Elementary Essentials

Elementary ELA Resource Adoption

We are currently in phase two of the resource adoption process. This phase is the study and selection of a new resource to support comprehension instruction. The kindergarten - 2nd grade team assembled on October 26th, and the 3rd-5th grade team used November 2nd to study the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) resource.

During our next meetings on November 9, and December 6, teachers will review the resources Wit & Wisdom and EL Education. During these review sessions, teachers will study the resource and rate them using a rubric developed by leaders in the school district. By semester break, we will have two finalists for all teachers to review at the January 4th professional learning session.

Next, we will move into phase three – final selection & negotiations. Finally, phase four includes the purchase and training on the new resources. We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.

Looking for rigorous questions to use with your students?

The KITE Released Items slides are organized by cluster and include the same questions found on the KITE Mini-Tests/Instructional Interims. These questions are different from the KITE Predictive Interims which many buildings took in October. The slides can be found at the bottom of the 3rd-5th grade math Repository pages and are linked below.

3rd grade KITE released items.pptx

4th grade KITE released items.pptx

5th grade KITE released items.pptx

KSDE Science Newsletter

Lots of information in the Science newsletter from KSDE! (KSDE and the four fundamentals, support documents, science collaborations, Elementary Science Summit, etc.) – check it out! KSDE Science Newsletter

Please check out the social studies newsletter for important social studies related items. Our social studies contest #2 (take 2) has been shared here, too!

Fourth Grade teachers: Please be sure to sign up for your Kansas Day field trip by emailing me. Space is limited. Admission for the Kansas Day program at Mahaffie is covered by the district. Transportation expenses are covered for Title buildings only. For non-Title buildings, check out the Bus on Us program through Freedom's Frontier grant and apply today!

I hope each of you has had an amazing week. Please reach out if I can assist or support you.

Thanks for all you do! ~Julie