In the Know
We made it through week 2! I hope you are all able to relax and enjoy the nice cool temperatures! Are you still singing the avocado song? I bet you are now! :)
We did hit a few snags this week when trying to get centers going. Some of the permission access were my fault, some I have not idea why it didn't work. One solution I would love to try is to make sure they are logged on to their FCPS Google Drive. (StudentID@fcpsschools.net, school password) FCPS has a pretty secure walled garden around Google Drive and access won't be granted if another account is being used. Let's start there and I will be more careful on my end to try to avoid frustrations during center time.
Some of the tests and programs don't allow me to have a student view so I really do feel blind in trying to guide them. We will be using many of these programs for the year so it will get easier to navigate as we learn together.
That being said, both the students and myself LOVED the small group sessions we were able to have this week. Looking forward to more smooth sailing ahead. All teaching slide decks will be posted in their respective classrooms for reference.
MCA
Our beginning of the year math assessment for 3rd grade standards will be given on Tuesday during math class. I will walk the students through the process, however, it is a multi-step process. I am attaching a pdf here of the steps to get to the test. Remember, it is an assessment to see where they are and what skills they have already mastered. Please refrain from helping them with the math part of the test. If they need technology assistance, please feel free to step in and help.
They won't have a test show up until Tuesday morning. I will be available in our BBCU classroom for questions while they are taking the assessment.
This may be difficult for them. Some of these concepts they will never have seen. I hate that we have to give them this assessment. I will talk with them about not having taught this YET and make sure they know it is not a grade, just a starting point.
i-Ready Assessment (Grades 1-6
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board adopted a universal screener assessment for use with all elementary school students in kindergarten through grade 6. The universal screener assessment includes a reading test and a mathematics test. Students in grades 1-6 will receive screening for both mathematics and reading.
The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may have gaps in foundational literacy and mathematics skills. Based on universal screener results, some students may require an additional assessment to further diagnose the specific learning areas that may need support. The universal screener reading test, together with any necessary follow-up diagnostic assessments, also fulfills state testing expectations for primary students.
The universal screener and any necessary follow-up assessments will be given at the beginning of the school year. Depending on grade level and previous screener performance, students may receive screening again in the winter and/or in the spring. Schools set the specific dates for testing in each class. We will be doing our reading test on September 29th and our math test on October 6th.
Additional information, including a short video, about the universal screener in FCPS can be found at this webpage. Teachers at Hunters Woods in grades 1-6 will be administering this over the next few weeks.
Monday Asynchronous Work - I will also send a student email with the checklist on Monday.
Finish centers (check calendar in Google Classroom)
Unit 1 Study Guide (Math Google Classroom)
Imagine Literacy for 20 minutes (the robot in our reading bitmoji classroom)
Play STMath for 20 Minutes
Read 20 minutes every day
In the Know
Did you know today was National One Hit Wonder's Day? I played music from some of the biggest hits. Come On Eileen, Who Let the Dogs Out, Life is a Highway, Don't Worry, Be Happy, MMMBop and of course, That Thing You Do! Mr. McCartney even joined us for our Friday Dance Party!
We did hit a few snags this week when trying to get centers going. Some of the permission access were my fault, some I have not idea why it didn't work. One solution I would love to try is to make sure they are logged on to their FCPS Google Drive. (StudentID@fcpsschools.net, school password) FCPS has a pretty secure walled garden around Google Drive and access won't be granted if another account is being used. Let's start there and I will be more careful on my end to try to avoid frustrations during center time.
Some of the tests and programs don't allow me to have a student view so I really do feel blind in trying to guide them. We will be using many of these programs for the year so it will get easier to navigate as we learn together.
That being said, both the students and myself LOVED the small group sessions we were able to have this week. Looking forward to more smooth sailing ahead. All teaching slide decks will be posted in their respective classrooms for reference.
i-Ready Assessment (Grades 1-6
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board adopted a universal screener assessment for use with all elementary school students in kindergarten through grade 6. The universal screener assessment includes a reading test and a mathematics test. Students in grades 1-6 will receive screening for both mathematics and reading.
The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may have gaps in foundational literacy and mathematics skills. Based on universal screener results, some students may require an additional assessment to further diagnose the specific learning areas that may need support. The universal screener reading test, together with any necessary follow-up diagnostic assessments, also fulfills state testing expectations for primary students.
The universal screener and any necessary follow-up assessments will be given at the beginning of the school year. Depending on grade level and previous screener performance, students may receive screening again in the winter and/or in the spring. Schools set the specific dates for testing in each class. We will be doing our reading test on September 29th and our math test on October 6th.
Additional information, including a short video, about the universal screener in FCPS can be found at this webpage. Teachers at Hunters Woods in grades 1-6 will be administering this over the next few weeks.
Monday Asynchronous Work - I will also send a student email with the checklist on Monday.
Finish centers (check calendar in Google Classroom)
Unit 1 Study Guide (Math Google Classroom)
Imagine Literacy for 20 minutes (the robot in our reading bitmoji classroom)
Play STMath for 20 Minutes
Read 20 minutes every day
