Elementary 3-5 Teacher Newsletter
Bi-Weekly - Issue 1 - April 2020
Elementary Team Contact Information
If you have any questions or need any assistance please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us on the elementary team.
- K-1 Literacy Senior Instructional Specialist: Danielle Varcardipone – dvarcard@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-6 ELA Senior Instructional Specialist: Courtney Lough – clough@pasco.k12.fl.us
- PK-6 Math Senior Instructional Specialist: Tracy Miller – tamiller@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-8 Science Senior Instructional Specialist: Lesley Kirkley – lwade@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-12 Social Studies Senior Instructional Specialist: Tina Stavrou-Klem - astavrou@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-12 Fine Arts Program Coordinator: Tom Viking – tviking@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-12 Physical Education Program Coordinator: Matt Wicks – mwicks@pasco.k12.fl.us
- K-12 Social Emotional Learning Program Coordinator: Lesley Wilson - lrwilson@pasco.k12.fl.us
Focus for the Week: Compassion, Grace and Flexibility
As we move in to week three of Distance Learning there are so many lessons we have all learned through this experience. Most importantly, we have learned that the human connection is more important than ever and that each of us faces different circumstances and situations during this time. While it is incredibly important that our students continue to pursue high levels of learning at all times, we also realize and recognize that working with students in this manner is very different and takes a lot of adjustment and getting used to. We trust you to make decisions that work best for you and your students. We trust students and families to prioritize learning time, subjects and assignments based on what is manageable and feasible. Included in this week's newsletter you will see additional information on what Compassion, Grace and Flexibility mean in Pasco County Schools during this time. Please reach out if you need assistance, we are here for you!
Gradebook Tips Sheet
Together We Learn Call for Session Proposals
Are you doing awesome things in your school or classroom?
Do you have innovative ideas to share with colleagues?
Pasco County Schools would like to take this opportunity to invite you to share your expertise with educators from around the county by presenting at our summer learning events
happening this July.
Our call for proposals is open to all staff who would like to host sessions to be held during Together We Learn which will take place from July 27th – July 29th with a target audience of teachers, coaches, school support staff, SRP, and school leaders.
Submit your proposal to present a session and join your colleagues in exploring best practices
happening right here in Pasco County!
Proposal deadline is May 8, 2020
Click here for more information and to submit your proposal.
ELA
Thank you for coming together as a school community to support your students and families as they navigate distance learning and develop new routines. We are all in this together, so please reach out if you need any support. Remember, the Elementary ELA team is hosting office hours weekly on Thursdays, from 3:45-4:30. Join us if you are looking for an opportunity to ask questions or just connect, we will be here to support.
To join the ELA team Zoom: https://pasco-k12.zoom.us/j/906089576 Meeting ID: 906 089 576.
Independent Reading Resources
As you know, your students all have access to hundreds of books on Bookshelf for independent reading. Books are now available in Spanish, too!
Another resource that has been added for our K-3 students is PebbleGo by Capstone. PebbleGO provides students access to nonfiction articles that students will find high interest and engaging. It will foster students ability to learn more about topics that interest them! Students will need the ClassLink App on a device or the ClassLink Extension for Chrome.
Epic books is available for free through June 30th. Students will have anywhere, anytime access to the full Epic library on all devices.
Understanding the Organization of ELA Modules
Please check out this chart by grade level to help your PLC plan with the end in mind. Students will be expected to complete two lessons a week, which are intended to take two days, including the submission of an assignment or quiz. The pretests at the start of each module will be optional, but we would like students to read the introduction which is a hook to launch the unit.
Tier 3 Foundational Skill Practice
Math
Please view the Elementary Mathematics Distance Learning Updates video or PowerPoint to learn more about the frequently asked questions we have been receiving regarding pacing, Problem Sets, assessments, and Zearn.
In an effort to support our parents, students, and teachers in the transition to Distance Learning, we have made the decision to remove all Mid- and End-of-Module assessments from the Elementary Mathematics courses. These assessments are written at a very high complexity level and we are making every effort to prevent additional stress for our parents, students, and teachers. Our main focus during this time is student learning, rather than grading. Students have adequate opportunities to demonstrate learning through the submission of "Must Do" Problem Set problems now identified within each lesson. We also encourage PLCs to select their own "Must Dos" as a PLC to best meet the needs of their students; however, we are strongly recommending PLCs limit the number of "Must Dos" to two or three problems in order to reduce the workload on our families. If PLCs choose to do this, it is essential they communicate this to all parents and students. It is important to note, making "Must Do" recommendations will not affect the Problem Set rubrics within the courses in any way. These rubrics are great as is because they can be used for any number of problems, even if PLCs choose to adjust. We do realize that the Grade 5 Pacing Guide recommended students take the Mid-Module 5 assessment during Week 2 of Distance Learning. This assessment is no longer required, therefore, it should not be reflected in the students' grade. Thank you for your understanding, support, and flexibility as we continue to receive feedback from administrators, coaches, teachers, and parents. We truly appreciate you!
