page background

Teacher Newsletter K-2

May 2022

TeacherNewsletter K-2May 2022
zoom_out_map

English Language Arts

As the conclusion of our academic school year draws nearer, we want to provide some suggested activities and resources we invite you to share with families to encourage reading at home this summer. Some of the resources shared will highlight:

  • our district’s Read-at-Home Plan,
  • a state-compiled list of summer literacy activities,
  • Lexia Core 5 resources, and
  • local resources from Pasco County Schools.


Take a peek!
zoom_out_map

Pasco County Read-at-Home Plan

The Office for Leading and Learning has updated the Pre-K through 3 Pasco County Read-at-Home Plan to include parent guides about grade level standards, activities listed by the five pillars of reading (Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension), videos of some of those interactive activities completed with actual families, links to HMH Into Reading Alphafriends videos, and additional digital resources. Please be sure to share this resource with all families as parents and older siblings can engage in these activities with their younger loved ones (it doesn’t hurt to let the older siblings strengthen those Foundational Skills as well😊).

zoom_out_map

Summer Literacy Activities

Just Read, Florida! has compiled a list of everyday activities families can engage in with their children during the summer to keep them engaged in fun literacy activities. Suggested activities are included for:

  • traveling
  • watching television
  • reading newspapers and books
  • helping with family dinner
  • spending time inside and outside the house
  • listening to music and playing games

See the complete list here!

zoom_out_map

Lexia Core5 Access All Summer

Please set goals and challenge students to continue to engage in Lexia all summer long to help prevent summer reading loss and provide enrichment. Students will have access through July 31st. You may choose to send home,

Lexia Summer Choice Boards:


OR


Lexia Read@Home Activities for literacy activities for students to engage in all summer.


Visit the Core5 Resource Hub to find Spanish version of the resources on the School to Home Tab.

zoom_out_map

Book Access for You and Your Students

Do you wish you had more time to go to the library to check out a good book? Well now you can do it from anywhere, with the click of a button. You and your students have access to Pasco County Libraries through myPascoConnect. You can browse and check out ebooks based on a variety of topics and genres. It is important to provide students with access and opportunity to read books they want to read, so please share this app with your students and challenge them to read over the summer.

Reading Endorsement

For anyone wanting to pursue an endorsement by taking the K-12 Reading Test, you can register for the Reding Endorsement Prep Course in myPGS section #30847. If you only need a few courses, there is still space in the UF Literacy Matrix, and you can register using this link. Any questions about the preparation course or reading endorsement classes, please reach out to Danielle Varcardipone.
zoom_out_map

Mathematics

Zearn Summer Math Series


We have current Pasco County data that proves students doing 3 or more Zearn lessons per week have a significant increase in their NWEA and FSA data. Wouldn’t it be great if we could continue that for the summer? Well, it is here!


Zearn presents their summer 2022 Intensive Math Series which offers a coherent, focused 4–6-week sequence that will build strong foundations for all rising 1st through 9th graders to help them succeed in their 22-23 academic year.


Please note that these lessons would have to be assigned to your students before leaving for the summer and we also encourage you to notify parents about this incredible summer opportunity. Click here to find out more.


Feel free to contact Tracy Miller or Jan Anderton, should you have any questions.

PMP EOY Procedures (May 9-May 20)

Our window for making EOY PMP determinations for the 22-23 school year will be May 9-May 20. All teachers of ELA and Math will need to go into myStudent and confirm PMP status for each student on the PMP/Interventions tab.

We will roll in current PMP status of meeting or not meeting standards, so teachers will need to only make updates if the status is changing for 22-23. We want to ensure the PMP designations are as accurate as possible, so we can notify each parent on the Q4 Report Card.


Next steps:

  • Administer spring assessments

  • Review data and cross check with EOY PMP Considerations tab in myEWS

  • May 9-May 20, update ELA and Math PMP status for each student in myStudent on PMP/Intervention tab

  • All 21-22 Tier 3 Intervention Plans in the SSS Module will be Locked on May 25th (OTIS)

  • Parents will be notified of 22-23 PMP status in Q4 Report Card


Please reach out to Courtney Lough, Jan Anderton, or Larry Porter if you have any questions.

Pasco Science
open_in_new zoom_out_map

Science

2022-2023 Science Curriculum Updates

Teams of teachers are currently working on reviewing and making recommendations for refining the science curriculum. in K-2. We do not anticipate major changes to the K-2 Scope and Sequence. The Science team is excited that we will start 2022-2023 with complete year long student facing courses.


Star Labs

The new Digital Star lab will be spending a week at your school during the 2022-2023 school year. A calendar with the anticipated date will be share in July. Lessons will be identified so that students K-5 can enjoy and participate in the experience.


Discovery Education Summer Science and STEM Learning

Students will continue to have access to the DE platform over the summer. They can access engaging grade-appropriate content via their DE app on MPC. DE have a self-paced, interactive coding course available for students to use.


Join us at TWL in July

The Science team will be hosting sessions at TWL in late July. Our sessions will focus on Cultivating Curiosity and Collaboration through Science. Watch for more information on sessions coming soon.

Pasco Social Studies
zoom_out_map

Social Studies

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States.

· Library of Congress Teacher Resources

· History Channel

· National Education Association

· Nearpod - 2022 Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Contest

· Discovery Education – Channel of Resources

· TCI – Current Connections


Celebrating Jewish Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month is an annual recognition and celebration of Jewish American achievements in and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May. Please consider in sharing the stories of Jewish Americans in building the cultural fabric of America's history. Below you may find links to sites that provide resources to honor this month.

· TCI – Current Connections


Law Day

Law Day, celebrated on May 1 and throughout the month of May, has been a visible part of American legal culture since President Dwight D. Eisenhower established it in 1958 to celebrate the rule of law in a free society. The 2022 Law Day theme— “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change”. The goal of this theme is to emphasize how the Constitution is a dynamic document, that not only outlines a blueprint for the government but also establishes mechanisms for change

Throughout the month of May consider inviting guest speakers in the law fields to speak to your students or read more about other activities you can embed in your classroom in the links below to celebrate the rule of law.

· TBT-NIE Law Day Resources 2022


Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2022 will occur on Monday, May 30th.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.

We know that the school year will be done by the week of May 30th, but we encourage you to share with students the last week of school the significance of the day. Below please find some resources to use in your classroom.

Nearpod on Memorial Day

Memorial Day Lesson Plans and Resources

Memorial Day Activities from Education World

PBS Memorial Day Video

History Channel Memorial Day Video

Meaning of Memorial Day – Times Kids

zoom_out_map

DBQ Summer Learning Opportunities

The DBQ Project will be offering several virtual summer learning opportunities to grow your understanding of the DBQ process and to meet teachers at the various levels of expertise. More information on registration and dates may be found here.

zoom_out_map

FDOE Summer Civics Training

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative (CLEI) will be hosting 8 regional 3-day professional learning opportunities featuring high quality subject-matter expert presenters, and all sessions will be aligned to the revised civics and government (CG) standards. Each event will be open to all K-12 teachers, however, space will be limited. Registration information may be found in the attached memo.

Please note this training is not part of the Civics Seal Endorsement training - information about the endorsement training will be coming out in Fall 2022.

zoom_out_map

USF Educational Leadership Program

Admissions are now open for Summer and Fall 2022 cohorts for USF’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership program.

Please see the Program Flyer and FAQs for more information.

zoom_out_map

Elementary Team Contact Information

If you have any questions or need any assistance please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us on the elementary team.