Two months to go!

Although the recent snow doesn't make it feel like we have two months left of school, the calendar does!  Thank you for your focus and dedication to ensuring student progress.  I appreciate the time and energy you have put into getting to know your students, and making instructional plans and decisions to best meet their varied needs.

A few things to think about these last couple of months...

1.  Guided Reading

• 100% implementation: We have diligently applied the recent Jan Richardson training, and are perfecting our craft. Lori has worked closely with teachers to get one group up and running.  Our goal is to have all groups using this format by the end of the year.  
• Areas to support: I am stopping in to observe, as well as aligning my understanding with the feedback you are getting from Lori, so that I can best support you.  If you have questions or need any resources, please let me know.

2.  ELA Priority Standards

• Forward Exam:  I know the testing schedule is impacting student instruction and small group work (but rest assured, the students are still reading quite a bit during the tests!).  I know you are doing your best to maintain schedules, prioritizing reading and math, but I also know that some days are going to be different due to aligning several schedules to accommodate the testing. This is the reality for the next couple of weeks - thank you for doing your best to keep instruction moving along.
• Curriculum Guides:  As you work through each month, continue to focus on the priority standards as highlighted in your curriculum guides.  By keeping pace, students will receive the instruction that will prepare them for the following year.
• ELA Pre/Post Tests: We have taken this monthly expectation off of the SMART goal, but you are encouraged to continue to use common assessments to measure student progress on the priority standards, and to make instructional decisions based on the data.
• MAP Continuum:  You are encouraged (but not required!) to use this if you are looking for a resource to build your understanding of the priority standards.  Let me know if you need a refresher =)
• Instructional Coach: Please let Lori know if you have any questions about the standards, regarding whole or small group or individualmall students.  She has a deep understanding, and has seen them in action in multiple classrooms throughout the district.  She's a great resource!!

Please let me know if you have any questions, and let me know if there's anything I can do to support your amazing work -

Sue