K-2 Science and Social Studies Workshop Opportunity
Many teachers already are using knowledge-building, high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) for reading and writing instruction.
The K-2 workshop "Teaching Primary Science and Social Studies with a Multidisciplinary Approach Anchored in an HQIR for Reading and Writing" will explore deeper learning opportunities for creating vibrant student experiences in science and social studies that derive from the content-related texts.
The goal of this workshop is for teachers to confidently design and implement rich, standards-aligned science and social studies learning experiences that are connected to content from their HQIR for reading and writing. Participants will produce artifacts for a resource library on the Kentucky Academic Standards website, including science and social studies learning experiences with teacher notes, videos of implementation and student work samples.
This workshop will begin with an in-person meeting in Frankfort on June 13-15. Participants will learn about the importance of high-quality science and social studies instruction and how it can be incorporated alongside their HQIR programs for reading and writing. They also will begin developing deliverables. The Kentucky Department of Education will provide overnight accommodations and meal reimbursements for those traveling over 40 miles.
The remainder of the work, such as refining and implementing the plan of instruction, videoing classroom instruction and collecting student artifacts, will be completed throughout the 2023-2024 school year, with virtual meetings as needed.
Selected teachers will receive a $1,000 stipend for their participation in the workshop, which includes the completion and submission of high-quality deliverables, by April 1, 2024. The stipend will be administered in two separate increments: $500 at the end of the fall semester and $500 at the end of the spring semester once deliverables are received and approved.
There are a limited number of spots available for this workshop. Educators interested in this opportunity should complete the K-2 Science and Social Studies Workshop Application no later than Friday, April 21. Selected participants will be notified no later than Wednesday, April 26.
Please submit any questions to Erica Baker or Heather Ransom.
 Phase 2 of LETRS Professional Learning through the Kentucky Reading Academies
Registration for the second cohort of the Kentucky Reading Academies will open on May 1.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has an exciting partnership that brings the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional learning to educators across the Commonwealth, called the Kentucky Reading Academies. This course of study was specifically chosen because of its demonstrated success on a national scale in bringing significant increases in literacy achievement.
The Kentucky Reading Academies is a comprehensive, no-cost professional learning opportunity open to all K-5 public school educators.
Over 1,800 Kentucky educators and administrators are completing the LETRS professional learning in Phase 1. Of 433 Phase 1 survey respondents, 95% noted that the information they are learning through the LETRS professional learning is new and relevant to their role. Phase 1 participants will not need to register for Phase 2 as they already are enrolled.
Find out more about the Kentucky Reading Academies on KDE's website.
For questions, email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff at christie.biggerstaff@education.ky.gov.
Applications Being Accepted for Developing a High-Quality Local Science Curriculum Pilot
According to research, schools that demonstrate increased curricular coherence also show marked improvements in student outcomes (Newmann, Smith, Allensworth and Bryk, 2001). The first step in creating curricular coherence is to translate the standards into a local curriculum anchored in high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs).
While the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) establish what students must know and be able to do, the district is responsible for developing a curriculum that addresses how learning experiences are to be designed and selecting the HQIRs that will assist student learning.
The Kentucky Department of Education is seeking up to nine districts and 27 schools, representative of eight regional cooperatives, to implement the Curriculum Development Process as they develop their local science curriculum. This would account for the participation of 2-3 schools per district. This two-year pilot will begin in the fall of 2023 and end in the summer of 2025.
The pilot will focus on supporting local implementation of the four phases of the Curriculum Development Process outlined in the Kentucky Model Curriculum Framework.
The application process will be open through April 28 and consists of answering a few questions and uploading artifacts. Districts and schools will be notified of acceptance on or around May 15.
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