KCS C&I Update | April
Resources to Support Teaching & Learning in KCS
Canvas Updates
- Canvas New Releases - updates as of March - students can use their webcam to submit File Upload submissions, in SpeedGrader, teachers can reassign an assignment to an individual student with comments, and more!
Read more about it in the Canvas Release Notes (3-20-2021) and review previous feature updates here!
Also, don't forget to check out the MasteryConnect releases, as well - last month they added some great tools to their "enhanced accommodations" tools!
- Win Canvas SWAG!! - it is getting harder and harder to get your hands on some Canvas SWAG, so read on to find out how!
Canvas Community is seeking "best practice" exemplar courses- if your course checks, at a minimum, all the 1-star and 2-star rating boxes on this Course Evaluation Checklist, submit your course using this form for a chance to win some coveted Canvas SWAG! Winners will be announced and asked to write a short blog post showcasing their work and processes, AND winning courses will be showcased by Instructure in demos and best practice examples!
KCS Foundation Grant
Congratulations to Kristian Hefner at Washington Elementary. His Patriots Pulse Percussion project was recently awarded $2072.00! The KCS Education Foundation is looking to give away more money to KCS teachers for innovative projects - click on the grant application link below and apply today!!
The Kingsport City Schools Education Foundation generally focuses on grants to classroom teachers in amounts <$1,000, but is open to larger requests based on merit. Requests are for one-time funding of projects or initiatives that may be replicated as a best practice throughout the district. Grants are not to be used for training, travel, software, or technology with associated maintenance fees or other recurring costs.
Mark the Dates!
Summer Learning Camps
- $45/hour and flexible teaching opportunities during the 5 weeks of Summer Learning
- Build relationships with upcoming students and interact with students in a new, fun environment
- Curriculum & materials are provided, and training will be available
Professional Learning
Previous Professional Learning Resources
- ELA Middle School 7th Grade IFL Call - 3/2 @3:15-3:45
- Promoting Student Choice - 3/4 @3:45-5:15
- Middle School Math Symposium - 3/8 @3:15-4:45
- ELA Middle School ELA Symposium 3/8 @3:15-4:45
- Virtual Social Studies Educators PD Seminar - 3/9 @7:00-8:00pm
- Virtual Social Studies Educators PD Seminar - 3/11 @7:00-8:00pm
- KCS In-Service Day - 3/15
- Digital Tools - Promoting Student Choice - 3/16 @3:45-5:15
- Middle School Math Virtual Book Study - 3/18 @3:30-4:00
- T2L Leaders Meeting - 3/23 @3:45-5:15
- ELA MS Book Club- 3/24 @3:30-4:00
- ELA K-5 Collaborative - 4/5 @3:45-5:00
- K-2 Math Collaborative - 4/13 @3:45-5:00
- Developing Student Agency - 4/13 @3:45-5:15
- 3-5 Math Collaborative - 4/15 @3:45-5:00
- Digital Tools - Student Agency - 4/20 @3:45-5:15
Upcoming Professional Learning Sessions
- K-2 iRead and Ed - 4/22 @4:00-5:00 (Register Here)
- T2L Leaders Meeting - 4/27 @3:45-5:15
- K-2 iRead and Ed - 5/4 @4:00-5:00 (Register Here)
- 3-5 ELA Writing and Writable Lite - 5/6 @4:00-5:00 (Register Here)
- 3-5 ELA Data, Ed, Growth Measure - 5/11 @4:00-5:00 (Register Here)
Curriculum Updates
We have the opportunity to offer a few additional HMH trainings this year. This will give you time to go through the resources so that you can plan for next year and try a few new things during the last few weeks of schools. There is a limit of 25 participants per course. Click Here to register for the course that you would like to attend.
The Power of Student Voice
A teacher shares that it is never too early to teach students the power of their voice in writing.
You can access the video through this link, by logging into the Ed platform.
https://www.hmhco.com/one/#/TeachersCorner/training/SS00551
If you do not have access to the Ed platform you can video the video below.
Building Inclusivity and Empathy Through Writers’ Workshop
Mathematics Updates:
Mathematics for All
Creating, supporting, and sustaining a culture of access and equity require being responsive to students' backgrounds, experiences, cultural perspectives, traditions, and knowledge when designing and implementing a mathematics program and assessing its effectiveness. Acknowledging and addressing factors that contribute to differential outcomes among groups of students are critical to ensuring that all students routinely have opportunities to experience high-quality mathematics instruction, learn challenging mathematics content, and receive the support necessary to be successful. Addressing equity and access includes both ensuring that all students attain mathematics proficiency and increasing the numbers of students from all racial, ethnic, linguistic, gender, and socioeconomic groups who attain the highest levels of mathematics achievement. ~ NCTM Position on Access and Equity in Mathematics Education
To close existing learning gaps, educators at all levels must work to achieve equity with respect to student learning outcomes. A firm commitment to this work requires that all educators operate on the belief that all students can learn. To increase opportunities to learn, educators at all levels must focus on ensuring that all students have access to high-quality instruction, challenging curriculum, innovative technology, exciting extracurricular offerings, and the differentiated supports and enrichment necessary to promote students’ success at continually advancing levels. Providing all students with access is not enough; educators must have the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to support effective, equitable mathematics teaching and learning.
Achieving access and equity requires that all stakeholders—
- ensure that all students have access to a challenging mathematics curriculum, taught by skilled and effective teachers who differentiate instruction as needed;
- monitor student progress and make needed accommodations; and
- offer remediation or additional challenges when appropriate.
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