeper thinking and formatively assess student progress.
§ Formative Assessments- (30 mins)
F.4-Provide consistent, specific assessment feedback for learners to guide decision-making and progress toward mastery of the
standards and soft skills.
§ Intervention (DIYs and Workshops)- (30 mins)
F.5-Personalize learning for students through workshops, resources, and DIY activities based on learner-identified needs.
January 20th – Repeat of January 15th
February 17th
§ Create Critique- F6 (1 hour)
F.6-Model and encourage a culture of critique and iterative design to enhance the quality of research and creation.
February 26th - Repeat of February 17th
ELAR
DRA District MOY Reminders:
· Who will be entering?
Only Grades K-2 and will be for all students in those grade levels
· What will be the due date?
Friday, January 30 is the due date for all data to be entered into Aware
· Is there a district DRA window?
No, each campus team can select the schedule that best suits the team to administer the DRA. The teams will need to have it completed and entered by district due date
Writing Strategy TIP:
Take a look: Being a Good Writer: Writing Tips and Strategies from Lucy Caulkins
ELAR Opportunities:
Webinar Opportunities
February 12,
2015
Building Strong Vocabulary
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4299673568239741442
3:30-4:30
Chandra Shaw
March 26, 2015
Better than Basic: Moving Past the "2" in Expository and Persuasive Writing
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1860476291029429506
Sharon Runge
April 9, 2015
Strategies for Improving Short Answers
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8914254600562211074
Sharon Runge
January 27, 3:4-15pm (Central)
Part 2: CSI (Comma Splice Investigator): Investigate Revision and Editing Like Never Before!
Part 2 tackles Revising and Editing. Learn how to take spelling, word choice and grammar to an attainable and memorable level by learning symbols that speak louder than labels for parts of speech. See how Comma Drama comes to life and how CSI (Comma Splice Investigators) solves the craziest comma crimes. All of this will lead to amazing sentences and sentence fluency never thought possible!
Click here to find out more!
Spelling Bee 2014-15
Click on updated calendar and view updated information for Collin County Spelling Bee. Thank you for sharing this information to your spelling bee campus contact person and to parents of campus winners.
Follow me on Twitter: @mona_rsavage