IgKnight 2024 Offerings (EC -12)

Each year, Kaneland offers a day of professional learning through the IgKnight session. As learners, you are able to guide your focus for the day. The signup will go live on October 1st at 6am. Sessions fill-up quickly so please register as soon as possible. The list of opportunities have been linked here.

Curriculum Chats (KPASS ELA)

 Curriculum Chats took place today with Third Grade staff.  Thank you to all that were able to attend.  The following was discussed.  

-Looking for feedback on word study assessment and how to best use the data three times this year.  Please note when it appears in the blog to submit feedback. 

-Comprehensive Literacy Review Team EC-12 meeting this week for the first time.  Action on the progression at the state level has stalled a bit.  

-Concerns on the MTSS RFAF

Next week we will have a MTSS and SPED chat.  Here is the LINK

Formative vs. Summative Assessment (EC-12)

 Across education, and within our own learning spaces, there is an ongoing debate between the merits of formative vs. summative assessments. Both serve an important purpose in learning.  

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

• includes the continuous day-to-day assessment.
• is used to gauge and explore students’ understanding of a topic.
• helps to guide instruction and feedback on learners’ progress.
• is assessment for learning, in that it impacts current learning.
• Examples include exit slips, questioning/dialogue, homework, etc.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

• is more formal and periodic, rather than informal and continuous.
• is conducted at the end of a learning cycle, block, or unit.
• serves to summarize student's learning.
• is often compared to a standard benchmark.
• is considered assessment of learning.
• serves to validate formative assessment information.
• Examples include- tests, reports, final papers and projects, etc.

**If formative assessment is continually carried out, then the results of summative assessment shouldn’t yield any surprises.

Kaneland to Host- Immerse & Inspire: Learner-Centered Practices in Action (EC-12)

We are excited to be extending our collaboration with the Institute for Personalized Learning by serving as a host district for learner-centered site visits. The program, called Immerse & Inspire: Learner-Centered Practices in Action is described by I4PL as "a two-day practical, immersive, and hands-on look at learner-centered education. Engage with stakeholders, interact with learners, and participate in collaborative design sessions directly on site to gain valuable insights to apply to your own learning spaces. This experience is meant to connect you with educators and leaders who are committed to innovative teaching methods in a district that is navigating the process of systems-wide implementation and expansion." 

The first visits will take place in late October, and include stops at KBK, HMS, and KIPLA. If you have a learner-centered practice that you would like to have showcased during the visit, please reach out to Laura Garland at 10166@kaneland.org 

More information about the visits can be found HERE. 

Curriculum Math Review Committee (K-5)

 This week kicked off the Curriculum Review Committee for K-5 Math.  This year will be the year of working on the written curriculum, vetting tools, possible pilots, and possible purchase of tools to support our written curriculum.  The team spent most of our first day on the following tasks:

1.  Getting organized for our 10 to 12 month review process

2. Meeting in grade level teams to work on cross checking and revisions to math content language, expectations and standards

3. Holding discussions on expectations in learning for math

4. Establishing a list of edits for PBP tables, math continuum, math assessment, and report cards

The next steps for the team will be to meet for the full K-5 committee on October 28th from 9:30 to 3:00.  The team will focus on the following at the next meeting:

- Review of assessment practices and math assessment 

-Further discussion of grade span edits

-Initial review of tools to support our written curriculum  

  

How To Resources for Parents (EC-12)

 Now is the time as parents and students have settled in to the learning process to share a reminder of the great resources available to our families on our website.  Please take time to share this link in any parent communication and on your current parent information page.      

LINK