Looking Ahead to 2018 - 2019
Points to Ponder & Casually Prepare for...
Reflect. Relax. Rejuvenate!
The summer break is in arm's reach and Y O U couldn't be more deserving of your time away from the building. It is our hope that this time is used for Y O U to
R E L A X, R E C H A R G E, and R E J U V E N A T E!
Quite a few of you have been anxiously anticipating expectations and bottom lines for Liberty Point's curriculum implementation and next steps for the 2018 - 2019 school year that begins in the fall.
The Curriculum Team appreciates your insatiable thirst to be in the 'curriculum know' and to pledge time to casually prepare (mentally or physically) for a smooth school year. In this newsletter, we have outlined points to ponder and resources to casually peruse while you're sitting poolside, flying high in the sky to your summer travel destination, or while simply binge-watching your favorite tv show series on the couch this summer.
Mrs. Sheralyn Shepard-AP, PBIS Lead - Shepards@fultonshools.org
Mrs. Ricks - Curriculum Support Teacher - RicksC@fultonschools.org
Ms. Bentley - Math Coach - BentleyK@fultonschools.org
Mr. Borders - KSU Tech Coach - Borders@fultonschools.org
Ms. Elikwu - Literacy Coach - Elikwu@fultonschools.org
Ms. Hodges - AVID Lead Teacher - HodgesK2@fultonschools.org
Why?
Focus Wall & Vocabulary
- Unit Overview (What is the major work of the unit?)
- Unit I CAN Statement (KK-2nd) and Essential Question (3rd -5th)
- Teaching Point for each session.
- Focus Vocabulary with Visual (when applicable for Math, Science, Social Studies)
Remember, the word wall operates as a visual cue for student use of taught words to be used in their writing pieces/ or written responses. Be sure to add a picture for support, when applicable.
Literacy Word Walls:
KK - 2nd Grade uses High-Frequency Words
3rd - 5th Grade uses Vocabulary
(other options to include would be common figurative language, prefixes, suffixes, root words)
Meeting Area
Naturally, our meeting area will be in the front of our rooms because of our interactive boards and document cameras. However, you may want to consider using the carpeted area within the parameters of your classroom library. Strive to make this area inviting to students and a comfortable place to conduct mini lessons and class discussions.
Classroom Library
Classroom libraries will need a refresh. Unfortanelty, book bins will not be provided. However, the Dollar Tree, GoodWill, and your local Yard Sale will support your efforts.
All books should be standing up straight with the front cover facing library guests.
Labels for Books:
Outside Front Cover: Fountas & Pinnell Level
Inside Back Cover: Color Dot with Class Assigned Letter (Provided)
Organization of Leveled Libraries:
Section I: Fiction & Non Fiction with baskets/bins labeled by Fountas & Pinnell Levels
Section II: Fiction & Non Fiction with baskets/bins labeled by topics
- Ideas: Series, High Demand Authors, Student Recommended Books, Teacher Favorites, Themes, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, etc.
Points To Ponder:
How can you make the library attractive and inviting? Pillows? Picture frames? Plants?
How will students know how/when to select books? Book Shopping Days Schedules?
What management system will you put in place? Return Dropbox? Class Librarian Job?
Tip:
Go ahead and download these book leveler apps & favorite these websites on your PC.
1. Book Source
2. Scholastic Book Wizard
3. Lexile.com
You may want to make a casual summer to-do task of leveling any current books to get ahead of the game in the fall.
Writers' Gallery...
Our Writers' Gallery should operate as its name, a gallery. The number of gallery entries should grow over the course of the year, meaning writing entries should stay in the sleeves for the entire year. We will send the writing up with the students to the next grade level.
Getting Started:
A. Plastic dividers will be given to you to post up and then store writing inside.
B. A photograph of each student must be on the work. (Sept. 4, 2018)
What to Include in the Writer's Gallery:
1. Mid Unit On Demand (Pre Assessment) with the rubric stapled to the back.
2. End of the Unit Published Writing with teacher commentary.
3. End Unit On Demand (Post Assessment) with the rubric stapled to the back.
Manipulatives
Manipulatives will aide us in providing opportunities of concrete learning, which will lead to representational/pictorial and more abstract understandings. (CRA Method)
Manipulatives should be readily available for students.
Tip:
Take inventory of what you have and what you'll need. Advocate for your needs now. Orders will be made over the summer. Please place all additional manipulatives in one area in the room for pick-up.
Small Group Scheduling Charts
The Small Group Chart for Reading, Writing, and Math Workshops should include the following information:
- Who are we seeing in the Small Group?
- What's the Teaching Point?
- What's the strategy being taught?
Devices...
- 3rd through 5th grade classrooms are 1-1. We will have enough devices for each student.
- All desktop computers will be moved into the Kindergarten - 2nd Grade classrooms. We're thinking that each room will have a total of 6 desktop computers, as well as a few tablets.
The Inspired Classroom Model (resource)
AVID College Doors
1. Select a the College or University of your choice.
2. Decorate your door with photographs and other artifacts that relate to your college choice.
3. Indicate the date your class will complete college. For example: Class of 2030
Advancement Via Individual Determination
- Quick Writes
- Philosophical Chairs
- One-Pagers
- Two and Three Column Notes
- Frequent Turn and Talks about the content
Quick Writes
SUBJECT MATTER APPLICATION
Two and Three Column Notes
Column notes are a method of note taking that requires active reading and / or listening. Before students can write notes, they must process the information given and organize it into 2 or 3 columns:
Key Concepts (Cue column)
Details (Notes and questions)
Summary (Overview of lecture, reading, etc.)
