Exploring the TNCore K-3 Reading Units

Mia HydeCoordinator of Reading Content and Resources

Tennessee Department of EducationStacy King

Instructional SpecialistGreeneville City Schools

Session Outline

1. Overview of the K-3 Reading Units2. Deep dive into the K-1 Unit: Life Cycles3. A District Perspective on the Units

Follow this session on Twitter:#tncorereadingunits

Introductions

• Stacy King– Instructional Specialist, Greeneville City Schools– Greeneville, TN (First Region), 2,750 students, 250 Certified, 4 Elementary, 1

Middle School and 1 High School– District Finalist for the SCORE Prize– Member of the Reading/RTI Leadership Council with TDOE– 20 years of experience

• Mia Hyde– Coordinator of Reading Content and Resources, TDOE– Learning to Read and Interventions– District Reading Specialist, RTI Coordinator, Title I reading teacher, and

classroom teacher– 18 years experience

Need for the Units:A District Perspective

• A look at last year…first steps• Challenges and areas of need• What we learned

What are theK-3 Reading Units

• Optional resource for districts as they implement the Common Core State Standards

• Created in collaboration with members of the Reading/RTI Leadership Council

• Designed to be used flexibly by districts and teachers to meet individual needs

• Balance out the focus from Summer Training on Foundational Skills Standards

What are the K-3 Reading Units

• Provide connected lessons that cover multiple standards in ELA and Science

• Focus on teaching students to read closely and critically in order to comprehend complex informational text

• Develop a deeper understanding of the text through writing

A Variety of Strategies

• Multi-sensory• Active engagement in analyzing vocabulary• Text-dependent questions• Diagrams• Collaborative note taking and summarizing • Graphic organizers

Ways to Use the Units

Flexible:One day a week for several weeksFull days during ELA

or Science blockEnd of marking periodShort weeks

What Teachers Need:A District Perspective

• Differentiating the Units• Scaffolding supports

Where to find them

Available on TNCore:http://www.tncore.org/english_language_arts/curricular_resources/k-3.aspx

Username: tneducationPassword: fastestimproving

2 Units Are Available NOW

Grades K-1: Life Cycles– Read about the parts of a plant, life cycle of plant, parts

of a butterfly and life cycle of a butterfly– Compare the life cycle of a plant and a butterfly

Grades 2-3: Storms– Read about how storms are created and the effects of

storms– Explain the causes and effects of storms

Let’s Explore

Grades K-1 Unit: Life Cycles

Vocabulary Words

Main Idea Graphic Organizer

Turn & Talk

• What are the strengths and weaknesses to the unit?

• Share Out!

Implications for the New School Year:A District Perspective

• Gather materials and continue to develop units/activities

• Evaluate new reading materials• Increase our knowledge of CCSS/PARCC

expectations

Plans/Progress for 2013-2014: A District Perspective

• Put TDOE resources in the hands of teachers• Grade level meetings• Walk teachers through units• Build confidence and capacity in our teachers with

writing

More Units to Come

Winter 2013:K-1: Insects2-3: Habitats

Spring 2014:K-1: Social Studies Topic2-3: Social Studies Topic

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Contact Information

Mia Hydemia.hyde@tn.govTwitter: mia_hyde

Stacy Kingkings@gcshcools.net

Twitter: kings90