November ELA Update
ELA Update sent out on the first Tuesday of each month
Leader in Me
Teaching the 7 Habits Through Literature
Below you will find linked a comprehensive reading list to help you teach and learn about the 7 Habits. Many of these books are well known and in your school library. This year is your year to get comfortable and knowledgeable in the 7 habits, and what better way to do that than through reading? Take time this year to review this list, read some of your old favorites through a new lense, and maybe even find a new favorite read. Teacher read aloud is not only a highly effective strategy for increasing fluency, vocabulary and background knowledge, it's a great way to make the 7 Habits visible in all that we do. I hope this list helps you get started!
Strong Readers Act
Reading Sufficiency Act is now Strong Readers Act
In June of this year Governor Stitt signed legislation that overhauled the Reading Sufficiency Act. This new law is called the Strong Readers Act. Most things will stay the same, but the big change starting in the 2024-2025 school year is the removal of forced 3rd grade retention due to test scores and reading criteria.
All changes have been updated on the ELA Website on the page titled, "SRA Information For Teachers" as well as the Curriculum Guide OneNote. Additionally, on the ELA page, there is a page for parents that is accessible to the public.
A zoom to review all of these changes, including Screening for Characteristics of Dyslexia and updates to the Student Literacy Plan, was held on September 3rd and the recording is linked below. If you have any questions, this video and the grade level directions below, will clear up any confusion.
Passcode: 2D9?MnJQ
OSTP - State Testing Updates
Test Blueprint and Item Specifications
A testing meeting will be held on Zoom to review these documents and answer any questions. Grade level specific trainings will begin in January.
When: November 19th from 4:15-5:15
Where: Zoom Link Passcode: Read
Who should attend: All 3rd-6th ELA teachers
ELA Curriculum
Into Reading K-6th Grade
Our Core curriculum for K-6th grade is Into Reading. The online platform is called "ED" inside Clever. This is the core program for Regular Ed ELA instruction. Inside ED you will find:
- Digital Teacher and Student books
- Lesson Slides
- Editable Weekly Plans (pre created lesson plans)
- Student Printables and Assessments
Student My Books and Know it Show It workbooks are consumable and will be replaced each year of our adoption. We are in year three of a six year adoption cycle. Please let your kids use their books! If a student moves within the district, mail their book to the new school. If a student moves out of district, keep their book for any new student you may receive.
Textbook needs must go through your principal and those are filled by our textbook office. Coordinators manage teacher materials, our textbook manager orders and moves textbooks.
Into Reading in the Resource Classroom
We know how hard it is to meet the needs of all students, especially those who have special needs. The goal for ELA instruction is to meet students where they are and fill in their reading gaps. It is the recommendation of the curriculum department that ELA resource teachers use Reading Horizons programs as the core of their instruction, and use the core selections from Into Reading for grade level exposure to quality text and vocabulary.
District Approved Novel Study - 3rd - 6th Grade
I know many teachers like to supplement with novels during the year. Please keep a few requirements in mind.
- You must read off of our approved list linked below. You may read from grades below yours, but not above.
- If replacing Into Reading curriculum with a Novel Study, you must stay on track with the skills you are missing during that time.
- Novel study is optional. It is not recommended during anyone's first year of teaching, or if you are new to your grade. The curriculum will meet all of your standards, a self created novel study may or may not.
- You may only teach one novel per semester.
- The Wild Robot, was recently added to the 4th grade approved list.
District Approved Novel Study List
Novel Request Form - Link to request new titles
Read Aloud Vs. Novel Study
Are you wanting to share your favorite books, but still stay on track with the curriculum? You might try read alouds instead. Read aloud is a wonderful way to model fluency and engage your students. It's a great way to introduce new authors, genre's, book series...etc. Things to think about:
- Is this book in our school library and not on a higher grades reading list? If yes, go for it!
- Is it appropriate for my students interest and comprehension level? If yes, go for it!
- Is it a fun and exciting book that will get your kiddos excited about reading? If yes, please read it!
Our job is to teach kids to read, and then help them learn to love it! Spending 5-10 minutes a day modeling great reading is a wonderful use of your teaching time!
Other fun ways to widen their reading horizons:
- Try "First Chapter Friday's" - Read the first chapter of a great book, and then get them hooked and begging to check out their own copy.
- Host a "Book Tasting" to help students break out of a reading rut. Help them find a new genre or author to love. Here is a fun blog to help you get started.
Please always be sure to expose students to fun and exciting books that will reach all readers!
Renaissance Learning
Renaissance Learning is the home to STAR testing, CBM's, AR, and so much more. Below is a breakdown of each product your students have access to, and ways to learn more. In each section I have linked first the "smart start" quick guide to the product and then the full webinar. Most webinars are about 25 minutes long.
You can also learn more about all of these products by clicking on Renaissance U on your Renaissance Dashboard. Renaissance U is a free resource with on demand training you can watch anytime!
Dates to Remember
November 19 - ELA State Testing Information Zoom
November 22nd - Student Virtual Day/Teacher Professional Day
Instructional Videos
All things Renaissance related are found in the Renaissance - U section of Renaissance
Into Reading: Display and Engage and Digital Teachers Guide
Into Reading: Weekly Practice Bundles
Into Reading: Finding and Using the Read and Respond Journals
Curriculum Guides
ELA Standards
Michelle Burks
Current Podcast: Educate
Email: MichelleBurks@mooreschools.com
Website: Elementary ELA Website
Phone: 405-735-4263