Reading & Writing
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Are we expected to confer with students individually? If so, how often?
- For the first two weeks of this distance learning platform, there is not an expectation for individual conferring with students. However, there is an expectation that you will reach out via email or phone to check on students and families Let’s see what we’ve learned by April 6th and revisit this question.
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Can I ask kids to post their independent writing and then do an intervention group/mid-workshop teaching point the next day rather than the next mini-lesson?
- Rather than have students post their writing, make sure their work remains private and is assigned to them specifically. (See confidentiality statement above.) Teachers are going to have to really look at the mini-lessons and the mid-workshop teaching points to determine 1) if it makes sense in a distance environment and 2) if it is what students need next. Again, I would also like to caution teachers to think about posting once a week at first. Families have to get the hang of this too. Once you see families are able to handle more, then you can communicate that you will be posting on Mondays and Thursdays, or whatever you choose.
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Can I post a 10 minute mini-lesson and expect kids to practice reading and writing independently? If so, for how long each day?
- For elementary students, let’s not think about this as a daily post, but rather as a weekly posting that happens once a week for now, and students then have a week to engage in the learning. Teachers could post two 5 - 10 minute mini-lessons for reading and writing, and then have students practice the skill as they read and write independently.
- Independent reading and writing should be assigned based on what you have assigned students in the past. So, for example, if you are a fifth grade teacher and students are expected to read for 30 minutes nightly already, that expectation would remain. You could also then ask students as part of their “off-line” work to read additional time to practice and apply the skill you taught. If however you do not have a routine in place for nightly reading, be mindful that you are setting new expectations for students. Also, don’t forget, you may be using the RAZ materials to have them read as well.
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Can we use videos or digital anchor charts from the Heinemann website if we have registered our kits?
- I want to say yes to this, but so much could go wrong here. I am going to say yes to digital anchor charts and ask that we wait until we’ve had time to look at the videos as well as the site privacy / materials review policies. One big cautionary tale here - DO NOT USE THE TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS ANCHOR CHART STUFF (or any of the sites like them). I am worried about copyright rules here, and this is uncharted territory.
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Should kids be posting their reading logs?
- Only if you are able to keep them private. If you create a reading log template and push it out in Google Classroom assigned to every student, Google will create an individualized (named for that student) reading log. This would keep it private so that it could be viewed only by the teacher. If this is too much, students could keep a reading log at home and turn it in at the end of distance learning.
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What are they expected to read as they may not have access to books on their independent reading level?
ELEMENTARY
- All students in grades k - 5 have access to RAZ kids. This provides leveled texts for them to read on-line. Students are able to highlight text, create a vocabulary journal, write responses, record their oral reading, and complete comprehension quizzes that allow for written responses as well as a multiple choice format.
MIDDLE
- Students receiving Reading AIS in grades 6 - 8 and our self-contained classrooms at HMS have access to RAZ kids through their AIS providers.
- All students in grades 6 - 8 have access to SCOPE reading magazine. There is an on-line component of this magazine which English/Reading teachers are able to “push out” via Google Classroom.
FOR EVERYONE
- Other teaching materials can be found for students in grades 3 - 12 on NewsELA. The District has the Pro version of this web based application.
- ReadWorks is a free collection of reading passages that can be leveled and assigned to students. It includes comprehension checks as well.
- Librarians are putting together ways to access audio books via the public library system via OverDrive.
Math
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What are the expectations for independent math work?
- Grade level fluency and skill practice - Post as Tangy Tuesdays
- Greg Tang Math (K-5) - Tangy Tuesday Puzzle Packs (login is for TEACHER ACCESS ONLY then you can share with your classroom) Recommend posting some old puzzles and then send out every Tuesday.
- http://training.gregtangmath.com/puzzlepack
- logins for teaching staff only
- Currently 30+ weeks of puzzles by grade level that are updated every Tuesday]
- Online Math Games
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What are the expectations for online math work?
- Weekly post of 2-3 problems based on the current math module
- Next week respond via screen cast, model answer, post a key, etc. and new post 2-3 new weekly problems
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Math module lessons usually run for an hour. What am I expected to teach/cover in ten minutes? Can we just focus on fluency, calendar and problem solving? Could we assign Zearn or Khan Academy or MAP Skills instead of posting a 10 minute lesson?
- Khan Academy, MAP Skills are approved. They will be used by Math AIS teachers.
- Other websites, including Zearn, Stats-Medic, and Embarc are now listed on the instructional software list.
Sciences
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What do elementary Science 21 lessons look like?
Science 21 Home Lessons (K-5) - Unit 3
- Able to be delivered by a parent at home
- Post parent letter and lessons (2-4 currently available depending on grade level)
- PNW BOCES will continue to add to the resources
- Science 21 Home Lessons (includes PDF Science texts)
Academic Intervention Services (AIS)
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What are the expectations for elementary AIS teachers?
- Google AIS Classroom with current student caseload
- TAs to join AIS Classrooms (join teacher classrooms if caseload warrants, e.g., K-1)
- Join teacher Google Classrooms as co-teachers to provide support and align content
- Communicate with teachers weekly
- Post for students weekly, e.g., reading choice board, weekly reading/math challenges, OG sound deck video, Khan Academy videos/practice sets, etc.)
- AIS Google classrooms are support for AIS students - this should not be additional assignments, rather support and optional learning opportunities for students.
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What are the expectations for Teaching Assistants?
- Connect with your cooperating teacher(s) to assist in the Google Classroom for your students
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How should Math AIS be constructed?
Skills Navigator and Fluency Practice
- Join and support teacher Google Classrooms as possible
- Assign particular students with missions
- Assign particular students Khan Academy activities
Special Education
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What are the expectations for Teacher Aides?
- Support your student(s) individually with guidance from your cooperating teacher
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When will CSE meetings be rescheduled? How will I participate?
- We will make every effort to hold all CSE, CPSE and 504 meetings at the scheduled date and time.
- All meetings will be held remotely by either using phone conferencing or using the Google Hangouts product which the district currently accesses via the internet.
- Parents/Guardians will receive an email invite to a Google Meet event.
English as a New Language (ENL)
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What are the expectations for ENL teachers?
- ENL at grades k - 2 right now are joining the teacher’s classrooms and either providing supports for all students (e.g. read alouds) or pushing out supports to ENL students only (e.g. vocabulary with picture cards)
- ENL teachers have been added to all K-5 classrooms
- NPE - 3 - 5 ENL Google Classroom set up with the teacher also joining in classroom teacher’s google classrooms.
- ENL Google classrooms are support for ENL students - this should not be additional assignments, rather support and optional learning opportunities for students.