S.O.L.V.E. Problem Solving Method-Writing in Math, Student/Peer Commentary, & Standards for Mathematical Practices (SMPs)
We have experienced a significant shift connecting writing in mathematics. We will continue our use of S.O.L.V.E, which is step-by-step process to organize the information within a word problem. In utilizing the S.O.L.V.E. problem solving method it allows for students to outline their thinking as well as demonstrate their understanding with explanations.
S-Study the Problem
O-Organize the Facts
L-Line up a Plan
V-Verify the Plan
E-Examine the Results (Sense/Reasonable/Accurate)
Standards for Mathematical Practices (SMPs) are used to drive student expectations and execution of problem solving in math. When incorporated, the eight practices will allow for student achievement at the highest level.
SMP 1-Make sense of the problems and persevere in solving them
SMP 2-Reason abstractly and quantitatively
SMP 3-Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
SMP 4-Model with mathematics
SMP 5-Use appropriate tools strategically
SMP 6-Attend to precision
SMP 7-Look for and make use of structure
SMP 8-Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
Learning Management System...
A Learning Management System is ultimately a landing page for your students to access when completing technology-enhanced assignments/performance tasks independently. It increases engagement, provides quick access to digital resources (videos, articles, etc.) and helps teachers keep track of student work for grading purposes.
https://www.districtadministration.com/article/lms-enhances-instruction
Please consider using a Learning Management System of your choice. This could be any of the following:
-Office 365
-Google Classroom
-Seesaw
-Edmodo
-Weebly
-Padlet
-KidBlog
-Etc.
Point of Ponder:
100% of our 3rd -5th graders will be testing online next year. What platform can we use for instruction to ensure students are practicing their typing speeds in an authentic format?
TIP:
As proud graduates of Youtube University, Youtube has tons of videos to walk you through HOW to set up a Learning Management System of your choice. Try to casually aim for building out the skeleton of your site/account.
*4th / 5th Grade: It would be beneficial for Teaching Teams to use the same platform.*
Inquiry Based Learning!
Mystery Doug
Perfect five-minute breaks for your classroom
- Morning meeting
- Snack time
- After recess
- Transitions
- Rewards
- Warm-ups
Check it out! https://mysterydoug.com/
Mystery Science
Open and go lessons that inspire kids to learn science!
- Hands-on — lead students in the doing of science and engineering.
- NGSS-aligned and Common Core — make the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards and support Common Core.
- Less prep, more learning — prep in minutes not hours. Captivate your students with short videos and discussion questions.
Check it out! https://mysteryscience.com/
Picture Perfect Science
Social Studies Learning Matrix: Grades K-2
Write across the curriculum with Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER)
The county purchased Light Box as a resource to utilize to teach social studies- Check it out!
From the moment a student opens Lightbox, learning happens like never before. That’s because Lightbox incorporates unique interactive features into each of more than 100 available titles. Interactive elements in Lightbox include:
- Audio: High-quality narration using an advanced text-to-speech system that ensures all students can understand
- Video: Embedded high-definition video clips that make learning come alive
- Activities: Printable PDFs that can be emailed and graded, ideal for assessing student progress
- Weblinks: Carefully curated links to external, child-safe resources to enhance learning
- Slideshows: Pictorial overviews of key concepts to engage and inspire visual learners
- Google Maps: Interactive maps and satellite imagery that provide context
- Quizzes: Multiple choice assessments that are automatically graded and emailed for teacher review
- Key Words: Highlighted important terms matched with their definitions to enhance vocabulary and understanding
- Key Words: Highlighted important terms matched with their definitions to enhance vocabulary and understanding
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Reading PL...
***A Guide to the Reading Workshop***
E V E R Y T H I N G that we need to know is in this book!
Please casually read for a lighter lift in the fall. There is a guide for Writing, as well. E V E R Y T H I N G we learned from our two staff developers, the summer institute, and the trip to NY is in this book, as well. G O L D M I N E.
Teaching a Reading in Small Groups
W H A T, W H Y, and H O W on how to responsively teach students in small groups.
The Book Whisperer
Professional Learning via Social Media...
Facebook:
The good folks at TCRWP created a Facebook Teacher Professional Learning Network for UoS users. You can post a question and receive over a hundred replies from other teachers, the Staff Developers in NY, and even Lucy herself.
1. Join The Reading and Writing Strategies Book Community Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingStrategiesBook/
2. Join the Units of Study in Writing TCRWP Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TCRWP.WUOS/
3. Join the Units of Study In Reading TCRWP Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TCRWP.RUOS/
Twitter:
1. Join Twitter.
2. Search #TCRWP for posts all thing UoS.
3. Participate in the Wednesday Twitter Chats hosted by the TCRWP Staff Developers.
New Science Adoption! Be sure to register for your training
between May – August for teachers to attend.
Click on the Link Below to Learn More!
LPES Technology Tools Summer Preparation
Google Classroom
- Google Classroom
- Docs
- Sheets
- Forms
- Drawings
If you did not have a chance to get aquainted with the Google Classroom platform, please access the self-paced workshop, below!
EdTech Microcredentials
Some of these are:
- Flipgrid
- SeeSaw
- Nearpod
Take a look at the site below to join in on the fun!
The Curriculum Team
Mrs. Ricks -CST - RicksC@fultonschools.org
Ms. Bentley -Math Coach - BentleyK@fultonschools.org
Mr. Borders -KSU Tech Coach - Borders@fultonschools.org
Ms. Elikwu -Literacy Coach - Elikwu@fultonschools.org
Ms. Hodges -AVID Lead - HodgesK2@fultonschools.org
Mrs.Sheralyn Shepard-AP, PBIS Lead - Shepards@fultonshools.org
Email: PayneJ@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/libertypoint/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 9000 Highpoint Road, Union City, GA, United States
Phone: 470 254 3510
Twitter: @LPES_Patriot