Curriculum Night Overview: English- Language Arts, Mathematics, and Keyboarding September, 2014

What are the Connecticut Core Standards (CCS)? K-12 academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy adopted by the CT State Board of Education and by states across the country in  Establish what students should understand, know, and be able to do as they progress through grades K- 12  Curriculum units based on these standards will be implemented in both mathematics and English- language arts in grades K-5 this year

Our English-Language Arts curriculum aligned to CCS provides: Balance of literature and literary non-fiction More time reading increasingly complex text Opportunities for discussion/academic discourse Wide range of writing tasks appropriate to purpose and audience (opinion, narrative, and informational) Writing to inform or share opinions using text evidence Literacy as part of science and social studies/history with increased focus on academic vocabulary

Organization of Common Core for English-Language Arts: Anchor Standards  Reading  Writing  Speaking and Listening  Language  Foundational Skills * Refer to Curriculum in a Nutshell documents for grade-specific standards

Our mathematics curriculum aligned to the CT Core Standards provides: Greater focus and coherence based on learning progressions Solid foundation in both concepts and skills/procedures with: –Whole numbers (K-5) –Addition/subtraction (K-5) –Multiplication/division (3-5) –Fractions (3-5) –Decimals (5) Focus on understanding and fluency = efficiency, accuracy, flexibility

Balanced Approach to Mathematics

Organization of CCS for Mathematics Standards for Mathematical Practice –Describe mathematical habits of mind & proficiencies at all grade levels –Support student progress toward mastery of content standards at all grade levels Grade Level Standards for Mathematical Content –Grade K-8 standards organized by domain (e.g. Geometry) 7 Refer to Curriculum in a Nutshell documents for grade-specific standards

How will your child’s progress will be assessed? Student progress will be assessed through unit-based assessments and checkpoints classwork teacher observation other classroom-based performance measures Report cards for language arts and mathematics will reflect CT Core standards

Which state assessments will your child take this year? Grades 3-5 – Smarter Balanced Assessment (ELA and mathematics) Grade 5 only - Science CMT (CT Mastery Test)

Where can you find out more about the Connecticut Core State Standards?  Curriculum in an Nutshell documents at each grade level highlight CCSS-aligned curriculum revisions  Link on West Hartford Public Schools website (under “Families” tab) 

The Connection Between English Language Arts Writing Standards and Keyboarding Grade 3: With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others. Grade 4….demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting. Grade 5…demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting

Smarter Balanced Assessment (Grades 3-5) Computer Adaptive Testing: Type short-answer responses, use mouse to drag and drop, click/underline responses Performance Tasks: Type one to two page text responses using a keyboard or other technology device

What does “keyboarding” mean? touch-typing using correct finger placement and key reaching techniques special key functions use of the mouse numerical operations Build speed and accuracy over time

Technology Literacy Standards Creativity and Innovation Communication Research and Information Fluency Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making Digital Citizenship Technology Operations and Concepts

Prior to Grade 3: Early Keyboarding Awareness posture home keys overall letter placement use of mouse

Grades 3-5: Keyboarding proficiency Baseline keyboarding assessment – 1 min - by October 15 (Grades 3-5) Receive instruction and resources to learn in keyboarding techniques (Typing Pal Grades 3-5) Continue to learn and practice keyboarding techniques (Grades 4-5) Develop speed and accuracy through authentic learning experiences with technology in classroom and Library Media Center (All Grades)

Grade Level Keyboarding Benchmarks Grade Speed and Accuracy Accuracy Pre/K Kindergarten N/A Grade 1N/A Grade 25 wpm90% accuracy Grade 310 wpm90% accuracy grade 415 wpm90% accuracy Grade 520 wpm90% accuracy

Keyboarding Resources for Families Grades K-2 Keyboarding Zoo ding_practice.htm Key Seeker: Keyboarding for Kindergarten / Grades 3-5 Keyboarding Practice Power Typing trees.shtml Typing Web

Where can you find out more about Keyboarding?  Curriculum in an Nutshell documents at each grade  Link on West Hartford Public Schools website (“Keyboarding” under “Offices/Curriculum Instruction and Assessment”) Click here for the direct link, includes link to school log in for Typing Palhere