Collier County Public Schools
December 2020
KG-5 ELA Instructional Materials Adoption
As we prepare for the transition to the new B.E.S.T. Standards, CCPS will be selecting new ELA instructional materials for grades K-5. To ensure that our new instructional materials meet your needs and the needs of our students, we would like your input. Please take a few minutes to answer a very brief survey (click here). Survey closes December 13.
Additionally, classroom teachers with content area expertise in K-5 ELA are needed for our Instructional Materials Review Committee. This is an excellent teacher leadership opportunity that will result in a recommendation for the adoption of new K-5 ELA instructional materials. For more information and to access the K-5 ELA Instructional Materials Review Committee application, please visit the CCPS Instructional Materials website.
Evidence of Student Learning
The CCPS Instructional Model is based on the gradual release model: I do, we do, you do. A critical component of this model is evidence of student learning in relation to grade level standards. Student work and performance on assigned tasks and assessments are the key indicators to determine whether students are on track towards mastery and/or working at the appropriate level of rigor required by the standards.
Virtual Learning Resources
Whether you are experienced in the virtual learning environment or new to the virtual or blended classroom, the following resources can provide you support and ideas for your virtual teaching and learning journey.
Pre-K Programs
English Language Arts
Kindergarten: During December, phonemic awareness and phonics continue to be a focus. Students will be working on isolation of ending speech sounds and then moving into isolation of middle of speech sounds. In reading, kindergartners will be working on using picture clues to determine unfamiliar words (LAFS.K.RL.2.4). This foundational skill will set the groundwork for students later to rely on more context clues to determine word meanings. Additionally, kindergartners will continue to identify characters, setting, and major events (LAFS.K.RL.1.3). Using rich literary text such as “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Rumpelstiltskin” can provide students with fantastic illustrations that will lend themselves to deep discussions about the meaning of unfamiliar words, all the while reinforcing how to identify those critical literary elements (characters, settings, events).
First Grade: This month, phonics continues to be a focus, narrowing in on alliteration and segmentation of onset/rime. Remember to use https://www.rhaccelerate.com/ to access additional resources to support foundational skills instruction. During reading, students will dive into informational text and identify the reasons an author gives to support the points in a text (LAFS.RI.3.8). Expository texts such as “Animal Park” and “America’s Champion Swimmer,” provide rich opportunities to apply this standard. Towards the end of the month first graders will shift their focus to literature, asking and answering questions (LAFS.1.RL.1.1) and describing characters, settings, and major events using key details (LAFS.1.RL.1.3) from the text. Use the Six Thinking Hats strategy to support students with this standards focus. “A Big Fish for Max” and “The Farmer in the Hat” would also be great stories to incorporate Six Thinking Hats in your classroom.
Second Grade: Phonics continues to be a focus in December, with students working on sentence structure using digraph blends, suffixes, and ending sounds GH, IGH, IGHT. During reading, students will dive into informational text and identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text (LAFS.2.RI.3.8). Using expository texts in the subject area of science, such as “Earwigs” and “Solider Bees,” students stay engaged in looking for reasons that explain the text’s important ideas. The end of the month has second graders switching focus to literature, diving deeper into standards of asking and answering questions (LAFS.2.RL.1.1.) and describing the overall structure of a story (LAFS.2.RL.2.5). Two highlighted and deeply engaging texts in the curriculum guide are “Pearl and Wagner: Two Good Friends” and “Dear Juno.” Try using the QAR strategy to support students with asking and answering questions. Four types of questions are examined in the QAR:
- Right There Questions which are literal questions whose answers can be found in the text
- Think and Search Questions whose answers are gathered from several parts of the text and put together to make meaning
- Author and You Questions that are based on information provided in the text, but the student is required to relate it to their own experience. Although the answer does not lie directly in the text, the student must have read it to answer the question
- On My Own Questions that do not require the student to have read the passage, but rely on background or prior knowledge to answer the question.
ELL/ELA Connection:
Learn more about valuing students’ linguistic and cultural diversity using “Global Story Books.” Also, be sure to check out the new ELL section toward the end of this newsletter.
Resource Tip:
iReady Teacher Toolbox has grade level classroom resources for whole class and small group differentiation. There is a lesson for each standard that includes teacher support, read aloud trade books and Tools for Instruction which is an additional step-by-step lesson focused specifically on the standard. Instructions on how to access the Toolkit.
Open Office Hours for teachers grades KG-5 Monday, December 7, 2020, 8:30-11:30 and 12:30-3:30. https://colliercountyschools.webex.com/meet/pikeam
Mathematics
Kindergarten: In Kindergarten, students will count and represent numbers six to ten, count and write numerals 6 to 10, and find ways to make ten.
First Grade: In first grade, students will use objects, drawings, and equations to solve Put Together and Take Apart problems within 20 where the total is unknown, one addend is unknown, and both addends are unknown. Students will also solve situations involving comparing with unknowns in all positions.
