Toms River Regional Schools Elementary Curriculum Newsletter

A glimpse at what’s happening in our schools…. Spring 2019

By:Courtney Norcross, Supervisor of Instruction

Our students have been exploring

fiction and non-fiction texts in all grade levels! During the winter months students could be found curled up reading various texts and making connections to important events in history. Third grade students read informational texts highlighting the lives of Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth while fifth graders had an opportunity to complete a book study of Number the Stars and participate in various activities related to the text. Students continue to build background knowledge and make connections to the texts as they read.

It is important to continue encouraging reading at home, especially as the warmer weather approaches. We are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to do some reading and book scavenger hunts outside. Visit: https://childhood101.com/outdoor-literacy-ideas/ for some great ideas! 

By Rachel Cicala, Supervisor of Instruction

Beginning May 6th, fifth graders will

be taking the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment for Science (NJSLA-S). This is the second year of a transition period for this new, computer based assessment (previously, the NJASK Science Test was administered in grade 4). NJSLA-S will use more complex assessment items and tasks to measure student proficiency of the science standards, while targeting their three-dimensional nature. The NJSLA assessment results will offer only one piece of evidence about student learning; in conjunction with students’ daily interactions with teachers and classmates and their performance on other assessments, this source will help provide a clear and well-rounded picture of student achievement. ___________________________________

By:Tiffany Lucey, Supervisor of Educational Technology

In celebration of Earth Day, during the month of April, all students will be participating in the Wyland Mayors Water Challenge. Students will complete a pledge to make changes in their daily lives to improve the world around them. By interpreting data students will be able to see the impact of their behavior on the habitats around them. To learn more visit this link: www.mywaterpledge.com

 By James Klass, Supervisor of Instruction

District PE Teachers Focus Their Learning on Adapted Instruction This winter, elementary Physical Education teachers had the opportunity to come together to learn about, share practices, and create resources related to Adapted Physical Education [APE]. APE is physical education instruction that has been adapted or modified to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Danielle Baxter, Physical Education and Health teacher-leader at Beachwood Elementary, began the day presenting an overview of APE and shared strategies to create an environment that is inclusive of all students. Teachers learned about the importance of recognizing students’ individual sensory needs, helping them feel successful, and creating predictable routines for learners.

Teachers spent the remainder of their day collaborating to create tools that could be taken back to their home schools and implemented immediately. For example, warm up visuals were created for students to reference as they prepare for class. The goal of the activity was to provide visual learners or students with a hearing impairment clear examples of what is expected of them during class. Task trackers were also designed to track students’ completion of an agreed upon goal. It was an overwhelmingly productive and positive day!

Toms River Schools Elementary Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 1

Math in Our Schools 

By: Dina O’Donnell, Supervisor of Instruction

Year 1 of our new elementary mathematics program implementation is in full swing! Evidence of Ready Math and iReady can be seen in nearly every corner of our schools. From the rich mathematical discourse that can be heard in classrooms throughout the district, to the visible work students are doing to learn strategies to use in problem-solving, math is all around us! Teamwork is abundant!

Teachers have reported improvements in students' ability to reason and model, and our mid-year assessments show growth that is well above the national average. The component of the program that provides both intervention and enrichment support, iReady, has been the source of a lot of student excitement! Students in all schools are offered opportunities to participate in incentive activities within their classes or schools.

Teachers throughout the district took part in professional training opportunities this school year, starting in the summer of 2018. The workshops focused on strategies to facilitate rich discourse and use student assessment data to drive instruction.

All elementary schools have offered parent information sessions to provide parents with an overview of Ready Math; all were well attended. Thank you to all who came!

If you want to learn more about the progression of the mathematical standards, check out these highly recommended videos by Graham Fletchy. 

By: Catherine Mellon, Supervisor of Instruction

Congratulations to all of the students

whose artwork was exhibited at the Youth Art Month Show hosted by TRRS and Toms River Ocean County Library.

An artist’s reception was held on March 11 and the work remained displayed throughout the month of March. It was an outstanding collection of student and teacher work! Thank you to all who made this event possible!

Hard work pays off!

Congratulations to all of the students chosen to be a part of the Elementary Honor String Ensemble and the Elementary Honor Band Ensemble. Students will be performing with peers from around the county later this Spring. Well Done!

