Curriculum Corner
Winter 2017 **** HAPPY NEW YEAR!
K-5 ELA Update
ELA Winter Testing Window Reminder
Year-round Calendar: 12/5 - 1/20
Traditional Calendar: 1/9 - 2/10
As stated in the testing protocol, teachers should continue to test to reach an independent DRA level. If you feel a student has made progress between the testing window and report card, give another assessment. Tier 2 and Tier 3 students should have ongoing progress monitoring during MTSS to help teachers decide who might need further testing.
MAISA Units - Reading and Writing
Are you feeling overwhelmed by MAISA units? It's ok! You're not alone! As professionals, we need to remember the following:
- These units are our resources to teach the CCSS - the units are packed with teaching ideas, engagement activities, and resources in the resource packets. We can't do everything they suggest. Use what your class is ready for.
- Sessions are not designed to necessarily last one teaching day - you may have to extend lessons based on student needs.
- Utilize and make the most of the lessons that will really impact your students and their needs - what lessons will help them reach year-long goals based on a 44 point writing rubric?
- It takes time to get used to the units - most units are brand-new or have been tweaked in a major way. Use your PLC time to discuss the units, KUD work, and what's expected.
- You are a professional and know your students best - you might have to switch the order of lessons depending on what your students are asking for. Their interests should be a priority. Example: students start asking about creating effective leads. Give it to them! They are ready to learn!
Reading KUDs
Grade level representatives are in the process of digging deeper into reading KUDs (a second meeting will take place after the new year). Work done at these sessions will be reported back within the buildings (each building has a grade level representative). Please continue to have discussions during your PLCs about what our students truly need to Know, Understand, and Do!
The 17th Annual Genesee Literacy Conference is taking place on Saturday, January 21, 2017.
This is an exciting day of learning centered on literacy. The day includes Keynote speakers, Kristen Remenar (author) and Matt Faulker (illustrator). There will also be 28 breakout sessions centered around the 10 Essential Instructional Practices. Please check out the link below if you are interested in attending:
http://site.geneseeisd.org/earlylit/
Written By: ELA Department Chairs
Jessica Oliver and Shannon Nichols
K-5 Math Update
Excellent resource! You may find this useful for yourself, your students, or your parents.
We are also excited to share with you that we received funding for six K-6 teachers to participate in Add+Vantage Math Recovery Courses 1 & 2. Add+Vantage Math Recovery provides flexible assessments helping K-5 teachers evaluate students formatively throughout the year. Following assessment, teachers learn to purposefully differentiate instruction. (Tiers 1 & 2)
Specifics of the grant are listed below:
- 80 hours of training: Courses 1 & 2 + roughly 7 more days of training (TBD)
- All 80 hours must be completed by June 2018
- Tentative dates: (but flexible if need be)
- AVMR 1: 3/9/17, 3/30/17, 4/18/17, 5/9/17
- AVMR 2: dates TBD to meet the needs of participants; most likely summer 2017
- 7 additional days to support learning spread throughout 2017/2018 school year
The cost of all Math Recovery materials will be covered ($900/participant). We would like to have a building representative from each elementary and RW. Please contact your building principal and Michelle Bradford if interested in this opportunity.
For more information feel free to contact Math Department Chairs, Rachael Fisher and Sarah Wood.
Social Studies Update
Please look for the Elementary Social Studies Smores Newsletter coming out soon! We will have links for online resources, tips for various grade levels on integrated lessons, and more.
Keep in mind as planning lessons that the Big Ideas of the MC3 units are like your KUDs of the unit right now. Look at the Big Idea and the standards they are saying the lesson is covering, supplement as needed to meet the standards and needs of your students. The units are there to help guide your teaching.
For more information about updates please contact SS Department Chairs, Jennifer Christian and Jennifer Hayes
Science Update
NGSX Cohorts are still being held this year and again this summer. This PD provides inquiry based background, talk moves, and modeling practices. This PD is not a curriculum or units of study. Spots are limited for the summer training (Dates are June 19, 20, 21, 28, 29 and 1/2 day on the 30th - 8:00am-3:30pm and 8-12pm on last day). Training will take place at the administration building and stipends are included. Contact Michelle Bradford if you are interested.
New Michigan science standards are available online for viewing: which are closely aligned to NGSX.
Science Department Chairs, Rose Dodson and Pat James, will be notifying teachers when spring live organisms will be coming out.
Cognitive Coaching Update
Cognitive Coaching Update
Cognitive Coaching is a process during which teachers explore the thinking behind their practices. Conversation maps provide a structure for mediating thinking. In Cognitive Coaching, questions asked by a coach reveal to the teacher areas of that map that may not be complete or consciously developed. When teachers talk out loud about their thinking, their decisions become clearer to them, and their awareness increases. One type of conversation map that may be used in a PLC, coaching conversation, or conference with a student is called a planning map. Seek out a coach in your building for more information.
PLANNING MAP
- Clarify goals
- Specify success indicators and a plan for collecting evidence
- Anticipate approaches, strategies, decisions and how to monitor them
- Establish personal learning focus and processes for self-assessment
- Reflect on the coaching process and explore refinements
Written By: Learning Coach Department Chair
Sara Taylor
January 16th Full Day PD Draft Agenda
When: January 16, 2017
Time: 7:45 AM - 3:15 PM
More to come on what materials to bring for this day.
Lunch will be provided (soup and sandwich)
- 7:45-8:45: Department Chair Update
- 8:45-9:45: Opening Remarks
- 9:45-10:15: Activity
- 10:15-10:30: Break
- 10:30-11:30: Grade Level PD
- 11:30-12:15: Lunch Provided in the cafeteria / passing time
- 12:15-1:15: Break out session 1
- 1:15-1:30: Break
- 1:30-2:30: Break out session 2
- 2:30-3:15: Building based reflection and planning