Exploring the Design of Bluebonnet Learning RLA K-5 (4/7/25 Session) by Jessica Antonio

Shorter scope and sequence for 165-day school year

2025-04-07 15:11:55 UTC

Pacing has been a challenge over the past three years.

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:12:09 UTC

Most LEA will be exited to hear about the alignment to the TEKS and the adjusted Scope and Sequence.

Scope & Sequence

2025-04-07 15:12:42 UTC

I think teachers will appreciate a scope and sequence that is more closely aligned to their total instructional days

Teachers and coaches will be excited about the grade levels with reduced units that will best fit within a shorter school year. Knowing the HQIM is specific to Texas and the TEKS will be something stakeholders value about BL RLA.

sharongarcia5 — 2025-04-07 15:12:43 UTC

Scope & Sequenced

2025-04-07 15:12:47 UTC

More manageable learning pathway

cparton9 — 2025-04-07 15:13:09 UTC

I think the shift to Bluebonnet will enhance the work I do as a Product Advisor because it will allow us to dig deeper and make connections such as similarities and differences as well as connections to STAAR.

cvogl4 — 2025-04-07 15:13:20 UTC

Teachers and coaches will likely be excited about the ready-to-use, high-quality lessons that save planning time and align with research and standards.

2025-04-07 15:13:46 UTC

I’m curious about how teacher and coach feedback will continue to be gathered and used to refine the materials moving forward.

2025-04-07 15:13:48 UTC

I think that much of the coaching / support will be similar. I think the updates will actually benefit the support to coaches and teachers and make student success more attainable

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:13:48 UTC

I will need to be well versed in the changes so I can help LEA be aware of changes. My role right now will be very similar but I also see a need to connect with IA especially in the beginning to address scope and sequences, assessment calendars, overall implementation processes, systems and protocols.

3rd grade daily schedule

2025-04-07 15:13:48 UTC

Looking at the foundational skills needs of rising third graders to determine if 150 minutes needs to be allocated in the daily schedule or if the 3rd-grade FS supplement will be used during an intervention block for tier 2 instruction.

Assisting coaches/teachers in navigating which lessons have been added/omitted in each unit.

cbland23 — 2025-04-07 15:13:49 UTC

More aligned learning pathway

2025-04-07 15:13:53 UTC

I think 3rd grade teachers will be excited about the additional Skills component to support their students during Tier 2/3 instruction.

2025-04-07 15:14:04 UTC

2025-04-07 15:14:14 UTC

It’ll require closer collaboration to make sure we’re aligned in our messaging and that we’re reinforcing the same goals and supports.

Pacing

cparton9 — 2025-04-07 15:14:27 UTC

I believe the pacing is going to be something everyone is excited about. We have so many districts going to a 4-day school week and it has been difficult to figure out how all of that is going to work.

2025-04-07 15:14:28 UTC

Ensuring leaders at all levels are aware of the changes and aligned on key implementation decisions

chat function

2025-04-07 15:14:28 UTC

Will bluebonnet have a live chat option like Amplify Elementary Literacy Program has. We were able to type questions in the chat and get answers in real time.

Change management

2025-04-07 15:14:32 UTC

Some teachers will feel the loss of texts being moved out of their grade level (e.g. fifth grade Shakespeare --> 6th grade)

2025-04-07 15:14:35 UTC

I think the shift to Bluebonnet will require more front-loading and professional learning around the enhancements made, the purpose behind them, and the impact they may have on teacher practice, understanding, and planning.

Optional foundations skills for 3rd grade will be helpful for additional tier 2 instruction.

2025-04-07 15:14:36 UTC

TEKS Alignment

2025-04-07 15:14:44 UTC

I think teachers, coaches, and school leaders will be really excited with the alignment to the TEKS as well as the adjusted scope and sequence to more closely match their instructional calendar!!

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:14:59 UTC

Many of the changes will affect overall LEA systems and protocols. Working closely with the IA will support building their capacity in Bluebonnet will support the adaptive and technical changes for the LEA during this transition.

