A Compilation of Resources (PDF linked here)

This list of resources can be utilized as you plan both academic instruction and opportunities for social-emotional learning for the 2022-2023 school year. Some are designed for individual use while others are best suited during engagement with grade-level bands or whole faculties. All of these resources have been provided to specifically help with professional development days prior to the start of the school year.

Educator Book & Podcast Recommendations (PDF linked here)

If you are looking for new insight into improving your craft and vocation, we invite you to check out some recommendations made by your ADLA colleagues. Happy reading and listening!

Looking Back and Planning Ahead - Part 2 (PDF linked here)

As the 2021-2022 school year comes to a close, this resource is the second of two designed to connect this year’s teaching and learning to planning for 2022-2023. The previous resource (click here for PDF of Resource 1 if needed) was a guide to reflecting on which essential skills were left unfinished during this academic year and how that will inform teacher planning and student learning in the upcoming year. This week’s resource builds on that reflection by using Star data to gain additional insight about student learning. Additionally, this resource will assist teachers in identifying how any unfinished learning from this year can be connected to instruction for their incoming students during the 2022-2023 school year.

Looking Back and Planning Ahead - Part 1 (PDF linked here)

As the 2021-2022 school year comes to a close, this resource is the first of two designed to connect this year’s teaching and learning to planning for 2022-2023. The purpose of part 1 of this resource is to guide a reflection on which essential skills were left unfinished during this academic year and how that will inform teacher planning and student learning in the upcoming year. Your faculty may have engaged in this process last year, but it is important to revisit the process at the end of each academic year.

Curriculum Mapping (PDF linked here)

The purpose of this week’s resource is to overview the curriculum mapping process. As the school year comes to a close, faculty are reflecting on the year and planning for the next school year. As a cyclical process, curriculum mapping helps us to better structure and pace the curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Holy Week Resources for the Classroom (PDF linked here)

As we approach Holy Week, this resource is intended to provide some activities that can be incorporated into Religion classes in the coming days before the Easter break. Some are geared specifically towards either the lower or upper grades, while others have options for various grade levels.

Teacher Resource: Student Discourse (PDF linked here)

This resource is another in a series that responds to the need to strengthen math skills due to the pandemic and the unfinished learning that it created. Here you will find an overview of scaffolding strategies that will promote mathematical discourse between students.

Teacher Resource: Productive Struggle, Scaffolding, & Questioning (PDF linked here)

Many school communities are noticing the need to strengthen mathematical skills across the grade levels as a result of the pandemic and the unfinished learning that it created. Previously published resources were designed to provide an overview of math fluency, as well as specific strategies and routines that can be used during instruction to improve both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. This resource was created to deepen teachers’ understanding of how to use questioning to allow for product struggle and to provide just-in-time scaffolds.

Addressing the Conflict in Ukraine in the Classroom (PDF linked here)

In light of the recent events in Ukraine, we have put together a resource to support teachers in addressing these events in the classroom. Without delving into the politics or violence of the conflict, educators can address the situation and provide students with the basic facts to comprehend it and, more importantly, provide a safe space to ask questions and process information. Furthermore, as Catholics we are called to educate ourselves and others about the crisis so that we may offer up prayers for peace and order.

Mini Lenten Retreat for Faculties (PDF linked here)

The purpose of this resource is to facilitate an intentional time of meditation, reflection and discussion for faculties before or on Ash Wednesday on March 2nd. Through participating in the provided activities and exercises, teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to identify what it is they individually need to do during this Lenten season in order to grow closer to God. Facilitation suggestions for adapting this retreat resource (or sections of it) for use in your classroom with your students who are in Grade 2 or above are also included.

Teacher Resource: Mathematically Productive Instructional (PDF linked here)

As a result of the ongoing pandemic and the unfinished learning that it has created, many school communities are noticing the need to strengthen mathematical skills across the grade levels. During January, two resources were published that provided fluency information, routines, and strategies. This week’s resource is designed to provide additional routines that will improve mathematical fluency across grade levels.

