CIA Tidbits
SHARING STRATEGIES, HELPFUL TIPS, AND MUCH MORE!
September 2020
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Important News and Curriculum Updates
- 6th grade Science Curriculum = 6th Grade Twig Elementary. Twig is working on the registration/subscription activation for teachers and students and it should be done ANY DAY NOW :) Student books are also on their way.
- 7th/8th grade Science Curriculum = Amplify. We are working through a few kinks here and there. Everyone "should" have digital accounts now but if you are having any issues, please contact help@amplify.com and include April Gridler in your email (gridlera@lancsd.org). If there is an issue with specific student access, there may be issues with the PowerSchool information.
- Williams Act - We are almost complete with this year's requirements. Thank you to the teachers and administrators of the William's schools for your contributions and information!
- SST/504 Process and documentation- SST's and 504's are now completed solely through PowerSchool. All student information will be connected to the student's PS account. SST Chairs will be trained this week and will share the new SST/504 process with teachers shortly thereafter. *Beyond SST is no longer active.
- Elementary Teachers- Throughout Distance Learning, Math and Language Arts instruction has been given priority. However, Science and History content should still be incorporated throughout the year. We encourage you to get to know your new science curriculum and integrate it in areas whenever you can. Use both science and history text to support your ELA standards for Reading and Writing.
Digital Curriculum Platform Questions?
We want to help!
This quick and OPTIONAL survey is intended for users of the core digital platforms ConnectED (math, ELA, HSS), Amplify, and Twig. If you teach a core subject and are still facing some challenges with using the digital curriculum, we would love your input.
We are trying to enhance current resources and build FAQs and PD support that will address the most common questions about how to access and use the core digital curriculum platforms most effectively and would like to know what questions and/or support you may still need.
Please let us know what challenges or questions would be most helpful to address in the following digital curriculum platforms. SKIP ANY THAT DON'T APPLY TO YOU.
(Survey is open through Tuesday, September 8th and is completely anonymous.)
Click HERE to open the survey in a separate window, or fill out the embedded survey below.
2020-21 Priority Standards: "I can..."
They can also be found in the CIA Public Resources by clicking HERE.
August 6th/7th ELA and Math Training Videos/Presentation Slides
ELA Priority Standards and Handbook Video
Click on the picture to open.
Click on the picture to open..
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Have you seen the DESMOS Math Platform?
Please note, if you start an activity in live class and would like students to be able to finish it later, you will have to give the activity class code to the students to use to sign in later.
View the video by clicking below:
The BPST III is now an Illuminate Skills Assessment
*Please note that this is NOT a required assessment. It is simply an available option for teachers.
If you would like to access this assessment, you can click HERE or click on the newly added tile on your Illuminate Dashboard (purple tile featured above).
BONUS!!- Jack Northrop's Amy Jensen and Megan Hall created the video below that walks teachers through how to administer this assessment and pull reports. Thank you Ladies!
Math E-Assessments in Connect Ed (not just for assessments)
Click HERE or on the picture below to view:
Need quick help with your McGraw Hill digital curriculum?
* ELA- Wonders/StudySync
* Math- MyMath/CA Math
* SS- IMPACT
Curriculum Demo Codes
Click here to access the site and the DEMO CODES!
Additional Digital Curriculum Resources and Help
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6th- 8th Grade
StudySync Priority Pacing (6th-8th)
It turns out that StudySync has adopted the same priority standards that we did! They have created a "Priority Content Pacing Guide" that aligns perfectly with the focus/priority standards that we have laid out for this school year.
This Pacing Guide outlines the scope and sequence of texts and skills aligned to priority content that are taught in Grade 6-8. Priority content standards include the following:
- CCSS Language Standards: L.4, L.5, L.6,
- CCSS Reading Information Standards: RI.1, RI.4, RI.9, RI.10
- CCSS Reading Literature Standards: RL.1, RL.4, RL.10
- CCSS Speaking & Listening Standards: SL.1
- CCSS Writing Standards: W.8, W.9
The Pacing Guide also includes suggested resources from StudySync’s library to help fulfill priority content standards including Blasts, Spotlight Skills, Writing Skills, and Academic Vocabulary. Additional charts provide information on ELD units and novel studies that support or align priority content standards for flexible implementation.
Click below to access the Priority Content Pacing Guides (for full readability, be logged in to StudySync):
These can also be located at the bottom of Unit 1 (see picture below)
Using Sync Blasts in ELA and History/Social Science
SynBlasts At-A-Glance Lesson Plans
SyncBlasts are designed to work flexibly with a variety of lesson plans. There are three types of assignments teachers can choose from when selecting a SyncBlast for their class: the Blast Assignment, the Read Assignment, and the Write Assignment.
This guide will provide suggestions for how to use each assignment type depending on your different goals and time frames.
Blast Assignments:
In a Blast Assignment, students read and annotate an article, complete a set of two reading comprehension questions and a vocabulary activity, and answer the QuikPoll. This assignment includes the Blast activity, in which students provide a brief response to the article’s driving question, then have the opportunity to peer-review one another’s Blast responses.
Write Assignments:
In a Write Assignment, students read and annotate the article, complete a set of two reading comprehension questions and a vocabulary activity, and answer the QuikPoll. This assignment includes a lengthier, more comprehensive writing opportunity compared to the Blast Assignment. In a Write Assignment, students respond to a prompt in greater depth and detail, then use a rubric to peer-review one another’s response.
Read Assignments:
In a Read Assignment, students read and annotate the article, complete a set of two reading comprehension questions and a vocabulary activity, and answer the QuikPoll.
Open the document below for more details:
Digital Literacy SyncBlasts- 3-Day Mini Units
These mini unit lesson plans and culminating activity are written to utilize the four C’s: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity across the core science/social studies content areas.
Open the document below for more details:
Teaching California History and Social Science Standards with SyncBlasts
Upcoming StudySync Webinars
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Use visuals to inspire critical thinking and writing...
We gave you a small taste of this in the ELA training on August 6th. Do you remember?
Once Upon A Picture
As with any outside website, PLEASE PREVIEW ANY AND ALL CONTENT before using it with your students.
Click HERE to visit Once Upon A Picture
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Looking for digital whiteboards?
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Congratulations to our lucky August gift card winners!
Michael D'Agostino (MA) & Joan Macomber (PI)
Complete the Google Form below to enter September's Drawing!
(Please scroll within the Form to enter your response.)
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Instructional Coaches are available to help!
We Are CIA!
Krista Thomsen, ext 301 - Director Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Katie Weber, ext 301- CIA Admin Secretary II (start date TBD)
Connie Hobson, ext 321 - Induction Administrative Secretary I
Renee Rubio, ext 322 - Induction Facilitator
Michelle Lambeth, ext 323 - Induction Facilitator
Kristi Zenno, ext 311 - District Instructional Coach (ELA, History/Social Science)
Gina Wilson, ext 312 - District Instructional Coach (Reading Intervention, Arts Integration)
Allison Harmon, ext 314 - District Instructional Coach (MTSS and Inclusive Practices)
April Gridler, ext 313- District Instructional Coach (Math, Science/NGSS)
Email: CIA@lancs.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lancsd.org/lancasterschooldistrict-cia
Location: 44327 Fig Avenue, Lancaster, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 723-0351