Instructional Minute
October 11, 2022
March 12, 2024
Formative Assessment
Workshop Model = Rigorous Instruction = Student Learning
Utilizing the Lansing School District Workshop Model to plan for instruction provides a guide to continually collecting and using evidence to inform the teaching and learning cycle. When a teacher gathers accurate information about students’ current understanding, he/she is able to make informed instructional decisions and provide feedback to advance student learning. The formative assessment process involves continually collecting and using evidence to inform teaching and learning.
Formative assessment is effective when teachers and students are clear about what the intended learning outcomes are and feedback is provided that is actionable and tied to indicators of progress towards the learning outcomes.
Read more about formative assessments as an enabler of learning in the article attached below.
A copy of this template is attached at the end of this newsletter if you are interested!
Preparing Students for Success - Incorporating Test Prep
Becoming Familiar with M STEP Tools
Familiarize yourself with the digital format, types of questions, and digital tools typically found in the test by practicing with sample tests or previous exam papers. The following link offers a practice test by grade level and subject content.
To review additional grade level and content area sample items, click the link below.
Sample Test Items
5th Grade Sample M-STEP Reading Skills
Please see the attached document for a reading skills sample from the M-STEP for 5th grade.
K-8th Grade Instructional Minutes by Content Area and Sample Schedules
Below you can find the new, updated required instructional minutes by grade level and content area. Each grade level also includes a sample schedule.
March Content Area Steering Committee Meetings
K-8 Science: March 12th at 4:00 pm
K-8 ELA: March 13th at 4:15 pm
9-12 ELA: March 19th at 3:00 pm
9-12 Math: March 14th at 3:00 pm
K-12 Math Open House
Exciting News! Join us at the Math Open House on March 13th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm as we explore new math curriculum options for the 25-26 school year. A small group of our teachers will begin piloting the top two choices next year. Come explore High Quality Math Instructional Materials as rated on Ed Reports and Curate. Engage with the community, speak with the experts, and share your thoughts in a short survey. Let's shape the future of math education together! (Flyer Below)
UFLI Pacing Updates and Reminders for K - Second Grade:
Lessons 35 - 37 and Lessons 39 - 41 are review lessons of previously taught content. These lessons have been broken down into 3 options as outlined in the Instructional Notes (example photo below) section at the start of the lesson plan. Note that you are NOT expected to teach all three options, but will select whichever option or combination of options that meets the needs of your students. These lessons will still follow the 2 day instructional sequence of all UFLI lessons and should not affect the pacing timelines.
Lessons 35 - 37 and Lessons 39 - 41 are review lessons of previously taught content. These lessons have been broken down into 3 options as outlined in the Instructional Notes (example photo below) section at the start of the lesson plan. Note that you are NOT expected to teach all three options, but will select whichever option or combination of options that meets the needs of your students. These lessons will still follow the 2 day instructional sequence of all UFLI lessons and should not affect the pacing timelines.
Lessons 38 and 41 are review lessons of previously taught content. These lessons have been broken down into 3 options as outlined in the Instructional Notes (example photo below) section at the start of the lesson plan. Note that you are NOT expected to teach all three options, but will select whichever option or combination of options that meets the needs of your students. These lessons will still follow the 2 day instructional sequence of all UFLI lessons and should not affect the pacing timelines.
Lesson 67 is broken down into two parts and both parts will need to be taught following the UFLI 2 day instructional sequence; Lesson 67a - 2 Days of Instruction and Lesson 67b - 2 Days of Instruction. This will add 2 additional days to the UFLI pacing for Second Grade, but our pacing has been set such that these additional 2 days can be done within the school year pacing.
Instructional Notes
Example taken directly from the UFLI Foundations Book
K-8 Pacing at a Glance for this Week's Instruction
The documents attached outline K-8 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.
9-12 Pacing Documents
The document attached outlines 9-12 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.
IXL - eLearning Library
This on-demand professional learning resource provides micro-learning videos about every IXL feature and best practices for implementing IXL. Teachers must be signed into their IXL accounts to access these videos. https://www.ixl.com/resources/elearning-library
Workshop Model Lesson Plan Form to Assist in Planning Lessons
A resource to use as you see fit.