Facilitator's Update
Important Information and Updates
Greetings
Have a great weekend!
L
Common Assessment Information
Common Interim Assessments
BEACON tests in SchoolNet: Please note that the last day to access the Cycle 1 Elementary Literacy BEACON test in SchoolNet is October 23rd. Cycle 2 work is supposed to begin on Monday, October 19th.
PEP's---Important
Please let me know if you have any questions. PEP's need to be completed before parent- teacher conferences. If we have time next week after we discuss data, groups, plans, etc. we can spend time working on PEP's.
Bulletin Board Update...Again
Complex Text---Not Making Meaning Books
Those books have already been analyzed for you in your scope and sequence document.
Setting Goals
Read to Achieve-3rd Grade
Read to Achieve Test
The RtA test is for any 4th grader with a retained label in Powerschool who has not shown proficiency on any other measure. If a student scored the minimum required score on MAP (207), Discovery Ed (1505), TRC (Level P) or a successfully completed portfolio (minimum of 3 passages per standard with a minimum average of 70% per standard) during the BOY benchmark this school year, he or she SHOULD NOT take the Read to Achieve test. Please be sure to check data of your RtA 4th graders to ensure they are coded properly in PowerSchool and do not inadvertently take the RtA test on October 30th.
Read to Achieve Portfolio Passage Boxes
These have been sent by the state and are now in our testing warehouse. The boxes will be delivered to schools Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of next week. They will be made attention to the Testing Coordinator. Please remember these are secure state testing materials and should be stored as such. No passages from any year should go home. The process for portfolios has not changed from last year. Should you need guidance, please email Jennifer Harrison at Jennifer.harrison@cms.k12.nc.us.
Information from the Math Department---Problem Solving
From Kaneka in the Math Department about Problem Solving
The link below is to the a short clip about “noticing and wondering” as a strategy when problem solving. I am also enclosing a link to a PDF to help with this. I am thinking that this is such an easy practice for parents and a great idea for math family night. If you use it, I want to hear about it! Have fun guys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Fth6sOaRA&feature=youtu.be
http://mathforum.org/workshops/universal/documents/notice_wonder_intro.pdf
How would I use this?
One word of caution. This is not very different from other intentional strategies for slowing kids down and getting them to think about math.
· Share the video clip
· Ask teachers for reactions
· Ask teachers how they think their students would respond to this
· Offer for someone to try it out and bring back (student work, short video clips (math facilitator can video to support this)
Science Contest
Science Contest Opportunity
The following information is from Wayne Fisher, our Elementary Science Specialist:
Dear Teachers, This is a contest that I know our students in CMS can win! There are two categories for elementary, K-2 and 3-5, but there are topics for each specific grade level, K-5.
This is a writing contest but it also includes art and technology. It is a class project and an excellent opportunity to integrate science content aligned to the NC Essential Standards with literacy standards for writing. I highly encourage you to browse the contest rules and consider having your students participate in the contest. As with all of these contests, please accept my offer to be an “Engineer Consultant” or “Science Advisor” for the work your students will do. It has been my experience that we have some of the best and brightest elementary students --- and talented teachers too! --- right here in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. This national contest is an opportunity for our students to compete with students across the nation to showcase the wonderful work our teachers and students are doing every day to learn about STEM.
Here is a short description of the contest. Be sure to read all the rules and explore the contest website before entering. Deadline to enter is March 1st, 2016, but the contest starts November 1st , 2015.
http://thechallenge.dupont.com/elementary/challenges/
Thanks!
Wayne
Scope and Sequence- Literacy
Scope & Sequence
As we are completing the first Cycle for Scope & Sequence, we would very much like your feedback. Please use the following link to provide your input. https://drive.google.com/openid=1ZUddt_QDC1ORSobHkRL5j4PPq6jEe5_LvUCwvChI15w
We would also like to collect student samples from each cycle, so that we have these for next year. These evidences of the good work your students are doing as a result of the Scope & Sequence will be great tools to support teachers as they learn about the Scope and Sequence in the coming cycles and year.
Use the link below to upload student samples in the designated grade folders.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B00LIqZFMwWYOXA1dDVnWFZSb2s
Kids Voting
Thanks Mr. Yem
Thank You
Thank you to Svenkeson and Smith for spearheading the BOOK-IT initiative. They are working out the details and plan to roll it out the first of November! Thank you to others who offered to help as well. You are more than welcome to join their team!
Thank you to the instructional assistants for being flexible due to absences. When we have extreme absences, splitting classes does not work. I appreciate your commitment and flexibility.