Community Learning Network 7
Spotlight on Math, Science, Literacy & Special Education
Preparing for PARCC
We have about seven instructional days before students begin the end of year testing.
How are you preparing students for PARCC?
Here are some suggestions from around CLN 7...
Online Test Practice
Use Plickers to get immediate feedback!
- Gather all the multiple choice test items from the PARCC released tests and add them to the Plickers library.
- Set up classes in Plickers.
- Print out the Plickers card set.
- Project a problem and get the results using your smart phone.
- Use this data to form targeted small group instruction.
CLICK HERE for more information!
Use Front Row as a tool for targeted, adaptive practice!
- Students can take a diagnostic to identify what they excel in and what they would benefit most from practicing.
- Students then have practice sessions where the questions update in real-time, providing each student with unique practice.
- The teacher dashboard has rich data on student performance, detailed session data for each student, and student grouping by skill level.
CLICK HERE to sign up for FREE
MATH MESSAGES
Celebrate Spring & Earth Day with these math resources!
Pre-K–Grade 2 Interactive: Geoboards
Celebrate Spring by recreating the shapes you see in nature.
Grades 3–5 Interactive: Turtle Pond
Get into the Spring spirit as you guide a turtle to the pond using computer commands.
Grades 6–8 Lesson: Tree Talk
Earth Day is April 22—find out the ages of your schoolyard trees.SY 2015-2016 Math Pacing Snapshot
All Unit & Topic assessments should be administered on the last date in each Unit or Topic window.
SCIENCE SCOOP
Summer Research Experiences for Teachers
DUE APRIL 8, 2016 - Next Generation Science Standards
Maryland has adopted the new NGSS and will officially begin implementing them in the 2017-2018 school year. Join us this summer to explore NGSS and learn more about incorporating three-dimensional teaching and learning in your classroom.
- Teachers of Grades 3-5: Insects in the Classroom: Engaging your students in the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices through Entomology. Click here for more information and to apply. Applications are due April 8.
Literacy Lowdown
Module 4 Literacy Scopes:
Upcoming Assessment Dates
- Amplify Cycle 3 Progress Monitoring (intensive students): April 18th- April 22nd
- Amplify EOY Assessment Window (K-2): May 9th-May 27th
Inventory of Literacy Curriculum Materials and Reordering
As we move through Module 4, now would be a good time to get a head start on the collection of literacy materials in order to support inventorying and reordering. As you conduct inventory and reflect on the full implementation of the instructional model, please consider leveled libraries for your classrooms and a resource room of leveled texts to support independent reading and small group instruction. The materials listed below should be considered for each component of the literacy instructional model. If you need documents to support reordering please contact Kelly Jones.
Word Study:
K-3 - Fundations: student consumables, durables and teacher kits (as needed)
4-8 - Building Vocabulary: student consumables, teacher kits (as needed)
Whole Group Reading:
1-5 - American Reading Company module texts (as needed) Please see the attached Year at a Glance Inventory List for titles.
6-8 - LDC module texts (as needed)
Writing:
K-5 - Explorations in Nonfiction Writing (teacher kits as needed)
MSDE Literacy Lead Meeting
Thursday, May 12, 2016, 08:30 AM
Baltimore IT Academy, Woodbourne Avenue, Baltimore, MD, United States
READING SUMMIT FOR EDUCATORS
Join Scholastic on July 14, 2016, for a one-day, professional learning conference, designed to inspire educators with a fresh view of independent reading strategies for their school communities. Network with nationally recognized educators and authors, participate in two professional development workshops of your choice, and earn CPE Credits.
For more information: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL EDUCATION CORNER
Intervention Materials
- Mueni Muthui is currently working on SPIRE placement testing (for applicable schools) and End-Of-Year
- If you need documents to support ordering considerations for intervention, please contact Mueni Muthui.
