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Curriculum Corner

WEEK OF 02/03 - 02/07

CurriculumCornerWEEK OF 02/03 - 02/07

Letter from MEB

It seems like the groundhog wasn't the only one confused this year as highlighted by the video below! Please enjoy not only the smore, but the video that Heidi shared with us.


Take care!

MEB

IMPORTANT INFO & OFFERINGS

Professional Development
Check out all the great options available on our District Website

SWANK INFORMATION

This is the district website about Swank. https://www.danville118.org/Page/979


Here are the teacher guidelines. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSW9Z2ppuYwbNiKAdnWr8jAS9D9QaLWk2NAsocCPNdg/edit?usp=sharing

SPECIAL ED

Upcoming Special Education Professional Development Opportunities

ISBE is delighted to announce upcoming professional learning opportunities that are offered through our technical assistance and professional development programs. Visit the ISBE Technical Assistance and Professional Development webpage for additional information on our projects and to learn more about these and other professional development opportunities.


Building an Inclusion Team: Using the Inclusive Inquiry Cycle (Wednesday, February 5, 2025 1:00PM - Wednesday, February 5, 2025 2:30AM)

Organization: Early CHOICES
PD Hours: 1.5
Event Type: Live Webinar

Event Subject: Special Education, Other
Grade Level: Pre-Kindergarten, Other
Cost: free

Looking to increase access to inclusive opportunities for young children in preschool in your program or community? This two part series will help get you started in building a Community Inclusion Team or a Leadership Inclusion Team in your program. We will review each stage of planning for an inclusive program. This first event will focus on building your team, analyzing data, identifying key issues and setting learning and improvement goals. This second event will focus on creating action plans and implementing those plans.

https://www.eclre.org/event/building-an-inclusion-team-using-the-inclusive-inquiry-cycle/


Young Adolescent Development: Who Are Our Middle Schoolers? (Wednesday, February 5, 2025 1:00PM - Wednesday, February 5, 2025 2:30PM)

Organization: SLD Support Project
PD Hours: 1.5
Event Type: Workshop

Event Subject: Special Education, Behavior, Educator Centered
Grade Level: Grade 6 - Grade 8
Cost: Free

The developmental stage of early adolescence is wonderfully unique. Though often stereotyped as a stage fraught with moodiness and attitude, this stage is actually a perfect opportunity for passion, creativity, and growth. In this interactive session, explore the physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychological development of young adolescents, new and emerging research into the post-COVID middle schooler, and the implications for teaching and learning.

https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0111-0030-1e8e88db56b74f808863c2f23be296c4


Creating the Write Path: Strategies for Supporting Emergent Writers (Thursday, February 6, 2025 8:00AM - Thursday, February 6, 2025 11:00AM)

Organization: SLD Support Project
PD Hours: 3
Event Type: Workshop

Event Subject: Special Education, Educator Centered
Grade Level: Kindergarten - Grade 2
Cost: Free

Throughout this training session, educators will be equipped with essential strategies for fostering the growth and development of emergent writers in K-2 settings. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to nurturing writing skills, from pre-writing activities to guided writing techniques. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, attendees will gain insights into building a supportive writing environment and scaffolding instruction to meet the diverse needs of young learners throughout multiple stages of writing development.

https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0111-0030-5d26f371eef54ccab1dd27ddf9563ebd


Executive Functioning (Thursday, February 6, 2025 8:30AM - Thursday, February 6, 2025 11:30AM)

Organization: SLD Support Project
PD Hours: 3
Event Type: Workshop

Event Subject: Special Education, Assessment, Math, English Language Arts, Educator Centered
Grade Level: Pre-Kindergarten, Grade 6 - Grade 8, Kindergarten - Grade 2, Grade 9 - Grade 12, Grade 3 - Grade 5
Cost: Free

Do your students with difficulties in reading, math or writing also struggle to stay on task, complete work, find their supplies, and turn in homework, even when it's complete? Learn about the overlap between Executive Functioning skills and learning disabilities in this session that walks participants through supporting the student's executive functioning skills from writing their IEP goal to strategies for implementing Specially Designed Instruction for related skills. Specific strategies for individual students will be highlighted, as well as modifications for teaching these skills in a whole or small group.

https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0111-0030-21ccb2b2500d4772af17012263a1c4c1

Upcoming Virtual Workshops on FBA/BIP's

Flyers for the following workshops are attached. Please find registration links within the attachments.


