FHSD Elem Math/Science Newsletter
November 9, 2015
Upcoming Events to Note
November 16 - Building Class Math Visits
November 17 - Building Class Math Visits
November 18 - Building Class Math Visits
November 30- Building Class Math Visits
December 1 - Building Class Math Visits
December 2 - Building Class Math Visits
December 3 - Building Class Math Visits
December 9 - Building Class Math Visits
December 10 - Building Class Math Visits
STEP 5 CURRICULUM MEETINGS (2 REPS PER GRADE LEVEL PER BUILDING, EXCEPT DANIEL BOONE, WHO WILL SEND 1 REP)
February 8 - Kdg Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
February 9 - Grade 1 Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
February 10 - Gr 2 Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
February 17 - Gr 3 Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
February 18 - Gr 4 Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
February 24 - Gr 5 Step 5 Curriculum Meeting
Math Curriculum Step 5 Class Visits
I am visiting buildings during the next few weeks to do Step 5 class visits for math. The purpose of these visits is to
- gather information on materials being used during math class,
- determine whether teams are following curriculum and able to keep pace with the district pacing guidelines,
- and see instructional practices in action.
Information from the visits will guide conversations with representatives at the Step 5 meetings in February. As always, these visits are non-evaluative, so I will not have teacher-specific information, but will follow-up the visits with an email to principals about what I’m seeing at each grade level.
Upcoming Assessments for Entry into Mastery Connect
Each grade level has 1 Summative Performance Task to enter in to Mastery Connect for first semester. Grades 2 and 3 have already given their first Summative Performance Tasks and entered the data in Mastery Connect. Upcoming Performance Tasks for other grade levels are listed below:
Grade 1- Topic 6 Performance Task (12/1-12/10)
Grade 4- Topic 6 Performance Task (11/17-11/24)
Grade 5- Topic 7 Performance Task (12/17-12/21)
Grades K-2 will have one Summative Performance Task for entry in MC during 2nd semester. Grades 3-5 will have two Summative Performance Tasks for entry in MC during 2nd semester. This document has detailed information on required Math Assessments for 2015-2016: http://howellnet.sharpschool.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=22265369
Please review the PROPOSED NEW MISSOURI STANDARDS and consider providing feedback
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BOARD GET AS MUCH FEEDBACK AS POSSIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE VOICE OF EDUCATORS BE HEARD. The House Bill 1490 Work Groups have submitted recommended K-12 standards for English, Math, Science and Social Studies to the State Board of Education. From November 2-December 2, there will be the opportunity for public comment on the proposed standards. Click here to get more information on the process and to provide feedback regarding the standards. The potential changes to the existing Missouri Learning Standards could create the need for significant revisions to our curriculum for upcoming school years. The State Board of Education is expected to make a decision on the revised standards in the spring. There are also crosswalks between the proposed standards and the current standards. I believe these help in understanding the differences. Click here for that crosswalk document.
Great Article
This article has some great tips as well as additional links on working with students on being patient and persevering when problem solving.
How can we teach math to encourage patient problem-solving?
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/10/19/how-can-we-teach-math-to-encourage-patient-problem-solving/
For any questions about content in this newsletter, please contact me
Dr. Sherri Lorton
Elementary Content Leader (K-5 Curriculum)
Assistant: Anna Burtt 636-851-6312
Email: sherri.lorton@fhsdschools.org
Location: 1405 Highway D, St. Charles, MO 63304
Phone: 636.851.5328
Twitter: @sherrilorton