September ELA Update

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.

Our job as educators stays the same. Screen students for reading difficulty, screen for characteristics of dyslexia, inform parents, provide intervention, and help all students to become strong and proficient readers.

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, as well as updates to the Student Literacy Plan, is scheduled for September 3rd at 4:15. To join the zoom, click here. A recording will be added to this newsletter after the zoom concludes.

Link to watch zoom recording

Passcode: 2D9?MnJQ

Instructional strategies encompass any type of learning technique a teacher uses to help students learn or gain a better understanding of the course material. Instructional strategies are the building blocks of a good lesson.

Cooperative learning is an essential part of every classroom and lesson, but without strong management, it can be daunting. Students need a structured way to choose a partner and a fun way to do this an appointment clock!

Ready to try something new? Click here to learn all about it!

I know how busy everyone is, and sometimes even a zoom is hard to attend. I want to encourage you to learn more about any and all programs you use by utilizing Renaissance - U. When you log into Renaissance you will see a section titled "Renaissance - U" This is on demand PD, anywhere, anytime! Once you click in, go to "On Demand Webinars" and scroll down to learn about: STAR Assessments, Accelerated Reader, myON, STAR CBM and STAR Phonics. All webinars are 20-23 minutes and can be watched from home or on your plan time.

Heggerty Phonological Awareness is a structured, systematic, daily phonological awareness curriculum that should be provided to all PK - 3rd grade students, until they reach mastery. It is important to never assume students know these skills. Heggerty is a critical component in the PK - 3rd grade literacy block.

The training is provided via zoom with the link below. Please join us for our final fall training on September 10th.

Heggerty Zoom Link - Just click here on the 10th at 4:15! No need to pre-register!

Need help with Into Reading? Not sure how to do something? Please join any of the sessions below on Zoom and have your questions answered. Each session will showcase a different tool, and then leave time for any and all teacher questions.

All session will begin at 4:15 and end when all questions are answered.

September 5th - The Basics of Using ED and Finding Resources

September 11th - Assigning and Editing Assessments

September 17th - Open Question and Answer Session

Zoom Link -Just click here when it's time, no need to pre-register.

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.

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.

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, it is 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 and 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.
• Please only teach with Novel Study when you are very fluent in our ELA standards.

District Approved Novel Study List

Novel Request Form - Link to request new titles

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 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!

STAR assessment programs by Renaissance are part of our Universal Screening. STAR Early Literacy and STAR Reading and Math are products we use in K-6 to monitor all students. We assess students at the beginning of each school year, and then at the end of each quarter. It is important to follow the STAR testing calendar found here.

This program uses your STAR reading results to help kids find their just right reading level, as well as set goals for reading success. AR should be used in a fun and positive way to engage your students. Remember that reading is a joy, not a punishment. You are allowed two grades per quarter for AR. One grade for percentage of goal met and one goal for percentage accuracy. More information is available in the Curriculum OneNote.

Learn more here or watch the full training here.

Curriculum Based Measures (CBM) are part of the RTI process and used when screening for characteristics of dyslexia. These are used to measure skill development in students. Each of these measures work a bit differently. It is important to learn how to use them before you jump in. Please use the resources below.

Learn more here or watch the full webinar here.

STAR Phonics is our latest addition to Renaissance. This is an online phonics screener to help you determine the most at need phonics skill. It is a great addition to the RTI process and an incredible tool for you to use. If you have not given this assessment, no problem. Watch the video below and you can get started right away.

STAR Phonics Recorded Training

MyOn is our digital student library that is connected to every student's STAR assessment results. This program is designed for PK - 6th grade students and nearly every book has full audio support. We also have MyOn News! This additional component puts today's headlines on your students reading level. If you haven't tried it, check it out today!

Learn more here or watch the full webinar here.

9/3 Strong Readers Act Zoom

9/5 Into Reading Basics and Finding Resources

9/10 Heggerty Phonological Awareness

10/11 Into Reading Assigning and Editing Assessments

All links and details are listed above.

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

Into Reading: Creating and Edition Into Reading Assessments

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Email: MichelleBurks@mooreschools.com

Website: Elementary ELA Website
Phone: 405-735-4263