Connecting with Curriculum - October/November Updates!

MATH
"The opportunity to learn has the strongest relationship with student achievement."  -What Works in Schools, ASCD

• Intended Curriculum = SCOS
• Implemented Curriculum = What is delivered by the teacher
• Attained Curriculum = What is actually learned by the students

The Intended Curriculum and the Implemented Curriculum need to be correlated to be most effective.  Textbooks are usually the barrier between these two, as often the textbook is full of information that is not part of the SCOS.  Have you looked over your math standards lately?

Make sure you are intentional in your classroom activities and that you know your SCOS forwards and backwards.  Teach the SCOS indepth before branching to other topics.  Are the natural extensions necessary when we could be spending more time mastering skills listed on the SCOS?  Use Indicators and Descriptors if you have questions about objectives.  Really practice "Unpacking the Standards" -- I think this gives a completely different perspective of what we should be teaching.

DPI Resources:  http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/22351032313573387/site/default.asp

Hey, Grades, 3-5, how well do you know YOUR SCOS?!  I'm holding a contest, starting today... Details in an email and in your boxes. :)

SOCIAL STUDIES
The Social Studies standards are being revised.  Click below to access:
K-2 Standards:  http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/phase2/social-studies/k-2.pdf
3-5 Standards:  http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/phase2/social-studies/3-5.pdf

How DO we integrate Social Studies into our day?  How CAN we integrate Social Studies into our day?

The strands will be Civics and Government, Geography, History, Economics, and Culture.  Global Connections will be woven into each strands.

K-3 Focus:

• Ability to demonstrate chronological thinking
• Ability to think and ask questions like a historian
• 3rd Grade introduces the five themes of geography

Grade 4 Focus:

• NC pre-colonial through reconstruction
• Draw parallels to contemporary issues and their historical origins

Grade 5 Focus:

• US history from pre-colonial through reconstruction
• Canda and Mexico removed

There will be Essential Standards rather than goals and objectives as well as a reduced number of standards.  The strands will begin with verbs to reflect higher-order thinking skills.  Feedback will be accepted until November 10th.  Send your feedback to DPI, but also send an email to Patti Grant to let her know that you have responded so that she can keep documentation.  North Carolina State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction will receive public comments and create an operational roll-out plan for the fall of 2012.  Comments are being accepted at commoncore@dpi.state.nc.us.

GET READY FOR 2012-2013
The Core Standards for ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science will go into effect with the 2012-2013 school year. 

From NCDPI:  “The new standards define the knowledge and skills students should have throughout their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school fully prepared for college and careers. The standards:

·         are aligned with college and work expectations;

·         are clear, understandable and consistent;

·         include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;

·         build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;

·         are informed by other top-performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in a global economy and society; and

·         are evidence- and research-based.”

Useful links for learning more about the Core!!

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/newsroom/news/2009-10/20100604-01

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/timeline/

http://www.corestandards.org/

As always, let me know if you have any concerns, questions, or POSITIVE comments. :)

 Don't Forget!
-November 1st-5th:  CogAt Testing
-November 5th:  Quarter Data Sheets Due
-November 8th:  Skip Prosser 4th Grade Book List Update Due
-November 9th:  Mark Esstman from Imagine It! Visits 1st Grade
                               Last Day for Math SCOS Contest for Grades 3-5
-November 12th:  Quarter Test Books Due
-November 8th-10th:  Make-Up CogAt Testing
-November 15th-17th:  ITBS Testing
-November 17th:  Imagine It! Rep Jane Rountree Visits K-2
-November 18th-19th:  ITBS Make-Up Testing
-November 23rd:  Skip Prosser 4th Grade FINAL Book List Due