Elementary Curriculum Updates
November
ELA
In Q3, what are our students doing in writing?
Vertical conversations are important for teachers to investigate and review a continuum of understandings expected in grade level work. Shared for teachers is a K-5 vertical look at the Q3 opinion writing standards.
ELAGSEKW1
In Kindergarten, students are using a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are “writing” about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is…).
ELAGSE1W1:
In first grade, students are writing opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or the name of the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
ELAGSE2W1
In second grade, students are writing opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
ELAGSE3W1
In third grade, students are writing opinion pieces on topics or text and supporting a point of view with reasons. Included in these understandings are the following elements:
a. Introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
b. Provide reasons that support the opinion.
c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.
d. Provide a concluding statement or section.
ELAGSE4W1
In fourth grade, students are writing opinion pieces on topics or texts and supporting a point of view with reasons. Included in these understandings are the following elements:
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented
ELAGSE5W1
In fifth grade, students are writing opinion pieces on topics or texts and supporting a point of view with reasons. Included in these understandings are the following elements:
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
b. Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
While the Q3 writing focus is on the opinion text type, opportunities for writing for a variety of purposes should continue. Note grade level curriculum guides.
ELA Core Curriculum Portal Resources
Multi-syllabic/Fluency and Comprehension Tier 2 Intervention
Statewide Classroom Teacher Survey-Fall 2015
We have been asked to forward this Survey request from the DOE with our Listserv. You may have already received it from others. If so, please disregard. If you have not done this important survey, it takes only a few minutes of your time.
Thank you!
The Georgia Department of Education is studying the reasons why teachers leave public education as a profession. We are inviting current public school classroom teachers across the state to take a few moments to answer the following 7 questions to help us better understand how to reverse this trend in Georgia. We greatly appreciate your time and feedback and know that working together we can make a difference in public education in Georgia.
ALL RESPONSES ARE ANONYMOUS.
Math
What Are We Learning in Math?
- Identify shapes regardless of their orientations or sizes
- Differentiate 2D and 3D shapes
- Identify objects by shapes and describing relative positions.
First Grade - Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction
- Understand and apply properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction
- Add and subtract within 20 using strategies
- Work with addition and subtraction equations with understanding of the meaning of the equal sign
Second Grade - Understanding Measurement, Length, and Time
- Measure and estimate lengths in standard units
- Relate addition and subtraction to length
- Represent and interpret data (generating measurement data and showing the data on a line plot, drawing a picture graph and a bar graph and solving joint, take-apart, and compare problems
Third Grade - Patterns in Addition and Multiplication
- Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.
- Represent and interpret data.
- Geometric Measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition.
Fourth Grade - Operations with Fraction
- Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering (decomposing a fraction into a sum of fractions e.g.3/8 = 2/8 + 1/8), adding and subtracting fractions with unit fraction understanding
- Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
Fifth Grade - Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Fraction
- Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions
- Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions
- Represent and interpret data
Benchmark/GRASP Update
- Thank you for all your hard work completing the benchmark assessment for grades 3-5.
- K-2 will not have benchmark assessments. Use GRASP and unit assessment data for tracking student learning.
- Winter GRASP assessments for Kindergarten: Comparing Numbers, Number Recognition 0-30, Dot Counting
- Winter GRASP assessment for 1st grade: Place Value within 20, Counting to 120, Add/subtract within 10
RESA Unit Assessment - Data collection spreadsheets
- Please send the completed spreadsheets to me one grade at a time. If you need help with data collection, please let Seyoung know.
- Here's the video tutorial on data collection.
- Master folder for data collection spreadsheets (Be sure to make a copy for your school and share with me when completed.)
First: Unit 3 Part 1 (OA1-3) Part 2 (OA4-8) - Due March 8, 2016
Second: Unit 2 (OA1,2, NBT 5, MD 8, 10) - Due Jan. 8, 2016
Third: Unit 2 (OA1-7, NBT 3) - Due Dec. 11, 2015
Fourth: Unit 4 Part 1 (NF3) Part 2 (NF4) - Due February 29, 2016
Fifth: Unit 4 Part 1 (NF1,2) Part 2 (NF3, 4, 5, 6) Part 3 (NF 2,3,7, MD 2) Due Feb. 29, 2016
Science
What are students doing in Q2?
Kindergarten students are studying the day and night sky.
- They will describe changes that occur in the sky and classify objects according to those seen in the day sky and those seen in the night sky.
First grade students are studying light and shadows.
- They will investigate light and sound by exploring sources of light and explaining how shadows are made.
Second grade students are studying seasonal changes and the sky.
- They will describe physical attributes of stars and investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
Third grade students are studying the habitats of Georgia.
- They will differentiate between habitats of Georgia and the organisms that live there. They will also identify features of green plants and animals that allow them to live and thrive in different regions of Georgia.
Fourth grade students are studying weather and water.
- They will differentiate between the states of water and how they relate to the water cycle and weather. They will also analyze weather charts/maps and collect weather data to predict weather events and infer patterns and seasonal changes.
Fifth grade students are studying genes and inherited traits.
- They will compare and contrast the characteristics of learned behaviors and of inherited traits and discuss what a gene is and the role genes play in the transfer of traits.
Are your teachers planning and implementing 5E science lessons?
Who is the Young Scientist Fair contact at your school?
MORE Picture Perfect Science Kits Are Available for Checkout
New Picture Perfect Science kits for the following lessons are now available for check out. Contact Amy Peacock @ peacocka@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Amazing Caterpillars
Ducks Don't Get Wet
Freezing and Melting
Sounds all Around
Sunsets and Shadows
Unbeatable Beaks
What Will the Weather Be?
Social Studies
Georgia Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
The annual state conference for the Georgia Council for the Social Studies presents Social Studies: A Map for Life, October 22-23, 2015 at the Classic Center here in Athens.
Join colleagues from across the state in this two-day conference offering a large variety of presentations and topics that incorporate social studies across content areas.
Download the 2015 GCSS CONFERENCE PROGRAM.