Teacher Resource: Creating Asynchronous Playlists (PDF linked here)

As public health conditions continue to evolve, staffing has been impacted. This resource (previously shared January 2021) can be used to develop a pre-planned, free-standing asynchronous playlist. Asynchronous playlists can assist in providing continued learning opportunities for students either on or off-campus.

Teacher Resource: Number Talks (PDF linked here)

Many school communities are noticing the need to strengthen mathematical skills across the grade levels as a result of the pandemic and the unfinished learning that it created. The previous resource was designed to give an overview of math fluency, namely conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. This week’s resource was created to provide an overview of a specific strategy that can be used in all classrooms, Number Talks.

Teacher Resource: Overview to Math Fluency (PDF linked here)

As a result of the pandemic and the unfinished learning that it created, many school communities are noticing the need for strengthening mathematical skills across the grade levels. This resource was designed to provide an overview to the basic concepts that comprise math fluency, namely conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Forthcoming resources in January will provide information about specific strategies that can be used to build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding.

Mini Advent Retreat for Faculties: How Will We Prepare for the Birth of Our Savior? (PDF linked here)

The purpose of this resource is to facilitate an intentional time of meditation, reflection and discussion for faculties at the onset of the Advent season. Through participation in the provided activities, teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to welcome an Advent season just as our Blessed Mother did: with intentional, prayerful preparations that will leave participants not only excited about, but completely receptive to the idea of Christ being born into and fully present in our lives. This retreat or portions of this retreat can be used with intermediate and middle school students or with school families.

Faculty Resource: Catholic Identity Standards (PDF linked here)

As part of the WCEA accreditation process, faculty and staff engage in an ongoing review of the school’s Catholic Identity standards. Annually, two standards are chosen as a focus. By June, the faculty and staff will participate in a formal evaluation and goal setting process for these two standards and record all findings in the WCEA Annual Report of Progress (WARP). The purpose of this resource is to simply bring awareness to the Catholic Identity Standards for the 2021-2022 school year: Catechist Certification (#4) and Evangelization (#8).

Kindness & Empathy: Social -Emotional Learning Resources for Students (PDF linked here)

As the last 18 months left many students in isolation with few opportunities to interact with their peers, many of them are in need of support around social-emotional learning. This resource includes activities that can be used with your students this month and throughout the year so that a culture of kindness, empathy, respect and inclusion permeates classrooms and the entire school community.

A Mini Retreat for Faculties: Praying with the Saints (PDF linked here)

The purpose of this resource is to facilitate an intentional time of mediation, reflection and discussion for faculties before or on All Saints’ Day on November 1st. Through participating in the provided activities and exercises, teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to connect with a chosen saint, as well as one another, in honor of this special day in our Church.

To support classroom instruction, this retreat resource (or sections of it) can be adapted for use in your classroom with your students. In addition, the ADLA religion standards related to saints are included along with some possible resources.

Faculty Agenda: A Reflection on Grading Practices (PDF linked here)

In the coming weeks, progress reports, report cards, and/or parent-teacher conferences will be occurring. As we challenge ourselves to create a more equitable educational experience for all of our students, this resource is designed to help faculties and administrations consider how they approach grading and how any modifications or changes can be made to better support and communicate student learning in the future.

Faculty Resource: Building Community Amongst Your Students (PDF linked here)

As school campuses reopen, students are returning to a semblance of normalcy that may not have been experienced in over a year. This resource was created to provide ways to build community, foster relationships, and strengthen connections between classmates so that the social-emotional well-being of our students remains a priority.

Recommendations for a Temporary Remote Learning Plan (PDF linked here)

In order to promote the health of the entire community, it is important that students and families have confidence that learning will not be negatively impacted by the need to quarantine. This means having a clear plan for support during their time at home that is designed to ensure that students maintain adequate progress in their learning and provide support for their well-being during their time in quarantine. This resource includes a sample temporary remote learning plan, suggestions for next steps, and links to previously-created resources that may be of assistance during this time.