2025-04-07 15:15:03 UTC

I think that with BL, it is going to be easier to articulate the why of the materials since they were reviewed by Texas educators for Texas educators, and therefore, the materials align to TEKS, therefore, STAAR rigor.

2025-04-07 15:15:20 UTC

One technical challenge I anticipate is helping teachers navigate where to find things in the updated materials. With new documents and tools, there’s going to be a learning curve. I’ll need to guide teams through the structure, show them how to use the internalization protocols, and help them feel confident accessing what they need.

Adjusted days of instruction within units

2025-04-07 15:15:34 UTC

Teachers will appreciate the adjustment to days of instruction for Bluebonnet.

Being able to communicate the enhancements and reliability of the content can motivate teachers to engage in the lessons and instruction delivery.

2025-04-07 15:15:39 UTC

2025-04-07 15:15:49 UTC

Teachers are asking if there will be pre-made slide decks for each lesson/unit.

Change but a good change!

robertrain1 — 2025-04-07 15:16:07 UTC

Change can be difficult; however, I think teachers and coaches will appreciate the solid resource and find a way to customize as needed without spending hours searching for "the thing".

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:16:19 UTC

Access to Spanish materials. Many of our LEA have populations that would benefit from these materials. I'm wondering about the other supporting resources that Amplify provided...will Bluebonnet provide similar resourses for LEA?

Scope and Sequence/TEKS Alignment

KSmithESCReg11 — 2025-04-07 15:16:28 UTC

The teachers will be excited about the adjusted scope and sequence and knowing the TEKS are 100% covered. This will align with their instructional days.

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 15:16:42 UTC

Teachers and coaches will be excited about the adjustment in scope and sequence. I also think 4th and 5th grade will be excited about the novel unit.

2025-04-07 15:17:07 UTC

Collaborating closely with the IA to ensure the planning and the communication go across all stakeholders and meet the specific needs of each organization we serve. Including alignment with calendars, scope, and sequence, pacing, and administrators' feedback, as well as training.

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 15:17:53 UTC

I anticipate more adaptive coaching. I'll need to internalized the changes to ease the anxiety of the "change".

2025-04-07 15:17:56 UTC

Can BL be extended to summer school?

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:17:57 UTC

Accessing materials. Many LEA will drop in their platforms (like Clever), but in general time to navigate the materials will be helpful. I'm wondering about some of the content covered in Knowledge Units...For example 4th Grade reads Number the Stars that is aligned with 5th Grade Social Studies...we will need to be prepared to address questions teachers/LEA will have about content.

kristina363 — 2025-04-07 15:18:56 UTC

How does Bluebonnet address STAAR alignment and connections?

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 15:19:05 UTC

It will require closer collaboration to make sure the message is the same.

KSmithESCReg11 — 2025-04-07 15:19:42 UTC

For districts that were using the CER, I'll be able to support them in the transition by clarifying what enhancements have been made and why. I will need to internalize the units, lessons, and alignment to be prepared to answer their questions and support planning and implementation.

2025-04-07 15:20:19 UTC

How can we guide districts that are hoping to omit lessons with overtly religious texts (For example, Kinder Unit 7 Lesson 7 "The Good Samaritan." 1st Grade Unit 1 Lesson 9: "The Prodigal Son", or 5th Grade Unit 5 Lesson 5 "The Psalm of David")? We know as Product Advisors that units build on each other, and omitting lessons can cause issues later in the unit or omit key standards from instruction. Please advise on how we can guide districts in these concerns while maintaining fidelity to the product. Thank you!

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 15:20:20 UTC

I wonder how to support DL/BIL classrooms since materials will be piloted.

Benchmark

wowens16 — 2025-04-07 15:24:58 UTC

We were guided to suggest that districts opt out of completing the embedded BOY, MOY, and EOY benchmarks in Amplify (kinder-2nd grade) because they were so similar to mCLASS. This was an option for our districts using mCLASS as a way to help with pacing. Is that still an option with Bluebonnet?

