November 5th Update

Math Happenings

Defective Materials
It has come to our attention that some of the center materials are defective or have broken already.  Amplify Desmos Math plans to warranty the materials for us. However, we need to know which items at which schools need replacement.  Please complete this form for items that are defective.

mClass Math Data in Forefront

• Great News! You will now see (or will see very soon) your mClass Math data populated in Forefront.
• Key Distinction: The mClass Math scores are being transferred as separate, foundational standards.
• No Impact on Gradebook: This data will not impact a student’s proficiency level on the core grade-level standards that transfer to the Synergy Gradebook. The two data sets remain separate for reporting purposes.

Amplify Digital Assessment Data

• Assessment Data Transfer Status: After extensive discussion with Amplify, we were unable to retrieve a complete file for all digital assessments district-wide.
• Automated Transfer: Very soon, End-of-Unit Assessment data will be automatically populated into Forefront.
• Required Manual Entry (Action Item): The following assessments cannot be downloaded at the district level and must be manually entered into Forefront by the teacher:
  • Pre-Unit Checks
  • Sub-Unit Quizzes

Literacy Happenings

2nd grade RGR Handwriting –
We recommend sticking with print through the end of the program

• At about unit 13, it will shift to cursive. I recommend continuing to do the lessons for all the rich sentence-level grammar, but continue with print (could use this paper)
  • Why no cursive? Ask yourself and your teams these questions.
    • What standard supports cursive instruction? 
    • Are your students all fluent with print yet?
    • Unless your class is at 100% reading at benchmark, how could the additional time it takes to learn cursive be spent teaching them to read?
      • If they are at 100%, which technology would better serve students today- typing fluency or cursive fluency?

Expeditionary Learning K-5 professional development opportunities

• Interested in learning more about writing and/or supports to meet all learners in your EL block? Check out these options for full-day trainings and sign up here by October 31st.

Curious about sentence-level comprehension and ROAR’s assessment of that?

• Read this blog from Shanahan (skip the narrative to “First, the research …”
• Information on ROAR testing sentence-level fluency

STEM Hub Lending Library
Check out the STEM Hub lending library here! Here is a draft (more to come) of how their lending materials align with EL modules. 

Expeditionary Learning in Forefront
To make scoring standards-based report cards easier and help identify trends that support instructional decisions, the EL assessments for K-5 are being manually entered into Forefront. There is no expectation or requirement for teachers to enter assessments into Forefront—this is simply an option for those who prefer that format. 

Student Well-Being

K–2 Waypoints Assessments Instructions for Teachers

• The custom Waypoints formative assessments are now open in the app for K–2 teachers. Here are the questions.
• Please complete them by November 21.
• You’ll find them listed in your “To Do List” on your Wayfinder Teacher Page as “2025 K Beginning of Year,” “2025 1st Beginning of Year,” etc. Each includes only six questions aligned to the Life and Career Readiness priority standards reflected on the progress report. 

Tip:  Have a class list with questions listed across the top.  Think about students who might fall into the sometimes (2-developing) or rarely/never (1-beginning) category.  Use this rubric to observe these students first. Then use professional judgement and observation to consider where the rest of your class is in their development.   In addition, when teaching Wayfinder lessons, notice which lessons are focused on the priority standards and observe how students respond to the corresponding lessons.Teachers, the EL/Wayfinder Connection Lesson Document is now available.

This document provides streamlined access to the Wayfinder lessons aligned with each unit/chapter, as well as the accompanying family letters for home communication. In addition, it includes curated collections of activities that may be implemented throughout the school day or during designated Community Connection time.

Movement Moments

Helping kids Focus – Headspace Breathers
Can You Run the Red Carpet – Go Noodle
You Can’t Touch This – Go Noodle Dance
Minions Freeze Dance – PE with Coach G.