EL Education
Anchor Chart Paper
Central Office is providing 2 sets of chart paper for each teacher. These were ordered and delivered in August. We will monitor if additional sets of chart paper are needed throughout the year.
Assessment Guidance
DIBELS 8, EL Education Benchmark Assessments and Diagnostic Tools:
Required Assessments:
DIBELS 8
EL Education Priority Benchmark Assessments
Tier 1 assessments to place students into phases and microphases for Tier 1 instruction.
Consult pp. 2-3 of the EL Assessment Spiral to see your grade level assessment path.
Diagnostics, as needed:
We will keep the same Tier 2 diagnostics assessments PSD currently has in use.
If a diagnostic is needed for PA or Phonics (as indicated by DIBELS 8 or the EL priority benchmark assessments), educators should use the PAST/K-PAST, Core Phonics survey or 6 Syllable Types.
NOTE: The EL Education phonological awareness assessment and fluency assessment are optional and educators may use them, but they are not required.
Data Spreadsheet:
The Central Office Implementation Team is currently working on a template.
Please do not create your own at this time.
Progress Monitoring/Equitable Data Collection:
Review the documents below for specific information around assessment timelines and progress monitoring.
Elementary MTSS- Equitable Data Collection Practices-5-17-23.docx
Available Google Slides from openupresources.org
These are not PSD created slides, but can be used for module lesson instruction in place of ILC slide decks as they hold the same core content as the ILC module lesson slides in a different format.
Using google slides in place of ILC slides allows:
Co-teachers to share slide decks
Slide deck availability for substitute teachers
Please remember to make a copy and save to your own google drive when accessing.
Better Lesson Connect Courses
Everyone who attended the Launch event has full access to the self-directed resources on the BL Lab and BL Connect, including courses and instructional strategies.
Review p. 2 of this document to see direct links to Course and Strategy content.
1:1 BL Coaching Cohort information-February Cohort
We're excited to offer another cohort of personalized 1:1 virtual coaching sessions with BetterLesson! BL coaches, with an average of a decade of instructional experience, are highly trained and certified to support EL Education in various areas, such as lesson planning, assessment data analysis, cultivating a culture of independent learners, and more.
If you're interested in working with a BetterLesson coach in the November cohort:
Sign up before 2/3 using this link.
On 2/3, you'll receive an email invitation to register for coaching, a crucial step to match you with a coach based on your grade level, subject area, and availability.
Once matched, your new coach will send you a welcome email with a scheduling link for your first 30-minute session. Follow the steps in the email to begin your journey!
You'll have the opportunity to complete four 30-minute coaching sessions over Zoom between November 8th and February 16th, 2024. We recommend meeting with your coach every two weeks to maximize our Try-Measure-Learn coaching process.
If you are already working with a BL Coach and wish to continue with 4 more sessions, please use the same link as above to register for 4 more sessions!
To learn more about BetterLesson Coaching, we encourage you to visit this site and our PSD Elementary Literacy website.
1:1 Coaching with Better Lesson
Each classroom teacher has four 30-minute 1:1 coaching session with Better Lesson coaches customized to your individual needs. Please see the Flyer to register.
Details/talking points about BetterLesson coaches & a one-page overview
BetterLesson coaches who deliver EL Education workshops and coaching have been certified by BetterLesson to support implementing the curriculum. They have worked with administrators and teachers nationwide to implement and are happy to share all learnings from those experiences with PSD teachers. Over half of our BetterLesson coaches have taught for at least 10 years, and a number of them have taught EL Education in their own classrooms.
In addition to a rigorous hiring and selection process, new BL coaches complete a robust onboarding program, including reviewing exemplar coaching video clips and working with a mentor coach for personalized support. Onboarding focuses on developing their coaching mindset and building fluency in BL’s Essential Elements of Student-Centered Teaching and Learning that are the backbone of our coaching process. They must also complete an additional EL Education certification process that takes them through each component of the curriculum as both a teacher and a facilitator.
