The Scoop on the NYS K-2 Modules from Core Knowledge

Many primary level librarians are trying to make sense of the K-2 modules and I thought I would post this basic overview:

• These modules were developed around the philosophy of fundamental "core knowledge" that every good citizen should know, by E.D. Hirsch. Thus...the company's name "Core Knowledge."  See this appendix note explaining this and read the brief bio in one of the module books.  Please see page 191-199 of this PDF link: http://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/ckla_g2_u1_tg.pdf 
• That helps to explain the unusual content for second graders within these modules (e.g. War of 1812, Mesopotamia). This is part of Hirsch's philosophical view for building culturally literate citizens. 
• Within the modules, and their content topics, teachers teach literacy skills.  
• Teachers are conveying social studies and science material as they teach literacy skills. 
• The k--> 2 grades are heavy on "skills"  for literacy, while the upper grades build fluency, understanding, grammar, and the scaffolded ELA elements shown in the standards.  
• Each of the Core Knowledge grade levels have books and workbooks, but in addition, recommend the use of trade books, which are listed below. 
• The Modules are centered around "domains"  or topics which as covered for a few weeks.  (Listed below are the domains  from EngageNY.org)  

Recommended Sequence for Teaching Core Knowledge Language Arts Listening and Learning Domains

Note: A * following the title of a domain means that trade books in addition to the online CKLA materials are needed to teach the domain. See the separate listing of trade books by domains. Only 1 copy of each trade book title is needed per classroom.

      Kindergarten

•       Nursery Rhymes and Fables (18 instructional days)
•       Five Senses (16 instructional days)
•       Stories (15 instructional days)
•       Plants (16 instructional days)
•       Farms (14 instructional days)
•       Kings and Queens (14 instructional days)
•       Seasons and Weather (14 instructional days)
•       Colonial Towns (17 instructional days)
•       Taking Care of the Earth (15 instructional days)
• 
  

Grade 1

•       Different Lands, Similar Stories* (11 instructional days)
•       Fables and Stories* (16 instructional days)
•       The Human Body (14 instructional days)
•       Early World Civilizations (21 days)
•       Early American Civilizations (19 instructional days)
•       Astronomy (14 instructional days)
•       Animals and Habitats (20 instructional days)
•       Fairy Tales (16 instructional days)
•       History of the Earth (16 instructional days) (History of the earth in 16 days?)  
• 
  

Grade 2

•       Fighting for a Cause* (18 instructional days)
•       Fairy Tales and Tall Tales* (12 instructional days)
•       Cycles of Nature* (17 instructional days)
•       Insects* (14 instructional days)
•       Ancient Greek Civilizations (16 instructional days)
•       Greek Myths (15 instructional days)
•       Charlotte’s Web, Part 1 *(15 instructional days)
•       Charlottes’ Web, Part II* (15 instructional days)
•       Immigration (15 instructional days)  

_____________________________________________________________________________

     Within each of the domains, there are lists of recommended 'texts" to be used
(1 per class, most often).  These texts are listed below and come from EngageNY.org 

    We have placed copies on Overdrive for classroom use in multiple copies.  These also are likely to be easy candidates for "adapting" the modules with alternate titles able to convey the same message.  See the note below from NYSED.   

_______________________________________________________________________

   Verbatim from NYSED:   

CKLA List of Trade Book Titles by Grade and Domain

      NOTE: Some lessons in the sample Core Knowledge Language Arts materials have been designed using commercially available trade books. Unfortunately, these books may go out of print. The Core Knowledge Language Arts materials are being revised to eliminate reliance on specific trade books. These revisions will be made available in June of 2013. 
As you use the currently available sample materials, please be aware that some of these books may go out of print. In such cases, we’d like to suggest that you review the “core content objectives” for the associated lesson, and:
·         Search for used copies of the books,
·         Create an alternate activity to address these objectives,
·         Locate excerpts from alternate book(s)  that cover these objectives, or
·         Skip the lesson entirely, knowing that some additional building of background knowledge – based on the missing core content objectives – may be required for subsequent lessons.


