Curriculum Contemplations
Your One-Stop Shop for Curricular Happenings for September
Every Sunnyside Kid Needs a Champion Sunnyside Teacher
Teaching and learning should bring joy. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion? Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be. Is this job tough? You betcha. Oh God, you betcha. But it is not impossible. We can do this. We're educators. We're born to make a difference.
This is gonna be a FANTABULOUS year in Sunnyside!!!
MATHEMATICAL MUSINGS
Math is amazing and we have to start treating it that way
Why is it that people have no qualms about confessing, I’m terrible at math, yet you rarely hear anyone saying, I’m awful at English?
Eugenia Cheng is the scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and author, whose latest book is “Beyond Infinity.”
Watch the quick video below to hear her Humble Opinion on why math is in need of a makeover.
Classroom Discussions
Estimation 180
Each day of the school year Andrew Stadel presents his students with an estimation challenge. He loves helping students improve both their number sense and problem solving skills. Michael Fenton and Andrew have collaborated on this handout for your students. Happy Estimating!
SCIENTIFIC SOLILOQUIES
EiE Engineering Education Videos
Getting Started Video Series that will introduce you to EIE.
Classroom Videos show expert teachers using EiE in real classrooms around the country.
Spotlight Videos are documentary-style videos that demonstrate and explain effective classroom practices for teaching elementary engineering
And more!!!
Interactive word walls: Visual scaffolds that transform vocabulary instruction
Jackson, J., Wise, E., Zurbuchen, K., & Gardner, N. (2017). Interactive word walls: Visual scaffolds that transform vocabulary instruction. Science Scope, 40(9), 72-79.
Freebies for Science Teachers
COMMUNAL CONVERSATIONS
ELL ESSENTIALS: Mathematical Language Routines (MLRs)
A "math language routine" refers to a structured but adaptable format for amplifying, assessing, and developing students' language. Despite the title, the routines can be used across content and grade levels, as they emphasize the use of language that is meaningful and purposeful. The MLRs facilitate attention to student language in ways that support in-the-moment teacher-, peer-, and self-assessment. Click here to read about the 8 MLRs.
Parent Involvement: A Two-Way Partnership with Schools
What is it that parents and teachers need to understand about working together? And why is this partnering so important to student success?
In Invaluable Allies: Partnering with Parents for Student Success, Margery B. Ginsberg, PhD, an associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Washington, provided some informed answers to these questions.
TECH TOOLS YOU CAN USE: PeerGrade
Peer review is an integral part of many courses, and students learn a lot from evaluating the work of their peers. Originally created for use at universities, peergrade is a platform where students can evaluate each other’s work anonymously. After the teacher creates an assignment and a rubric, students submit their work. Next, peergrade randomly distributes the assignments to different classmates for evaluation. Students give feedback to their classmates using the rubric set up by the teacher; they can add written comments as well as selecting options from the rubric. Finally, students can view the feedback given to them; they can rate the comments as helpful or not, and even flag problematic comments.
Teaching & Learning Department
Tammi Baushka - Literacy Program Specialist
Rebecca Ridge - Literacy Program Specialist
Julia Lindberg - LAD Program Specialist
Kristel Foster - LAD Program Specialist
Maggie Hackett - Math & Science Coordinator
Donna Rishor - Math Program Specialist
Frank McCormick - Instructional Technology Coordinator
Email: maggieh@susd12.org
Website: susd12.org
Location: 2238 East Ginter Road, Tucson, AZ, United States
Phone: (520)545-2000
Facebook: facebook.com/SunnysideUSD
Twitter: @sunnysideusd