Curriculum Updates
November 2019
MULTI-TRACK YEAR ROUND REPORT CARDS-IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR TRACK 1
Quarter end dates for schools are established in Powerschool; however Powerschool does not allow designation of quarter end dates by track. Multi-track year-round schools have a singular quarter end date for all tracks in PowerSchool. The limited flexibility in Powerschool will affect track 1 teachers during the transition from second to third quarter.
Second quarter for track 1 ends on December 6th but for the remaining tracks in the school, the quarter ends January 3rd. Upon track in on January 2nd, If track 1 teachers wish to record graded assignments for quarter 3, the assignment must be dated January 6 or later in Powerschool in order for the grade to calculate towards the quarter 3 grade. Any grade dated prior to January 6 will be calculated into quarter 2 grades.
DPI Learning Progression
ELA CANVAS BLUEPRINT COURSES
Extend & Enhance Learning with Ready-Made Digital Resources for Grades 3-5
bit.ly/wcpssELAblueprint
Digital Student Workbook (Google Docs and Word Documents)
Digital Resources
Virtual Field Trips
Discussion Boards
Aligned Resources
Student Canvas
K-12 Student Courses
PowerSchool automates enrollment
Blueprints (for 3-8 EL)
Learning Central
Adults/Professional Learning
Classes and Resources
CMAPP 2.0
Mobile Access - Android & Apple Platforms
Assignments
View workbook and homework resources
Discussion
Assessments
Resources are available, teachers simply need to publish what they are interested in students seeing. They can already see the Homework Resources and the Student Workbook pages in Google Docs and Word Docs.
Assessments
Questions match EL paper-pencil versions
Mirror the layout of EOGs
Autograde some question types
Standards-based data compiled automatically
Outcomes Report Help Document
Item Analysis Help Document
Teachers can grade short answers and essay questions against what EL says is the correct, as well as giving video, verbal, or written feedback.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P5Vz324IaWsR_UeRGrrHTUhYxJEBjck8Rq0KXTQJixU/edit#
Elementary Science Resources
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h31UDS2M-U_jdjT8vpbgGSbQeqkKzvNE
Scientific literacy is the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity.
8 Science & Engineering Practices
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Developing and Using Models
- Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Using Math and Computational Thinking
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Science and Engineering Practices
How students are expected learn to learn science
Students should engage in ALL Eight Practices
The Eight Practices are interconnected
Engagement in the Practices requires student participation
Similar to ELA Capacities and Math Practices
Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Cause and Effect
- Scale, Proportion and Quantity
- Systems and System Models
- Energy and Matter
- Structure and Function
- Stability and Change
Help Students Makes Connections across Science Content
Help Students Make Connections across All Content Areas
Build a Common Vocabulary for ALL Students
Pedagogical Practices Promoting Science Literacy
Engaging Students in Science Inquiry
Implementing Formative Assessments
Addressing Preconceptions and Prior Knowledge
Providing Wrap-Up and Sense-Making Opportunities
Planning for Collaborative Science Discourse in Classrooms and in the Broader Community
Providing Opportunities for Practice, Review, and Revision
Environments in Science
Creating a culture of positive teacher and student attitudes toward science learning and achievement.
Believe All Students Can Learn
Think Scientifically
Develop Positive Attitudes and Motivation
Provide Feedback
Reinforcing Progress and Effort
Teach Students to Be Metacognitive
WCPSS K-12 Vision for Science Education
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h31UDS2M-U_jdjT8vpbgGSbQeqkKzvNE
WCPSS K-5 Science Curricular Resources
UbD Units (3rd & 4th Grade on CMAPP 2.0)
Elementary Science Canvas (Sign up for Announcements)
Kit Alignment: Comparing Standards & Kits, Ins & Outs Elem Scie
Upcoming PD (K-12 Trainings, Standards/SEP/CCC, UbD Training, Science/SS)
3-5 DECODING INTERVENTION: STEPS TO SUPPORTING SUCCESS
This focus is for classroom teacher instructional purposes only- It is a resource for teaching/reteaching decoding(not encoding) for grades 3-5 using 15 minute mini lessons focused on the six syllable types.
Join this course:
https://wcpss-staff.instructure.com/courses/146/pages/recipe-for-reading-for-3rd-5th-grade-teachers?module_item_id=3747The full training for Recipe for Reading is for intervention teachers only. The full Recipe For Reading lessons will take 30 minutes or longer.
