September 26: Grading and Reporting

The focus of our professional learning on Monday, September 26th will be around grading and reporting.  Dr. Mike Ruyle, from the Marzano Research Group will join us to help us continue our work with effective grading practices and proficiency scales. Below is a schedule for the day.

8:00-11:30
Dr. Mike Ruyle
"The Power of Standards, Scales, and Assessments"

Audience: All PK-12 certified staff
Location: Southeast Polk High School-Auditorium

Handout: Grading and Reporting Handout
Grading Exceptional Learners

You may either bring a copy of the handout, or your laptop to access the handout electronically. It is recommended that you download the handout prior to the session in case connectivity is a challenge with the large group.

11:30-1:00  Lunch (On your own)

1:00-2:30
Dr. Mike Ruyle
"Grading Exceptional Learners"

Audience: Special Education teachers, TAG teachers, ELL teachers, Reading Specialists, Title I teachers, interventionists

Location: Southeast Polk High School-Auditorium

ALL OTHER STAFF

"Creating Proficiency Scales"

Location: High School Commons
Work with your PLC to create a draft of a proficiency scale.

You will need at least 1 laptop per collaborative team.

More guidance will be provided at the conclusion of the morning session.


3:00-4:00
Dr. Mike Ruyle
Dr. Dirk Halupnik
Jo Ellen Latham

"Grading and Reporting Question and Answer Session"

Audience: All PK-12 certified staff, community members, and parents

Location: Southeast Polk High School-Auditorium

About Dr. Mike Ruyle

Mike Ruyle, EdD, served as a teacher, an athletic coach, an assistant principal, and a program director in the San Francisco Bay Area and Montana for 28 years. He has also been an adjunct professor and presenter at Montana State University.

Dr. Ruyle created and implemented the first fully functional, performance-based model of education in Montana for the alternative program at Bozeman High School and created and led a district task force on the best practices in alternative education. His leadership in performance-based education has made him a sought-after presenter for the Office of Public Instruction, The Mass Customized Learning Summit, and numerous schools and districts throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

He earned bachelor of arts degrees in history and English from the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Montana State University.

Teaching Resources: 9/11, Constitution Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Elections

This fall provides several authentic opportunities to engage learners with the 'civic life' component of our Southeast Polk vision. Below are resources to support teaching and learning around 9/11, Constitution Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the upcoming elections.  Please feel free to post any additional resources you have found to this blog.

September 11th

General Resources

·  Newseum https://newseumed.org/collection/freedom-in-the-balance/ 

·  US Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/911anniversary 

·  9/11 Tribute Center http://tributewtc.org/education/resources/teaching911 

·  Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/understanding-september-11

·  PBS News Hour http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/2014/09/911-anniversary-in-the-classroom/

·  Teaching History http://teachinghistory.org/spotlight/september11 

 Elementary Specific Resources

·  Book: 14 Cows for America

·  Book: September 12^th We Knew Everything Would Be All Right

·  Book: September Roses

·  Book: The Survivor Tree

·  9/11 Memorial Museum K-2 Lesson Plans https://www.911memorial.org/lesson-plans-k-2 

·  9/11 Memorial Museum 3-5 Lesson Plans https://www.911memorial.org/lesson-plans-3-5

9/11 Memorial Museum

The 9/11 Memorial Museum invites teachers and students from across the country to participate in a live webinar to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11. This FREE program, broadcast live from the 9/11 Memorial Museum, connects students and teachers from all 50 states with Museum staff and guest speakers to learn about the attacks and the importance of commemoration.

The program will be broadcast live on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 and TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (EST). It will also be recorded and available online for classes that miss the live broadcast. Participants will be introduced to the Memorial & Museum, learn about 9/11, and hear from Ada Dolch, the former principal of Leadership and Public Service High School in lower Manhattan. Ada was responsible for safely evacuating her students on 9/11 at the same time her sister, Wendy Wakeford, was at work on the 105th floor of the North Tower. In 2005, Ada helped establish a school in Afghanistan in memory of her sister, who was killed. For more information about Ada’s story, click here. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers during the 40-minute webinar. Attached is information about the program we hope you will share with educators, administrators, and other networks to ensure students have access to this FREE interactive program commemorating the 15th anniversary of 9/11.Register at911memorial.org/schoolswebinar.  For more information, visit 911memorial.org/webinar or contact the Education Programs Staff at anniversaryintheschools@911memorial.org. See the attached flyer for more information. 

