Information from Julie Richards
Teaching in Action: Celebrations from our Classrooms
From a Kindergarten Teacher-
“This year, what’s been most meaningful for me is seeing my kindergarten students who came in with no prior school experience truly feel successful in math. The (by design) slow on-ramp to skills of our new curriculum, along with the hands-on learning, visuals, playful games, and digital options, has given my students a steady, confidence-building entry point instead of making them feel behind from the start. The built-in sub-unit quizzes allow me to pause, offer quick re-teaching, and support students right away – before they are super far behind their peers. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them ALL begin to see themselves as successful math learners.”
70+ Teachers Master MathGEN Strategies!
A huge wave of over 70 elementary teachers crushed the latest MathGEN Studio! They honed in on expert lesson pacing to ensure every student is heard. The goal: facilitate equitable and powerful discussions during the “Activity Connect” and “Lesson Synthesis” —making math accessible and exciting for all.
Second Grade Literacy Promise
Last year, we began a cohort of K-2 teachers who were interested in working together to grow and refine our early literacy instruction. This group is laser-focused on foundational skills and teaching core like pros! They have been working together to figure out what ALL of our students need and how to provide instruction that meets every kid where they are. This team has a vision and a promise for the future of our K-2 students, and that is: Every student reading at or above grade level by the end of 2nd grade. We now have two cohorts of teachers with about 60 teachers from 14 schools participating!! AMAZING! We can do big things when we work together.
We are looking for stories to share with all of our educators. Share a funny story, a big moment when a student learned something new and realized it, or a picture from your classroom. Send to Julie Richards ([email protected])
Upcoming Elementary Progress Report Updates
- Mathematics: Minor wording revisions in k-2 have been made to the mathematics section for greater clarity.
- Characteristics of a Learner: This section will now be aligned to your grade-level priority standards and will use the standard 1–4 scoring scale found throughout the progress report. The previous M (Met), SM (Somewhat Met), etc. rating system will no longer be used.
These changes should be complete by the beginning of January and will be communicated.
Math Happenings
Last Chance to Register!
Transform your mathematics classroom and build a truly inclusive learning environment! We invite K-5 Classroom and Special Education Teachers to join a powerful professional development series focused on enhancing mathematics instruction and inclusive practices using Amplify Desmos Math and get paid! Learn more here. Register here.
🖨️ Precision Printing Guidance
To ensure the dimensional accuracy required for Measurement materials, please be aware of the following printing specification:
- The Issue: The Print Shop’s default setting is often “fit to printable area” to minimize material waste. This common practice can, however, slightly alter the scale of printed items, resulting in inaccurate lengths necessary for measurement activities.
- Print Shop Recommendation (Preventative Action): When submitting your order for measurement resources, you must include the specific instruction “print actual size” in the comments section of the order form.
- Site Printing Check: If you are printing materials at your own site and notice inaccuracies, check your print dialogue box to confirm the setting is “actual size” or “full size,” not “fit to printable area” or “scale to fit.”
Oregon’s State Standard vs. Amplify Desmos Math
Oregon’s Mathematics Standards use the phrase “an algorithm,” promoting flexibility and allowing students to use any efficient strategy to solve problems. In contrast, Amplify Desmos Math teaches and assesses “the standard algorithm.”
- To align with Oregon’s flexible approach, please allow students to use various efficient strategies when solving.
- While auto-scored digital assessments cannot be changed, you can adjust scores for alternative strategies once entered into Forefront.
🚀 Forefront End-of-Unit Assessment Data Update
The initial upload of End-of-Unit Assessment data from Amplify has been imported into Forefront.
- Data Cut-off Date: November 20th.
- Discrepancies: Please notify Kerry Morton if you notice any data discrepancies.
- Upload Schedule:
- Now until January 12th: Weekly uploads excluding winter break.
- January 13th to January 30th: Nightly uploads.
- Action Required: You must continue to manually input pre-unit checks and sub-unit quizzes into Forefront.
Student Well-Being
EL/Wayfinder Connection Lesson Document
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
Grinch Brain Break 4 Corners
Brain Break Holiday Trivia Four Corners
Nutcracker Bucket and Movement Drumming
Freeze Dance #2 Coach Gelardi
Super Yoga Winter Wonderland
Nutcracker Cosmic Kids Yoga
