English Language Arts
January 2026
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Good luck as you start the new year! I hope you, your family, your students, and your friends all stay healthy. And your stash of clorox wipes stay plentiful!
A New Year. A New Semester.
A New Year. A New Semester.
Welcome Back! As January begins, I hope you are reunited with the excited faces of students returning to your classrooms and that everyone is ready to launch into the new year together. We hope this ELA newsletter provides you with fresh strategies and instructional ideas, along with guidance on using KAP interim and mini assessment data to inform and drive instruction. As a quick reminder, there is still time to register for our text-based learning online opportunity centered on Tim Shanahan’s new book, Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives, beginning January 26. Be sure to click the link below to sign up and join the conversation. Additionally, check out the "Spotlight on Diverse Books" in our Reading page a special edition dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.
Mary Lonker
Join Our ELA Team!
Join Our ELA Team!
Our KSDE ELA team Is looking for additional Field Educators to join our team to help develop documents and professional development aligned with the Four Fundamentals to help educators across the state. If you are Interested In being part of the KSDE ELA team, please fill out the attached Google form.
The Value of Interims
The Value of Interims
The interim test helps...
Teachers to see how students are progressing on standards.
Teachers to identify areas of strength and areas that may need further instruction.
Build student ownership of the test and develop awareness.
Interims also help identify students ability to read complex text.
Interim 1 has slight to moderate complex text on passages.
Interim 2 has moderate to complex text on passages.
Interim 2 aligns with the state assessment text complexity.
The Interims questions are
Aligned to the ELA standards
Mimic the KAP Summative assessment.
You Still Have Time!
You Still Have Time!
The Interim test window: January 12 - February 6.
And, it can be taken during a 45-60 minute session.
Useful Links:
Click HERE for a FAQ Sheet discussing the value of giving the KAP Interim and Mini Tests.
Please Note: Books are no longer provided by KSDE. However, you can order yours through Amazon or your favorite book purchasing site.
Don't Miss Out - Join Us Online!
Don't Miss Out - Join Us Online!
The ELA team will be partnering with Dr. Laurie Curtis and the Early Literacy team to offer a text-based learning opportunity with Tim Shanahan's new book: Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives...
When: 2nd Semester through Zoom! Every Monday for 7 weeks
Starting Monday, January 26 and until March 9th
From 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Who: Everyone!
Teachers, coaches, administrators, or anyone who works with students of all ages
Why: To help students learn how to navigate and tackle complex text.
Earn PDC points to submit to your district
How: Click on the registration link! Registration is open until Monday, January 12th
Once registration is closed, you will recieve a confirmation email, a zoom link, and an outline for each date.
HELP SPREAD THE NEWS! Make sure you and your colleagues are signed up to receive the ELA newsletter with updated information, professional development opportunities, and guidance documents each month. Click the link HERE to join our KSDE ELA Listserve.
And did you know? We can come to you and your school! KSDE offers free professional learning to support educators across all school systems in Kansas. This professional learning provides valuable resources, in-person and virtual training, and development opportunities to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes. Click the link HERE to request professional development offered by the KSDE Program Managers.
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