Second Grade: In second grade, students will tell and write time to the nearest 5 minutes. They will fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, or the relationship between addition and subtraction. Students will also add up to four two-digit numbers using place value strategies.
ELL/Math Connection:
Math is a second language for ALL students. Incorporated throughout HMH Into Math are four design principles that promote the use and development of language as an integral part of instruction.
- Scaffold tasks when needed, being sure to amplify (instead of simplify) language for students.
- Help students describe their mathematical reasoning and understanding.
- Facilitate mathematical conversations among students.
- Help students evaluate their use of language and see how mathematical ideas, reasoning, and language are connected.
Three Reads
Embedded within HMH Into Math lessons is the Three Reads language routine. This routine is recommended for use with problems in context to support comprehension, sense-making, and awareness of mathematical language. Students read a problem three times with a specific focus each time.
First Read: What is the problem about?
Students read or listen to the problem (without a question stem) with the goal of comprehending the text.
Second Read: What do the numbers describe?
Students read or listen to the situation with the goal of comprehending the mathematics.
Third Read: What math questions could you ask about the problem?
Students read the situation and brainstorm possible mathematical questions pertaining to the context of the problem.
Click HERE for an example of the Three Reads routine. This PDF is also located in each of the grade level “HMH Into Math” folders in Sharepoint.
Science
Kindergarten: In kindergarten, students will be able to observe and create a visual representation of an object including its major features and observe that things that make sound vibrate (the force is the vibration).
First Grade: In first grade, students will be able to sort objects by observable properties and demonstrate that the way to change the motion of an object is by applying a push or a pull.
Second Grade: In second grade, students will be able to investigate the effect of applying various pushes and pulls on different objects and demonstrate that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the change in motion of the object. Students will also recognize that objects are pulled toward the ground unless something holds them up and distinguish human body parts and their functions.
Quarter 2 Unit Assessments for Grade 2 are in Canvas Commons ready for import! See post in O365 Team Channel or search "Grade 2 Science Q2 Assessments" in Canvas Commons.
Health
Quarter 2 Modules for Health Education in Canvas
Quarter 2 Health Lessons that meet Lesson Targets and Learning Goals have been developed to help teachers provide required instruction and assessment for FOCUS progress reporting
Social Studies
December Character Education Trait (all grades) - Perseverance
Kindergarten: This month in Kindergarten, students will develop an awareness of primary sources and describe the relative location of people, places, and things using positional words. Use primary source images to practice relative location!
First Grade: This month in first grade, students will define opportunity costs as giving up one thing for another and recognize the importance of saving money for future purchases. There is also an opportunity for teachers to take a deeper dive with a culminating activity in economics.
Second Grade: This month in second grade, students will compare the cultures of Native American tribes from various geographic regions of the United States. Students should ask and answer questions such as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in the Social Studies text.
Art
- Teachers are reminded to check the Community Art Display Sign-Ups found in Teams to sign up for supplemental displays featuring student artwork in various offices, libraries and other locations around Collier County. Click HERE for the Sign-Up form.
- The spring Superintendent’s Art Gallery Show is scheduled for April 6, 2021 — more submission details will be distributed in January.
- Be on the lookout for a virtual presentation of the Spring 2020 Superintendent’s Art Gallery show on the District website. Due to school closures and event cancelations in the spring of last year, this show has been reformatted and produced to feature these talented students. More details to come from the Teaching & Learning Department.
- Teachers are reminded to use this form when logging art walks/exhibits for supplemental pay.
Music
- Plans surrounding the 2021 Elementary Honors Chorus remain in the works. We aim to hold these events in-person during spring semester. More details from the Teaching & Learning Department will be disseminated regarding student placement, rehearsal schedules and concert information.
- Quaver Music has been helpful in resolving integration issues with students accessing the elementary music curriculum platform. If you are experiencing any rostering issues, assignment capabilities or other concerns, please contact Skip Pardee at Skip.Pardee@collierschools.com
- Teachers are reminded to use this form when logging performances for supplemental pay
- School administration and music teachers are asked to review the Moving Forward Instructional Guide when planning concerts and events. Specific information surrounding ensembles and the use of school spaces is provided for your reference in planning these important events.
