March/April 2025

Math Updates

enVision Mathematics ©2024 Adoption Training – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

• Monday, April 28 (1-day option) **Registration closes April 18**
• Thursday & Friday, May 29 & 30 (2-day conference-style option)
• Thursday, July 31 (1-day option)

Even though enVision is a familiar program, we strongly encourage teachers to register for a training option. Teachers will have the option of earning Professional Development/Salary Credit or a stipend. For teachers seeking a more comprehensive training experience with keynote speakers and choice sessions geared toward elevating math instruction, please consider attending the 2-day option in May. Please note that the May 29 & 30 training dates overlap with Project Launch planning days.

Reasoning, Modeling & Topic Assessments 

Looking at CMAS frameworks, Expressing Mathematical Reasoning is 20-22% of the total test points. Modeling and Application is 18% of the total test points. That’s 38-40% of the total test points rooted in multi-step problem solving tasks where students have to apply mathematics, make mathematical arguments, or critique the reasoning of others. The revised Topic Assessments linked in the Unit Plans contain reasoning and problem solving items similar to those on CMAS. Digital forms of these assessments also exist for Grades 3-5 only with CMAS-style questions in a CMAS-style digital environment. Check out how to use Performance Matters for administering these digital assessments.

ELA Updates

Geodes: Decodables Texts Aligned to Fundations

Great news! All elementary schools have at least one set per grade level (K-2) of Geodes decodables. Check out this training video (9:45) to see how you can use Geodes to support your phonics goals while supporting comprehension with the building of background knowledge! 

Geodes are referred to as “decodables”, because they are written by pairing decodable words with recurring academic content words, providing highly accessible texts for all students. Each set of readers in a designated level is designed to reinforce a specific sound-spelling pattern, aligned with Fundations, and each set builds off of one another. The words that are non-decodable words are recurring content words and are surrounded by decodable words to ease the cognitive load and increase accessibility.

Using SchoolAI Spaces to Conduct Research for Writing

SchoolAI Spaces have AI-powered chatbots designed to support student learning. You can design your Space to focus on any topic you want and it has built-in monitoring and controls for the teacher. Students can use the read aloud and voice to text features for accessibility as well as add translation to different languages as needed. Consider how you might use a SchoolAI Space with your students for their next writing task or research for their next PBA. 

Here is an example Space for the 3rd grade PBA to write a news report on a type of weather and the affect is has on people: 

Social Studies Updates

Heritage Months

March is Women’s History Month! Here are some curated resources that you might consider using in your classroom.  

April is Arab American Heritage Month. Below are some resources that you could integrate into your social studies instruction.

Science Updates

SchoolAI is our NEW District AI Tool and is available for all teachers in Classlink. Think of SchoolAI as a teacher aid, an assistant designed to help you accomplish more in your elementary science classroom. Generate lesson plans, brainstorm activities, or ask for actionable student insights. School AI provides indefinite learning experiences to help you engage and connect with students. Learn more about SchoolAI in Science here.

AI in our Science Unit Plans

Both Local Colorado Phenomenon and Local Career Connections have been included in all science unit plans using SchoolAI. Elementary Science Unit Plans

Get Started with Spaces

Spaces are student-centered, AI-powered learning experiences that you create and students interact with. Think of spaces as an extension of yourself as a teacher. They allow each student to get individualized teaching and interactions at their own pace, tailored for their unique needs. Have your students talk to a wolf recently reintroduced to Colorado or a trout raised at Lyons Elementary and released into the St Vrain River. Learn more about spaces and view all District created spaces here.

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