Classroom Library Guidance
Teachers’ current methods of housing books (book baggies, tubs, bins, etc…) will likely not need to change; however, they may need to reorganize the books to align with a structured literacy program
Create a space for decodables:
EL Education, CKLA Skills, Wonders and Maravillas includes these for every cycle/unit of instruction
Re-organize any high-quality leveled books, either trade books from previously adopted curriculum or guided reading books, into content bins or per module topic to support content knowledge building
Curriculum Materials per Teacher
Required books: The number of required books you will receive will vary based on how the book is used within the curriculum. Please consult this K-5 Required Trade Book Procurement List to see the quantity of each book.
Recommended books: Each teacher will receive one copy of each of the recommended books on the K-5 Recommended Texts List.
Teacher guides and supporting resources for:
Modules (K-5)
ALL Block (3-5)
Skills Block (K-2)
Keyword Cards for 26 letters (vowels and consonants) and 3 digraphs (sh, ch, th)
Labs (K-2)
K-2 Labs will also come with kits of materials to use during the lab block
2 chart paper pads for co-authoring anchor charts with students
DIBELS 8 Alignment to adopted curriculum scope and sequence (Answer from Amplify)
The DIBELS 8th Edition is a normed assessment that is used to determine literacy risk. Benchmark goals and cut-points for risk were determined using real student data from students in every region of the United States. The Authors of DIBELS have included an explanation and details about the use of r-controlled vowels in the assessment as well as information on how to score those words in both the Phoneme Segmentation Fluency (PSF) and Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) measures. This information can be found on pages 46-48 of the DIBELS 8th Edition Administration and Scoring Guide. Examples for scoring r-controlled vowels for PSF can be found on page 63 and NWF on page 72.
A PSF example: A student's score would be the same whether they segment the word “car” with a response of “c…uh…r” or if the student says “c…ar.”
Another important point is that students are not expected to know all the items or words on each form. The NWF forms start with easier items so most students can demonstrate their knowledge. On a screening assessment it is important that there are easy, medium and hard items so the results more accurately identify students who are at-risk and on-track.
DIBELS 8 Materials
Due to budget restrictions, DIBELS 8 assessment kits were ordered for only classroom teachers. Each grade level K - 3 received one kit per teacher. Grades 4 & 5 received one kit per grade level. Kits were not ordered for interventionists, Integrated Services or ELD. What some schools are doing is leaving the Benchmark materials with the classroom teacher and taking the progress monitoring materials to use with IS, Interventionist and ELD. Other schools are downloading the materials and creating their own binders. Still other schools are using their own budget to order additional kits.
Decodable Readers in K-2 Skills Block
Are the decodable readers consumable? Can we assign them to students or do they have to find them online if we do the digital form?
Decodable readers are consumable and will be replenished each year.
Decodables can also be found in both PDF and digital formats on the ILC: https://poudresd.ilclassroom.com/resources/323102-decodable-student-readers/?path=Wiki.11108073/Wiki.614377/Wiki.313560/Wiki.328398/Wiki.317821
Would there be any way for educators to order decodables for other grade levels?
Central Office supports the acquisition of off grade-level decodable readers. School Office Managers will need to submit requests to Dave Lawrence in textbooks.
De-implementation of Materials
Directions for returning/recycling de-implemented materials from our de-implementation list
Soft-covered materials can be recycled at your school site
Hard-covered materials should be returned to Dave Lawrence at the Warehouse
Office managers need to schedule a pickup time
Bar-coding on the materials does not matter: Follow the above directions for soft or hard cover.
You can give any materials you wish to students to take home.
Boxes will be provided by Central Office.
Questions can be directed to Dave Lawrence at the Warehouse (dlawrence@psdschools.org)
Differentiation Packs on the ILC
With use of the ILC digital content, Grade Level Differentiation Packs are not needed (and not included on the ILC site) because educators can access all K-5 grade level content. Click here to read full details.