  • Understanding and Evaluating Components of an FBA

  • Understanding and Evaluating Components of a BIP

  • (For Admin.) Streamlining Individualized Behavioral Support: Developing a Collaborative Process in your School

BUILDING BRIDGES : Collaborative Approaches to Student Support

Join us for Building Bridges: Collaborative Approaches to Student Support, a transformative conference that brings together educators, administrators, and related service professionals to create holistic, student-centered support systems. In today’s educational landscape, meeting the diverse needs of students requires teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to shared goals. This dynamic event highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, offering insightful sessions on foundational topics such as effective Data Dissection techniques, innovative Positive Behavior Supports, and "Early Childhood designed to foster safe and supportive learning environments where every student feels valued and understood.


COST: FREE! CPDU'S AVAILABLE. LUNCH PROVIDED. CLICK HERE TO:

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management


Conference Dates: 2/6: DeKalb, 2/7: Chicago, 2/12: Springfield, 2/18: Carbondale. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, a school leader, or a support specialist, this conference is your your toolkit for impactful student support. Don’t miss outβ€”let’s build bridges together! Scan the QR Code to register.

SEL

TECHNOLOGY

FINE ARTS 🎺🎻🎹🎀πŸ₯πŸŽ¨πŸŽ­

RESOURCES

Flocabulary

Digital Letter Tiles:

Are you looking for a way for students to practice building words on their chromebooks/tablets? Really Great Reading offers a free version of their digital letter tiles that you can bookmark on student devices to use for making words when you need a digital option.

Really Great Reading Letter Tile Freeplay


You can also add:


Decodable Books:

We have reorganized our decodable book options in Google Slides. In this folder you will find additional folders with decodable books by skill. These books are in a printable format for you if you are looking for additional books to send home with students for practice.

Decodables

Math Resource

Ready-made, no copy, math estimation resource - just download and play?? Check out Steve Wybourney's Blog and try an Esti-Mystery with your students. If you subscribe, you receive an email update every time a new Esti-Mystery is created (usually twice a week). The Esti-Mysteries are leveled in grade bands and are sent as pre-made PowerPoints with instructions and transitions built in. He also has some other wonderful resources, including the What is the Mystery Number in the Box? (some subitizing, some ten frames, both with operations) and Splat. https://stevewyborney.com/2024/10/110-new-esti-mysteries/

Upcoming Screencastify Webinars

February 12 @ 10 am CT: Test Prep with Screencastify: Leverage video to prepare your students for upcoming assessments

  • Recommended audience: teachers, coaches, school and district leaders
  • Link to register

LEARNING STREAM INFORMATION

Novel Request Form
Please utilize this link when requesting permission to use a novel that is not already approved curriculum. First please speak with your building administrator. Please read all directions and complete the form in its entirety. Thank you.

PAPER

Calling all K – 12th grade teachers! Have you heard of Paper and want to know more? Look no further.

Link: PAPER

Paper is an online tool that our students can access for: personalized academic support (24/7 tutoring), interactive, independent practice (bell ringers), & future exploration and guidance (that supports AVID).


If you are seeking additional information or training, please contact Nicole Zaayer.

Past Smores
Links to all of our past newsletters in one place.

Curriculum Department Staff

  • MEB: Director ext. 1086
  • Heidi Goula: Secretary to the Director ext. 1098
  • Cathie Witte: Records and Professional Development ext. 1092
  • Julie Cox: Literacy Coordinator ext. 1064
  • Christy Orr: Tech Integration Specialist ext. 1087
  • Sara Stimac: Literacy Coach ext. 1939
  • Angela Wilson: Math Coach ext. 3297
  • Brian Klett: Fine Arts Facilitator ext. 1075
  • Nicole Zaayer: Curriculum Facilitator ext. 1090
  • Bob Cundiff - Math Coach ext.3538
  • Jacob Roskovensky: Media Specialist ext. 1533
Heidi Goula
Heidi is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters