Curriculum Connection
Updates, Information, and Ideas for DCSC Staff
September 12, 2019
In order to be respectful of everyone's time, I have broken the newsletter down into information that staff "Have To Know" and information that is "Nice to Know." In addition, I have tried to break things down further by grade level or subject area. Please ensure you read and/or respond to anything in the "Have To Know" section that applies to a grade level or subject area you teach.
If you find any ideas, websites, books, etc. that you think are worth sharing out, please send them my way and I am happy to include them!
Morgan Walker
Director of Academic Services
All Staff K-12
Schoology Parent Accounts
What does this mean for you?
Some parents may have already created accounts. For those that have not, this may be the first time many parents will see your materials in Schoology.
- Please ensure materials are organized and add any helpful information (syllabus, calendar, daily updates, etc.).
- If you have not started to put in due dates for assignments or quiz/test dates on your calendar, this would be a great time to start! This information will be very helpful for parents to have and follow.
- Send out updates through Schoology when possible- this may cut down on the number of emails you need to send separately.
- You may want to create a media album to attract parents to your page- all parents love to get a glimpse into what daily life in your classroom looks like.
- You may want to create a "Parent Resource" folder with links to things parents may be interested in seeing (welcome video, an All About Me document, the class syllabus, materials needed for class, etc.)
If you need additional support with any of these tasks, please reach out to your Schoology Building Coordinators! They will be happy to assist you!
Here is a link to view the parent email that will be sent on Monday:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YMgaDfhk66AhylIhMtnERGQ_-A6CUuyDdzt2vqrGk3A/edit?usp=sharing
All Staff, K-12
What is the Difference Between Honors and High Ability?
The way we are able to provide High Ability services that are required by the state in Danville is to create cluster groups of high ability students. By keeping students in clusters we ensure these students will be in a class with peers working at a similar level. In some grade levels, these students are placed in an Honors class. An Honors class will be made up of both identified High Ability students and high-achieving students able to keep up with a more rigorous curriculum.
High Ability students process information differently than their peers- their processing skills are different and they may go about finding an answer in a completely new way than was taught. Sometimes these students won't turn things in, have trouble with organization, or don't participate often in class. Sometimes they may have social struggles and they can also have behavioral issues that at times may keep them from performing at their highest level. There are specific skills utilized to teach gifted students, similarly to a different set of skills needed to help students that are working below grade level. A chart below highlights some differences between a high ability student and a high achieving student.
- As you chat with parents and talk with students, please train your brain to catch yourself when you accidentally refer to an Honors class as a High Ability class.
- Give yourself a minute to think about the students in your classroom who you would put into the gifted category using the chart below and think about the challenges you are able to present to them in your classroom. While we formally identify students in math and ELA, there are MANY ways to show giftedness in other subject areas, too!
- If you have questions about high ability curriculum or how to address the needs of the gifted students in your class, please chat with your Building High Ability Coordinator/s or me anytime!)
North Elementary- Kristi Pritchett, Jordan Wheeler
South Elementary- Charity Rodgers
DCMS- Kim Purdy, Kim Hayse
DCHS- Pat McKenzie
K-5 Reading Teachers
All Staff K-12
Assessing Prior Knowledge: What Do Your Students Already Know?
"Designing a one-size-fits-all lesson assumes that every student is starting from the same point. The reality is that students enter our classrooms with varied skillsets and prior knowledge. If teachers assess their students’ knowledge before diving into an explanation, lesson, or unit, they might be surprised by the wealth of experience and information that students bring into the classroom."
All Staff K-12
Class Discussion Strategies & Try This Tech!
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/speaking-listening-techniques/
If you click on the discussion types, there is additional helpful information or video!
TRY THIS TECH!
One strategy that I wanted to highlight from the article to get students working on the Chromebooks is "backchannel discussions." This type of conversation can happen electronically and is an online version of the "parking lot" strategy where students post questions or comments when they have them without interrupting the flow of lesson or activity. The site they suggest using is: https://yoteachapp.com/. Read the article to find out more about backchannel discussions and then give it a try!
**Did you make it this far down in the update? :-) Send me one discussion strategy from the article you plan to use, a strategy from the list you have already tried, or one that you use that isn't on the list! The first five staff members that email me will receive a DQ gift card! :-)**
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DCSC Curriculum Connection
Contact: Morgan Walker, Director of Academic Services
Email: mwalker@danville.k12.in.us
Website: www.danville.k12.in.us
Location: 200 Warrior Way, Danville IN 46122
Phone: (317) 745-2212
Twitter: @walker8208