Bravo! to the Toms River Regional

Schools choral students who participated in the South Jersey Choral Directors Elementary Festival on March 2. A wonderful performance enjoyed by all who attended.

Finally, best of luck to all of TRRS musicians in their spring concerts. We can’t wait to be inspired!

Special Programs: Gifted & Talented 

Education in Grades 4 & 5 by: Shannon Brown, Supervisor of Instruction 

Our fourth and fifth grade General

Omni students have been invited to “imagine tomorrow” this school year. They started the year by exploring World’s Fairs to discover the events and inventions of yesterday that propelled global innovation. As they discover the technology of the past, they have been invited to determine its impact on the technology of today.

1964 World’s Fair New York City

Students have engaged in hands-on engineering activities to learn about the science of magnetism, electricity, illusions using light and mirrors, energy, motions and forces, and the use of music to impact mood. Our students had the opportunity to learn about the visionaires that have changed and continue to change the world as we know it. As a culminating activity, each of the students will participate in a self-directed learning project using what they learned throughout the school year to envision and create an innovation of the future. ___________________________________

By:Cara DiMeo, Director of Curriculum &

Estee Mailot, Director of Testing and Funded Programs

The district hosted its first annual Title IV SEL Parent Academy on the evening of Wednesday March 27th. Parents had the opportunity to attend various workshops to support strong positive social emotional development. The feedback was very positive and parents left with strategies to use immediately at home. Stay tuned next year’s event!

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 By: Stacey Monetti, Supervisor of Instruction

As you walk through the halls of our    

elementary schools, you will notice the productive hum of classrooms deeply engaged in the important work of their grade level. Now more than ever, teachers are relying on their ongoing assessments to inform strategic instructional decisions. From phonics, sight words and counting in kindergarten to complex inferential thinking and fractions in fifth grade, students are demonstrating mastery of skills and strategies through their daily classwork, weekly and district assessments, and project based learning experiences.

 

One necessary element in using  assessment in instruction is student self-assessment. When students self-assess, they monitor their own learning and identify ways that they can improve. All students can learn how to self-assess, even in kindergarten! Student self-assessment is linked to higher motivation and achievement. Self-assessment is also a life skill, which will serve our children well during their post-secondary education and careers. For tips on how to help your child learn, see “What Parents Can Do to Help Their Children Learn” by EngageNY at the link: https://tinyurl.com/zan9deo For more information on student self-assessment, see “Student Self-Assessment: The Key to Stronger Student Motivation and Higher Achievement” by James H. McMillan and Jessica Hearn: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ815370.pdf

By:Adrienne Gold, Supervisor of World Language and ESL

English Language Learners (ELLs) at magnet schools across the district are finishing ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 testing, which is a state-mandated assessment that measures language proficiency growth in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The scores from this assessment help both English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and classroom teachers plan instruction using the Can Do descriptors, based on what students “Can Do” with language at any level. To further this effort, ESL teachers and classroom teachers are continuing their training in Sheltered English Instruction, with coaching sessions throughout the spring that focus on using language supports to make content accessible to ELLs at all language proficiencies levels.

Parents of ELLs continue to have an active role in the success of the ESL program through feedback and active participation in family nights and the ESL Parent Advisory Council. Our last K-12 ESL event of the year, ESL Ice Cream Festival, will take place on May 21, 2019 at 6:00PM at Walnut Street Elementary School. In addition to the food and fun, parents will get the scoop about local summer programs that support literacy skills and encourage language exploration. We hope to see all of our ELL parents at this early summer send-off!

By:Tiffany Lucey, Supervisor of Educational Technology

Students participated in various NJ Makers Day (NJMD) events throughout the district during the week of March 22. This statewide celebration of “maker” culture has taken place every year in March for the past five years. Originally begun in 25 town libraries, it now boasts nearly 300 locations around the state. Toms River Regional has been a leader in bringing the maker mindset to classrooms and was the impetus for expanding NJMD from a Saturday library celebration to expand to schools in the days leading up to it.

Students participated in arts and engineering infused problem-based challenges through engaging with activities and tools such as coding, robotics, magnets, toothpicks, and marshmallows. Teachers and students show that the possibilities to create and make are endless! Be sure to join us Saturday, October 12 at our 5th annual www.JerseyShoreMakerfest.org free event!

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