Please join the Elementary Math Team for the upcoming Distance Learning opportunities below:
Zearn Math Webinar for Teachers- Tuesday, 4/14 @ 11:00 AM https://zoom.us/j/321798855
Zearn Math Webinar for Parents- Tuesday, 4/14 @ 5:00 PM https://zoom.us/j/375116162
Elementary Math Office Hours- Monday, 4/13 9:00 - 10:00 AM https://zoom.us/j/955092154
Elementary Math Office Hours- Wednesday, 4/15 - 3:00 - 4:00 PM https://zoom.us/j/298783928
Elementary Math Office Hours- Thursday, 4/16 - 1:30 - 2:30 PM https://zoom.us/j/473368052
Science
FREE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP APRIL 15T AT 1PM
Boeing and Discovery Education are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with the ecoAction Virtual Field Trip. Students will investigate the themes of air, land, water, and waste as they explore how they can do their part to improve the environment as well as how a large company like Boeing is doing its part, too. It's on all of us to create a more sustainable world. Join us to see how Boeing engineers and other STEM experts are working on sustainability in the air, on land, in the water, and in the handling and reduction of waste. Hop onboard the ecoDemonstrator test plane to see how an ingenious vortex generator reduces drag on airplanes, step inside a forest to learn about the creation of sustainable biofuels, check out a new permeable pavement, and see how recycling can lead to innovation.
Register for FREE to receive the event link.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecoaction-virtual-field-trip-tickets-99729415366
GRADE 3 WEEK 3 RUBRIC ERROR-There is an error in the link with 03.05 Mechanical Energy on slide 10 where the rubric for the activity is located. The rubric linked is incorrect. The correct rubric for the Mechanical Energy Graphing activity is found in the Answer Key document. Since it is an error within the FLVS module, we cannot correct the link. Use the rubric in the Answer Key document to review this assignment!
Elementary Science Virtual Platform Information
The hand-ons on science opportunities within the DLP courses for K-5 Science are exciting. We recognize that not all of our students will have access to the supplies required to complete these activities. We have reviewed the courses and identified activities that require materials which may present a challenge to some of our learners. That information has been complied in a chart available at the link below to support you as you help students navigate their courses. If an activity requires more than glue/scissors, an alternative online simulation has been hyperlinked within the table. You can use this alternative simulation for any student who cannot complete the hands-on activity at home. Think of the online simulation as an alternate way to collect data, it is not a new assignment simply a modified way of completing the same assignment. Activities for weeks 1-9 are now color-coded by week and hyperlinked to alternate activity. We also provided organized copies of the activities referenced in the table with grade specific folders so you do not have to find them in the DLP to review.
A parent version of the table is being shared in two week increments through the parent newsletter. You can also access it at the address below:
Science Team Office Hours
The Science tea will be hosting virtual office hours via Zoom every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm-5pm. Secondary Science will be the focus from 3pm-4pm and Elementary from 4pm-5pm. You can use this link to join us at office hours if you have any questions, feedback or just want to connect: https://zoom.us/j/933136923
Social Studies
April is National Financial Literacy Month which is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach our students how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. To celebrate the month and encourage our students to be financially smart citizens in our communities, Pasco County Schools has several virtual events/challenges planned and resources to encourage Financial Literacy Fridays. This would be a great opportunity to share resources via an announcement or a zoom. Many of our parents and students are dealing with financial uncertainty during this health crisis, and may want to learn together.
Pasco County Schools, in partnership with USF Stavros Center, is excited to host a weekly Financial Literacy challenge . These events are designed to help parents/guardians, employees, community members and students with financial planning matters and getting more information for starting a financially successful future. Two 25 minutes webinars will also be provided on Wednesday April 15th and April 29th at 4:00 PM- these will be live lessons on how to embed these resources with students or even with your own children. Teachers who attend sessions will be able to earn professional development points.
Resources may be found here with further details for the weekly challenges. Please encourage students and staff to shower our Pasco Schools Social Media with their images.
Art - - Music - - PE
Have questions about online PE? Join us for a PE Teacher zoom chat every Thursday from 10-10:45 am. This is not required, but you are welcome to join us each week to ask questions and then it's ok to leave the call. You don't have to be on the entire time.
Physical Education Teachers -ALL Levels (Online PE Course Support)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pasco-k12.zoom.us/j/834624760?pwd=V282OG90MTI3eUFyTWNBR3ovVUlwZz09
Meeting ID: 834 624 760
Password: PascoPE
Art & Music
Tom and Michele will host Open Office Hours every Thursday @ 1pm. We are providing this time for you to ask questions, offer suggestions and problem solve. These office hours are not a meeting or training. It is an optional time for you to get some answers or clarification if you need to as well as the opportunity to share tips and tricks you discovered.
Elementary Art - Open Office Hours
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pasco-k12.zoom.us/j/550545342?pwd=Q3ZVbFdMeE9UNjBkN3FaK0F0Qk5UZz09
Meeting ID: 550 545 342
Password: ArtK5
Elementary Music - Open Office Hours
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pasco-k12.zoom.us/j/746057278?pwd=WS8yYU1EQnNuMFFPTEFUbnRFS3dFdz09
Meeting ID: 746 057 278
Password: 022380
SEL/Compassionate Schools
Hello teachers! Here is a great article that gives 4 tips for teachers who are shifting to distance learning. Our SEL team is holding virtual office hours for anybody who would like to join. They are:
Mondays 1:00-2:00 https://zoom.us/j/487197439
Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 https://zoom.us/j/610730998
Thursdays 2:00-3:00 https://zoom.us/j/278267800
Please feel free to join us during any of the sessions to chat, check in, or if we can provide you support in any other way. As always, if you need us outside of those hours, just drop us an email. We’re here to support you!