EL Education information for School Websites
What information could we link to our school website Learning Pages to reflect the new literacy curriculum?
Here is a link on the ILC HELP page that explains how to share ILC resources and suggestions for what to share with families.
Schools might also want to consider linking videos giving an overview of EL Education
This video overviews the EL Education K-8 Language Arts curriculum, which was written for teachers by teachers. It is fundamentally different from most published curricula. It was created to support students to build skills and content knowledge, to meet college-and career-ready standards, and, at the same time, to become more confident and collaborative learners. It was also created to help teachers develop stronger practice. (Found on this site with other videos that might be informational).
This video (scroll to bottom of the page) specifically addresses Imagine Learning’s partnership with EL Education and digital capabilities we have with the ILC for teachers, students and families.
ILC Tip: HELP button
When you have a question about the Imagine Learning Classroom (ilc), you can start by utilizing the HELP button at the top left of your ilc screen when you are logged in through Clever.
Choose the appropriate guide: For Teachers
Select from the numerous options to answer your questions
How to Copy, Edit & Customizing Lesson Slides in the ILC
View this document for direction to copy, edit and customize lesson slides in the ILC.
How to Co-author lesson slides with a Co-teacher on the ILC
View this document for direction to copy, edit and customize lesson slides in the ILC.
8/14 Imagine Learning Classroom Training
Recordings of Getting Started with Imagine Learning EL Education in the Imagine Learning Classroom trainings from Monday 8/14 are available.
K-2 Session Passcode: #Y3+hHxs
3-5 Session Passcode: 9mEQGQ$=
Imagine Learning vs. EL Education
Imagine Learning is the company that bought the rights to use EL Education curricular materials and to pair it with a digital platform. The digital platform will:
make teacher planning more manageable
provide digital access for students for interacting with the curriculum materials
integrate with Google Classroom, which many PSD teachers are familiar with
EL Education is the publisher who designed the curricular materials.
This curriculum was designed by teachers, for teachers.
These materials are open resource materials that are available to review and download at eleducation.org to anyone.
PSD teachers will NOT be downloading their own materials. The district is purchasing, from Imagine Learning, all the required and recommended materials teachers will need to implement the program. However, anyone who wants to preview their grade level materials prior to receiving hard copies can use the website: eleducation.org.
Interactive Word Wall in Modules
What is a word wall? Do you have an example?
Word walls are an instructional tool that teachers can create in their classroom to include vocabulary words from the Module lessons and can include images of the module vocabulary words to support all learners and are necessary for multilingual learners (MLs).
Examples and Videos:
Can I use previous materials for K-2 independent student rotation work?
For all K-5 Tier 1 teacher-led instruction and content (whole and small group): Follow the scope and sequence, content and practices of adopted Tier 1 curriculum without alterations or modifications.
For K-2 Independent Word Work time in the Skills Block: EL Education K-2 Skills Resource Manual p.10, also found in p. 231 in the Curriculum Companion
If outside materials are used [stated only for K-2 Independent Student Work, NOT K-5 teacher led instruction, other K-2 independent stations or 3-5 ALL Block], the teacher should still choose activities or materials that include letter, sounds, or spelling patterns that a particular group needs to practice ; it is essential that students have as much time as possible working with these patterns in order to develop automaticity.
This EL statement (scroll to Word Work) was written for teachers who come from a balanced literacy background and needed support in understanding that independent station work should match small group learning targets or skills that students were engaged in rather than cute or fun games to play.
Can I use previous materials for K-5 Tier 1 teacher-led instruction (whole group or small group)?
No.
PSD K-2 Skills Block Cycle Plans
Utilize this document to see printable materials and videos for the K-2 Skills Block all in one place!
K-2 Skills Block Cycle Planners
Does the Skills Block manual have all of the resources educators need for a skills block lesson?