Please use the provided Question Submission Form to ask questions that fall outside of the scope of today's session.

2025-04-07 15:35:05 UTC

Support materials are largely the same

2025-04-07 15:36:35 UTC

Unit and lesson internalization protocols, the Observation Tool are basically the same.

Will ESCs receive the Spanish Pilot materials along with Bluebonnet Learning RLA?

cbland23 — 2025-04-07 15:36:58 UTC

2025-04-07 15:37:23 UTC

Helping teachers to understand the changes that have been made and what adjustments they will have for this year.

2025-04-07 15:37:47 UTC

I think coaches and teachers will be excited about the alignment with TEKS and STAAR rigor, the embedded scaffolds, and having all the resources required for the lesson in one place. The teachers can now focus their attention on delivery instead of gathering questionable resources to teach.

Moving into Bluebonnet Learning, has there been any thoughts/discussions around additional training related to the Spanish Pilot Materials for district onboarding?

cbland23 — 2025-04-07 15:38:04 UTC

The framework facilitates the implementation.

2025-04-07 15:38:22 UTC

2025-04-07 15:39:19 UTC

I anticipate having many questions regarding specific changes and the religious content in the materials.

Alignment

2025-04-07 15:41:36 UTC

The Program Implementation Guide allows for IAs, and others who support teachers, to discuss our expectations for implementation. I think that teachers are always looking for ways to incoorporate their personal craft and the PIG allows for us to have these conversations.

Curriculum Maps

2025-04-07 15:45:37 UTC

I wonder what the rationale behind removing curriculum maps is. This resource was very useful for Unit inteernalization.

Trade books

lilianaorellana — 2025-04-07 16:01:58 UTC

Where can I find information about the trade books included with Bluebonnet Learning – RLA, and whether they align with the ones provided in Amplify Learning?

STAAR aligned questions

2025-04-07 16:15:10 UTC

STAAR-alignment

2025-04-07 16:16:16 UTC

Teachers and administrators will appreciate the enhancements so the product is more aligned to STAAR. It will help with fidelity in implementation too.

I believe my LEAs will find the changes as a great comfort. Especially the adjustment to instructional days.

2025-04-07 16:16:20 UTC

Alignment to TEKS and coaching the Kinder Chunks in the lesson...pacing.

drogers62 — 2025-04-07 16:16:22 UTC

I hope educators have all the resources printed before scholastic year begins.

drogers62 — 2025-04-07 16:17:06 UTC

If new to BL HQIM there may be greater level of work in supporting teachers with the shift to reading aloud more in upper grades. Helping them through navigating when to read aloud and when Students read texts can be a challenging shift. This will require my role as a PA to be prepared for differences based on experience with prior versions of CER or other.

sharongarcia5 — 2025-04-07 16:17:45 UTC

These are wonderful resources that are full of content and skills. How will the teacher be able to effectively unpack these resources to implement them fully?

2025-04-07 16:19:17 UTC

Grades 3-5 text-to-speech

KSmithESCReg11 — 2025-04-07 16:20:03 UTC

Is there any possibility they will have the text-to-speech feature available for grades 3-5 on questions and answer choices on assessments?

Digital assessments

2025-04-07 17:41:04 UTC

"What LMS systems are compatible with the QTI assessments? Seems EduPhoria was not."

Exit Tickets

wowens16 — 2025-04-07 18:01:38 UTC

When will these be available?

Staffing

2025-04-07 18:25:16 UTC

In rural schools, small staff sizes can be a challenge when trying to leverage roles and responsibilities.

Assisting leadership to understand that RLA should not be broken out to fit a 50 minute class period at grades 3-5.

cbland23 — 2025-04-07 18:25:22 UTC

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 18:25:26 UTC

All printed materials ready for the beginning of the school year

cparton9 — 2025-04-07 18:25:26 UTC

For districts new to the curriculum, it is starting all over again with buy-in and getting them to trust the process.

