#INspirEDlit
March 2020 Vol. 24
March
March is such a busy month! We have just gotten out of the winter slump and are eagerly awaiting warmer weather. We are excited to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and we are doubling down on who our favorites are going to be in the March Madness tournament. All of this excitement will hopefully lead into a restful spring break. Because of how busy this month can be, we wanted to provide Hoosier Educators with a narrowed down list of where to focus when looking for instructional best practices. We know that you don't have a lot of time to weed out the good and the bad, so in this month's newsletter, we are doing it for you!
Literacy Updates from IDOE
The Writing Revolution Book Study
Special shout-out to Yorktown Community Schools and Hanover Community School Corporation for having so many active participants!
#1
Expanding Sentences Strategy
This strategy helps students learn how to provide more detail in their sentences. This is a great opportunity for students to practice taking their simple sentences and adding in information that will make their writing more engaging!
Liz Rentschler
Grade 5 social studies, River Forest Community School Corporation
#2
This strategy helps students see how the conjunctions because, but, and so can each change the direction of a sentence in a different way. Teachers use the same sentence stem and substitute the conjunctions for students to adjust the end of the sentence.
Tamara Goller
middle school science, Yorktown Community Schools
#3
This strategy asks students to brainstorm different appositives that could belong in a sentence. Allowing students to practice using appositives, will help students differentiate their syntax.
Marianne Muller
Grade 6 ELA, Hanover Community School Corporation
Literacy Framework
The Literacy Framework is a tool you can use to curriculum map and plan throughout the school year. Does your school utilize a curriculum map, scope and sequence, or pacing guide? Use the Literacy Framework to dive into each standard through "I can" statements, question stems, practical examples, and digital resources!
Have special requests for support? Feel free to reach out to us at any time. That's what we are here for!
Ideas and Insight
Research Based Instruction
We would like to provide you with some of the newest books and websites we use to help us stay up to date on research. We hope that this list will help you narrow down where to spend those very few spare moments you might have to buff up your research knowledge.
Chalkbeat is a not for profit organization that reports from seven different locations from around the country to provide a snapshot into education. They offer weekly articles that address common issues being faced around the country.
The National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) offers updated belief statements on what ELA instruction should look like. They have opportunities for educators to access high quality professional development.
Edutopia is an organization supported by the George Lucas Educational Foundation that is dedicated to the continuous learning of K-12 educators. They work to provide relevant, research based instructional practices to educators.
Ed Week is an independent news organization that is committed to providing news, research, and opinion pieces to America's teachers. Their goal is to empower and inspire teachers every day.
Book Suggestions
The Knowledge Gap
By: Natalie Wexler
But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.
Climbing the Literacy Ladder
By: Beverly Tyner
Literacy skills are the cornerstone upon which students' knowledge, self-esteem, and future educational opportunities are built. But far too many teachers lack the time, materials, and specialized knowledge required to address these skills adequately. To that end, Climbing the Literacy Ladder is a one-stop shop to help teachers plan and differentiate literacy instruction for all students from prekindergarten through 5th grade.
Limitless Mind
By: Jo Boaler
Stanford University professor, bestselling author, and acclaimed educator Jo Boaler has spent decades studying the impact of beliefs and bias on education. In Limitless Mind, she explodes these myths and reveals the six keys to unlocking our boundless learning potential. Her research proves that those who achieve at the highest levels do not do so because of a genetic inclination toward any one skill but because of the keys that she reveals in the book.
Educator Opportunities to Check Out!
Indiana Council of Teachers of English (ICTE)
IDOE Website Created For Schools to Support Participation in the Upcoming Census
The upcoming U.S. Census will determine the federal funds schools receive. Click here to access IDOE's census resources for superintendents, principals, teachers, and families.
Indiana State Museum
Literacy and Tech: Thought of the Month!
Newsela is a web based instructional tool that allows for educators to find news articles covering all different subject matters. The articles have been adapted from their original publication and can be adjusted to meet varying lexile levels. This tool will allow educators to assign reading and response questions to students to evaluate comprehension, vocabulary, and inferences.
Connect on Twitter!
1. Tweet about all things LITERACY using #INspirEDlit
2. Follow the hashtag and connect with other coaches and educators
3. Follow @EducateIN for the latest updates from Indiana Department of Education
4. Follow your IDOE Literacy Team: @RoseTomishima, @KellyKWaller, & @JMRisch1
Literacy's Who To Follow:
Who: Indy Reads
Handle: @indyreads
What: Promoting and improving the literacy of adults and families in Central Indiana
Rose Tomishima
Joseph Risch
@JMRisch1
Kelly Waller
@KellyKWaller