Week of 3-30-20 (update 1)

Hi all,


1. New posts on Google Classroom (plus a video from Mr. Albrecht!). I will also start sharing links here for parents who cannot access Google Classroom with their students.


7th Grade this week:


Kahoot!


Reasoning about Equations 1


Reasoning about Equations 2


8th Grade this week:


Kahoot!


Desmos Cones


Desmos Spheres


2. Maroon Tutor Match for the Spring: Virtual Tutoring

Math Week 3-30-20

Hi all!




1. Homework from Khan posted below. Snaps and stickers (if I could!) to all who completed their Khan last week!


7th Grade


8th Grade




2. A more fun way to practice balancing equations. Check it out: https://solveme.edc.org/Mobiles.html




3. New assignments in Google Classroom: Kahoot! for all, Desmos for 8th grade, Open-Up for 7th grade.


4. Please read the message from CPS posted below. I will begin following the district guidelines for grading with this week's assigned tasks.

A message from CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Dear CPS Families and Supporters,

 

Today, the district is announcing a Pre-K–12 remote learning plan as part of our response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. While this plan will not replace the classroom learning experience or completely bridge the digital divide that exists in our city, it is a full-throttle effort from the district to empower our educators and provide them with the resources they need to engage students in high-quality learning opportunities while schools are closed. 

 

This plan is not a one-size-fits-all approach—every school community is different, and each school will be notifying families of their plans by April 6, and in alignment with new guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, remote learning plans will begin April 13, following our scheduled spring break. A “Remote Learning for Parents” document will be available later today at www.cps.edu/remotelearning.

 

Remote learning will only improve a student’s academic standing.

Students will be offered both digital and non-digital learning options, as well as dedicated “office hours,” where students and families can receive support from teachers via Google Meet, phone, or email. While students are expected to complete assignments and schools are able to grade work, grades will be counted only if they improve a student’s grade and will not negatively impact any student’s academic standing. Students who do not engage in academic work can be issued an incomplete and will be expected to make up incomplete assignments following the remote learning period.

 

The district will be distributing more than 100,000 devices to narrow the digital divide.

We recognize that a significant digital divide exists in our city and throughout the country, and schools will ensure that families who lack access to technology can utilize printed materials that will be created by the district. And while we are taking steps to help ensure instructional resources exist in a variety of formats, we are also taking seriously our responsibility to help narrow that digital divide. Utilizing socioeconomic data and hardship indicators, and working in close collaboration with our school principals, the district will be distributing 65,000 school-based Chromebooks, laptops and iPads; 37,000 new devices; and additional devices through potential philanthropic contributions. In total, we will distribute more than 100,000 devices to families in the weeks ahead to ensure our students have significantly more access to electronic learning resources.

 

Remote learning will begin Monday, April 13 and remain in place until schools reopen—which is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 21. However, should the need arise, we designed our remote learning plan to support our students’ academic progress if the closure is extended further. 

 

The road ahead is uncharted territory for all of us, but we could not ask for a more dedicated and talented group of educators to stand beside as we blaze this new trail. We are fully prepared to support our principals and educators as they make plans to educate our students remotely, and we are confident our remote learning plan provides the framework and tools for our teachers to succeed.

 

Schools will share detailed information about their remote learning plans with families prior to the start of spring break on Monday, April 6. In the meantime, enrichment resources for students are available at www.cps.edu/remotelearning. CPS will update these resources every two weeks. 

 

We want to thank everyone for their patience as we flesh out our response to this public health emergency, and we promise to continue updating all CPS stakeholders as decisions are made and new resources become available. There are many outstanding questions left to be addressed including graduation, college entry, grade promotion, and admission to selective-enrollment schools. Our commitment to you is that we will be transparent and continue providing regular updates. 

 

We thank you for your continued support during this challenging time and hope all in our CPS community remain healthy and safe. Please remember to stay at home and practice social distancing whenever you are out. This is how we will achieve what we all want, which is to slow the spread of COVID-19 and see our students and staff return to school as quickly as possible. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Janice K. Jackson, EdD Chief Executive Officer Chicago Public Schools

LaTanya D. McDade Chief Education Officer Chicago Public Schools

Math Week 3-23-20 (update 4)

Hi all,


1. I assigned the CPS resource packets for the school closures as an optional assignment last week. They are over 25 pages long. Originally the due date was 3-31-20 (when we originally thought we would return to school). I am extending the due date to April 21 (the new anticipated return date). It will be a lot easier to turn it in as a hard copy and not have to take and submit 20+ pictures!


2. I would love to share any cool learning resources students and parent/guardians have found and are enjoying. Send me your links!


3. STUDENTS: I put up a good math question today in Google Classroom. Go see if you can add a comment/answer.

Math Week 3-23-20 (update 3)

Hi all!


1. Some students have already posted some great graphs from the Create Your Own Graph task in Google Classroom. Keep it up!


2. We have been watching CNN 10 at my house each day. I recommend it as a way to stay informed without being overwhelmed by the news each day.


Hope you all are doing well and trying to stay active. (Reminder to check the post below for suggestions on staying active from our PE teachers!)

Math Week 3-23-20 (update 2)

Hello all!


1. Hope you all wore your green! I know I am ready:

2. Some great stuff on the blogs of other Ray teachers.


Yesterday from Mr. McGovern: Tuesday boredom buster: Chrome Music Lab (These are super fun, and you can make really good music with them!)


