
Instructional Minute
April 4, 2023

Week of April 3rd:
- Thank you!
- MTSS Tier 1 Academics
- Data Driven
- Successful Small Groups
We were able to conduct Quality Reviews at 22 schools this year!
Visiting the schools was a group effort that would not have been possible without the hard work and cooperation of our LSD teachers, administrators, and Co-leads.
We are proud of all your effort to make your students successful!
Next Steps:
Each school leadership team, SPOC, and Instructional team member has or will develop a 30/60/90-day strategic plan based on their results. The district will use the data to identify areas of celebration and opportunities for growth. The growth opportunities will be used to plan and provide future professional development topics.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
MTSS Defined
MTSS is considered the "umbrella" of a tiered systems approach. MTSS encompasses the "whole child" (Cognitive, physical, behavioral, social and emotional) using data-driven problem solving to provide support for ALL students' needs.
Data Driven
Data = Evidence of Student Learning AND Evidence of Student Learning = Data
Using data-driven instruction in small groups improves a classroom teacher’s skills in providing differentiated instruction in core, tier 1 instruction (Hall, Implementing Response to Intervention, pg. 60).
Opportunities to Collect Student Data
Universal Screenings (NWEA and Aims Web, WIDA)
Diagnostic Assessments (Aims Web, IXL, Read 180, System 44)
Pre- Assessment (Mostly teacher created)
Formative Assessments( teacher created, WIDA)
Summative Assessments (Unit Assessment, M STEP, PSAT, WIDA)
Running Successful Small Groups (Differentiation)
What is small group instruction?
Using HMH Collections (Grades 7-8) Standards Based Assessments for Test Preparation
The Standards Based Weekly Tests are located in the carousel. Choose: “Program Assessments”, then “Standards Based Weekly Tests”. You then have the option to select online or pdf versions of the tests.
Procedure: Using think alouds and a gradual release model, practice test taking strategies (finding the answer in the text, crossing off ‘bad’ answers, identifying important words in the questions, identify the type of questions) using the Standards Based Weekly Assessments. M-STEP does not use Performance Based test formats.
Start with a paper copy (printable PDF) for the first one so students can highlight and annotate right on the test. Then move to assigning the test through ThinkCentral and do the work together as guided practice. As students seem to become more proficient with the practice, teachers can gradually release support from most or all students and then review misconceptions or areas of difficulty after they complete the assessment independently.
How to assign Standards Based Weekly Assessments in ThinkCentral:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lo-rmTEIMJkqz56UEUisw3Rl4gLsWkx8/view?usp=sharing
📸 Share pictures of your class during the Workshop Model 📸
We would love to feature them in the Instructional Minute.
Email them to: michelle.lake@lansingschools.net
In addition to the photo, please be sure include your name, school and grade level.
Gradual Release Model
Direct Instruction (mini-lesson) follows the gradual release model, in which the teacher first demonstrates the teaching point, models the new learning (I Do), then provides the students guided practice (We Do).
Amplify Videos
Amplify Science videos that will help out all teachers! Whether you are a novice or expert, there is something here for you! Click the link below.
Teach Like a Champion 3.0: 63 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College Companion Site
- Click here to access the specific videos related to Teach Like a Champion.
No Opt Out is the perfect strategy to follow Cold Calling! (Holds Students to High Expectations)
This is from the Teach Like a Champion Field Guide