Elementary Essentials

I will be collecting samples from Module 2, End-of-Module (EOM) Task. Each grade level will submit three samples. This will give us a baseline for the writing development of our students and some exemplars that could be used next year for the success criteria of the EOM Task. Information about submitting the writing samples will be shared in the next Elementary Essentials.

Looking towards Module 3 or 4, you will be reading the new core texts for the module. As you read these core texts, please follow these steps:

1. Read the entire text.
2. Read the arc of lessons associated with the text.
3. Determine how the core text is used to support students with the Focusing Question Task.

The following information was to be shared at the January 6th Professional Learning session but will be helpful now. The topics in literature often include difficult or challenging themes, and part of our role as educators is to help students navigate and understand these complexities. The text may address sensitive topics, but it can also provide opportunities for important discussions on empathy, resilience, and/or the human experience.

If you want more guidance on how to help navigate challenging texts or conversations, get in touch with your counselor or principal prior to using the text with your class. You can also review the district information about using literature with students titled Wit & Wisdom Core Text Conversations.

For the 2024-25 school year, we created a Scope and Sequence document that mapped out the content for the entire school year in an effort to provide you with suggestions on how to integrate ELA with Science and Social Studies. We also created a detailed quarterly pacing guide.

We have formed a new committee that will be working on creating the Scope and Sequence and Pacing Guides for the 2025-26 school year. In preparation for this meeting we would like to hear from you. Would you mind taking a few minutes to share your feedback with us regarding these materials? Feedback Regarding the ELA Scope and Sequence and Quarterly Pacing Guide. The Scope and Sequence committee will gather on February 19 and March 12, to draft these documents. Your feedback will be helpful to guide the work of this team.

KCTV5 is looking for young weather enthusiasts to join the First Warn 5 Mini Meteorologists team!

Students will help predict the weather—and even appear on TV. The First Warn 5 Mini Meteorologist segment is a 60-90 second pre-recorded feature that airs on the first Monday of every month during the KCTV5 First Warn Weather Show at 6:30 PM. Check out our promo for the contest HERE!

This is an opportunity for your school to nominate a student who has a passion for weather and science. This is a fantastic opportunity for young minds to engage with meteorology in a fun and exciting way. Participants must be between 5 and 12 years old. You can submit nominations through the KCTV5.com/contests page.

If you have any questions, please reach out to: Haley Lopez, haley.lopez@graymedia.com

The Kiewit Engineering Group has donated plant seed kits to 2nd graders to engage in a hands-on plant lab! Each kit has two dirt disks, two containers, pea seeds and full instructions to observe and record how the pea seeds grow in light vs darkness. These kits will have everything needed for the seed growing experience, except for the water!

This aligns well with Module 6: Plants and Their Needs, which includes the Performance Expectation 2LS2-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. These kits could be used now or saved for Module 6, as this would be an activity where students may wonder, ask questions, and collect data via measurement, photos, draw pictures, etc., that could be discussed in your classes. The data collected could then be revisited when doing Module 6.

There are still plants available! If you are interested in receiving these, please email Julie Miller with the number of students in your class.

Please check out the 2024-25 social studies newsletter for important social studies related items.

Kansas Maps:

If you would like to have Kansas Maps for each of your students, please fill out this request form.

Making Time for Social Studies FREE event:

The Reading League is hosting the Making Time for Social Studies with Rachel Swearengin (MP-5) on Feb. 18th from 7pm-8pm. Sign up and learn more HERE.

Social Studies Assessment for 4th Grade:

Please check out the newsletter for more information about the 2024-25 HGSS Assessment. Assessment scores are due no later than March 14, 2025.

Black History Month:

Black History Month is celebrated each year from Feb. 1st to Mar. 1st. Check out the newsletter for more information and resources.

Don't forget to check out the newsletter for other awesome social studies news! Thank you for all you do!