Instructional Minute
October 11, 2022
May 27, 2025
Year in Review: 2024 - 2025 School Year
As the end of the school year draws near, we wanted to spend the last few Instructional Minutes highlighting some of the previous topics we have covered this school year!
From Bell to Bell: Managing Moments That Matter
Below are a number of videos that we have shared throughout this school year that can help educators to "unlock the power of learning" for their students.
Math Tools in Transition: What to Expect with Digital Access
We have received a few inquires as to when digital access to the new math curricular tool will come available. Full digital access to the new curriculum may not be available immediately. This is due to the need for our district systems, including Synergy—which programs our Clever integration—to roll over from the 2024–2025 to the 2025–2026 school year. That transition typically impacts when we can begin syncing rosters and enabling full access to digital platforms.
Both vendors offer demo accounts (without student data) that can be used to preview the materials, and information about access will be shared after the adoption is finalized.
Professional Development Opportunities
Note: these are entirely optional professional development opportunities offered by various sources. Additional hours will not be paid to staff that register.
Back-to-School Webinars with Amplify
Before you head out on a well-deserved break, set yourself up for success in the upcoming school year! Join us for our exclusive back-to-school webinars hosted by Amplify experts during the week of August 11–14.
Whether you’re new to Amplify or a seasoned user, this is a great opportunity to see what updates to expect and learn how to get the most out of your program(s).
Can't attend live? No problem! Once you’re registered, you’ll receive the recording and all the session materials after the event.
Free PD Opportunity for Social Studies Teachers at MSU
Jack Miller Center is a civic education nonprofit organization focused on promoting the teaching of America’s founding principles and history on campuses and in classrooms across the country.
The Jack Miller Center will be holding a primary source-focused professional development program for K-12 social studies educators in East Lansing with our partners at Michigan State’s James Madison College on July 9 – 11. This is a great opportunity for teachers to dive into content and gain summer PD hours.
The theme for the program will be “Great Debates in American Politics” and it will cover key political debates from the Founding Era, the Antebellum and Civil War Eras, and the twentieth century. The program will include primary source discussions led by MSU faculty as well as an application session led by, Emilee McHorney, on strategies for teaching the primary sources discussed to K-12 students.
There is no fee to attend and teachers will receive a $300 stipend for completion of the program.
The link to register can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBaPtOAjWBKvGWWrrk_n6tOBX6zmJ_GkYRnQqZdvrxdZBdMw/viewform
As the end of the year is quickly approaching, we would love your feedback! Please take a moment to fill out this survey on our Instructional Minutes for this school year.
Click on the above title to view the evaluation documents for staff!
K-8th Grade Instructional Minutes by Content Area and Sample Schedules
Below you can find the new, updated required instructional minutes by grade level and content area. Each grade level also includes a sample schedule.
Pacing Implementation Guidelines
Teachers are encouraged to monitor student progress regularly using formative assessments and adjust pacing as needed based on classroom data. However, teachers should aim to stay within two weeks of the pacing outlined in the guides to maintain alignment with district-wide goals. While we do not adjust pacing for snow days, the pacing is a guide and the expectation is to stay within the established two-week time frame.
K-8 Pacing at a Glance for this Week's Instruction
The documents attached outline K-8 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.
9-12 Pacing Documents
The document attached outlines 9-12 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.
Workshop Model Lesson Plan Form to Assist in Planning Lessons
A resource to use as you see fit.