Middle School Math
September 2021
Early Release Updates
As a reminder, here is the folder with all the information from our session together, including the recordings. This session does not have a Canvas course and if you attended, we took care of your registration and attendance.
Before our October 6 session, please try MLR 7: Compare and Connect with your students and come with student work to share with others. We will spend the bulk of our time reflecting and collaborating with one another.
Below you will find two helpful documents: One focuses on the purpose of each MLR and the other one focuses on the 4 MLR's we will plan for and implement in Pasco.
We will also be sending out the documents prior to our session in October so be on the look out!
B.E.S.T Updates
Upcoming Course
We will begin our B.E.S.T Journey in the 2nd quarter. We are hosting live sessions on October 18th to kick off our learning. You may join us from 10 am to 11 am OR 2 pm to 3 pm. Then you will be able to engage in learning through a self-paced myLearning Course. Please register on myPGS.
- 10 am Session: Course 4177, Section 30481
- 2 pm Session: Course 4177, Section 30482
2022-2023 Courses
The state has released the courses for the new standards. Our Secondary Design has started to look at the pathways and will share more very soon. Stay tuned!
Join us on Yammer!
Zearn
Aligned with Zearn’s focus on Acceleration (vs. Remediation), we strongly encourage that all students are assigned in Zearn to grade-level content that is aligned to their core math instruction. Prior to getting started with Zearn this year, please be sure to reset students’ assignment to the first unit of their new grade – otherwise, students may be working in the wrong grade-level! Here are simple instructions for setting students’ assignment.
Course Updates
- Grade 6: Unit 3 --> October 11th
- Accelerated Grade 6: Unit 3 --> October 14th
- Grade 7: Unit 3 --> September 29th
- Accelerated Grade 7: Unit 3 --> October 12th
- Pre-Algebra: Unit 3 --> September 30th
Stanley Cup Visit and Teacher Ticket Incentive Returns!!
The Tampa Bay Lightning and EVERFI are grateful for your participation in the Future Goals program and want to thank all our area educators. As such we are excited to announce the return of The Tampa Bay Lightning Educator Ticket Program for the 21-22 school year! Three dates (January 27, February 1, March 1) have thus far been selected and set aside for any teacher implementing Future Goals Hockey Scholar Math or Science to receive two tickets to a Lightning home game!
The attached flyer provides all the details and eligibility requirements. Please share out with your teachers at your convenience.
Thank you and Go BOLTS!
PMP News
As you and your school teams are analyzing BOY assessment data, reviewing current PMP status and making any updates to individual students in need of Tier 3 interventions in Math, please ensure PMP status is updated in myStudent on the PMP/Interventions tab by September 21. Click here to access the Middle School step by step user guide that will walk you through the process of giving a student a PMP and developing a progress monitoring plan.
Just a reminder that on the Secondary Learning Network, at the bottom of the page, under “Progress Monitoring Plan, Actions and Information” is more information regarding PMP’s. Information includes a Timeline of Events by Unit, MTSS Tier 3 Decision Guides and Resource Maps, PMP (Tier 3) Timeline of Events for the Year and PMP User Guide.
IXL Interventions
NWEA data – IXL has skill plans developed based on a student’s RIT score and strand. All you do is put in the grade level (6+, Algebra 1, Geometry), decide on the Topic (Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Statistics and Probability etc) and look for the skills needed based on the student’s RIT score from NWEA Maps test.
https://www.ixl.com/math/skill-plans/nwea-map-growth-6-plus
IXL just released a brand new feature called Group Jams which will allow teachers to choose this setting to enable all students to have the same question at the same time for increased collaboration and engagement. Check out the blog for more information:
https://blog.ixl.com/2021/09/08/ixl-group-jam-a-fun-way-to-collaborate/
IXL Allow Student to Track Their Growth
Once students have completed their initial diagnostic, they can write their levels down on the IXL’s Diagnostic Tracker Sheet so they can follow their growth over time. Check out this blog for more information: https://blog.ixl.com/2021/08/26/how-to-track-student-growth-with-the-real-time-diagnostic/
IXL has released over 600 math video tutorials for 6th through 8th grade! Each bite-sized video walks through concepts and works out examples for a specific skill. These targeted videos, created in partnership with Wyzant tutors, provide instruction and support to students as they learn and practice independently.