Kindergarten

            Five Senses*
·         Seven Blind Mice, by Ed Young (Puffin Books, 2002) ISBN 0698118952 (Lesson 10)
Stories*
·         The Story of Jumping Mouse, by John Steptoe (HarperTrohpy, 1989) ISBN 068808740X (Lessons 7 and 8)

Grade 1

Different Lands, Similar Stories*
·         The Irish Cinderlad, by Shirley Climo (HarperCollins, 1996) ISBN 0060243961 (Lessons 8 and 9)
·         Little Red Riding Hood, by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007) ISBN 0316013550 (Lesson 1)
·         Lon Po Po, by Ed Young (Putnam Juvenile, 1996) ISBN 0698113824 (Lesson 2)
·         Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, by John Steptoe (Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, 1987) ISBN 0688040454 (Lesson 7)
·         Pretty Salma: A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa, by Niki Daly (Clarion Books, 2007) ISBN 0618723454 (Lesson 3)
·         Tom Thumb, by Claudia Venturini (Child’s Play International, 2007) ISBN 1846431166 (Lesson 4)


Fables and Stories*
·         Señor Cat's Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America, by Lucia M. Gonzalez (Scholastic, 2001) ISBN 0439278638 (Lesson 7) – OUT OF PRINT
·         It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale, by Margot Zemach (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1990) ISBN 0374436360 (Lesson 8)
·         Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, retold by Eric A. Kimmel (Holiday House, 1990) ISBN 0823407989 (Lesson 10)
·         The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit, by Joel Chandler Harris (Running Press Kids, 2008) ISBN 0762432196 (Lessons 11 and12)

Grade 2
   Fighting for a Cause*
·         Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Freedom and Equality, by Suzanne Slade (Picture Window Books, 2007) ISBN 1404831045 (Lesson 1)
·         The Ballot Box Battle, by Emily Arnold McCully (Alfred A.Knopf, 1996) ISBN 0679893121 (Lesson 2)
·         A Picture Book of Eleanor Roosevelt, by David A. Adler (Holiday House, 1991) ISBN 0823411575 (Lesson 3)
·         When Marian Sang, by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Scholastic Press, 2002) ISBN 9780439269674 (Lessons 4 and 5)
·         Mary McLeod Bethune, by Eloise Greenfield (HarperCollins, 1977) ISBN 9780064461689 (Lessons 6 and 7)
·         The Story of Ruby Bridges, by Robert Coles (Scholastic Inc.,1995) ISBN 9780439598446 (Lesson 8)
·         Teammates, by Peter Golenbock (Voyager Books, 1990) ISBN 9780152842864 (Lesson 9)
·         A Picture Book of Rosa Parks, by David A. Adler (Holiday House, 1995) ISBN 082341177X (Lesson 10)
·         Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins, by Carole Boston Weatherford (Puffi n Books, 2005) ISBN 9780142408940 (Lesson 11)
·         A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr., by David A. Adler (Holiday House, 1990) ISBN 9780823408474 (Lesson 12)
·         Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, by Kathleen Krull (Harcourt, Inc., 2003) ISBN 9780152014377 (Lessons 13 and 14)
Fairy Tales and Tall Tales*
Fairy Tales
·         The Fisherman and His Wife, retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2008) ISBN 9780399247712 (Lesson 1)
·         The Emperor’s New Clothes: A Tale Set in China, retold by Demi (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2000) ISBN 0689830688 (Lesson 2)
·         Beauty and the Beast, retold and illustrated by Jan Brett (Clarion Books, 1989) ISBN 039555702X (Lessons 3 and 4)
Tall Tales
·         Paul Bunyan, retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg (HarperCollins, 1985) ISBN 0688058000 (Lesson 5)
·         Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett, retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1995) ISBN 0688140424 (Lesson 6)
·         Pecos Bill, retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1986) ISBN 0688099246 (Lesson 7)
·         John Henry: An American Legend, by Ezra Jack Keats (Dragonfly Books, 1987) ISBN 0394890523 (Lesson 8)
 Cycles of Nature*
·         Sunshine Makes the Seasons, by Franklyn Branley (HarperCollins, 1985) ISBN 0060592052 (Lesson 1)
·         The Reasons for Seasons, by Gail Gibbons (Holiday House, 1995) ISBN 0823412385 (Lesson 2)
·         How Do Birds Find Their Way?, by Roma Gans (HarperCollins, 1996) ISBN 006445150X (Lesson 3)
·          Bean, by Barrie Watts (Smart Apple Media, an imprint of Black Rabbit Books, 2005) ISBN 1583405038 (Lesson 4) – OUT OF PRINT
·          From Seed to Maple Tree, by Laura Purdie Salas (Picture Window Books, 2009) ISBN 1404849319 (Lesson 5)
·         Monarch Butterfly, by Gail Gibbons (Holiday House, 1989) ISBN 0823409090 (Lesson 6)
·         From Tadpole to Frog, by Wendy Pfeffer (HarperCollins, 1994) ISBN 0064451232 (Lesson 7)
·         Where Do Chicks Come From?, by Amy E. Sklansky (HarperCollins, 2005) ISBN 0060288930 (Lesson 8)
·         What Happens to a Hamburger?, by Paul Showers (HarperCollins Publishers, 2001) ISBN 0064451836 (Lesson 9)
·         Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition, by Lizzy Rockwell (HarperCollins Publishers, 1999) ISBN 0064451747 (Lesson 10) – OUT OF PRINT
·         The Water Cycle, by Rebecca Olien (Capstone Press, 2005) ISBN 0736851828 (Lesson 11)
·         The Water Cycle, by Bobbie Kalman and Rebecca Sjonger (Crabtree Publishing Company, 2006) ISBN 0778723100 (Lesson 12)
·         Clouds, by Anne Rockwell (HarperCollins, 2008) ISBN 0064452204 (Lesson 13)