Step 2- Build Background
Overview Webinar
Review 6 syllable types
Review Placement Criteria
Step 3- Collect Data
Administer and Score Revised Names Test
Overall Score/Percentage
Item percentage for each syllable type
Step 4- Determine Where to Start...
Step 5- Teach and Use Formative Data
Start on determined syllable type
Formative Assessment-
15 single/multi syllable words from R4R
Mastery is 95% accuracy
Math Updates
Want to be a Movie Star???
Have you been using the district provided performance assessments? Would you like to be showcased in a video to highlight these resources? If interested, please fill out this survey.
Spotlight:
Science Updates
FOCUS ON FIFTH GRADE: NC CHECK INS
We are very excited to announce that the Superintendent's Leadership Team has decided to make the Grade 5 Science NC Check-Ins (NCCI) available to elementary schools, effective immediately. The testing office has added the courses and loaded students for all elementary schools. NC Check Ins are a great way to formatively assess your student's knowledge of the seven NC Essential Standards for 5th Grade and expose them to EOG like questions.
- Please keep in mind the window for the first NCCI closes at the end of November. However, the science NCCI is unique in that all three Science NC Check-Ins are available within each testing window.
- More than one Science NC Check-In can be selected within any given window, but each Science NC Check-In can only be given once within the school year.
- Additionally, all of the Check-Ins can be used during the third window if desired, somewhat like a practice EOG.
- The 5th Grade Science Check Ins Test Specifications is a very helpful resource for more information about the Check Ins .
- Keep in mind, each Science NC Check-In can only be given once within the school year.
- The window for the first NCCI closes at the end of November.
If you have more specific questions or concerns, please talk to your testing coordinator and/or let the testing office know. Also, feel to reach out to the Elementary Science Team ( jfine@wcpss.net or wharris@wcpss.net) for any questions.
DISCOVERY ED FOCUS: VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
Virtual Field Trips open your classroom to the outdoors around the world! Take your students to Canada for the Tundra Connections, Experience Polar Bears, or browse the many other archived field trips to integrate into your Science Standard instruction.
Tundra Connections Description:
#CelebratewithDE as we return to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada for the annual polar bear migration. Since 2010, Discovery Education has teamed up with Polar Bears International to host a series of shared learning experiences to engage students and inspire their interest in studying the science of polar bears and their Arctic habitat.
This year, there are 4 weeks of opportunities to take part in the experience: watch the live broadcast with embedded videos and questions and answers from real classrooms, or watch the videos on your schedule then take part in a live chat with the tundra crew. Check out the link above to see what fits your schedule.
Sign into Discovery Education and Join the Field trip here
Not what you are looking for? Check out the green Professional Learning Tile at the top of your discovery Education Account >Strategies and Resources >Virtual Field Trip Archives
OPPORTUNITIES & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WCPSS Elementary Science Professional Development
We are excited to announce some upcoming Elementary Science Professional Development learning experiences for the school year. Please share this information with your colleagues so that they can sign up on WakeLearns. Click the link for more information on each session.2019-2020 WCPSS Elementary Science PD
WCPSS K-12 Science Professional Learning Series
How can the four components of the WCPSS K-12 Science Vision positively impact science outcomes for ALL students? How will your understanding of the Three-Dimensional Framework (Standards, SEPs, CCCs) impact instruction and student learning in your school or classroom? Discover the answers to these questions at the WCPSS Professional Learning Series on our upcoming Workdays. See the following flyer for course and section numbers dates, times, and locations.
Agape Center for Environmental Education Field Trips
The Agape Center for EE (ACE Education) is now scheduling field trips.ACE Education is a carefully developed and integrated program designed to meet the goals for science and social studies set forth by the NC Department of Public Instruction. ACE Education can handle up to 90-100 students on day field trips; some programs, such as the 8th grade Water Quality unit, we recommend about 60. Field trip dates are open September-December and February-May. Call now to avoid disappointment! For more information, please visit www.agapecenterforee.org or call 919-552-9421 x 210.
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF)
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF): is a professional development opportunity for pre-K–12 educators made possible by a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. An annual competitive application process is used to select educators and host them aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages for a life-changing, field-based experience. These exemplary educators complete a series of deliverables that enable them to transfer their onboard experience into new ways to teach students and engage colleagues. Through this opportunity, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows bring new geographic awareness into their learning environments and communities. Fellows also take on a two-year leadership commitment to support National Geographic’s education initiatives. Throughout their commitment, Fellows may be asked to conduct webinars, participate in meetups, and serve as mentors to other educators. Application deadline is December 10, 2019.