Grade Pass Back
Grade Pass Back is a valuable, time saving tool for syncing your myLearning (Canvas) gradebook with your myStudent gradebook. This eliminates the work of having to enter information into two different systems. It requires some simple, careful setup initially. Here are several things that may cause errors when setting up Grade Pass Back:
- Gradebooks cannot be combined in myStudent
- Assignment categories must be identical in both myStudent and myLearning (including capitalization and spacing)
- Assignments must be in a category in myLearning that matches one in myStudent
- Assignments must have due dates in the current term. For Q1 that is between 8/10-10/15. Of note is that you may decide to give students until teacher planning day to turn in work. The due date in myLearning must still be no later than 10/15 because that is the end of the term in the system. Anything with due dates of 10/16, 17, or 18 will be not be recognized since Q2 does not begin until 10/19.
The following video is a walkthrough of setting up the Pass Back and how to sync your grades.
Grade Pass Back Walkthrough Video
If you experience issues, please email Matt Bruno at mbruno@pasco.k12.fl.us and include the following information:
- A link to the myLearning course(s) you are having issues with
- A brief description of your problem or error message, and the name/student number of any students you may be experiencing specific issues with
- Any other pertinent information
Here is the link to the Aspiring Leaders Flyer.
Here is the link for our coaching pool information.
Compassionate Schools
We’re excited to share a series of 5 essential classroom PBIS practices that are immediately applicable for teachers. This month we’re focusing on “Maximizing Structures” in our classrooms through a Trauma Informed-Care Lens. When students understand the structures and how things work, they’re more likely to be successful. Structures help make the classroom feel safe, consistent, and predictable. We’re also excited to share this video that helps give strategies for organizing your classroom space.
If you’d like to dive deeper feel free to explore this PBIS Classroom website that shares a variety of resources on how to strengthen your teaching practices!
Feel free to reach out to us if we can help you!
Susanna Haberle, PBIS Program Coordinator
Lesley Wilson, SEL Program Coordinator
St. Leo University
Pasco County Schools The opportunity is here to advance your career, enhance your skills and effectiveness with an advanced education degree from Saint Leo University. Online and face-to-face cohorts are forming now; offering a dynamic, collaborative, and supportive learning environment. Saint Leo University's graduate education programs prepare educators to become master teachers, instructional coaches, team leaders, principals, administrators, and more! We offer an extensive list of advanced degree options to help you grow both personally and professionally. Your career goal has never been more attainable - fewer courses, lower program costs, more accessible classes and many financial aid options to earn your degree at Saint Leo. EdD: School Leadership Med: Exceptional Student Education MS: Instructional Design BA: Elementary Education BA: Middle Grades Education BA: Educational Studies - Early Childhood Development The Virtual Information Session will include information about our graduate education degree programs, financial aid, class schedules, and the application process. Register now to get more information, and learn what Saint Leo has to offer you! Saint Leo University is a nationally recognized leader in higher education with graduate programs designed to meet the needs of working adults. Our small class sizes, high-quality curriculum, and dedicated faculty provide a superior learning environment.
Advanced Degrees in Education Information Session
Thursday, October 7, 7:00 - 08:30 PM ET
EdS: Educational Leadership
MEd: Educational Leadership
MEd: Instructional Leadership
MEd: Reading
For more information or special accommodations, please contact Traci Dougherty at traci.dougherty@saintleo.edu.
Saint Leo University
Center for Online Learning
800.707.8846
grad.col@saintleo.edu
www.saintleo.edu
Facilitator Training
Beginning in October, the Office for Leading and Learning will be hosting 2 PLC Facilitator sessions. Click here for additional information.
Your Secondary Math Team
Mary Moss, Middle School Curriculum Specialist
Odalis Tavares, Senior Specialist - Secondary Math
Stephanie VanTassel - High School Curriculum Specialist