Physical Education
Quarter 2 Standards/Learning Goals
Grades K-2 (6 Learning Targets in 16 days/lessons)
Identify the changes in heart rate before, during and after physical activity, including physiological signs and how intensity affects heart rate (PS 24)
Identify dominant hand/foot for use with throwing, dribbling, striking and kicking skills (PS 21)
Catch self-tossed objects and bounce and catch large objects (PS 16)
Correctly roll and throw underhand for distance and accuracy (PS 17)
Correctly throw overhand using various objects for distance, technique and accuracy while stationary and moving (moving Grades 2-5) (PS 17)
Dribble and catch various objects passed by both a stationary and moving partner (PS 18)
General Notes
Open Office Hours every 2 weeks on Mondays 8:00-8:30am (Dec 14) https://colliercountyschools.webex.com/meet/bowentr
Standards-based Curriculum Guides and Support Materials can be found in T & L SharePoint (formerly C & I tile) for your content areas and grade levels: Elementary
Supplemental Health and Physical Activity Resources:
- PE TOP 5 https://petop5.com/
- ACTION FOR HEALTHY KIDS https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources-for-schools/
- AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION CURRICULUM RESOURCES https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living
- VIRTUAL FIELD DAY https://openphysed.org/nationalfieldday
- SEL IN PE with Julie Frizzi –Invite Julie to your school to model a lesson, Changing Charlie or other prescriptive lesson to help set the tone for Q2. CONTACT: frizziju@collierschools.com or ext. 70156
Instructional Resource
General Notes
- Open Office Hours - Monday, December 7 - 8:00-8:30am https://colliercountyschools.webex.com/meet/georgebe
- Standards-based IR Curriculum Guides and Support Materials can be found in T&L SharePoint (formerly C & I tile)
December Curriculum Highlights
- Consistent keyboarding practice with proper posture and finger placement makes a difference! Start each class period for grades 2-5 with 10 minutes of keyboarding in Typing Club.
- December Digital Citizenship focus is Netiquette. Help students better understand what is socially acceptable when working and collaborating online (Always be respectful and considerate of others online; Use your best manners online just like you would face to face; Respect the privacy of others).
Coding Skills by grade level:
Kindergarten – Sequence, Debugging
First Grade – Sequence, Debugging, Loops
Second Grade – Sequence, Debugging, Loops, Event
Digital Innovation Best Practices
Canvas Tips:
- Page History allows you to easily go back to previous versions of the page. You can view the page history of specific pages by selecting “View Page History” on each page. (click the 3 dots on the upper right of the page). Canvas keeps a detailed log of who and what was changed. And users are able to revert to a previous version of the page.
- Oops! I Didn’t Mean to Delete That! Here’s the fix! If you add “/undelete” to the end of your course’s URL, you can view the last 25 deleted items from your course site. We’ve all had a moment or two, whether in an LMS or elsewhere, of accidentally deleting or losing work, but with this nifty trick you can see a log of deleted items, which might prove to be a course saver.
Surface Book Tools: Digital Inking
- Did you know that you have digital inking tools right on your Surface Book that allow you to use your finger on the touch screen or stylus to write on a whiteboard, markup documents, sketch diagrams and annotate text as you are sharing your screen with your students through WebEx or projected to your classroom whiteboard? Watch this quick video to see how easy it is to use these great tools. VIDEO
- Connect to your Surface Book to the protector through the WiDi – Directions
Classroom Equipment Set-Up - Best Practices
When instructing virtually or in a blended model use multiple monitors to allow you to share your screen in WebEx and instruct from one monitor while monitoring your students on the second monitor.
English Language Learners
The Four Pillars of Language-Focused Family Engagement work together to deepen educators’ understanding of how to best support multilingual learners.
Here are a few highlighted resources for each pillar:
- ABCs of Family Engagement – Awareness, Building Trust and Connect to Learning. The Global Storybooks Portal is a free multilingual literacy resource that includes stories from over forty different countries in the most widely spoken languages of those countries.
- Family Language Practice and Goals – Help promote home language development by utilizing Unite for Literacy. It’s a collection of books written in English/Spanish and narrated in 20 languages.
- Affirming Asset-Based Approach – Tap into our students’ funds of knowledge to help them build connections between their lived experiences and content. Martha Voorhees explains how this strategy is directly related to our Marzano FTEM protocols in this short video.
- School Language Practices and Goals – Check out this article from the WIDA Bulletin on how to value students’ linguistic and cultural diversity.
Exceptional Student Education
Thank you for your continued passion and energy towards ensuring that students with disabilities make progress in all areas during a uniquely challenging time. Please see the resources below to assist in your efforts of meeting individual student needs:
School Counseling/Social Emotional Learning
December Events:
1-7 National Handwashing Awareness Week
2 Special Education Day
A Dozen Self-Care Tips for the Holidays (Choose one as a New Year’s Resolution)
Slow down/Shut down
Sleep in
Eat brunch/Sip some tea
Don’t check your school emails
Don’t forget to play
Be kind to yourself (schedule time for you)
Do more of what you love
Connect with old friends and family
Try a new (or old) hobby
Tackle something on your to do list
Take a walk
Listen to your favorite music
“There are people in your life who need you. But unless you start making your own health a priority, you won’t be able to be there for them. Self-care is so important you cannot serve from an empty vessel.” ~ Eleanor Brown
Resources:
Mental Health Supports for Teachers: https://teach.com/resources/mental-health-resources-teachers-school-staff/
CCPS Emotional Wellness Program (Free Benefits): https://www.collierschools.com/Page/12571
Collier County Public Schools, Teaching and Learning
Email: TeachingandLearning@collierschools.com
Website: https://www.collierschools.com/Page/169
Location: 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL, USA
Phone: 239-377-0001
Twitter: @CCPS_Curriculum