Please see Cycle Planners in the ilc which are available within each Cycle and support teacher-planning.
Example: You can search for Cycle Planners in the ilc by typing in: “Grade 1, Module 1, Cycle 1 Planner”
The Resources are in each lesson under the Differentiated Small Group Recommendations
You can also go to this link to access all the Cycle Planners in one place to select the one you need.
Inventory List of EL Education Materials
Click this link to view the inventory list of materials each school should receive.
Labeling Trade Books in each classroom
Lorrie Maggio-Huber, Curriculum Facilitator-Elementary Media Specialist, enlisted the help of media specialists and shared this plan (additional questions can be directed to her):
Option #1 Stamping all titles
All titles should be stamped similar to the way we stamp our library books and should indicate property of your school. I ordered these self-inking ones from Amazon and they arrived quickly. Our Media ones do say Media, so this may not be ideal.
Option #2 Spine labels
Borrow the template here (thank you to Janet Mann from Olander for this template) or create your own. If you need support with supplies, let us know and central office may be able to help.
Materials to use for Module Lessons Spreadsheet
Utilize this Module Lessons Materials Spreadsheet to see materials needed for each module lesson. It details how PSD has provided resources and where they are located.
Most materials needed for Module lessons, K-2, are found in your grade level Lab Kits. We are not implementing Labs this year; however, please use the materials from your Lab Kit in your module lesson. By design, teachers model and use materials in Module lessons that will later be placed in Lab rotations. Central Office will replenish consumable materials each year.
Missing Materials/Surplus of Materials
Work with your office managers who are in contact with Dave Lawrence at the Warehouse. There is a system in place to redistribute materials as needed.
Does it matter if the Module Block comes after the ALL Block in grades 3-5 schedules?
It is ideal if the Module Block precedes the ALL Block in grade level daily schedules. If your schedule would not allow, there is a work around:
Teachers can teach the Module lesson on Monday and the matching ALL Block lesson on Tuesday etc…
If using this work around, teachers will need to be intentional about connecting back to the module lesson the day before.
Organizing teacher planning
What's the best way to organize myself?
There are many resources that can support with this organization. For planning for Modules, the Unit-at-a-Glance for each Unit provides a high-level overview of what is covered and what is needed.
You can also utilize this Module Lessons Materials Spreadsheet to see materials needed for each module lesson. It details how PSD has provided resources and where they are located.
For Skills Block, the Cycle Planners are best for planning. They provide specific ideas for rotations and provide direct links to resources.
You can also utilize this document to see printable materials and videos for the K-2 Skills Block all in one place!
PSD Phonological Awareness Hand Motions Guidance
Whenever possible, use PSD Units of Language-Hand Motions for phonological awareness instruction and activities.
Placing students into microphases when spelling and decoding scores do not align
How to place students in their microphase when spelling and decoding come up in 2 different microphases?
There is guidance on the ILC here under the FAQ section. See also below.
Sound Wall Guidance
At this time, Imagine Learning EL Educations, Amplify CKLA, Wonders and Maravillas do not provide sound wall materials. PSD is in communication around this need with publishers. For EL Education only, teachers who received the K-2 Skills Block teacher kit received Keyword Cards for 26 letters (vowels and consonants) and 3 digraphs (sh, ch, th).
As a system, we have agreed to use our adopted literacy curricula in Tier 1 with integrity. If you find your students need visual support for articulation and you use EL Education, please use the Articulatory Gestures Chart provided on the ilc in your teaching notes. You could also use existing sound wall materials if they align and support the instruction of your adopted curriculum’s scope and sequence with integrity. It would not be appropriate to replace Tier 1 instruction from your adopted curriculum, in whole group or small group lessons, with instruction from your sound wall materials.
Student-Friendly Writing Checklists
Student-friendly checklists are often referred to as "tracking progress" forms. They are embedded throughout materials for students to assess their writing, and they appear in different lessons depending on the content of the skills students are learning.
