CIA Tidbits
Sharing strategies, helpful tips, and much more!
October 2019
A Heartfelt Letter to Our Teachers...
We, at CIA, would like to praise you! You have begun another year with passion, hard work, and guts! The task of educating our youth is not an easy one, but you have taken on this challenge with encouraging hearts and determined minds! As we navigate through the world of rigorous standards, new curriculum, and at times, arduous student behaviors, we must be reminded of how important our work is. Nelson Mandela said that, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." What a powerful and true statement. We are arming our little humans to be the change-makers of the future, both in their own lives and in the lives of others. Your role in their growth is fundamental. That said, be reminded of your value and importance. Be reminded of your impact. Be reminded of how appreciated you really are, even when it feels like nobody understands your true plight. We appreciate and value your expertise, professionalism, and your willingness to serve our kiddos every day! The good things happening every day are abundant!
That said, we are here for you! We love opportunities to support your instruction, enhance your game plan, and add to your tool boxes. In this newsletter, you will find helpful tips and strategies that are intended to clarify and help ease your workload. We also learn from and are inspired by you, so please continue to share your stories and be proud of your successes! We know that the greatest sense of success usually comes after some form of struggle, so we can all own our struggles and see them as opportunities for growth and pride on the other side!
We got this!
Sincerely,
Your CIA Team
Did you know?
There are only 10 Reading and 10 Writing Anchor Standards...
Check out this Standards Progressions document from Tulare County @ https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lL94VGqJjOKpGlnnEHacZH9VEye_xBcV
In a recent PD, we examined the anchor standards and pulled out the key words in order to capture the gist of each standard. Here's how it shook out...
Helpful Tips...
When using the RACE strategy, the 'E' can be difficult...
The RACE strategy is used to answer short answer/text dependent questions. These questions are known as short constructed responses on the CAASPP assessment.
That said, sometimes questions can be answered sufficiently without the 'E'. So if your students get caught up on that part, encourage them to focus on the 'R', 'A', and 'C' parts of their answer. Those are the must haves on the CAASPP assessment. Students are required to restate and answer all parts of the question (R,A) and cite evidence (C) in order to get full credit (2 points). If they are missing one or the other, they will get a ZERO.
Text-Dependent Questioning
Text- Dependent questions are questions that cannot be answered based on background knowledge only. The questions we ask our students should require them to support their answer with evidence or support from a text or source of information. Students should always expect to defend their answers, therefore the questions we ask them need to be deliberate.
CHALLENGE!!!
Anytime you ask your students questions, have them answer (even just verbally) in a RACE format!
Number Talks can fill the time!
Check out the Number Talks resource in the drive by clicking HERE!
How does it look on the CAASPP Assessment?
Click on the Smarter Balanced Content Explorer link below to find out how standards are assessed.
Want to Learn More?
There are many ways to access our CIA website...
There is even an icon on the Classlink page! Click on the icon below to visit the site.
The Ed Services Handbook is available in the Google Drive
Click on the icon below to open it in the Google Drive!
Upcoming Professional Development
Dr. Douglass Math Training Schedule
New Teacher Support- Upcoming Dates
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Thank you for reading our first CIA Tidbits Newsletter!
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We are CIA!
Sarah Schneider, ext 301 - CIA Administrative Secretary II
Connie Hobson, ext 321 - Induction Administrative Secretary I
Renee Rubio, ext 322 - Induction Facilitator
Kristi Zenno, ext 311 - District Instructional Coach (ELA, History/Social Science, Writing, Illuminate)
Gina Wilson, ext 312 - District Instructional Coach (Reading Intervention, Arts Integration)
Tara Goines, ext 313 - District Instructional Coach (Math, Science)
Allison Harmon, ext 314 - District Instructional Coach (MTSS and Inclusive Practices)
Krista Thomsen ext 301 - Director Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Email: CIA@lancs.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lancsd.org/lancasterschooldistrict-cia
Location: 44327 Fig Avenue, Lancaster, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 723-0351