The first big idea of United We Learn’s vision for the future of public education in Kentucky is “creating a more vibrant experience for every student.” How do educators provide vibrant student learning experiences? What is needed to establish a system that equitably supports these types of learning opportunities within Tier 1 instruction? The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Teaching and Learning is creating a series of resources designed to build understanding of the interaction between deeper learning and a local curriculum through the lens of learning science to help promote access to vibrant learning experiences for all students. Specifically, these resources aim to:  

• Examine deeper learning and the role of a local curriculum anchored in high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) in enabling deeper learning experiences in Tier 1 instruction;  

• Explore how understanding of education research and learning science can inform effective integration of deeper learning and HQIR within a local curriculum; and 

• Provide modules to support curriculum integration according to learning science. 

The first resource in this series is an introduction: Integrating HQIRs and Deeper Learning to Strengthen Tier 1 Instruction. The modules to follow will be released for each of four stages–Priming for Learning, Surface Learning, Deep Learning and Transfer Learning–to support district curriculum teams in applying educational research and learning science in order to strengthen their local curriculum for Tier I instruction. Each module will build understanding of learning science principles for its phase, establishing connections to deeper learning and then providing indicators for analyzing the local curriculum and making smart adjustments.  

Please watch the Standards Newsletter for more information and to access the modules as they are released.  

FREE Supporting Sensemaking with Discourse In-Person Workshop  

The Office of Teaching and Learning Division of Program Standards science consultants will be offering an in-person workshop for participants to take part in this new professional learning module. This workshop offers an opportunity for K-12 science educators to engage with one another as learners and practitioners, considering how to support student sensemaking with equitable discourse. 

When: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET  

Where: Madison County Public Library (507 W Main St, Richmond, KY 40475)  

This in-person workshop is designed for kindergarten-grade 12 science teachers and leaders. This professional learning opportunity is intended to provide guidance in the successful implementation of equitable academic discourse, supporting the three-dimensional student learning called for in the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Science.   

This workshop will incorporate an open educational resource to provide participants with a learning experience symmetrical to the classroom. Through that experience, the participants will be immersed in equitable academic discourse to see what it looks, sounds, and feels like as a learner.   

During this workshop, participants will learn how to establish a learning environment where all students have equitable access and opportunity to learn through discourse, develop a collaborative understanding of equitable academic discourse that supports student sensemaking, explore how both teachers and students contribute to equitable academic discourse, examine why we should use equitable academic discourse in the science classroom, and begin to intentionally plan for equitable academic discourse. 

Space is limited. Complete the Supporting Student Sensemaking Registration Form by Sept. 27, 2024, to reserve your spot.  

Substitute reimbursement is available for the first 30 registrants through the Office of Teaching and Learning.   

Educators will be eligible to receive up to 6 professional development hours for their participation in the workshop. A certificate will be provided following the completion of the workshop. Please note: The decision to accept professional development hours is at the discretion of the local school/district.  

Please submit any questions to kdescience@education.ky.gov. 

Join us for the FREE Using Anchoring Phenomena to Drive Three-Dimensional Science Teaching and Learning Virtual Workshop Series! 

Complete the Using Anchoring Phenomena to Drive Equitable Three-Dimensional Science Teaching and Learning Virtual Workshop Registration Form by October 8th to reserve your spot. 

Depending on district policies and if approved at the local level, participants may receive up to 12 hours of professional development credit for their participation in the workshop and asynchronous learning opportunities. Please work with your district or principal to determine if these hours are eligible. The Kentucky Department of Education will provide participants with a certificate following the completion of the workshop and asynchronous tasks. 

Please submit any questions about this professional learning module to kdescience@education.ky.gov.