For the Love of Books

As I am reading Tim Shanahan’s newest book, Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives, I’ve been reminded of a powerful and hopeful message: all students—regardless of their current reading level—deserve access to rich, complex, grade-level texts. Shanahan emphasizes that this access is essential for educational equity. Ironically, this idea echoes the timeless wisdom of Dr. Seuss. When we ensure that students are engaging with grade-level text, we are opening doors. But knowing this, and making it happen in daily instruction, can feel like two very different things. Teaching students to navigate challenging texts takes intentional planning, thoughtful support, and a toolkit of effective strategies. With that in mind, in this month’s reading and writing sections, I’ve gathered a variety of practical, research-based strategies designed to help students successfully read complex texts—and write thoughtfully about them. My hope is to continue sharing tools that are both meaningful and manageable for everyday classroom use.

As a reminder, please explore all the tabs above, as each section is updated monthly with new strategies, book guides, and instructional resources.

As we move through what can often be the most demanding months of the school year, let’s keep one powerful goal at the center of our work: helping every student learn to love reading. When we do, there truly is no limit to the doors they can open and the places they’ll go.

Mary Lonker

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.

Helping Prepare for the ELA Assessment Test

As the ELA summative assessment window grows closer, there are a few ways to help prepare your students. Below are some simple reminders and tips to help familarize students with the KITE student portal and the ELA questions. And, a simple reminder that the test does not have to be completed in one sitting. If a student needs additional time to complete their test, they can always use the SAVE button and come back to the test the next day.

KITE Practice Tests

Did you know KITE developed Practice Tests for students! These "tests" are built simply to help students learn how to use and navigate the embedded tools and to answer the different types of questions on the ELA summative test. Most practice tests will include instructions above each type of question explaining how to answer that question type. It also helps students encounter the more technology enhanced items that may ask students to categorize, label, match, order, etc. Practice tests help students understand and navigate the questions before the summative exam. Click HERE to access the Kite Practice Test Guide.

Student Tools

The Kite Student Portal includes several embedded tools that students can use while taking an assessment. Tools are accessed from the toolbox pop out by selecting the arrow icon in the left margin of the screen. Remind your students these tools are available to use as they take the test, such as the use of a highlighter, the search feature, a strikeout feature, or flags to mark questions for review. Utilize the practice tests and allow students to become familiar with these tools before the summative exam. Click HERE to access the Accessiblity Manual for a detailed descripton and explanation on each tool.

Instructional Mini Test

Don't forget about the value of a mini-test! Instructional Mini Tests are designed to be used frequently during instruction throughout the school year to provide feedback to help students, evaluate students’ learning, and aid teachers in adjusting instruction. They mirror the high-stakes summative assessment items that students see in late spring. New mini tests and questions are continually being developed and added to the KITE portal each month! Please note, these are new and developed specifically for teachers to use to guide instruction. These questions are not repurposed from "old assessments." Click HERE to access a quick instructional video for building practical mini tests.

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.

We will be accepting applications until the end of March. If you have already submitted a form, you do not need to submit another.

Thank You!

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