 Insects*
·         About Insects, by Cathryn Sill (Peachtree Publishers Ltd., 2000) ISBN 1561452327 (Lesson 1)
·         Bugs Are Insects, by Anne Rockwell (HarperCollins Publishers, 2001) ISBN 0064452034 (Lesson 2)
·         Are You a Grasshopper?, by Judy Allen (Kingfisher, 2002)ISBN 9780753458063 (Lesson 3)
·         Chirping Crickets, by Melvin Berger (HarperCollins Publishers, 1998) ISBN 0064451801 (Lesson 4)
·         Are You a Dragonfly?, by Judy Allen (Kingfisher, 2001) ISBN 0753458055 (Lesson 5)
·         From Caterpillar to Butterfly, by Deborah Heiligman (HarperCollins Publishers, 1996) ISBN 0064451291 (Lesson 6)
·         Clara Caterpillar, by Pamela Duncan Edwards (Harper Trophy, 2001) ISBN 0064436918 (Lesson 7)
·         The Honey Makers, by Gail Gibbons (Mulberry Books, 1997) ISBN 0688175317 (Lesson 8)
·         Ant Cities, by Arthur Dorros (HarperCollins Publishers, 1987) ISBN 0064450791 (Lesson 9)
Charlotte’s Web, Part 1 & II *
·         (If using multiple student copies) Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White (Scholastic Inc., 1974) ISBN 059030271X
·         (If using single teacher copy) Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White (HarperCollins, 2006) ISBN 0060882611

BEDS 2014 - FAQ's

It's that time of year, for our data reporting to NYSED.   The purpose of Basic Educational Data (BED) reporting is to aggregate information and compare schools, resources, funding, staffing, and compliance with NYS regulations.  The state expects you to report accurately and honestly.  If the forms ask you about 'flexible' scheduling and you don't have it, be honest.  When they ask about collaboration, report the truth.   When they ask your title counts, report your title count. Etc.   

• The generic questions that ask about eBooks, should include the collections that BOCES provides through Overdrive as well as your own purchases.  
•  Please see below the statistics related to NOVEL resources provided by NYS as well as  BOCES provided resources.  Add these counts to your own district counts.  
• In addition, Overdrive has in excess of 20,000+ Project  Gutenberg books available via their click on the Overdrive interface.  These titles are not embedded into the regular Overdrive interface search.  You have to search the Gutenberg books separately.   
• In addition, we will be mailing you your Overdrive Advantage title-copy count purchases which you should ADD to the counts below. 

