Secondary English Updates
Week of: November 7, 2022
About this Newsletter
SDUSD Secondary Literacy Website | One-Stop-Shop for Educators
Capacity Builders are back!
We are happy to announce that we are convening Middle School and High School Capacity Builders for professional learning IN PERSON. This is a time to come together to learn from one another, share district and site based news, and reconnect with ELA educators across our district.
Middle Schools can send ONE teacher and High Schools can send TWO teachers (alternative high school ONE, comprehensive TWO). Talk with your administrator as admin approval is required.
Our first session will be Middle School (Dec. 13), High School (Dec. 14). Sign up in Professional Learning.
Please fill out our Fall survey! Win a chance at a FREE book and cup of coffee!
We are always looking for ways to improve support for teachers and sites. Completing this survey will take a minute or two of your time and will provide us with valuable information about how curriculum is used throughout our schools and what questions are arising. We will draw 5 names from completed surveys and deliver a book and a gift card to your site! Thank you!
Did you receive your AMPLIFY curriculum?
Every middle school site should have received the current Amplify curriculum (National edition). The image to the left shows what the curriculum looks like. You should have one of these per student. Sites should have also received the student journals. There is one journal per unit. All of these are consumables.
If your site has NOT received the curriculum or student journals please fill out this form.
Info about Flex Days:
All Amplify units offer Flex Days, which are opportunities to respond to the student performance data in Classwork and Reporting. There are several resources to use to plan for Flex Days. There is an activity guide in every Flex Day—this can be found at the bottom of the curriculum page under Materials. Flex Days also provide opportunities to assign grammar instruction, present skill modules, which can be found on the ELA Professional Learning Site; or teach any of the flexible content in the curriculum, such as the Novel Guides.
Check out the November Amplify Newsletter for more information.
Ethnic Studies ELA Fellows
Job Purpose
The purpose of an Ethnic Studies Fellow is to work in collaboration with other Fellows to review the SDUSD GVC with an Ethnic Studies lens. This includes curating Ethnic Studies text sets, reviewing curriculum for Ethnic Studies Guiding Principle alignment, and strengthening Ethnic Studies content and pedagogy.
Qualifications (required & preferred)
Currently teaching ELA 1-2 Identity & Relationships (required)
Previously taught ELA 1-2 Identity & Relationships in the past (required)
Ethnic Studies Microcredential Level 1 or higher (preferred)
Commit to approximately 12 hours/month: some synchronous, some asynchronous
Email Kelly Johnson if you are interested in become an ELA Ethnic Studies Fellow.
Relevant GVC Curriculum Connections - Rock the Vote!
With the upcoming elections, you may be looking for some content to support your ELA students in deepening their understanding of voting rights. If you haven’t yet taught Unit 1 of the 10th grade GVC you may want to check out the content which centers around the essential question: How do activists inspire change? Even if you have taught the unit, you may want to go back and revisit some of the relevant information.
Check out the following resources from the unit:
Rock the Vote Annual Report | Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I A Woman? | Video Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” Performed by Kerry WashingtonOLA’s got a new name!
To reflect the district vision and an asset-based view of language acquisition the Office of Language Acquisition is now named Multilingual Education Department! Visit their new website https://www.sdusdmultied.org/ for resources and contact information.
Also - - - NEW! Writable Digital Platform for grades 6-12.
All English Teachers in grades 6-12 have access to Writable, a comprehensive writing program for all students. Writable allows you to scaffold writing instruction to meet students at their point of need. To learn more and view video tutorials visit the Writable YouTube channel.
Come chat about Advanced Courses! - - - and get paid!
Come share ideas and resources about advanced courses in our district. This is open to all content areas and ELA teachers will gather in a breakout room to discuss specifics. Meetings are hosted by Rachel Amato, the Advanced Studies Resource Teacher.
The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 4:00. No need to register!
Check out the flier.Standards-Based Learning: Professional Learning
Interested in developing more expertise with Standards-based Learning?
SBL Through PLCs is a series of 6 sessions to support PLC/Site Teams strengthen collective understanding and effectiveness of implementing SBL practices. PLCs/Site Teams drive the focus of their SBL goals.
If you were unable to attend Session 1 or 2 and want to engage in the learning yourself or facilitate it with your PLC/Site Team, check out our Facilitator Guides: Session 1 | Session 2 - coming soon!
The next virtual session will be Nov. 30 OR Dec. 1. Check out the flier for more information.
CA Native American Studies Model Curriculum
The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) and San Diego County Office of Education are looking for curriculum researchers and writers for the Native American Studies Model Curriculum. Writers work virtually to co-construct the curriculum with scholars, community members, and peers, as well as finalize drafts. Curriculum researchers and writers will be paid a stipend for their services. Writers with experience working directly in and with tribal communities, teaching K-12 students, knowledge of lesson planning, interest in the model curriculum project, and ability to attend virtual training sessions will be selected to participate. If you are interested in applying, please complete this form before January 30, 2023.
CA Native American Studies Model Curriculum
Writer and Researcher Application: https://bit.ly/NASMC-Support
If you have questions, contact Staci Block, Ed.D, at staci.block@sdcoe.net
Newly Microcredentialed ELA Educators!
Congratulations to our ELA Educators who completed the Level 1 Ethnic Studies Microcredential this past month!
We know many of you have earned your Ethnic Studies Microcredential (Levels 1-3) over the course of the last few years! Shout out to you all! It's important that everyone teaching and Ethnic Studies course has attended Ethnic Studies training. If you would like more information on earning an Ethnic Studies Microcredential, contact Francia Pinillos or Sharon Apple. If you are interested in customized Ethnic Studies training for your site, contact Kelly Johnson.
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CONTACT INFO
Jayme Wynn - jwynn@sandi.net | Secondary Literacy Resource Teacher, Middle School
Kelly Johnson - kjohnson6@sandi.net | Secondary Literacy Resource Teacher, High School
Sonja Badu-Thomspon - sbadu@sandi.net | GearUp Literacy Coach
Carisa Barnes - cbarnes@sandi.net | GearUp Literacy Coach
Sarah Mathews - smathews@sandi.net | Instructional Coordinator, Literacy and GVC
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