Welcome to ELA Curriculum Night/Boot Camp

1. Mrs. Braxton Ms. Fanno Mrs. Griffin Mrs. Kennedy Ms. Vicinus Welcome to ELA Curriculum Night/Boot Camp Tuesday, September 23, 2014

2. What is the purpose of tonight? Tonight, our goal is to provide you with resources for you to use at home to supplement the instruction students are getting at school and to give you basic information about your child’s curriculum. Our hope is that we work together in order to ensure the highest level of success for each student.

3. Study Island • Purpose: Study Island is an online tool used to measure student understanding for each of the ELA Common Core Standards. • How we use it at school: Study Island may be used in the classroom to assess student understanding of various topics. Students may do this independently with the Chromebooks or using CPS clickers.

4. STAR Testing Purpose: Students are given a STAR test 3 times throughout the year. The test tells us each student’s Grade Equivalent level. In order to be ON grade level, your student SHOULD be reading at a 5.1. Each time the STAR test is given, we look for growth in their Grade Equivalent score. How we use it at school: G.E. scores are used to determine what level books students are able to check out at the library. They also determine what students’ AR goals are. We also use STAR testing to help determine what leveled reading group students are placed in.

5. Accelerated Reader How We Use It: Accelerated Reader is an individualized, adjustable program that helps to keep students responsible for their reading by setting goals for each 9 weeks. How You Can Use It: At the beginning of the year, a paper will be sent home so that parents are able to access the Renaissance Home Connect portal. While students are not able to take AR tests outside of school, you are able to log in and see what kind of progress your student is making. http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

6. More A.R. Accuracy: Each ELA teacher has set a percentage of accuracy in which each student in their classroom must meet in order to participate in AR rewards. This is determined by the number of questions missed during a test. ZPD: Zone of Proximal Development: Each student's’ ZPD range is determined by their score on their STAR test. This range helps determine what level books each individual student should be reading. If your student is struggling with AR tests, you may want to encourage them to read on the lower end of the spectrum to build comprehension.

7. Reading Eggs Reading Eggspress makes reading real books, improving spelling skills and building reading comprehension highly engaging for 7 – 13 year olds. The site includes hundreds of great online activities, books, and games. Reading Eggspress uses each students individual reading level to determine which spelling, vocabulary, and reading activities are appropriate for growth. Reading Eggspress can be accessed from home, if students know their username and password. These are set by the classroom teacher.

8. iStation Purpose: iStation is a researched-based reading program that is used for assessment and intervention. It specializes in RTI(Response to Intervention) using products that focus around a computer adaptive testing system. How we use it: Teachers will use assessment data to individualize instruction for your child.

9. What is Common Core? “The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.” -Used by 46 states -Progressive for year to year learning. Common Core takes basic building blocks and adds to them each year from K-12. -Practices the learning of 21st Century Skills-”Engages students with the real world data, tools, and experts they will encounter in college, on the job, and in life--students learn best when actively engaged in solving meaningful problems”

10. How can I help my child prepare for Common Core? • Read aloud to them every day. If possible, choose a group of books on the same subject that interest them so that they can build their knowledge and vocabulary. * Ask your children about what they see in the outside world, what they are reading about in school and watching on television. Ask them to explain their ideas so that they can cultivate good speaking skills.

11. 1st 9 Weeks Pacing - Story Elements Genre Main Idea Theme Topics for the 2nd nine weeks, and the rest of the year, will be determined based on Common Formative Assessment data. The topics are meant to be introduced and built upon, and easily flexible based on individual needs.

12. Common Formative Assessments For every unit topic, all students in the fifth grade will take a common formative assessment to assess their understanding before and after each unit. These assessments are made by the ELA teachers, and used to drive instruction and remediation.

13. Helpful Links http://wintergreenintermediateschool.weebly.com/ www.studiesweekly.com/online www.studyisland.com http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/common-core-tools/unpacking/ela/5.pdf

14. More helpful links http://www.pta.org/files/Common%20Core%20State%20Standards%20Resources/2013%20Guide%20Bundle_082213.pdf?navItemNumber=4063 http://www.commoncoreworks.org/cms/lib/DC00001581/Centricity/Domain/114/ParentGuide_ELA_5.pdf http://www.aspendrl.org/portal/browse/DocumentDetail?documentId=1595&download http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/releasedforms

15. What is your biggest concern for your student? G/F/K results j B/V results G/F/K: Text 594181 and your message to 37607 B/V: Text 603594 and your message to 37607