Teaching & Learning Advisory

Whether you are a new hire or an experienced English/Language Arts teacher, there are spring semester ELA sessions suited just for you! Vendor-led PD offerings for both K-5 ELA Wonders and 6-8/9-12 ELA myPerspectives are available.

The spring semester series will kick off with a focus on writing in both curricula. Please register in PLZ. For more information, click the appropriate link below:

• K-5 Wonders PD Series
• 6-12 myPerspectives PD Series

The TCAP Writing Task Guidance document (found here), includes access to the assessment overviews, blueprints, and rubrics. Additionally, the activities described reflect the rigor of the writing task(s) students will complete on the assessment. Please note that this document is not intended to be used as an instructional resource or as a pacing guide. However, it does offer grade level and writing standards specific guidance regarding the writing tasks expectations.

The Tennessee Department of Education has applied stakeholder feedback to improve the experience of the optional Grade 2 Early Literacy assessment. The resulting redesign brought the Grade 2 assessment experience into alignment with the TCAP ELA assessment experience at other grade levels. More information about the redesign is available here.

The Office of Literacy is thrilled to announce an exciting Early Literacy Series professional learning opportunity. This comprehensive series will delve into the Science of Reading, the Wonders curriculum, and the implementation of the High Impact Strategies.

Spots are limited, so we encourage all interested K-2 teachers to register as soon as possible. To secure your spot, use course #47541 in PLZ.

Additionally, we encourage you to review the K-2 Foundational Skills "Essentials" document to ensure your foundational skills instruction is aligned with the most effective and impactful strategies. Don't miss this valuable chance to enhance your knowledge and skills in early literacy. We look forward to your participation in this transformative learning experience.

Early Literacy Series PD Spring 2025.pdf

K-2 FS Essentials.pdf

Questions? Email: OfficeofLiteracy@scsk12.org

Curriculum and Instruction Mathematics would like to highlight resources to assist both teachers and parents in supporting students with Tennessee's Revised Mathematics Standards. In the classroom and at home, teachers and parents can supplement students' math curriculum with standards-aligned content and practice from IXL and Khan Academy.

The documents below contain links aligned to each grade-level's math standards. Additionally, each grade-level or course link is provided in the Resource Toolkit section of the curriculum map.

Supplementing Elementary Mathematics with IXL and Khan Academy.pdf

Supplementing Secondary Mathematics with IXL and Khan Academy.pdf

The most up-to-date Instructional Focus Documents have been uploaded to C&I’s SharePoint Instructional Focus Documents folder located within the Additional Supporting Documents folder. The Instructional Focus Document for each grade/course has been revised by TDOE with the exception of Grade 8 and Algebra 1. Please access the latest grade-level document for complete standards guidance.

Questions? Email: MathCurriculum&Instruction@scsk12.org

Deadlines are fast approaching for the 2024-2025 science fair. Please see the flyer below for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Terilyn McChriston at mcchristontj@scsk12.org.

If you have any science teachers in need of science lab materials, the C&I Science department has a limited lending closet for teachers to check-out science lab materials. Items are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please refer to the flyer below for more information.

The Social Studies supporting documents folder located in the 2024-25 Curriculum Resources SharePoint contains a wealth of resources. This week, we would like to highlight the Social Studies Strategies Appendix. This appendix contains links to student engagement protocols, graphic organizers, teaching strategies, and much more. The appendix has been linked below for your convenience.

Social Studies Strategies Appendix 2024.pdf

Having multiple student engagement opportunities during a lesson is crucial for effective learning. When students are actively involved in the learning process through activities like discussions, collaborative work, or hands-on projects, they are more likely to retain information, develop critical thinking skills, and build a deeper understanding of the subject matter. When planning and preparing for instruction, be sure to plan engagement opportunities during each segment of the lesson. Engagement opportunities should include:

• Teacher to student (whole class) engagement
• Teacher to student (individual) engagement
• Student to student engagement

Need ideas for engagement strategies? Click here.

For more information on high-impact strategies, refer to the document below.