“When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.”
— Margaret Wheatley
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Dear Curriculum and Instruction Leaders,
As I reflect on the current state of our lives and the educational system in which we work, I am brought to the idea that connection is something that is critical. To make connections right now, we have to be intentional.
It takes intention on our part to connect with our colleagues and especially our students as we meet online or 6 feet away. I encourage you to take a moment to watch this short documentary from The Atlantic that illustrates the impact COVID-19 has had on our young students. The perspective of these brilliant children made such an impression on me, and I know, while we continue to focus on academic instruction, we need to also attend to the circumstances happening outside of the classroom. The best response is to focus on building and strengthening relationships with each other, our families, and our students. I can’t say enough about the work you are already doing in this area.
In this month’s newsletter, I am excited to share some upcoming learning opportunities from the Curriculum and Instruction department. Additionally, some links to learn from and grant opportunities are listed below. If you have any additional needs that we can support you with, please reach out! We are ready to help.
Shannon Baker, Ed.D.
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Computer Science
Prep Course for K-5 Educators
Elementary teachers and administrators who see exciting things happening with computer science (CS) but don’t have experience or don't know where to start are encouraged to participate in SDCOE’s intro course: Get Ready for CS Education Week. You don’t have to be a programmer to start teaching computer science. This one-hour introduction from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 will walk through the process of planning an Hour of Code activity during CS Education Week from Dec. 7 to 12. Register and learn more about the prep course.
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Visual and Performing Arts
Arts Leadership Community
The San Diego Area Arts Leadership Community is made up of TK-12 school district arts leaders and facilitated by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and the Southern Counties California Arts Project (SouthCAP). Participants investigate arts education topics and current research to maintain awareness of issues and policies impacting arts education in California. The community provides a system of support for arts leaders to share, reflect, problem-solve, and learn from each other, especially in our current circumstances with shifting contexts in face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid models of instruction. Sessions will continue Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Dec. 4 and 18, Jan. 15 and 29, Feb. 12 and 26.
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Library Media Services
Best Books Series
Best Books of 2020 learning sessions start this week! The annual day-long, rapid-fire book-talking seminar has been converted into short, free sessions across four days from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Attend one or attend them all free of charge.
• Grades 3-5 on Nov. 5
• Grades K-2 on Nov. 6
• Grades 6-8 on Nov. 18
• Grades 9-12 on Nov. 19
Also, don’t miss the monthly Library Network meetings. Join school library staff from around the county to learn, share, and network every third Thursday of the month at 3 p.m.
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Science
Informal Educator Leaders Network
The Informal Educator Leaders Network is an ongoing opportunity for informal educators in San Diego County to come together to share professional learning, best practices in the field, and current environmental education efforts. Next meetings will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 20, Feb. 19, and April 9.
Science Leaders Network
The Science Leaders Network is a regular meeting for San Diego science leaders to come together to share professional learning, best practices in the field, and current efforts to support science learning for all students. Meetings are from 8 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, and June 9.
Podcast Club
A new twist on the summer science book club, the podcast club, will combine professional learning and self-care as participants are encouraged to listen while exercising. Listen to and discuss Teaching Science in Diverse Classrooms by Douglas Larkin with science educators across the county from from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Jan. 5, and Jan. 26. Register here.
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Physical Education and Health
CHYA: What to Teach and How to Teach It
Join us as Tara Beeston, of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, leads a conversation to better understand critical aspects of comprehensive sexual health education including:
• The requirements of the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA)
• Available curricula and resources for both distance learning and in-person instruction
• Best practices for providing comprehensive sexual health instruction
Physical Literacy Institute
Empower students with the confidence, competence, and passion for a lifetime of physical activity through the Physical Literacy Institute starting in January. Challenge traditional practices to develop students’ physical literacy: the knowledge, skills, fitness, values, and motivation to attain and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Physical Education Leadership Academy
Become a designated San Diego County Physical Education Leader through the in-depth academy that turns passionate teachers into peer leaders with the capacity to make a difference for students. The Physical Education Leadership Academy is designed to support the implementation of first, best instruction and develop teacher leaders who have the ability to impact colleagues at their site, in their district, and throughout San Diego County. It includes eight, two-hour sessions.
Health Education Framework Rollout
Session 1: Framework Overview
The first in a series of four professional learning opportunities designed to help districts, schools, and teachers align health education programming to the new California Health Education Framework. This session will include an hour-long online module for participants to complete prior to participating in a 90-minute synchronous learning event hosted by a team of San Diego health education framework leads. All sessions are from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Click one of the dates below for more information or to register.