Today from Ms. Ely:
Hi Ray Families,
Some teachers are creating guided activities for all Ray students. They include learning tasks in all core subject areas for grades PK-8. The first one is about plants. I've tested some of the activities out with my own kids and we're having a lot of fun. Take a look here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f5yqVS_CsN5DOhsjxHJyioMSFvc73g2sHdEhfKdxxHY/edit#

If you're unsure on how to use this resource, here is a YouTube video to walk you through it: https://youtu.be/nRFcnhhbrXo

I'm thinking the next one will be about Hyde Park and Chicago's Southside. Any topic ideas, especially from students, are greatly appreciated.
Happy learning!

Math Week 3-23-20 (Tuesday Update)

Hello All!


1. I uploaded the next steps in the for the create-your-own graph assignment in Google Classroom. There were some great Notice/Wonder responses. Link below to the assignment task sheet.


Create your own graph


2. Send your Warrior Wednesday Pictures! Show your Ray Warrior Spirit and wear green or Ray gear on Wednesday. Send you pics to me and I will share with the Ray team. lalbrecht@cps.edu

Math Week 3-23-20

Hello All!


1. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I am assigning tasks at grade level as well as review to scaffold understandings of the grade level work. These are the types of skills we would be working on if we were all at Ray. The assignments include videos, articles, and exercises (still only 5 exercises!). Please be reminded that I am trying to be at my computer ready to answer questions between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. each day. I can also set up another time during the if you want.


7th grade homework


8th grade homework


2. I have also assigned a Desmos task in Google Classroom for both 7th and 8th grade. These tasks support the Khan work and are a great way to practice skills.


3. WATCH THIS SPACE! Tomorrow I will post the next steps to the Notice/Wonder in Google Classroom from last week. Already some great responses! You still have one more day to notice and wonder.


4. Sending out happy and healthy wishes to all!

Next Week...

Hi all,


I plan to extend my dedicated "office hours" time each day to be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I will also check in again in the afternoon between 3 and 4. If you want to chat via Google Classroom at some other time, let's schedule something that works.


Looking ahead to next week, I am starting the week off with Google Classroom question (already posted on 3-20-20). Due by Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Students can share thoughts I will join in for a response and next steps Tuesday.


As for Khan, I will start assigning videos as well as tasks. The assignments will be two-fold. First, I will start assigning grade level tasks with a mind to trying to stay on track for learning when school resumes. Second, I will continue to assign review tasks to maintain skills. PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL OR GOOGLE CLASSROOM IF YOU NEED HELP.


CPS letter is below with all the details of school closure.

UPDATE! SCHOOL'S OUT UNTIL 4-21-20

Dear CPS Parents, Families, and Staff:

As Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced tonight, Chicago Public Schools will remain closed until Tuesday, April 21, 2020. While we want to reopen schools as soon as possible, this is a very serious challenge and we support the mayor’s decision to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our city. As the situation develops, we will continue to provide families with regular updates.

We recognize the significant impact the closures have had on every member of our school community, and we remain committed to doing all we can to support our students and families in the days ahead. Since the beginning of the closure, we have provided more than 90,000 packages of food to our families in need, and we will continue to offer free packages of food that contain three days worth of meals for every child in a household. Thanks to the incredibly dedicated staff who are supporting this effort in our schools, food can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. every weekday. In addition to the amazing food service workers, thank you to our principals, assistant principals, and network staff for the support.

Due to the extended closure period, it is necessary for the district to reassess significant events on the school calendar and annual student and school assessment timelines and procedures. As a result of today’s decision, the district will seek a one-year waiver from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on the district’s School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP) and recommend to the Chicago Board of Education that we maintain the current SQRP ratings and carry them forward into next school year. Given the unprecedented situation we are in, carrying over SQRP ratings is the best available and most fair option for our school communities. 

In addition to the recommendation to carry over SQRP ratings, the district is also revising its assessment schedule based on the extended closure period. While the district continues to work through the long-term implications of the mayor’s decision, we are canceling end-of-year assessments including:

• NWEA
• STAR Assessment
• REACH Performance Tasks

We are working closely with ISBE, City Colleges of Chicago, the College Board, and our other partners to understand how this closure will impact other assessments such as the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, PSAT/SAT, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams as well as graduation requirements and grade promotion. While changes to the assessment calendar will likely be necessary, we are committed to ensuring students can access critical assessments tied to college entry, selective enrollment admission, graduation, and grade promotion. 

We recognize that this is not an exhaustive list of all of the academic opportunities and policies impacted by this closure, and as decisions are made by the state and federal government, we will continue to provide you updates in a timely manner. 

To help support students and families while class is not in session, the district posted enrichment resources and materials at cps.edu/coronavirus and provided students with hard copies of these materials prior to the beginning of the closure. Educators and parents can access these resources at cps.edu/coronavirus and build upon these materials as they see fit to keep children engaged through spring break. In the days ahead, we will be providing additional resources and guidance. 

The challenges we face ahead are unprecedented but not insurmountable. We recognize there are a number of significant outstanding questions about our normal school policies and procedures, and we will provide updates and guidance as soon as possible.  We will make it through this uncertain time together—as one district, one family. 
 

Janice K. Jackson, EdD            LaTanya D. McDade
Chief Executive Officer            Chief Education Officer
Chicago Public Schools            Chicago Public Schools

Math Mid-week 3-19-20

Hi all!


1. I shared a great math activity yesterday in Google Classroom for students to play with their families. It is called the Four 4's. Check it out!


2. Today I am sharing two puzzles in Google Classroom from Open Middle. I use Open Middle tasks as Do Nows and Math Talks in my class. Here are the two to try. Let me know via Google Classroom how they go.


Smallest Possible LCM


Perimeter and Circumference


3. Check out this great resource for Social and Emotional Learning from our amazing counselor Ms. Nieto. Resource Packet! More info on her blog--linked in the header.


4. Suggested Physical Activity from Mr. McNaughton and Ms. Jerris: Packet and Organizer