The Real Goal of Direct Instruction

Direct instruction can sometimes get a bad rap. Take a minute to read this recent blog post by educator, author, and consultant, A.J. Juliani, to learn more about what he believes is the Real Goal of Direct Instruction. 

IgKnight Conference 2022 Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the IgKnight Conference raffle basket winners...

*Sue Bird*       *Alicia Hardy*     *Heather Spaetzel*

We appreciate your dedication to professional learning and hope you are enjoying your treats!

IgKnight Academy Update

We are happy to share that the following staff members have been tentatively assigned to Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy, for fall 2023: 

• Cindy Babich
•  Annie Cantrell
• Charri Trembley
• Suzanne Satterfield
• Zach Munro
• Keith Snyder

These assignments are based on the current student enrollment of 90 registered students. Additional needs will continue to be assessed through the closing of student enrollment on December 16th. 

Kaneland Thankful Statements

 Thank you to all staff who responded to the thankful sharing raffle.  The following were statements shared:

-I am thankful that you are part of Kaneland Connects! 

-It is not happy people that are thankful, it is thankful people that are happy!

-I’m thankful for all the staff that brainstorm, problem solve, and share feedback with me when it comes to implementing Kaneland Connects into classrooms. It helps me learn and grow, so I appreciate it. 

-I am thankful for the positive, supportive and collaborative team that I get to work with at Blackberry Creek.  

-I am thankful the students bring me joy every day and they love to risk take

-I am thankful for family and friends! 

-I am thankful for great staff engaging in PL 3.0 and making our work come into action!

Word Study Decisions for K-5

 After multiple years or review and piloting, the final items to purchase for the word study has been made.  Thank you to all staff who have piloted, shared feedback and attended the decsion making committee work.  The following is the final decsion and will be implemented in the 2023-24 school year.  Over the course of the next month we will be collecting information in order to audit our current materials to make the most fiscally responsible purchase.   

K: Jolly Phonics 1:1 materials (basic not full kit) ratio shifting into Fundations for all with F and P kit 1 per grade level team to pull lesson.  Heggerty still a core curriculum tool.

1-2:  Fundations refresh-additionally each grade level will have 2 F and P grade level

3-5: F and P kit 1:1 ratio with Word Journeys to personalize as students need it, with access to 3rd grade Fundations and 2nd grade Fundations for intervention

MTSS K-5 Update

 This past month the MTSS staff and Administration have been reviewing the current implementation on our beginning year of MTSS.  The key in our MTSS system is to make constant connections with core classrooms in order to make the implementation and transition of what a child acquires during intervention to the core classroom.  In the end, the student's classroom is where the progress in math and reading need to be applied and assessed.  That is why Kaneland has selected the co-teaching practices of MTSS.  In order to accommodate this philosophy and the student's learner profile, interventions may be conducted in an adjacent hallway to the classroom.  This provides the ability of the MTSS Interventions to hear conservation and vocabulary within the classroom and meet the student's needs.  Please also remember as part of co-teaching, the MTSS Interventionist may conduct core classroom lessons and work with students while the classroom teacher is doing interventions.  This is one of the six models we have adopted.  Please feel free to contact MTSS Coordinators or Dr. Sarah Mumm with any questions at all.      

EC-5 Educator Advisory Council Joint Statement

 Joint Statement

Today the Educator Advisory Council for EC-5 met for the monthly meeting.  The following were topics discussed:

• The team began by sharing celebrations from each building. Celebrations included successes within MTSS and co-teaching, record sales at book fairs, student led IEP meetings, and many more! 

• The team also shared all the things they were personally and professional thankful for leading into the holiday week!

• The team took time to review the specific language on the Science PBP tables that will be implemented next year with new supported materials.  We will continue to collect feedback on the PBP tables for Science over the course of the next year. 

• The team looked at the NIU PD barrier research study and identifying barriers for professional development to be aware of when planning next year’s PD and SIP activities.  These will be considered when the team begins to draft ideas for PD in January. 

• A SWOT assessment of MTSS was conducted to get initial feedback based on our beginning implementation year of MTSS. This information will be shared at the MTSS Steering Committee meeting in January as well as a google form reflection from all MTSS staff.

• Finally, the team reviewed the progress of PL 3.0 tenants.  Today at IgKnight over 100 approved evidence chats took place and staff are well on their way to completing tenants.  Remember, you do have until May 2024 to complete the 10 tenants.  

Please feel free to check in with a EAC team member for any follow up on these topics.  Have a great holiday season!