IEP Chair Monthly Training
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2016, 08:30 AM
PDC, 2500 E Northern Pkwy, Baltimore, MD, United States
CASE MANAGEMENT REMINDERS
- Please Monitor Data Cleansing reports DAILY!!! Meetings should be held ON TIME and IEPs in DRAFT should be closed ON TIME!!
- ALL amendments require approval from Education Specialist-please email L. Huffman when you need to make an amendment and wait for a response as to approval/next steps.
- PARCC - Reminder for students with Verbatim Reading - there needs to be an Appendix-D uploaded in MDOIEP for students with this accommodation - please pay special attention to those students in third grade and follow intervention eligibility requirements.
- PLAAFP: Current student data from multiple sources should be included in PLAAFP section of the IEP. Sample data sources include: PARCC, I-Ready, Amplify, Unit Assessments, WJ-IV, etc. Please contact Lara Huffman, Education Specialist, with any questions.
KUDOS
THE FOLLOWING TEACHERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE AU-LITERACY COURSE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATORS:
Virginia Millard (#35), Nina McQueen (#60), Ashley Bynum (#95), Ronella Tan (#107),
Mila Aguas (#150), Rosario Mahinay (#150), Dawn McCrea (#150)
PARCC ACCOMMODATIONS
- SRPNP (Student Registration Personal Needs Profile)-must be completed and submitted to School Testing Coordinator (STC) for students receiving accommodations
- Appendix D-must be uploaded for IEP students receiving Verbatim Reading Accommodation
- NEW-Allowable Math Manipulatives (see PARCC accommodations Manual)
Solving for Why: Understanding, Assessing, and Teaching Students who Struggle with Math
PD Topic: K-8 Mathematical Instructional Best Practices
Dates: April 18, 2016 – May 6, 2016
Overview: This course will be a study of the text, Solving for Why. This researched-based text offers educators the tools and guidance essential for successfully solving for why students struggle with mathematics. The step-by-step, RTI (Response to Intervention)—like approaches, focused on assessment and communication with students, helps teachers gain insight into student understanding in a remarkably different way than recipe-type approaches that assume the same solution applies to learners with similar struggles.
Course Format: Blended-Learning which will incorporate face-to-face sessions as well as a webinar portion.
Required Textbook: Solving for Why: Understanding, Assessing, and teaching Students Who Struggle with Math, by John Tapper
How to Register: Professional Growth System (PGS) found on your Employee Self-Service Page.
For more information, contact:
Jalima Alicea (jsmiley@bcps.k12.md.us)
OR Ernestean Connally (econnally@bcps.k12.md.us)
Other PD Opportunities!
THE DIGITAL HARBOR FOUNDATION (DHF) HAS FINALIZED ITS SPRING AND SUMMER EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE!
DHF’s Maker Workshops for Educators are designed to introduce educators to emerging technologies so that they can help their students to be creators, and not just consumers. The knowledge gained in the workshops can be applied to a variety of age groups and across content areas from math and science, to English and technology. Teach storytelling and entry level coding after Interactive Games for Educators, learn how to collect and analyze date about the surrounding world using simple electronics and networks in Internet of Things (IoT) for Educators, or help your students visualize and start making in three dimensions (and bring home a 3D printer for your school) in 3D Printing for Educators*. Prepare your students for a creative, technical world, and have fun learning how to do it! Workshops generally take place Friday evening and Saturday during the school year and are held mid-week during the summer. To view workshop details, dates and registration, please CLICK HERE!
*This workshop, along with our Making for Educators is approved for MSDE CPD credit.
MSDE SUMMER ONLINE COURSES
Summer online courses are now open for registration! Registration will run until May 25th. Please share the attached catalog with your contacts.
To register: https://msde.gosignmeup.com
CLN 7 Team
Kelly Jones, ELA ACL, kjones09@bcps.k12.md.us
Mueni Muthui, SEL, mmuthui@bcps.k12.md.us
Website: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/site/default.aspx
Location: Baltimore, MD, United States