Elementary Curriculum Newsletter
January 2021
Dissemination of Student Supplies
- Math Journals
- Module 2 Wit and Wisdom Core Texts, Student Workbooks
- Independent Reading Titles
Primary writing booklets and items for the toolkits will be arriving to your school shortly.
Also arrange for students to return items at this time.
All remote students will be scheduled to pick up supplies during the week of January 19. Each building has developed a plan for distribution.
Technology
Apple TV for K-2 Teachers - Click below to view.
Assessments
Some teachers are opting to administer the written Columbia assessments to their hybrid and remote students. The 3-5 ELA PLCs will be coordinating Columbia and STAR testing (ELA/Math) with the Wit and Wisdom Program.
K Snapshot: Winter
Please administer by the end of January.
Updates
No longer required for the 2020-21 school-year
STAR: Winter Testing Window: February 1-26
The procedures for winter testing will be the same as the fall. Students in Cohorts A, B, and C will test in-person, while students in Cohort D will be assigned STAR assessments remotely on the same day as their in-person classmates in Cohort B. Teachers should inform families of scheduled STAR testing dates one week prior to testing. The window for remote testing is 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday-Friday. Please do not administer the STAR reading and math assessment on the same day.
Janine Ryan will send more information directly to teachers, including information for remote families about remote testing. NEW FEATURE: When students login to take a test, they will be prompted to answer the question, "Are you inside your school? - No or Yes." Educators can then view where students tested on the Screening Report, Test Record Report, and the Summary Report by choosing "show testing location." Test location will also be included on the Historical Extract. More information will follow.
Reminders
Report Cards
- Marking Period 2 ends on 1/29
- Grades entered by 2/5
- Special Education Progress Reports are due in Real Time by 2/5
- Report cards shared with families on 2/9
Lessons developed by PLC teams must be posted in Schoology by noon on Thursday for the subsequent week
Special Area Wednesdays in the Hybrid Model
On Wednesdays in the hybrid instructional model, special area teachers will provide live instruction for Cohort D (fully remote) students by grade level. This will ensure that all students regardless of cohort, receive live instruction from a special area teacher. At these sessions, Cohort D students will be presented with the weekly special area activity in a live format and will be expected to complete/submit the related activity for that week. For this current cycle, that schedule will be as follows:
Times may vary by building. ECC will be following their own rotation.
Math
Math Curriculum Adoption
Yes, our math program is up for renewal on the seven-year curriculum adoption cycle. Therefore, your input on our recent math survey is appreciated.
The Elementary Math Adoption Committee virtual meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Our committee consists of representatives from each building (including ICR and BSI Math Teachers). TWe will be reviewing and considering the following programs:
Everyday Mathematics, EnVisions, Zearn, Eureka Math, and Reveal!
Publisher Presentations:
Times: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m (changed from 1:00 - 2:00 pm to accomodate instruction).
Tentative Publisher Review Dates:
- Wednesday Feb 24, Wednesday, March 3, Wednesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 17
Social Studies
Grades K-5 complete brief social studies survey week of 2/1
TCI Professional Development virtual session with representative on 2/10
Through your SS PLC, please coordinate with your grade-level:
- January lessons that teach students about Martin Luther King Jr.
- February lessons about Black History
- March lessons about Women’s History
Lessons should reflect a progression of learning K-5, aligned to the appropriate taxonomy level in each grade