FHSD ELA Newsletter
November 2015
Feedback is Needed!
The HB1490 Workgroups submitted their proposed standards to the State Board of Education on Oct. 1, and a public hearing was held on Oct. 26. The State Board will review the proposed standards and the comments they receive and take action in March, 2016.
Comments on the HB1490 Workgroup proposed standards are being accepted until Dec. 2, 2015.
Please take a moment to look at the proposed standards and give your feedback prior to December 2nd. It's important for your voice to be heard.
The proposed standards include:
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Visit DESE at: https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/curriculum/hb-1490-work-group-process/hb1490-work-group-proposed-standards
ELA Assessment Dates for Mastery Connect Data Entry
First Quarter: October 5-9
Second Quarter: Was: December 17-22 Changed to December 17-January 10
Third Quarter: Was: March 1-4 Changed to March 1-April 3
Fourth Quarter: Was: May 9-13 Changed to May 9-May 31
Important Information
While we empathize with the amount of stress you are feeling while implementing something new, the district sees great value in common scoring guides. In order to allow ample time for learning the new scoring guides the district has decided to allow time to use the scoring guides without entering all scores into Mastery Connect. The new expectation will be one writing summative to be collaboratively scored, entered into Mastery Connect, and the data discussed using a data protocol. This will give you time to practice using the scoring guides without the pressure of entering the data into Mastery Connect for each assessment.
This will ensure effective implementation for the 2016-2017 school year.
The required writing assessments for collaborative scoring, Mastery Connect entry, and data discussion are:
Kindergarten-Second Quarter Narrative WritingFirst Grade-Third Quarter Opinion Writing
Second Grade-Second Quarter Informational Writing
Third Grade-Fourth Quarter Informational Writing
Fourth Grade-Second Quarter Opinion Writing
Fifth Grade-Second Quarter Opinion Writing
Recent Writing Scoring Guide Questions
Q: Where can I locate the writing exemplars?
A: The writing exemplars are located on HowellNET. The intent is to add more as more student examples are received.
Q: The 4th grade scoring guide under Elaboration for 2nd quarter it states: Details about reasons are unpacked giving more information supporting reasons for opinion. What does that mean?
A: A: An example is a student is writing an opinion piece on bullies – from a different point of view. The writer’s opinion is bullies need to be understood. In order to back up this opinion, the author gives several reasons – one of which is: bullies do not express themselves. A detail to this reason may be: Bullies do not express themselves in order to protect themselves. “Unpacking” or elaborating on this detail can be done in many ways (as they are listed in 4Q: facts, quotes, more details, info from a text, etc). An example of unpacking could be using a personal connection and/or tying it to a text such as: I remember a friend who was who was a bully, but also poor. He was embarrassed to be poor, so he put this feeling in his suitcase and shut it just like Rob did in the book, The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. Rob was a boy who kept his feelings inside like my friend did. I could see my friend and Rob both hurting, telling people to stay out of it.
This is how it may look all together:
Sometimes bullies close themselves up and never express their feelings. They think of it as a way to protect themselves. I remember a friend who was a bully, but also poor. He was embarrassed to be poor, so he put this feeling in his suitcase and shut it just like Rob did in the book, The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. Rob was a boy who kept his feelings inside like my friend did. I could see my friend and Rob both hurting, telling people to stay out of it. (Taken from Calkins Units – student example)
In this case, the author uses connections (or personal experiences) and information from texts (The Tiger Rising). Third quarter expectations would be the same as above, with the author using a variety of methods to unpack the details (may the next reason is unpacked with facts instead of personal experiences).
For more FAQ's regarding the writing scoring guide and report card visit:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11W5TxJBmDVjPmFmjj7Gp2HZnyOmgo03Kvf0STdDJ0to/edit?usp=sharing
2nd Grade Curriculum
Fourth Quarter Writing Assessment Change Reminder: In order to assess all genres of writing as a summative the fourth quarter summative piece was changed from the informational writing to a persuasive piece. Students will write a piece persuading others to visit a place they researched. It was listed as an activity within the daily lesson plans and teachers were consulted prior to the change at a curriculum revision meeting.
3rd Grade Curriculum
4th Grade Curriculum Work
Discussions regarding revision of the curriculum will take place on January 12th and May 24th. Each building may send a representative to discuss implementation of the curriculum, review data regarding the curriculum, and make final changes to the curriculum. The meeting on January 12th will focus on first semester and May 24th will focus on second semester. The attendees on May 24th will receive a $150 stipend. Please send Carrie Hepburn the name of the team member who will represent your PLC.
Fourth Quarter Writing Assessment Change: In order to assess opinion writing multiple times the fourth quarter summative piece was changed. In unit 6 students will write an opinion piece that will culminate their learning about energy through a problem-based situation. The decision regarding this change took place in May in the units of study revisions meeting.
5th Grade Curriculum Work
Discussions regarding revision of the curriculum will take place on January 13th and May 25th. Each building may send a representative to discuss implementation of the curriculum, review data regarding the curriculum, and make final changes to the curriculum. The meeting on January 13th will focus on first semester and May 25th will focus on second semester. The attendees on May 25th will receive a $150 stipend. Please send Carrie Hepburn the name of the team member who will represent your PLC.
Fourth Quarter Writing Assessment Change: In order to assess all genres of writing the fourth quarter writing summative was changed. In unit 6 students will write a descriptive letter from a slave. The decision regarding this change took place in May in the units of study revisions.
ESOL Teachers
Spectra
Spectra Professional Development
Tuesday, November 24th @ District Learning Center (DLC)
Focus: Collaborative Scoring Performance Tasks and Mastery Connect
Elementary ELA Content Leader
Email: carrie.hepburn@fhsdschools.org
Location: 1405 Hwy D, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Phone: 636-851-6341
Twitter: @CarrieHepburn