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 May 1, 2024
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Interdisciplinary Literacy Practices Video Series Now Available
How can educators of all grades and content areas engage students in meaningful, relevant reading and writing?
The Interdisciplinary Literacy Practices are embedded within the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing to give teachers of all grades and content areas tools to promote a literacy-rich environment that empowers independent, lifelong learners who think deeply and critically about text. The Practices should not be confused as additional standards, but they should guide teachers in providing intentional opportunities for students to practice the behaviors of a literate citizen.
As districts adopt high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs), Kentucky’s Interdisciplinary Literacy Practices may serve as powerful levers to increase student engagement with complex texts across all disciplines, promote text-based writing, and create space for meaningful student collaboration, all within the context of an HQIR.
Videos available in this series all feature Kentucky teachers using HQIRs and grade-level, complex texts:
The Interdisciplinary Literacy Practices in Action video series landing page provides a module and participant guide (adaptable for synchronous and asynchronous learning). Participants may receive up to 3 hours of EILA credit or professional development hours, if approved by the local district, for completing the module.
Registration for the Kentucky Reading Academies: Cohort 3 of LETRS Professional Learning NOW OPEN!
Registration for the third Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) cohort of the Kentucky Reading Academies will be open from May 1, 2024, through August 30, 2024.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has an exciting partnership that brings the LETRS professional learning to educators across the Commonwealth, called the Kentucky Reading Academies. This course of study was 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. More than 4,000 Kentucky educators and administrators are currently participating in the LETRS professional learning opportunity.
Here's what current LETRS participants have to say about their experiences in the Kentucky Reading Academies:
"LETRS has completely changed my teaching. Starting to implement small changes as I learned them last year (through Volume 1) and then adding in the changes from Volume 2 this year has completely changed the way I teach and how my students learn. I can SEE the difference this year, and it has reignited a passion for teaching kids to read.”
- Brittany Isaacs, 1st Grade Teacher, Ockerman Elementary, Boone County
"As a superintendent, my participation in the LETRS training (teacher version) has equipped me with essential background knowledge, empowering me to make more informed, evidence-based decisions regarding curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This training has broadened my perspective, enabling me to consider the viewpoints of both students and teachers.”
- Dr. Jim Masters, Superintendent, Henry County
"LETRS has greatly impacted my teaching. I have learned to look at teaching literacy in a new way that has had a positive impact on my students’ success. While using the strategies I’ve learned through LETRS, my overall fluency rate has increased from 40% fluent readers to 75% fluent readers. My reading comprehension has increased from 50% average to 80% average."
- Miranda Frost, 2nd Grade Teacher, Lynn Camp Elementary, Knox County
"I am working through the LETRS for Administrators course. There are wonderful tools that support implementation of a full scale highly effective literacy program that principals and administrators can use while also becoming stronger in their own understanding of literacy instruction. Our district has become very systematic in ensuring professional learning and ongoing support to align to LETRS. As a district administrator, I have the privilege of seeing LETRS put in action by wonderful teachers who are dedicated to the early literacy needs of our students."
- Leslie Peveler, Director of Elementary Schools and MTSS Coordinator, Daviess County Schools
Two different courses are being offered through the Kentucky Reading Academies: LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators. Interested educators can join the Kentucky Reading Academies by registering for the course that pertains to their role:
Please NOTE: Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 participants will not need to register for Cohort 3, as they are already enrolled in the professional learning.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
Resources for Summer Learning
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) supports family engagement all year long. During the school year, the Standards Family Guides are a resource parents and caregivers may use to initiate conversations with their children regarding what they are learning at school.
Learning can continue when school is not in session. The summer months are an opportunity to further encourage families to enjoy literacy and numeracy experiences together in their own homes.
To support educators, parents, families and caregivers in encouraging summer learning, KDE is providing resources through the Summer Support webpages to help keep children’s minds active. Available resources include:
Standards Newsletter Archive
Did you miss last week's Standards Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the newsletter on the Standards Newsletter Archive webpage.
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Standards Quick Links
KYstandards.org
Model Curriculum Framework webpage
Standards Resources webpage
KY Academic Standards webpage
Today! Elementary Webinar Series: What do the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies look like in practice?
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has partnered with organizations across Kentucky to showcase what a social studies learning experience aligned to the KAS for Social Studies looks like in practice. This webinar series is designed to deepen participants’ social studies content knowledge and pedagogy. Four webinars with an elementary focus will be featured this spring.
In these presentations, representatives from the KDE will support teachers in breaking down a disciplinary strand standard. Then, a partner educational organization will engage participants in a sample learning experience using resources from their organization. These learning experiences are designed for participants’ use in their own classrooms with their students. Following each webinar, a recording of the presentation, along with the PowerPoint slides and any related instructional resources, will be published on our Social Studies Elementary Webinar Series webpage on KYstandards.org.
Interested in a preview of what these webinars will be like? Access this pre-recorded Grade 1 example. In this example, representatives from the KDE and the Kentucky Historical Society guide viewers through a learning experience where students see how a home in Kentucky has changed over time.
The webinars are scheduled for:
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May 1 at 5:00pm ET: Kindergarten Economics Focus with the St. Louis Federal Reserve
CONTACT INFORMATION
standards@education.ky.gov
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