Resources
Resources
Embedded Files
The resources shared are intended for you to use as you think through your instructional planning and are not necessarily intended to be used directly with students. Always check your district policies prior to sharing resources with your students.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the end of the school year can feel pressured by testing and transitions. It is easy to treat well-being as something to get to “when things slow down.” Research consistently shows that students who feel emotionally safe and regulated are better positioned to learn and retain information. Attending to well-being this month (and throughout the year) is attending to outcomes.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the end of the school year can feel pressured by testing and transitions. It is easy to treat well-being as something to get to “when things slow down.” Research consistently shows that students who feel emotionally safe and regulated are better positioned to learn and retain information. Attending to well-being this month (and throughout the year) is attending to outcomes.
This month, we are highlighting resources that support the whole learner. From restorative practices that strengthen executive function skills, to scaffolds for supporting English Language Learners’ emotional wellness, to practical focus tools students can use right now, there is something that you can put to work this week. Take a look below!
May has tons of things to celebrate! From May Day on the first to the traditional kickoff of the summer beach season on Memorial Day weekend, this month always offers plenty to celebrate.
Each May, we recognize the contributions of people of Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage, as well as Jewish American Heritage Month. May also includes Teacher Appreciation Week (starting on May 5 this year), celebrating educators for all the hard work they do helping turn today’s students into tomorrow’s outstanding citizens and leaders. And finally, May is Military Appreciation Month, recognizing the contributions of our armed services in keeping us safe and, on Memorial Day, remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
The resources below will help you and your students find some exciting ways to celebrate the May holidays!
Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources
CommonSense.org: Free Learning Resources to Celebrate Asian American Heritage
Learning for Justice: Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
Library of Congress: Asian/Pacific Heritage Month for Teachers
United Federation of Teachers: Asian American and Pacific Islander Teaching Resources
Test Taking Strategies
Test Taking Strategies
Test anxiety is real, but we can support our learners lessen the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed through various strategies.
Grouping
Grouping
Read this brief article to learn more about flexible grouping. Then, explore the example below for different ways you can group students in middle school.
What Flexible Grouping Looks Like in Middle School.pdfSmall Group Mini Lesson
When teachers meet students where they are, big learning happens. Small-group mini-lessons create space for personalized, just-in-time learning — ensuring every student gets what they need, when they need it. Use our Small-Group Mini-Lesson Tool to reflect on how you currently use small-group mini-lessons.
SAL Period
SAL Period
Tools for Differentiation
Tools for Differentiation
Totally 10
Click on the resource below for information and a template you can use.
Totally 10 Template .pdfDifferentiated Activity List
You can review examples of the activity list by clicking the links below. You will need your building's MyQPortal credentials to access it:
Scaffold for Learning
Scaffold for Learning
The Scaffold for Learning is a useful structure for brainstorming various ways students learn the skills and content associated with the unit. Click on the image to access the tool. You will need your log in information for MyQ Portal.
Supporting English Language Learners
Supporting English Language Learners
Read this blog post to learn about IDE's 7 essential elements to support English Language Learners.
Social Engagement and ELLS
Review this resource to learn more about different strategies to support English Language Learners to engage with peers.
In addition, explore the following resources for social engagement. Click on the images to see the full resource. You will need your building's MyQPortal credentials to access it. ➡️
Sentence Stems for Communication and Interaction.pdfSentence Stems and Frames- ELLs.pdfExplicit Language Instruction and ELLs
ELLs need direct, explicit instruction to understand the English format. Though English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers often provide this instruction, all teachers can support students in developing their language skills. Review this resource to learn more.
In addition, explore the following resources for facilitation. Click on the images to see the full resource. You will need your building's MyQPortal credentials to access it. ➡️
Facilitation and ELLs
As students engage in the learning process, the teacher shifts to a masterful facilitator of learning. Review this resource to learn more.
In addition, explore the following resources for facilitation. Click on the images to see the full resource. You will need your building's MyQPortal credentials to access it. ➡️
Executive Function
Executive Function
Project vs. Problem-Based Learning
Project vs. Problem-Based Learning
Most teachers are used to project-based learning, and what if you could "level up" that unit and make it problem-based? What is the difference? See the chart below that explains the difference between the two, then read the examples that show the difference between what a project would sound like vs. what a problem-based unit would sound like.
Most teachers are used to project-based learning, and what if you could "level up" that unit and make it problem-based? What is the difference? See the chart below that explains the difference between the two, then read the examples that show the difference between what a project would sound like vs. what a problem-based unit would sound like.
Notice that, in the problem-based examples, the unit begins with an actual problem for students to solve. That opens the door for rigor and critical thinking, and forces students to go beyond memorization and instead move to application of content knowledge and skills. That definitely is a "level up"! Use one or more of the tools below to help you think of problem-based learning units for your class.
Notice that, in the problem-based examples, the unit begins with an actual problem for students to solve. That opens the door for rigor and critical thinking, and forces students to go beyond memorization and instead move to application of content knowledge and skills. That definitely is a "level up"! Use one or more of the tools below to help you think of problem-based learning units for your class.
Try this tool if you’re thinking of a problem by beginning with your unit standards/skills. Click on the image to see the full resource. You will need your building's MyQPortal credentials to access it. ⬇️
Try this tool if you’re trying to “level up” a
project idea you currently have to a problem-based one. You will need to sign in to your WPCSD account. ⬇️
Starting the School Year Off Strong!
Starting the School Year Off Strong!
Creating a Partnership with Parents
Creating a Partnership with Parents
It is equally important to consider parents/caregivers as partners in the educational experience; after all, schools are providing a service to their most precious accomplishment! From the start of the year, you want to leverage this important resource by building relationships not only with students, but also with their parents/caregivers.
*You will need to log in with your building's MyQPortal credentials to access the materials; if you do not know your login, you can reach out to your consultant.*
*You will need to log in with your building's MyQPortal credentials to access the materials; if you do not know your login, you can reach out to your consultant.*
Use Creating a Partnership with Parents/Caregivers to help guide your thinking on creating a partnership with them.
See some sample surveys below that you can send to parents/caregivers to learn more about their child:
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