Elementary Essentials

PACING DUE TO SNOW AND COLD DAYS

We have missed 7 instructional days due to school cancellations for snow and cold. Therefore, you are probably behind in your lessons for Wit & Wisdom by 2 weeks. Let’s extend the pacing guide (if needed) to Friday, April 4. I realize that might not be the exact number of days you need to catch up, but please use your professional judgement on how to maximize the lessons you have available. Here are some questions to ask yourself when making decisions:

• How does this lesson or part of lesson support students for success in the End-of-Module Assessment?
• How could I get to the same objective but in a quicker manner? Instead of doing Mix, Mingle, and Meet, I could do a Think-Pair-Share.
• Does this writing activity link directly to preparing students for the End-of-Module Task or could I turn it into a discussion?

Module 4 Workbooks

The 4th quarter pacing guide does NOT require the teaching of Module 4 from Wit & Wisdom; therefore, we won’t be printing the workbooks for all students. However, if you are interested in teaching some of the lessons from Module 4, the workbooks are available to be ordered from DSF. You can also print the handouts from the digital teacher’s edition or from the ELA website as you need them.

Teachers can log into Digital StoreFront (DSF) using the beginning of their email address and district password. Wit & Wisdom, Module 4 student workbooks can be found under the Online Catalog, Curriculum, Wit and Wisdom Student workbooks. When checking out for these items only, teachers can enter all 3s for their account number. This is a temporary account for this purpose only. Do not use this account for other printing requests. Module 4 student workbooks will only be active in DSF until March 28.

Configurations of the student workbooks are as follows:

• Grades K-2: No covers, 1-sided, uncollated
• Grades 3&5: Colored covers, 2-sided, 3-hole punch, collated

Note: There is no Grade 4 workbook option for 4th quarter.

Module 2 Writing Samples

I will be collecting samples from Module 2, End-of-Module (EOM) Task. Each grade level will submit one sample of a “typical” piece of writing to represent their grade level (use the rubric associated with the EOM task for guidance). This will give us a baseline for the writing development of our students, and some exemplars that could be used next year for the success criteria of the EOM task.

A link to the file folder where you will submit a scanned copy will be sent to grade level teachers by the Instructional Coaches. The deadline to upload the samples is April 11.

For the 2024-25 school year, we created a Scope and Sequence document that mapped out the content for the entire school year in an effort to provide you with suggestions on how to integrate ELA with Science and Social Studies. We also created detailed quarterly pacing guides.

We have formed a new committee that will be working on creating the Scope and Sequence and Pacing Guides for the 2025-26 school year. In preparation for this meeting, we would like to hear from you. Would you mind taking a few minutes to share your feedback with us regarding these materials? Feedback Regarding the ELA Scope and Sequence and Quarterly Pacing Guides.

The Scope and Sequence committee will gather on March 12, and another date (TBD) to draft these documents. Your feedback will be helpful to guide the work of this team. At this time, we have 43 people who have provided feedback. Please let us know what you need by completing this survey.

Teachers needed! Are you someone who has invested time into utilizing Writing Units of Study? We need your help in determining how to best integrate Wit & Wisdom writing instruction and Units of Study. I will hold an informational Zoom meeting on Friday, March 7, from 8:15 – 8:45am, for teachers that are interested in helping with this project. Here is the Zoom link.

A quick reminder to Grades 3-5 that the Reading CFA window opens Friday, February 21, and closes on the 27, through KITE.

Last month I shared the following criteria used in determining 6th grade math placement.

Placement in Math 6 Plus depends on high levels of proficiency on both of the following two criteria from 5th grade:

1. Student scores a Level 4 on the 5th grade Kansas Math Assessment
2. Student scores in the 85th percentile or higher on FastBridge aMath

However, since the Math KAP assessments are changing this year, we will not receive data until October 2025. As a result, we are analyzing additional measures for placement. We will provide an update once these measures are determined but wanted to make you aware of this change in the meantime.

The KSDE Science February newsletter includes information on:

• A focus on the fundamental of quality instruction
• Information and Registration for virtual professional learning this spring: PD certificates & college credit available!

• Information and registration for standards alignment professional learning across the state: Free to attend + free college credit!

• An opportunity to give your feedback on the performance level descriptors used to score the state assessment
• Collaboration opportunities, science teacher monthly meetups, etc.
• …and lots more!

There are only 10 classroom plant kits left! If you are interested in receiving these, please email Julie Miller with the number of students in your class.

Please check out the 2024-25 social studies newsletter for important social studies related items.

Social Studies Assessment for 4th Grade

Please check out the newsletter for more information about the 2024-25 HGSS Assessment. Assessment scores are due no later than March 14, 2025.

Women's History Month

Women's History Month is celebrated each year from March 1 - March 31. Check out the newsletter for more information and resources.

Spring Grant Cycle

The Olathe Public Schools Foundation spring grant cycle closes soon. Check out the newsletter for more information.

Thank you for all you do!