Curriculum Corner
May 2017 K-5 Updates
ELA
Experts say that with effective Tier I instruction, 85% of the kids should get it. If not, we need to rethink our approach or methods. Tier II - only 10-15% of our kids should need it. Tier III - 5% or less of our students. Therefore, we really need to be looking at what are we doing at tier I. K-3 teachers: Are we using the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy on a daily basis? All teachers should have these and should be using them!
We need to be careful not to pigeon hole kids into levels:
- “Reading levels should never be used to limit the texts children may access or try to read” (Reading Minds - Schwanenflugel and Knapp)
- Tim Shanahan believes that ALL students should be exposed to grade level texts with proper support and different amounts of scaffolding.
- Try using “Dessert Reading” with your students. During independent reading time, students should be reading “just right” books, but give them the last 10 minutes to read a “dessert book” of their choice (any level, any topic – whatever interests them!).
Choice/Voices - are we giving students choice in our classrooms? Are their voices being heard? We wonder why video games are the escape for our students - every 3-5 seconds, they are faced with a challenge, they get to make a choice and they receive immediate feedback. This also reinforces why we must use more formative assessments in class with quicker feedback.
By: Department Chairs Shannon Nichols (3-5) and Jessica Oliver (K-2)
Beyond Bedtime Stories by Nell Duke
Inside Information by Nell Duke
Passionate Learners by Pernille Ripp
Summer Curriculum/KUD Work
Thank you to all the grade level representatives who participated in two 1/2 day sessions of KUD work. We are definitely on our way to filling the gaps within our units but still have some work to do.
We are scheduling June 20th for 1st grade and June 22nd for kindergarten, 2nd - 5th grades as a day to continue working on writing and language KUDs. Stipends are included. We are still in need of representatives for this work. Please contact Sara Taylor or Michelle Bradford if interested.
Grade level representatives include:
June 20th 12:00 - 3:00 PM:
- 1st: Theresa Hribar, Debbie Daley, and Emily Miles
June 22nd 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM:
- K: Allison Brown and (Still need one to two reps for this grade level work)
- 2nd: Need two to three reps
- 3rd: Need two to three reps
- 4th: Need two to three reps
- 5th: Shannon Nichols (Still need one to two reps for this grade level work)
Please let your building administrator and Sara Taylor or Michelle Bradford know if you are interested.
Math Investigations for Grades 1, 2, 4, and 5
Please mark your calendars for an Investigation 3 Product Activation training scheduled for June 20th. Stipends are included for your time. Please let your principal know if you cannot attend.
*** Bring your unit 1 manual and Implementing Investigations at grade level.
*** Feel free to bring your laptop or device if you don't wish to use a computer off the cart.
- 1st and 2nd grade product activation is scheduled from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- 4th and 5th grade product activation is scheduled from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
If you are new to K or 3rd grade and did not receive the training, you are welcome to join either group.
All new materials are now in the building.
If you have any questions, please contact Department Chairs Sarah Wood (3-5) or Rachael Fisher (K-2)
Science NGSX
We are coordinating several trainers to present Cohorts 1 and 2 on August 23rd and 24th. We will then schedule sub coverage in Oct through Dec for Cohort 3 training and Cohort 4 will be scheduled on our full day PD scheduled for January 17th.
Why NGSX?
- The Next Generation Science Exemplar (or NGSX) professional learning system is a unique learning environment designed to connect learners to a multi-faceted web-platform — with a wide range of digital (video and print) resources, guided activities, and interactivity with colleagues. NGSX provides a unique, image-rich context for K-12 teachers and administrators to explore the major ideas found in the NRC Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), developing tools and strategies to take this new vision back into their classrooms. NGSX also serves as a research site to collect data on 3-dimensional learning and the enactment of that learning in classrooms.
- This training also provides us with our first step needed to be ready for NGSS implementation by the 2019-20 school year.
Social Studies
Illuminate
With Illuminate Data and Assessment (DnA), teachers have access to continuous feedback to dramatically improve student performance.
The Illuminate platform includes the following features:
● Document camera scanning for easy and instant assessment scoring
● Online testing, proctoring, monitoring, and dashboards to provide instant feedback
● Reporting that provides the big picture around effective instructional practices, direction for differentiated instruction, and item analysis to pinpoint misconception
● Online portal that allows digital access to students and parents to get feedback in real time
Additional training opportunities will take place during the 2017-18 school year.
Power Teacher Pro
- Ben Brusie
- Jennifer Christian
- Tami Curry
- Nichole Hayden
- Theresa Hribar
- Aneta Lawrence
- Cheri McCreedy
- Kristen Wilcox
- Sarah Wood
- Chad Wohlschlegel
Pilot teachers will be meeting on June 6th to determine professional development for all staff during the 2017-18 school year.
Coaching
One of the ways learning coaches support instructional practices is through the use of coaching cycles. A cycle is an opportunity for a coach and teacher to engage in goal setting, learning, observation, data collection, and reflection. Often times a cycle can last anywhere between 4-6 weeks depending on the focus. A cycle’s focus and beginning point may be different for each teacher.
By Sara Taylor, Department Chair
Tailored, Meaningful & Relevant Professional Development in Your Classroom
The role of the learning coach has certainly evolved and changed over the past several years. With the increased focus on instructional coaching, centered on both instructional practices and student growth, the classroom-embedded professional development facilitated through coaching supports district-wide goals.
You may already know that coaches utilize Cognitive Coaching strategies to enhance coaching. In addition, you might be interested to know that coaching is headed toward an increasingly student-centered approach, in which coaches and teachers will target specific student needs, develop an instructional plan to meet those needs and monitor progress toward coaching goals within a coaching cycle. Student-centered coaching is an evidence-based model that promotes increased student achievement for every student, every day. In keeping with the belief that that we are all learners and the understanding that teaching is a profession that will always bring new opportunities to challenge ourselves, all teachers are encouraged to regularly collaborate with a coach.
MAP and Inform End of Year Data
It is hard to believe this update is on end of year data, time sure flies!
The MAP testing window officially closes on June 13th. If you can finish by June 7th that would fantastic so Beth can begin pulling all the end of the year data for building growth.
Also, please input required assessment data in Inform as you go rather than waiting to input it all at the end of the school year. We use this data to create end of year parent assessment letters. Our goal is to begin pulling data on June 1st.
Thank you!