Cecilton E.S. Tiger's Roar News
Collaborate ~ Empower ~ Succeed ~ 2/11/24
Las escuelas estarán cerradas el lunes 12 de febrero debido a un día profesional. Reabriremos el martes 13 de febrero. ¡Disfruta tu día!
Tuesday, February 13th is the 100th Day of School!
Update on our Math Pilot Illustrative Math by Imagine Learning
Our mathematics pilot program is going well and the students are excited to be in math classes every day. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the CCPS scores on MCAP in reading and mathematics and I wanted to take a few minutes to highlight what we are able to do at Cecilton Elementary to help repair some of the distrupted learning from the pandemic and our student's future math trajectory.
What is different about the Illustrative Mathematics program from Envision (the current county curriculum resource)? It boils down to instructional techniques, engagement, and the concrete-representational-abstract learning cycle for mathematics. Let's take a peek into third grade this week to see what I mean.
By using manipulates called base 10 blocks, Ms. Snyder asked the class to solve the problem 9x17. She was able to examine the student's initial solution strategies to see how they thought about the problem. Here, she could see the student on the left using an organized grouping strategy that aligned with base 10 thinking, while the student on the right has the concepts of groups yet still needs to organize the work to make deeper connections and set the stage for more strategic thinking about numbers. By prompting a discussion between the two students, they were able to work together to see that one response could be made more efficient while the more organized system actually gives the wrong answer. Why? Because the model was incorrect. Once corrected, the students could talk about how base 10 understandings could be used to solve the problem in a simpler method. This difference in responses AND the subsequent discussion made BOTH students look deeper into the multiplication concept and grow in understanding.
While moving to another table, Ms. Snyder was able to discuss this student's use of a representational model of the same problem. This student is trying to transition from the use of the concrete models (manipulatives) to the next stage of understanding, the representational phase. Here you see the student using a combination of a representational drawing (which has a disorganized base 10 drawing) and an equation to attempt to solve the problem. Ms. Snyder is able to talk to the student about the accuracy of his drawing model to help him uncover the error in the number of groups represented which led to an incorrect solution equation at the bottom of the dry erase board.
In the picture below, we see another problem that was given to the class after a discussion on the importance of an organizaed use of the base 10 blocks to help the students write correct equations to solve their problem. You can see students working at different stages of this process.
Finally, you see Ms. Snyder presenting the students with a different way to draw a representation of a multiplication problem in order to determine which representation does not belong. This discussion helps develop analytical thinking with all students in the classroom.
Students are actually out of their seats to provide an answer and express themselves. This picture was taken just before Ms. Snyder handed out grid paper for students to practice making area models for multiplication - a method that has been researched to be highly effective in helping students understand multidigit multiplication. After several days of practicing this process, students will be taught algorithms to use to calculate the answers to these problems. The difference is that students will understand why the algorithm works and the fact that the algorithm is simply a shorthand method to show the process of breaking apart numbers to use the multiplication of smaller and/or known facts to represent larger numbers.
What does the data look like for our school so far?
Here is a sample from another classroom of our midyear mathematics testing on the NWEA MAP assessment. MAP is a nationally normed assessment that allows us to compare the progress of our students to other students across the country who are also in third grade. What can we learn from this assessment?
In the top right corner (the green box), we see that we have 3 students in the class that are scoring very high and continuing to grow. They are doing very well!
In the top left corner (the orange box), we see that we have 9 students that began this school year performing below expectations but are growing - and growing fast! These students are at a pace that they should make more than one year's mathematics growth this year! Some of these students may catch up to on grade level performance this year, but at a minimum, we would expect them to make a tremendous leap in "closing the gap" to grade level expectations this year.
In the bottom right corner (the yellow box), we see one student who started the year on grade level, is still performing above grade level, but needs more close examination to see what is going on because their growth is not very high. It could be that the student needs more challenge. It could also be that the student has some knowledge gaps that need to be filled so that they begin to make more progress. The teacher can identify this student and work with the Challenge Coach and the Title 1 Resource Teacher to determine the best course of action.
Finally, in the bottom left corner (the red box), we have students who are performing below grade level and are not on pace to make a year's worth of growth this year. The classroom teacher can work with special educators and the MTSS team in order to determine what each student needs in order to make more progress.
The data that teachers obtain from our midyear assessments is invaluable in determining a path forward to help our students achieve grade level expectations and beyond. As the Maryland Report Card shows, our schools are above the state average at every level - elementary, middle, and high. CCPS and Cecilton Elementary School are committed to ensuring all of our students are ready for the next level of school as well as the world of higher education and/or careers.
And just remember, this all starts in prekindergarten!
Pantry on the Go is scheduled for February, 22, 2024, from 4:00 - 6:00. Food will be distributed in the cafeteria. Please enter the building from the side, near the cafeteria. Sign will be posted to show you where to enter the building.
Mark Your Calendars for These Exciting Events:
Multilingual Family Community Fair
Important Community Resources and Information
Cecil County Food Pantry Information
Resources from Around the County
Cecil County Behavioral Health Resources - This is a list of mental health providers within Cecil County. The list includes services provided, whether or not the provider accepts Medical Assistance, and contact information.
Behavioral Health Provider List- This resource includes information on behavioral health resources both within Cecil County and surrounding areas.
Caring for the Caregiver Services: Tools and Strategies for Caregivers Who Love Someone Under 30 Struggling with Opioid Use
ELA Express for January 2024 This resource highlights Science of Reading practices used throughout Cecil County Public Schools classrooms.
Important Dates This Week & Beyond
This Week
Monday, February 12th
Professional Day Schools Closed for Students
Tuesday, February 13th
100th Day of School Celebration - Show your school spirit and dress like you are 100 years old!
10:00 a.m. Judy Center Playgroup - with Spanish interpreter
1:00 p.m. Judy Center Playgroup families, prekindergarten and Kindergarten classes - Willy Woo Woo Assembly
Wednesday, February 14th
Regular School Day
Happy Valentines Day
Thursday, February, 15th
Regular School Day
5:00 p.m. Conversations with the Superintendent @ BMMHS - sign up through the BMMHS school office for a 15 minutes slot to speak with Dr. Lawson
Friday, February 16th
2:00 The NED Show Assembly for all students prekindergarten - grade 5
Next Week
Monday, February 19th
Presidents Day - Schools Closed for Students, Staff, and Offices
Tuesday, February 20th
10:00 a.m. Judy Center Playgroup - with Spanish interpreter
130 p.m. Judy Center Playgroup - with Spanish interpreter
Wednesday, February 21st
Dismissal @ 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 22nd
Regular School Day
4:00-6:00 p.m. Maryland Food Bank Distribution
Friday, February 23rd
Regular School Day
Planning Ahead
Monday, February 26th
Regular School Day
Tuesday, February 27th
Regular School Day
Wednesday, February 28th
Fair Hill Nature Center visits 1st grade @ CES
6:00 p.m. P.T.O. Meeting - All families are invited to attend and help plan for upcoming events! Meetings occur both face-to-face and virtually
Tuesday, March 5
5:30-7:15 p.m. CCPS Multilingual Family and Community Fair @ Gilpin Manor - Please return RSVP!
Cecilton Elementary School
Email: kderby@ccps.org
Website: www.ccps.org/ces
Location: 251 West Main Street, Cecilton, MD, USA
Phone: (410)275-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cecilton-Elementary-School/100063595838668/