Materials Distribution and Organization

2025-04-07 18:25:29 UTC

Getting rid of Amplify materials, distributing Bluebonnet and organizing those materials.

2025-04-07 18:25:33 UTC

Organizing and distributing materials.

2025-04-07 18:25:46 UTC

Dual Language program configuration and language % allocation.

Time for unit and lesson internalization + SWA

2025-04-07 18:26:05 UTC

2025-04-07 18:26:07 UTC

building sufficient time for internalization / data analysis (PLC scheduling)

2025-04-07 18:26:17 UTC

Teachers' instructional pacing.

2025-04-07 18:26:26 UTC

input of data from curriculum based assessments into comprehensive data management system incorporating behavior, mental health, RLA, and math

How to get Admin to observe and provide feedback on teacher fidelity.

2025-04-07 18:26:35 UTC

2025-04-07 18:26:45 UTC

Schedules, Departamentalized vs. Self-contained.

brenda0573 — 2025-04-07 18:26:49 UTC

Instructional coaching support: some IC support 2-3 campuses which is a challenge when it comes to support teachers during PLCs and/or feedback.

2025-04-07 18:27:09 UTC

Time to become familiar with new resources and location of previously used resources.

2025-04-07 18:33:29 UTC

Technical Alignment with District Systems (e.g., Pacing, Reporting, LMS)

Challenge: The curriculum’s pacing and structure might not automatically align with district calendars, assessment systems, or teacher evaluation frameworks.
Solution: Help teams adjust pacing guides locally and document alignment to:
- TEKS
- District interim assessments
- Observation rubrics (e.g., T-TESS)

2025-04-21 15:22:30 UTC

A shorter scope and sequence!

2025-04-21 15:22:34 UTC

probably the enhanced TEKS, ELPS & STAAR aligned materials.

2025-04-21 15:22:47 UTC

It is not all new and enhancements, not changes, have been made to further support the learners.

Pacing & STAAR Alignment

jennifer1504 — 2025-04-21 15:22:48 UTC

I anticipate that teachers will be excited to see the STAAR Aligned questions and how pacing/S&S will be easier, considering so many districts have shifted to a 4 day week.

Working with Internalization

jleckbee — 2025-04-21 15:22:49 UTC

Working with IAs on supporting the understanding of these updates and changes in PD and PLC will be key. Teachers and leaders will need to internalize these units.

Technical challenges will be getting familiar with the new units and the changes, as well as how to easily and quickly access the materials.

2025-04-21 15:22:50 UTC

jrogers171 — 2025-04-21 15:23:52 UTC

Teachers and coaches will be excited about the new units that have been added.

2025-04-21 15:24:04 UTC

I think the shift will be similar, but it's important to know about the changes in order to speak about them accurately.

Adaptations and Flexibility

jennifer1504 — 2025-04-21 15:24:09 UTC

It will be important for me to share the 'WHY" and dig deeper with teachers on the connections and new enhancements that will be a support to the teachers.

Connections to STAAR and T TESS

jleckbee — 2025-04-21 15:24:14 UTC

Teachers will be eager to see how this curriculum supports the expectations placed on them for EB and SPEC ED students as well as providing some intervention materials as well.

rchly19 — 2025-04-21 15:50:10 UTC

Coherence and alignment with TEKS, ELPS, STAAR and IMRA rubric, shortened scope and sequence and optional stand alone foundational skills support.

Time and materials management

2025-04-21 18:22:16 UTC

rchly19 — 2025-04-21 18:22:20 UTC

Navigating and knowing where to find the resources and materials needed.

Bilingual Classroom

2025-04-21 18:24:11 UTC

The teachers had a difficult time when they had to go from one language to another.

Technical Challenges will be how aligned the curriculum is aligned to STAAR and how to continually spiral in some of the skills review and practice.

2025-04-21 18:24:41 UTC