C&I Connections Newsletter

As we continue into January, students across the district are engaging in learning centered on civic engagement, leadership, and citizenship. Building on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., these lessons invite students to think about fairness, responsibility, and the role individuals play in creating positive change within their communities.

In this week’s update, you’ll find an overview of January’s Social Studies focus across grade levels, along with a spotlight on Into Math language routines that support student discourse, reasoning, and communication. Thank you for the intentional work you do each day to bring these learning experiences to life for students.

Warm Regards,

The C&I Team

January social studies learning focuses on civic engagement, leadership, and citizenship, building on lessons connected to Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the importance of civic responsibility. Across grade levels, students explore how individuals can create positive change and how citizens contribute to their communities—key themes in Ohio’s Social Studies Learning Standards.

In elementary grades, students learn about rules, fairness, and responsible citizenship, connecting Dr. King’s message of equality to their own actions at school and in their communities (SS.K.CS.1–3; SS.2.CS.1; SS.3.CS.1).

In middle school, students examine the Civil Rights Movement, the role of leadership, and democratic values while practicing historical thinking skills (SS.6.CS.1; SS.8.HS.20; SS.8.HS.21).

At the high school level, students analyze civil rights within the context of U.S. government, constitutional principles, and civic participation, evaluating how citizen action influences democracy (American Government: SS.GOV.1–5; U.S. History: SS.US.22–24).

Call to Action:

Teachers are encouraged to provide opportunities for discussion, reflection, or service-learning activities, while students are encouraged to apply their learning by showing respect, standing up for fairness, and finding ways to positively contribute to their school or community.

Into Math lessons intentionally embed language routines to support mathematical thinking and communication in grades K-Algebra 2. In addition to the familiar 3 Reads routine, two lesser-known routines, Critique, Correct & Clarify and Information Gap, provide meaningful opportunities for student discourse and writing.

Coming Soon: These two language routines will be added to the "At-A-Glances" for your convenience.

If you have any questions or would like support implementing these routines, please reach out to the Curriculum & Instruction team.