Elementary Essentials

Thank you for launching the use of Wit & Wisdom in your classrooms. As teachers have been using Module 0, lots of insights were gained about the use of this module. This is exactly what we want you to do. The lessons have been planned; now the bulk of the work is for teachers to prepare to deliver the lessons taking into consideration the students in your classroom. As we continue to use the materials, we want to make notes for the future.

Here are some helpful tools to use as you prepare for Module 1.

• Utilize the Module Study Protocol in get the big idea of what is being taught in the module.
• Utilize the Focusing Question Arc Study Protocol to see how a series of lessons teaches the Focusing Question.
• Utilize the Lesson Study Protocol to go deeply into each lesson.

All of these documents are available on the Elementary ELA Sharepoint Site in the Wit & Wisdom folder titled, “Planning and Preparation Protocols.”

Since the Wit & Wisdom modules are mostly on science and social studies topics typically studied in elementary school, teachers are able to integrate and connect the Wit & Wisdom topics to the content areas. Remember to use your social studies and science curriculum as you read in Wit & Wisdom.

Social Studies

• History is an account of the past.
• Accounts differ depending on one’s perspective.
• We rely on evidence to construct accounts of the past.
• We must question the reliability of each piece of evidence.
• Any single piece of evidence is insufficient to build a plausible account.

If you are engaged in a social studies topic (Native Americans) and reading text, we are reminding students to think about the perspective of the writer and other perspectives related to this topic. The other readings in the module may provide those other perspectives. Integrate the historical reading skills during Wit & Wisdom instruction. Historical reading skills include: Sourcing, Contextualization, Close Reading, and Corroboration/Rationale/Support.

Science

When engaged in a science topic, like the five senses, seasons, sea, or heart, you may use the Research-Based 5E Instructional Model which includes: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Reminder: The Scope and Sequence and Pacing Guides were created to show connections to the content areas. They were distributed at the August Professional Learning session and can be found on the Elementary ELA Sharepoint. The second-quarter pacing guide will be available after Labor Day.

The Wit & Wisdom grade level materials list is now available on the Elementary ELA Sharepoint.

If you have questions, comments, and suggestions for the use of Wit & Wisdom, submit them here. These questions will be answered and shared through each Elementary Essentials. You can access the Wit & Wisdom FAQs on the Elementary ELA Sharepoint in the Wit & Wisdom folder.

Olathe Public Schools, in collaboration with Pittsburg State University, will offer a beginning conversational Spanish course for Olathe staff. Participants will learn some basic phrases to help bridge communication gaps during the school day. Participants will also learn about cultural similarities and differences. Course will include three face-to-face sessions and additional online practice. Participants will earn one graduate credit hour after successful completion of the course.

The course meets in-person three times at the IRC – Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 9, from 4:30-6:00pm. Cost is $100. Space limited. Participants should sign up before Friday, September 13, at https://bit.ly/OlatheSpanish See flyer for additional information.

Pre-Mods & Interventions

Interventions are now in full swing across our elementary classrooms! PLCs have become increasingly data-driven, with teachers utilizing data analysis tools in Mastery Connect to better identify and meet their students' needs. Remember to continue accessing intervention resources available on our Elementary Math SharePoint. For any additional support, please reach out to me and your building’s instructional coach.

Mastery Connect

If your students encounter strange errors or codes when accessing Pre-Module Assessments or Progress Monitors on Mastery Connect, and resetting the device doesn’t resolve the issue, please have them try accessing Mastery Connect online by going to student.masteryconnect.com.

Zearn

Zearn is a free online resource widely used by teachers to support learning in Eureka Math. While Zearn is not a district-supported application, you can find the Zearn icon in ClassLink. To access Zearn, you'll need to create your own personal account. Once set up, you can save your login information in ClassLink for easier access.

Inspire Kit Refills

Your Inspire Science Kit refills were completed this summer and delivered to your building. A huge thank you to all the people at the IRC who helped fill your bags and boxes! If you find any items missing, please let us know.