Databases	COUNT
NOVEL	11
BOCES (Elem & Sec)	1
eBook Titles
Overdrive Elementary	2469
Overdrive Secondary	2839
GALE Elementary  (BOCES provided for everyone)	97
GALE  Secondary (BOCES provided for everyone)	93
Marshall Cavendish  (BOCES provided)	41
ROSEN  (BOCES provided)	15

(I have asked Overdrive to clarify the count of the secondary site above, as this doesn't ring true, but for now...this is what we have.)      

The following FAQ  information may proved helpful also.  Thanks to a colleague of mine, Jen Henry, for compiling most of this: 

Q: If I am a school librarian what assignment number should I use?

 A: Use assignment number 7412, show mixed grade level as appropriate, leave registration blank, and answer the number of weeks per year. 

Q: I'm not teaching scheduled classes this year in my library. I've been given the non-teaching professional staff form to complete. What code do I use to indicate my position?

 A: If you're using the non-teaching professional staff form as you mentioned you could claim the title Department Head or Chairperson and use code 7408. Please keep in mind that even if you do not teach scheduled classes, if you are a certified LMS working in your library, you are still considered a professional, certified teacher and should still complete the same form used by other teachers in your district. In particular if you are a certified school librarian working in a high school library it is important to complete the proper form. School librarians are mandated at the high school level in New York State.

Q. We have several parent volunteers that help shelve materials in the library. Do I count them in Number 21 (Library) Section C, Question 3?

A: No. Only paid support staff should be counted in this section. Do not count unpaid volunteers, even if they are retired school librarians and contain the proper professional certificate.

Q. Number 21 (Library) Section C, Question 2 asks me to list other professional staff assigned to the library. What if another teacher in the district is assigned one period a day to assist in the library? Are they considered ‘professional staff?’

A: Yes. A professionally certified teacher in NYS, regardless of content area they are certified in, is considered professional staff.

 Q. How do I determine the number of hours per week that the library media center is open for student use (Number 21 (Library), Section D, Question 1)?

A: You do not need to list an exact number. Select the box that most closely identifies the number of hours the library is open to students. The library does not need to be staffed by a certified LMS to be considered ‘open.’

 Q: What is the total number of database subscriptions we should use for Number 21 (Library) Section B, Question 4?

 A: There are 9 database subscriptions included in NOVELNY that you need to consider. In addition to  NOVELNY there is access to TeachingBooks,  Exploring Nature, and TumbleReadables courtesy  of the School Library System. This will give each library a minimum of 12 databases.

 Each district also subscribes to their own databases which need to be included in this count. Simply add whatever databases your district subscribes to or you buy through CoSer 508 (Online Resources) to the number 12 to come up with your answer.

Q: How do I know if my library is a participant in the SLS?

 A: All school libraries currently located in one of the 17 component districts of Champlain Valley Educational Services are members of this region's School Library System. This includes parochial schools in our region. 

Q: In Number 21 (Library) Section D, Question 5 I'm asked to select which items I use for Inquiry or Problem-based learning activities. I don't know what some of these items are!

 A: There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is merely an attempt to determine what tools schools in NYS are using for instruction in the library. Information literacy curriculum can be either locally developed, regionally developed or a tool like the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner or the NYC Information Fluency Continuum.  Our locally developed WISE curriculum is Inquiry Based.  

Collection Development, Challenged Materials, and Intellectual Freedom policies are often found in your district's Board of Education  policy manual. Occasionally these are included as part of a discipline policy. If you are not sure if one exists for your library locate a copy of your district's policy manual and check there.

The NYSED School Library Media  Program Evaluation (SLMPE) rubric was created 3 years ago as a tool to help evaluate school library programs  across New York  - A copy is on file in the SLS office.  You are required every 5 years to complete this.  (It's been 3 for us)

For those on Opals, you may get your BEDS statistics by printing this report:

Weekly News - October 1st

Hello Colleagues:  

Once again we are posting this news to the web so that it is retrievable for those who delete.  Please see the bullets below and sign up for any and all you are interested in!  

