KCS C&I Update | November
Resources to Support Teaching & Learning in KCS
Canvas Updates
Canvas Release Notes:
- New Feature Screencast
- Quick Video on Recent History in Global Navigation Menu
- Grade Passback Update - we are continuing to work with Canvas & Aspen engineers to test grade syncing, identify issues, and move forward in the process. While there has been progress made on a solution, the passback feature in Canvas is not functioning without errors at this time. We are hopeful in the coming weeks, to be able to communicate we are ready to utilize this feature. Until then, continue to urge families to create an Observer Account (instructions here) so they may access progress information for their student(s).
Continuing Canvas Communication:
- What is expected of me in Canvas? Click Here to see previous Newsletter!
- What is the timeline of implementation? Click Here to see previous Newsletter!
- How do we measure success?
- Growth within Canvas is the key for the 2020-2021 school year. As our teachers are at various starting points, success will be managed with how you have progressed with your skills in the platform and how you have used it to reach students no matter the learning environment.
- In order to provide something concrete, CLICK HERE to review a rubric for a baseline standard for all KCS Canvas courses. This is the baseline of expectation for Fall of 2021 - if you are not there yet, keep growing - if you are already there, keep growing!
Be sure to check out the Professional Learning section below to see what support is being offered in the coming months to support Blended Learning & Canvas!
Personalizing Learning
How can I increase engagement when students are distance learning?
Three questions come to mind when thinking about this challenge -
- How are you planning instruction to be meaningful and engaging?
- Do students have voice and choice in how they engage online?
- How can we make the most of in-person learning during Hybrid Schedules?
So now what?
Student Agency - Helping Students Become Self-Directed Learners
For years, teachers have watched students who succeed and those that don't, and often wonder how to create a desire to learn or build intrinsic motivation in the students who struggle. Recently, there has been some effort into this idea of building student "agency" as a means to do just that. Student agency creates that desire to learn by connecting learning to something that is personally meaningful, and provides voice & choice to the students. However, it also empowers our students with confidence, identity, and value.
For more information, click on the link below to explore ways to empower your students and take it one step at a time.
Professional Learning
Previous Professional Learning Resources
- RCL Collaborative - 10/1
- Learning with Nearpod - 10/19
- Personalizing with Nearpod - 10/19
- Intro to Blended Learning 10/28
Upcoming Professional Learning Sessions
- 11/5/2020 - K-5 ELA Curriculum Collaborative
- 11/5/2020 - 6-8 Science Symposium
- 11/10/2020 - Using Interactive Video in a Blended Classroom (Virtual) 3:45-5:15
- 11/10/2020 - K-2 Math Collaboratives 4:00-5:00
- 11/12/2020 - 3-5 Math Collaboratives 4:00-5:00
- 11/16/2020 - Middle School Math Symposium 3:15-4:45
- 11/19/2020 - Middle School Math Virtual Book Study - 3:30-4:00
- 11/19/2020 - Digital Tools for Collaboration (Virtual) - 3:45-5:15
Curriculum Updates
Elementary-
According to Nell Duke, "There's an art-and science-to providing prompts for young readers when they struggle". She outlines the best ways to support students during reading. Read the article below to find clear research based approaches to reading support.
"When Young Readers Get Stuck"
HMH- Ed. Platform-
There are so many features in the HMH Ed. platform it takes time to explore the opportunities. These videos will help you create a daily plan to save time with your students, make assignments, and assign online assessments.
- How to create a daily/weekly plan in Ed - This makes it easy to find materials and keeps them from timing out!
- How to create an assignment in Ed through the "Create tab
- How to assign an online assessment for students - This is great for RCL students!
Secondary-
Students learn through talk. It is essential for our students to discuss their thinking and build knowledge. Conversation is a challenge in this hybrid world. Click the following links to see how teachers are navigating the challenges of this unusual time.
- Translating Accountable Talk Practices Between In-Person and Virtual Teaching
- Reflections from Two Teachers of the Year
Mathematics Updates:
There is a saying, “whoever is doing the talking, is doing the learning”. This statement has a lot of merit, especially when we think about learning mathematics. Think about this statement and reflect on the last class you taught. Who was doing the learning? If most of your class was spent with you demonstrating and explaining, perhaps you may want to think about a few changes. It could be most of the time was spent by students working independently and no one was talking.
Linked below is a short article, Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say!, that is a “must-read” for math teachers in any grade level. The article offers practical suggestions on how to get students to do the talking and the learning! Possibly your definition of a good math teacher may change from “one who explains the mathematics so well that students understand” to “one who gets students to explain the mathematics so well that they can be understood.”
Contact Us!
Dr. Dwain Arnold, Chief Academic Officer - Elementary
Dr. Brian Cinnamon, Chief Academic Officer - Secondary
Christian Horner, Innovative Learning Coordinator
Emily Helphinstine; Literacy Coordinator
Pam Stidham; Math Coordinator
KCS Curriculum & Instruction
Email: info@k12k.com
Website: https://www.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=345708&type=d&pREC_ID=753891
Location: 400 Clinchfield Street, Kingsport, TN, USA
Phone: (423) 378-2100
Twitter: @KCS_District