Inspire Science Workbooks

Please complete the Inspire Science Workbook survey, regardless if you do not want or have no workbooks. Once this information has been collected, then workbooks will be sent to those who are requesting and instructions will be sent to those who have workbooks they no longer want. https://forms.office.com/r/rJxCeUzsg4

CSI – Cool Science Investigations

CSI is our after-school science club to enhance the positive experiences students have with science. Schools may participate in any or all of the 3 sessions. Kits are available for the sessions which include lessons and materials for each of the 7 weeks. Topics include Legos, Science Olympiad, Paleontology, Exploring the Milky Way, Physics of Toys, Science Fair, etc. The first session begins the week of September 16th. If you are interested in sponsoring CSI at your school, please contact me.

Monarch Caterpillars – 3rd Grade

There will be some monarch caterpillars available for 3rd grade classrooms as soon as this week. It’s first come, first serve, and I can’t guarantee a date as it is all about the Monarch’s migration. If you are interested in receiving 3 caterpillars for your classroom and have access to milkweed for them to eat, please email me.

Hasta Luego Monarchs

The Johnson County Extension Master Naturalists, in association with Monarch Watch, are hosting a free, family-friendly sendoff to say "see you later" to the magnificent Monarch butterfly! There are demonstrations (tagging and releasing monarchs), native plant sale, invasive plant species control strategies, exhibits and more!!! September 28, 9am – 1pm at the Pollinator Prairie, 320 S. Blake St, Olathe.

I hope each of you has had a great week. Please check out the 2024-25 social studies newsletter for important social studies related items.

3rd Grade Teachers:

You won't want to miss the opportunity for your class to participate in the 2024 Third Grade Mock Trial on Constitution Day! We have partnered with the district court in Olathe to create an interactive and enriching virtual experience for your students. Check out this promotional video to learn more co-starring our very own Lynne Sheffield (FRV)!

The instructional materials have been designed to prepare your students for this amazing experience by having the opportunity to "meet" each person before the event via video clip to learn about his/her job. There are also interactive and engaging activities for your use during the mock trial as well as ways to debrief post-trial with your students. (OPS teachers will need to sign in to their district Google and Microsoft 365 accounts to access the videos and materials. Be sure to check your Zoom account in advance for updates.)

Best of all, your students get to deliberate the facts of the case as a (class) jury and cast their verdict! Register and check out the instructional materials by clicking the appropriate tab on the left. We hope to "see" you there!

I hope each of you has an amazing weekend. Thanks for all you do!

Women's Giving Circle Grant Applications

The Olathe Public Schools Foundation’s Women's Giving Circle will meet this fall to award a $10,000 need-based grant to an Olathe educator with an idea to overcome an obstacle to learning.

Challenges could include: low number of Latinos pursuing degrees in technology-based fields; student struggles with health and wellness issues; equipment needed to prepare students for advanced coursework in 21st Century programs or lack of access to the arts or sports for students from low-income communities. Sustainable ideas score best.

Fall Women’s Giving Circle grant applications are due September 13. Apply today!

Learn more about the Women's Giving Circle.

Maybe you have an idea, but aren't sure how to proceed? Olathe Public Schools Foundation staff are available to assist with grant applications and guide you through the process. Call us at 780-8222 or foundation@olat​heschools.org.

Classroom Grant Applications

Fall 2024 classroom grant applications are open! We will be awarding over $130,000 in classroom grants through two cycles during the 2024-25 school year. Cycle I classroom grant applications are due October 23. Apply today!

Educators may apply for:

• Hidden Glen Visual Arts Grant: up to $2,000
• Innovative Classroom Grant: up to $2,500
• Need-Based Grant: up to $2,500
• Building/District-Wide Innovation Grant: up to $5,000 for projects impacting multiple classrooms, grades, or schools

Sustainable ideas score best. Questions? foundation@olatheschools.org