• We are closing in on the Opals configuration and have appreciated your patience.  Please send Sharon the list of what you'd like removed.  
• Grolier is hosting customized NOVELNY training sessions to help inform NOVELNY users about Grolier Online's program features and how to incorporate Grolier Online into schools and public libraries. In this training they will focus on the different databases and how you can create your own Common Core lesson plans using these resources, which include content at multiple reading levels and perspectives.Please register at the links below.October 10, 3:30-4:30: https://scholastic.webex.com/scholastic/onstage/g.php?d=653011342&t=a
  October 22, 2:30-3:30: https://scholastic.webex.com/scholastic/onstage/g.php?d=659850736&t=a
  October 30, 3:00-4:00: https://scholastic.webex.com/scholastic/onstage/g.php?d=652784983&t=a
  
  If you have any questions about the webinars please contact Grolier at scholasticcustomersupport@scholastic.com or 1-888-326-6546 option 4.
  
• Battle of the Book (BOTB)  titles have been ratified by our advisory team.  The titles can be found at our wiki location:  http://www.wonderfulreading.wikispaces.com  
  PLEASE INDICATE THE GRADE LEVELS WHICH ARE PARTICIPATING VIA THIS LINK:
  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GLNY58P    
  
• February 27th is Library Lobby Day.  Mark your calendars now, if you'd like to attend.  Better yet, plan a student activity with your PIG students:  How can you change the world lobbying 5 minutes per day?
  
• Reading Incentive:  Passports to Reading - We are going to do another printing.  Our first 4000 are about gone, and people have requested additional.  If you need more, please email before Monday.   

• Your School Library - Mobile, Flipped, and Curated - Webinar by LMC
  Tuesday, October 8, 2013- 4PM Eastern Time
  
  E-content and mobile technology transform the role of the librarian and notion of library. Participants will rethink library as a hybrid platform and explore options for addressing ubiquitous portable service, instruction, and resources. Joyce will share options and strategies for curating, flipping, and mobilizing the traditional physical library for 24/7 availability.
  To Participate in the Live Session
  - Login at www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet8 at the scheduled time.
  - As a member of this edWeb community, pre-registration is not required.
  - This webinar will be recorded and archived in this community for viewing at anytime.
  - Test your system for best quality: www.instantpresenter.com/systemtest
  About the Presenter
  Joyce Valenza is currently the teacher librarian at Springfield Township High School (PA) and an adjunct professor at the School Library & Information Technologies Graduate Program, Mansfield University. In January 2014 she will join the faculty at Rutgers University, School of Communication & Information. Joyce is the author of Power Tools,Power Research Tools and Power Tools Recharged for ALA Editions. Joyce is a Milken Educator and an American Memory Fellow. Joyce is active in ALA, AASL, YALSA, and ISTE and contributes to VOYA, Technology and Learning, and School Library Journal. Joyce earned her doctoral degree from the University of North Texas, and speaks nationally about issues relating to libraries and thoughtful use of educational technology. 
  This program is sponsored by Library Media Connection.
  
  
  FYI - a  2 minute video where Amy Rudet and Eric Sweet comments on "Adopting or Adapting the modules" 

• Last week I attended a couple of days for the NYLA conference (meetings and I had one presentation).  I have to say that I love NYLA, but the SSL conference is sooo much better for our school librarians.  If you missed last year's conference, you really missed a good one.  Looking Ahead...  Consider applying to present at this year's NYLA Section of School Librarians (SSL) Conference: 

• Expect More: Exploring Excellence in Education
  NYLA - SSL 2014 Conference April 24th, 25th & 26th
  515 Montgomery St, Syracuse, NY 13202
  Syracuse, New York @ Oncenter
  Hello Everyone,
  
  
  NYLA - SSL (New York Library Association Section of School Libraries) is calling for workshop proposals for our 2014 Conference which will be in Syracuse @ the OnCenter.  We are switching up the format and will have a Supertech Saturday along with a Nonfiction Common Core themed Friday.  
  We are looking for workshops, poster sessions, and much much more.  
  Check out our website for more information.
  
  
  We are working on the schedule so if possible if you are interested in presenting, bringing a poster for our poster sessions, or anything other presentation type medium please submit an application today.  If you are unsure if your idea would fix and want feedback please due let us know.  Library Students, teacher partners are welcome as well.
  
  
  The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m
  Submissions will only be accepted via the online form on the CNYSL website. Email, mail, or fax submissions will not be accepted.
  
  
  Website:  http://cnysl.weebly.com/2014-ssl-conference.html