Instructional Information


English Instruction

English & Reading Instructional Resources

Standards of Learning & Testing Resources

  • The Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework comprise the English language arts content that teachers in Virginia are expected to teach and students are expected to learn.

  • Test blueprints provide information on how SOL and VMAST assessments are constructed.

  • The Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans align instruction with the standards and cover the essential understandings, knowledge and skills found in the curriculum framework.

Using Statewide SOL Test Results to Guide Instruction

Statewide results on mathematics and reading SOL tests were analyzed to determine specific content for which overall student performance was weak or inconsistent. The presentations below provide examples of SOL content identified by this analysis. Any sample questions provided in these presentations are not SOL test items and are not meant to mimic questions used on the SOL tests. Instead, they are intended to provide educators with further insight into the concepts that challenged students statewide.

Elementary Literacy Resources

Literacy begins at the very earliest stages of development. As infants and toddlers gradually become aware of language they soon begin to take steps to interact with it. These experiences form the basis of future literacy learning.

English SOL Vocabulary

In order to become independent readers, students must build vocabulary by applying their knowledge of word structure and context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Teachers need to provide both direct and indirect instruction in all areas of vocabulary development across all content areas.

English Sample Lesson Plans

English Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans help teachers align instruction with the 2010 English Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Writing Instruction Resources

Released Tests & Item Sets

Archived Released Tests


Mathematics Instruction

*MIP (Math Instructional Plans)

Mathematics Instructional Resources

Instructional Resources from VDOE to support the following five goals for students: becoming mathematical problem solvers, communicating mathematically, reasoning mathematically, making mathematical connections and using mathematical representations to model and interpret practical situations.

Using Statewide SOL Test Results to Guide Instruction

Statewide results on mathematics and reading SOL tests were analyzed to determine specific content for which overall student performance was weak or inconsistent. The presentations below provide examples of SOL content identified by this analysis. Any sample questions provided in these presentations are not SOL test items and are not meant to mimic questions used on the SOL tests. Instead, they are intended to provide educators with further insight into the concepts that challenged students statewide.

Enhanced Scope and Sequence Sample Lesson Plans

Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans help teachers align instruction with the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the knowledge and skills found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom. The lesson plans are accessible using a keyword search, or by selecting specific SOL objectives organized by grade level and reporting category.

Instructional Videos for Teachers

These instructional videos are provided as support for the implementation of the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL).

Mathematics Vocabulary Word Wall Cards

Mathematics vocabulary word wall cards provide a display of mathematics content words and associated visual cues to assist in vocabulary development. The cards should be used as an instructional tool for teachers and then as a reference for all students, particularly English learners and students with disabilities.

Professional Development Resources

VDOE continues to provide professional development for school divisions and teachers to support the implementation of the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning. School divisions and teachers are encouraged to utilize the professional development resources to improve student achievement through quality instruction.

Mathematics Standards of Learning & Curriculum Frameworks

  • Understanding the Standard – includes background information for the teacher; content that may extend teachers’ knowledge of the standard beyond the current grade level; and suggestions and resources to plan lessons.

  • Essential Understandings (Grades K – 8 only) – delineates the key concepts, ideas and mathematical relationships that all students should grasp to demonstrate understanding of the mathematics standards.

  • Essential Knowledge and Skills – expands each standard by providing information about what each student should know and be able to do to further define the standard (this is not an exhaustive list, but a guide).

2017 Mathematics SOL Institutes

Science Instruction

Science Standards of Leaning & Testing

Science Instruction

Using Statewide SOL Test Results to Guide Instruction

Statewide results on mathematics and reading SOL tests were analyzed to determine specific content for which overall student performance was weak or inconsistent. The presentations below provide examples of SOL content identified by this analysis. Any sample questions provided in these presentations are not SOL test items and are not meant to mimic questions used on the SOL tests. Instead, they are intended to provide educators with further insight into the concepts that challenged students statewide.

Science Sample Lesson Plans

Science Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans help teachers align instruction with the 2010 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Professional Development Resources

Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, divisions implemented the 2010 Science Standards of Learning. The revised standards are intended to deepen student understanding of the subject while allowing students to demonstrate critical reasoning skills. To assist school division curriculum and instructional leaders in implementing the new standards, VDOE offered institutes in 2010 and 2012. Additional professional development opportunities, such as the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement, are available to elementary and secondary science teachers.

Lessons from the Bay

Grade 2 Unit: Virginia Animals and their Habitats

History & Social Science Instruction

History & Social Science Instruction

History & Social Sciences Resources

History & Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) Institutes

VDOE provided professional development for school divisions and their teachers to support the implementation of the 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning. School divisions and teachers are encouraged to utilize the professional development resources to improve student achievement through quality instruction.

Standards of Learning Documents for History & Social Science

  • The Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework comprise the history and social science content that teachers in Virginia are expected to teach and students are expected to learn.

  • Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans align instruction with the standards and cover the essential understandings, knowledge and skills found in the curriculum framework.

  • Test blueprints provide information on how SOL assessments are constructed.

  • Released tests and item sets are SOL assessments recently administered in the commonwealth’s public schools.

Sample Lesson Plans

History and Social Science Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans help teachers align instruction with the 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the essential understandings, knowledge and skills found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Released SOL Tests & Item Sets –

Tests and item sets representative of the content and skills included in the Virginia SOL tests.

2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning Implementation 2017-2018

Desmos Calculator


JUST IN TIME – MATHEMATICS QUICK CHECKS


Desmos 4 Function Calculator Tool

Desmos Practice Items

JUST IN TIME – MATHEMATICS QUICK CHECKS


Desmos



VDOE Links


PGCS Important Links


VDOE Mandatory Dyslexia Training

VDOE Mandatory Child Abuse Module

PGCS Instructional Website

PGCS Student Services

VDOE Mandatory Civic Education Module

Licensure

Course (pacing) Guides

PGCS Guide to Acceptable Computer and Internet Usage

Professional Development

Teacher Direct News

PGCS Comprehensive Plan

PGCS Forms & Documents

VDOE Instruction

Standards of Learning & Testing

Emergency Closing Procedures

S CLass 2.0 WTO Form

Spring 2015 Released Items

TestNav8 Download

S CLaSS 2.0 Professional Development Survey


TestNav8 Practice Guides





Integrating K5 CS Standards

Computer Science Standards & Instruction

K-12 CS Standards of Learning

CS SOL "Draft" Curriculum Framework

CS Fundamentals Unplugged Lessons

VDOE Computer Science Instruction

Computter Science Teacher Association

CODE.org

CodeVA

K12 CS Framework Webinar (YouTube)

K12 CS Framework Online Presentation (Webinar)

Expanding Computing Education Pathways

Google CS First

CODE.org Glossary

CSFG - CS Field Guide

To Use or Not to Use! ~ Fair Use Sort (Copy Google Slide)

Personal or Public Information & Cyberbullying (Copy Google Doc)

Computer Science Unplugged Activities (NO Device Required)

CS Unplugged - Computer Science without a computer! (Classic)

CS Unplugged has unit and individual lesson plans, teaching videos, curriculum integration activities, and more! NO DEVICE REQUIRED!

CODE.org compiled a list of all of their unplugged lessons for you to use in your classroom. Now you can teach the fundamentals of computer science, whether you have computers in your classroom or not! Try using these lessons as a stand alone course or as complementary lessons for any computer science course.

Courtesy of L. L. Beazley Elementary School