Session 1: Framework Overview
Session 2: Physical Activity and Nutrition; Mental, Emotional, and Social Health
Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health; and Injury Prevention and Safety
Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; and Personal and Community Health
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Links to Learn From
2020 Election Resources to Support School Communities
The presidential election may evoke high levels of emotion from students and staff members, and create extreme discord in class. To help teachers, counselors, and administrators develop an environment that supports civil discourse and supports a positive climate, SDCOE teams put together election resources, including a three-part learning series, Electing to Move Forward, beginning Nov. 9. Learn more and access the resources at www.sdcoe.net/ElectionResources.
A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction
Building equitable futures starts in the classroom. The Education Trust–West, in collaboration with a team of teachers, instructional coaches, researchers, professional development providers, and curriculum writers created A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction. This toolkit is an integrated approach to mathematics that centers Black, Latinx, and multilingual students in grades 6-8; addresses barriers to math equity; and aligns instruction to grade-level priority standards. It offers guidance and resources for educators to use now as they plan their curriculum, while also offering opportunities for ongoing self-reflection as they seek to develop an anti-racist math practice.
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Content Area Spotlight: Physical Education |
Never before has students’ physical activity and exposure to physical education been more important, and never before has it faced such challenges. Physical educators are navigating uncharted waters and the tide is high, rough, and tumultuous.
In a series of executive orders and trailer bills, Gov. Newsom has waived the physical education minute requirement and the requirement for Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, many schools and districts misunderstood these directives. As a result, there have been exhaustive measures taken to make sure that local educational agencies understand these pieces:
- Although the minute requirement has been waived, physical education is still a required curricular area for all students.
- There are implications to the PFT being waived:
- Students in 9th grade in 2020-21 will not be eligible for a two-year exemption until they complete their 10th-grade year and are 16 years of age or older. As a result, all 10th graders in 2020-21 will need to be enrolled in physical education.
- It is critical that teachers engage students in collecting, tracking, and reflecting on their fitness to empower them with the skills they need to be physically literate. Teachers should follow grade-level standards to guide this work.
Separately, the California Department of Education (CDE) is creating a committee to address recent concerns of the accessibility of FITNESSGRAM. Significant changes are expected regarding the PFT.
Like other content areas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some instructional challenges for physical education, such as:
- Lack of access to elementary students during distance learning
- Lack of space to practice social distancing during in-person instruction
- Lack of facilities during in-person instruction
- Concerns regarding the safe use of equipment and sanitization practices
- Inconsistent expectations for wearing masks during physical activity
- Rethinking content and practices (management, grouping, instructional strategies)
- No existing curriculum that can easily be revised for distance learning or in-person instruction
- Requirement for high schools to provide instruction and assessment in the eight required curricular areas
- Some required content areas (aquatics, self-defense, team sports) need significant revisions to align with HHSA guidelines
While there is ongoing collaboration to address each of these areas, leaders throughout the state are trying to help physical educators:
- Focus on the skills, understanding, behaviors and mindset of physical literacy, and less on sports and games
- Identify opportunities to develop competency and confidence in students before they are put in competitive situations
- Increase the use of technology in physical education
- Find new and meaningful ways to engage students with content
- Utilize social and emotional learning strategies
- Increase students' opportunities to personalize their learning
- Provide meaningful and fun experiences for students
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State Seal of Civic Engagement Award Approved
The State Board of Education approved the State Seal of Civic Engagement in September. To earn the Civic Engagement seal, students must demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participation in civics-related projects, contributions to their community, and an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the American democratic system. Students may earn the seal on a transcript, diploma, or certificate of completion. California history and social science teachers worked in partnership with CDE to develop the initial requirements.
Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship
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This week’s video update from Capital Advisors has a special look at the 2020 Election and the political, policy and fiscal implications for schools highlights state revenues, key issues impacting connectivity and distance learning. |
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Health Education Framework Mini-Grants
Receive up to $5,000 to support the implementation of the new California Health Education Framework in the following content areas:
• Nutrition and physical activity
• Mental, emotional, and social health
• Growth, development, and sexual health
• Injury prevention and safety
• Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
• Personal and community health
Funding may be used to support after contract hours or release time for staff attendance at the SDCOE Health Education Framework Professional Learning Series, collaboration, planning, curriculum/lesson design and much more!
Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant
Classroom teachers of grades 3-6 can get grants of $300 from Herb Society of America to create a school garden for educational purposes. Funds can be used for supplies such as soil, plant trays, containers, child or youth-sized tools, for indoor or outdoor gardens. Applications are due by Dec. 1.
Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award
Classroom science teachers in grades K-12 who are part of underrepresented ethnic groups are eligible for awards of $1,800 from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The funding is to attend the annual NSTA National Conference on Science Education. Get nomination and application details at the NSTA awards website. The deadline to apply is Dec. 10.
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Contact Shannon Baker with questions, comments, or feedback about Curriculum and Instruction News and Updates. |
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