Welcome Back!
Hamilton Township School District
~The Future is Ours to Build Together~
Volume 1 - September 2017
We are excited to launch the 2017-2018 school year with a newsletter chock-full of great tips, resources, and a preview of what's to come, to help you get off to a great start!
Remember, our department is here for you all year long, so please reach out to us with any questions along the way!
All the best,
Your Curriculum Team
Remember - your students count on you every day!
Strategies for Developing Effective Talk in Your Classroom!
What's NEW for 2017-2018?
FUNDATIONS in First Grade!
Math Expressions 2018
BSI is now using 'Moving with Math'!
STEAM & Health Classes
Grades K-2 will participate in a weekly Health class, along with their Physical Education class. The lessons will give our students the knowledge and skills practice they need to to make healthier choices. Topics covered include: Life Skills, Nutrition, Fitness, Safety, Conflict Resolution/Violence Prevention, and Substance Abuse Prevention.
Next Generation Science Standards
ESL National Geographic Curriculum
American Sign Language Update
Innovative Music Curriculum
Where can I find the tools I need to be successful?
Focus Questions for Data Review & Discussion
Explore the following Self-Guided Review of PARCC Results HERE
- What are your initial reactions to this data?
- What are 2-3 contributing factors that may have impacted this data?
- What additional data (if any) is needed as I make decisions to inform my instruction?
- What part of this data “stands out” and needs further discussion?
- Steps we (as a grade level/dept) need to take are:
- Steps I need to take are: ________________________
What other fun tips do you have for me?
Your first 20 days are key to a successful year!
Develop your rituals and routines during your first 20 days, and foster a sense of community and family with your students. Develop a relationship with each child, and provide opportunities for your students to connect with each other. Lesson plans for the first 20 days are available in both the ELA and Math resource folders!
Launch student journals!
Provide students with opportunities to self-assess, monitor, and reflect on their learning by using journals. This tool is simple, yet powerful! Watch as students become active in their own learning process by using metacognitive skills, such as self-reflection and goal setting.
Build Your Students' Schema!
Begin creating experiences to help build your students' background knowledge about the larger world around them! Find a fun blog to follow, such as Baby Fiona from the Cincinnati Zoo provided below!
http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2017/01/25/premature-hippo-baby-updates/
Notes from Mr. Scotto
Welcome Back to the 2017-2018 School Year!
As you continue to work on your Student Growth Objectives, please keep the following in mind:
- Take the time to research at least three points of data when developing your scoring plan;
- Select a curricular area/skill that is essential for success in the class and will assist the student at the next level;
- Pre-asessment is not always the best solution for SGO development (particularly in content areas at the 6-12 level);
- Post assessments do not need to be traditional tests; they can be performance tasks with solid, scoring rubrics.
- And finally......these are growth objectives for students (not teachers); how will you progress monitor your students' growth during the 17/18 SY?
Just some food for thought....
How can I contact the Curriculum Team?
Alejandro Batlle, K-12 Health & Physical Education, World Languages
Kevin Bobetich, Testing Evaluation Specialist & Data Systems
Mayreni Fermin-Cannon, K-12 ESL, Title I PreK, Family Engagement
Heather Lieberman, K-5 ELA, K-12 Library, ALPS, BSI
Jennifer Marinello, K-5 Mathematics, STEM, BSI
Kirsten Pendleton, K-12 Science
Anthony Scotto, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Erick Shio, K-12 Social Studies