Curriculum Review Cycles (EC - 12)

 Kaneland utilizes a two-year review cycle to assess current curriculum, identify areas for improvement, investigate resources to better support classroom instruction, and acquire materials.The following areas are slotted for a curriculum review:

EC - 5: Exploratory Decision 

6 - 8: Exploratory & CTE

9 - 12: World Language & Electives

If you teach in this area and are interested in participating in the review cycle, please contact either Sarah Mumm, for grades EC - 5,  or James Horne, for grades 6 - 12.

First Grade Curriculum Chat (1st)

Thank you to all who were able to attend the Curriculum Chat today with First Grade.  Here are the topics that were covered in the optional check in:

-KDAB goals should be drafted prior to the Fall Kick off, the kick off has shifted this year to focus on a review of district trends and PD needs

-The State Comprehensive Literacy Plan subgroup is still looking for members.  This is a state of Illinois plan that is mandated to have some changes in our literacy structures over the next few years and we will begin our review of the plan later September.  

-New Math pilot updates for small group of staff

-September 19th Barnes and Noble bookfair and possible guest readers

-Math test initial feedback

-Sight word cut off discussions (while they are not confirmed there are initial suggested cut offs on the direct pages)

Next week the Curriculum Chat will focus on Second Grade.  Here is the recurring link for the chats.

Join Us for a KIPLA Tour!

Are you curious about what learning looks like at KIPLA? Do you want to see the 10 Tenets in action? Are you wondering if any of your students could be potential candidates for KIPLA? Do you have questions about personalized learning in Kaneland? If so, join us for a facilitated tour! To request a tour, please complete this FORM. You will then be contacted regarding specific dates. We hope to see you at KIPLA! 

IgKnight Call for Proposals (ec - 12)

Kaneland’s commitment to ongoing professional learning is showcased during our yearly IgKnight conference held in November. We are still accepting proposals for this year’s IgKnight. If you have a topic that you are interested in presenting this year, please complete the form linked here.

Final proposals are due September 3, 2024.

Feedback Proficiency Table (EC-12)

 Please remember as you begin to set up feedback conferences and discuss learning with students, a great resource developed last year and shared in the Spring Roadshow is the district Feedback Delivery Proficiency Table.    The purpose of the feedback proficiency delivery table is to give staff the expectations of how to develop feedback in classrooms.  Take a moment to review the process of feedback expectations.  At any time please be sure to reach out to an Instructional Coach or the Department of Educational Service with any questions or support needed on growing feedback into co-constructed feedback in your classroom.   

Feedback Audits Starting Soon (K-8)

 As part of our district SIP goal we will have Anne Olsen (former Kaneland staff member and now consultant) conducting feedback audits over the next month in our schools.  She will be stopping by classrooms and watching learning while listening for the 9 types of feedback among teacher to student and student to student discussion.  The purpose of the audit is to collect data on the types of feedback constructed and co-constructed with our student to share as part of our action plans and prepare professional devleopment next steps for the district goal.  We are excited to observe the amazing discussions and conversations happening in our learning classrooms.  Please see the schedule below as well as the linked audit form that will be used.  If you have any questions at all do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Horne or Dr. Mumm.  

• Feedback Audit  

• K-5 Feedback Audits will begin around 9:15

• HMS Feedback Audits will begin around 8:00

• 9/3 to 9/10 KME and KBK Feedback Audits

• 9/12 to 9/20 KIPLA and KSS Feedback Audits

• 9/23 to 9/27 KST and start of HMS Audits

• 9/30 to 10/4 Finish HMS Audits

Starting this week the Department of Educational Service will also be out on monthly learning walks at all schools. While learning walks are just meant to engage and observe classroom learning and differnt than audits, we wanted to share we will begin this week.

Ready to Gamify? We Have You Covered! (EC-12)

 Are you looking for engagement ideas for your students for any unit of learning?  Are you wanting to bring some gamification ideas into the classroom?  Are you wanting to bring some ideas from the book Building Thinking Classrooms alive in your room?  Kaneland has created a Gamification check out library for you based on the professional development provided by our Instructional Coaches for all staff to check out materials to try in your rooms.  Please contact the Department of Educational Services if you would like to use any of these materials.   

Get KDAB Ready! (K-5)

 As we begin to wrap up our initial pre testing this Fall, begin to meet during collaboration time or plan time when you naturally review data and draft your grade level KDAB goal.  As a team you are asked this fall to draft your first KDAB goal together.  The Fall KDAB kick off will focus on looking at district and school to school trends, not grade level only.  Please have your first KDAB goal drafted and ready for sharing by September 13th.  If you need any assistance at all please reach out for support from your MTSS Coordinators.  

Impact Social Studies Resources (K-5)

 In case you missed the summer training session, the next formal training session is November 25th during IgKnight.  In the meantime, here are some great resources to get started on Impact Social Studies!  

Link to get into the programs and access resources:

my.mheducation.com

Username: impactteacher

Password 25McGrawsocial

Padlet with ideas for teaching:

https://bit.ly/impactsstraining 

THE PASSWORD IS:  impact