For example, Tracking Progress: Narrative Writing
For grades 3-5, what is the option for text to speech on assessments?
Please see these directions on the ILC: https://ilclassroom.com/wikis/1997428-text-to-speech-browser-extensions-options?path=Wiki.1783053/Wiki.1783046
Vocabulary Toolkit
Are there particular words we should focus on (such as the words in bold) or do we teach all of them?
When teaching vocabulary, it is suggested that teachers use strategies that meet the needs of their students. The curriculum groups vocabulary into different categories. Depending on the grade level, the groups of vocabulary words are taught explicitly or through targeted supports. The vocabulary toolkits are additional independent practice supports. The bolded words are categorized as "domain-specific" vocabulary words.
Watercolors for 3rd-5th Grade Teachers
During the week of 9/11-9/15, all 3rd-5th grade teachers will be receiving 5 sets of watercolors per teacher and a class set of paintbrushes so that teachers have the painting materials required for The Painted Essay® in grade level module lessons.
Writing in EL Education
The focus on writing with evidence, which aligns to a component of a knowledge-based curriculum (evidence-based tasks), represents a shift in writing instruction. Lessons are sequenced across three units to ensure students gather evidence on a compelling topic, analyzing and synthesizing the content, then presenting what they have learned in writing, to answer a compelling question or serve a meaningful purpose. The modules are designed to strategically scaffold this work and explicitly teach the three official types of writing found in the CCSS (W.1 argument writing, W.2 informative/explanatory writing, W.3 narrative writing). -Your Curriculum Companion Chapter 6A, (https://eleducation.org/news/curriculum-q-a-blog-question-35)
Writing in Skills Block vs Module Block
In the Skills Block, students practice how to write. This builds students’ ease with the skills and habits needed to generate ideas on paper (what they would do in the Module Block)— everything from letter formation to spacing to knowing how to begin a sentence and continue a thought.
Standards Alignment on the ILC
For ELA/Literacy standards alignment, there is not a document recreated for PSD. The Common Core (CC) standards are present on the ILC in multiple areas for educators to access as well as in the print materials.
The quickest way to find them in the ILC is to first go to K-8 Curriculum Maps.
Once you click on your desired grade level, scroll down to Standards Map (Kinder Example).
Or you could click on the Kindergarten Standards Alignment link to see by module, skill or lab lesson.
For Science and Social Studies standards, this document was created during the review phase as a starting point. It is in DRAFT form. Science DCT also has a draft document linked to their website here.
Adopting vs. Adapting: Integrity and Professional Judgment
Please read this document for more information.
EL Education Digital Trade Books
Click here to view EL Education required trade books digitally. Some titles also include a read aloud.
Supporting Students with Visual Impairments
All print materials can be ordered in braille and large print and are available in the NIMAC (National Instructional Materials Access Center) repository. The best next step is for the district to contact their NIMAC state coordinator. Here is the contact list state by https://aem.cast.org/nimas-nimac/nimac-state-coordinators
Flex Time in EL Blocks K-2
K-2 Blocks:
Modules: All modules are 8-9 weeks in length, except for Module 1 which is 6 weeks giving teachers time to get classroom routines and culture in place.
Labs: Labs start a week after the module lessons begin and end a week before the module lessons end, lasting six weeks.
Skills Block: The K-2 Skills Block is divided into four eight-week-long modules. Every eight-week module includes a flex week of five days. These days can be used at the teacher’s discretion at any time throughout the cycle for reteaching or making up for a short school week.
Flex Time in EL Blocks 3-5
3-5 Blocks
Modules: All modules are 8-9 weeks in length.
ALL (Additional Language and Literacy) Block: There are six weeks of ALL Block lessons per module. Each ALL Block unit is a two-week rotation that supports flexible pacing. Teachers can extend or add ALL Block lessons based on the needs of their students.
