Thank you for your patience as we experience this rollover in website platforms. The new website link is below and items are being added daily.

RSA is the Reading Sufficiency Act. It mandates RTI for all K-3 students, with the ultimate goal that students are reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade. RSA requires that we screen all students, provide intervention, and inform parents. This process will be reviewed during site visits, but the documents below outline the grade level requirements.

I receive daily questions regarding who should be on an RSA plan. First, please read your grade level guidance below. Next, when in doubt, put the student on an RSA Plan. As a general rule, if a student is below benchmark during the first window, or any window after that, they go on an RSA plan.

A full page of resources are also available on the ELA Website linked above.

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.

Frayer Model or Four-Square is an oldie but still a goodie :) It's a ready to go strategy that works in every grade and subject. It's one of the most versatile tools you can use and you never have to make copies!

Simply take a sheet of paper, fold it in half one way, and then the other to create four squares. You then have students label the squares with the ways you want them to organize or record information. Examples: synonyms, antonyms, draw a picture, characters, setting, definition, non-definition, theme, figurative language ...really the possibilities are endless, and you can make this work however you want.

Here is a video from Teacher Toolkit of it being used specifically with vocabulary. While you watch it, subscribe to Teacher Toolkit for more fun ideas.

If you would like to see written directions, check it out here from the K20 Center.

A PD schedule will be added here and sent out next week. As of today, too many details are still unconfirmed. I apologize for the inconvenience, but when the schedule is published, you will have options for the rest of the semester.

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 two 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.

I have received a lot of questions regarding reading logs. I really suggest you find a system that works for you and your students. You don't have to use a reading log just because it's what you have always done. There are so many great ideas out there. I have linked a few great resources below if you are looking for new ideas!

Why I Broke Up with the Reading Log

Ditch Your Old Reading Logs

If you have a strategy you would like to share, please let me know! I would love to spotlight ideas in future newsletters!

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 novel 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!

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 that it is linked below. You may read from your grade and 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/standards. 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.
• You should not be substituting a novel more than 1 time per semester.

District Approved Novel Study List

Novel Request Form - Link to request new titles

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.

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. This will eventually be a part of the RTI process, but we need teachers to use it and provide feedback. This is an incredible tool for you to use! You really need to attend a training or watch a recording before getting started, but you won't regret it!

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.

Thank you for making it to the bottom of this newsletter and for all of the valuable feedback. I am using this to help plan future PD. Our Big Winners are: Shana Hightower and Jennifer Reeves! Please email me for directions on how to spend your $25 Amazon Prize!

Current Podcast: Sold A Story - They have added bonus episodes!

Email: MichelleBurks@mooreschools.com

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Phone: 405-735-4263