Elementary Curriculum Newsletter
March 2017 Edition
Spotlight on Non-Negotiables
Next September, Non-Negotiables will be a robust addition to our curriculum K-6.
To see Randi do a Non-Negotiable "1-minute check-in" - go to the end of one of her writing video #2 segments, or to the beginning of one of her #3 segments.
Randi recommends an anchor chart you can slowly add to on your wall at all times, and using non-negotiables throughout all of your content areas, whether it's math, science, social studies, or ELA. Regularly pause students for one minute toward the end of their work time in a lesson to check for one factor (capitol letters, name on paper, commas, etc. - depending on your grade level and students' needs) to keep non-negotiables on the forefront of students' minds.
As your year progresses, you can even send a small copy of the list home for the fridge to help families do homework check-ins.
Students can become more cognizant and accountable for their writing mechanics.
Download your list below and help your students refine their work on a regular basis!
Video/Resource Library Available to All
The architecture of both writing and exemplars math lessons have many commonalities across the grade levels.
Check out the videos from other grade levels by:
1. Signing on to the Teaching Channel
2. Clicking on "Resources" along the top toolbar
3. Opening the "Grades" searchable menu on the left
4. Exploring the videos associated with other grade levels
Enjoy!
Middle Grades Book Lovers - Join us!
Turn of the Corkscrew Bookstore
110 N Park Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
All are welcome - you'll love the time to talk, shop, and immerse yourself in great books. Hope you can meet us there!
Pi Day - Coming Up Soon!
Mentoring Information for 2017-2018
OPDC: MENTOR TRAINING (FULL DAY)
Dates: 3/4/2017 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This is a REQUIRED for current mentors, and those aspiring to be a teacher to teacher mentor in the future. Mentors must be trained and approved by the Site Based Team in their respective schools. *Note, NBCT's seeking mentor training only require four hours, 8-12. You can register here for 8 hours Salary advancement or 6 hours pdp. If you only require the four hours required for mentoring, then DO NOT REGISTER HERE, register under NBCT Mentor Training.See, Think, Wonder
This routine encourages students to make careful observations and thoughtful interpretations. Teachers all over Oceanside are finding great results igniting critical thinking and inquiry through "See, Think, Wonder."
Read Across America Event
Released Questions - Test Analysis and Preparation Ideas
The 2016 released questions can be accessed below. Other years are also available on the Engage NY website.
Humans of Oceanside
We were looking forward to coming back to school and doing math. It's our favorite subject.
We're reading the book called Who Would Win? Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear. We're writing the information about it and who will win. If polar bear is 10 feet and grizzly bear is 8 feet, we'll write about the advantage of polar bear.
- Olivia and Ella
Coming back to school, I was excited to see my friends again. I am writing a literary essay, and I'm done with generating. We're moving on to selecting our claims.
I wrote a little about the book Koala Lou, and I wrote a little, and then I went back and wrote long. I wrote: never give up. Keep practicing and you will achieve your goal. You may not win but be proud, you have made it this far. You don't have to be in first place to be a winner. You're always a winner to your family.
- Aidan
My vacation was good. I got to see my baby cousin. He is 14 months old. I got to hold him.
I wanted to come back to school. I love school. I was looking forward to learning about reading, because I really like reading and math. I love everything about school. I love my friends, I love my teachers.
We are at the very beginning of making rocking research reports. Last year in second grade we wrote about states. I did mine about California. This year we're doing them about animals. I think I'm going to do the panda. My parents are going to help me do research.
- Cayla