Constitution Day

Congress enacted legislation requiring all public schools to set aside time on September 17th (or a day during that week) to teach all students about the U.S. Constitution and about citizenship.  This year is the 229th anniversary of our national Constitution.  While compliance is mandatory, the implementation details are left to local districts.  If you have any questions, contact Stefanie Wager, social studies consultant, at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov or 515-725-7842.  If you have legal questions about the matter, contact nicole.proesch@iowa.gov.  

You can find resources for teaching about the Constitution on the Iowa Department of Education Constitution Day webpage at https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/content-areas/social-studies#Constitution_Day.  Another fun resource that is relatively new through the National Archives is called the Constitution at Work.  Students match an article of the Constitution to the related primary source. Check it out here.  

Hispanic Heritage Month

·   PBS  http://www.pbs.org/specials/hispanic-heritage-month/  

·  Time for Kids  http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/hispanic-heritage-month-1

·  Smithsonian http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/resource_library/hispanic_resources.html  

Election Day-November 8th

From the NY Times Learning Network:

Our Election 2016 Unit: An Overview By MICHAEL GONCHAR The goal of our four-part election unit is to help students read, watch, research and discuss in order to come to conclusions grounded in evidence about the candidates and the issues.

Election 2016 Unit, Part 1: Who Are the Candidates? By MICHAEL GONCHAR For this mini-unit, students become investigative reporters who learn as much as they can about the candidates so they can inform voters about what experience, leadership qualities and values the candidates would bring to the presidency.

Election 2016 Unit, Part 2: What Are the Issues? By MICHAEL GONCHAR For this second mini-unit, students continue working as investigative reporters learning about the issues at stake in this election.

Election 2016 Unit, Part 3: The Campaign Strategy By MICHAEL GONCHAR For this third mini-unit, students take a step back from the candidates and issues and instead take a closer look at how the candidates run their campaigns.

Election 2016: Lesson Plans and Digital Resources for Educators

Growing Voters: Election Lesson Plans for Elementary, Middle, and High School

Election Resources from Scholastic

Race for the White House (TCI)

(score sheet)

Elementary Grade Level Collaboration 4.13.16

Schedule for Elementary Grade Level Collaboration

Four Mile Elementary, Runnells Elementary, Clay Elementary--all general education teachers and reading specialists will meet at Four Mile Elementary for training with Lexia Core.

All other K-5 teachers will be working with Math Grab & Go kits at designated elementary buildings.

Other teachers--please see the schedule below for your location.  Collaboration times are from 2:30-4:00.

PK	Clay Elementary/PK Room
Kdg. Math - Grab & Go	Runnells
Grade 1 Math - Grab & Go	Altoona Elementary
Grade 2 Math - Grab & Go	Delaware
Grade 3 Math - Grab & Go	Willowbrook
Grade 4 Math - Grab & Go	Mitchellville
Grade 5 Math - Grab & Go	Centennial
Special Education Teachers	Clay Library
Counselors	Centennial
Title I Math and Reading	Clay
Nurses	HS Conference Room
Teacher Librarians	TLRC
ELL	Clay
TAG	Clay
Music	Willowbrook
Art	Willowbrook
PE	Willowbrook

Summer Professional Development 2016

This summer, many teachers will be working with leadership from the curriculum coordinators, instructional coaches, and model teachers to articulate curriculum and design assessments to align with the Iowa Core.  

In addition, Teacher Quality funding (up to $375 per course) will be available for you to expand your professional learning during these summer months. Coursework that supports your current teaching assignment will be eligible for TQ funding.  Soon after you submit the form (found at the link below) you will receive an approval email for your application.

If you are taking a course outside of your current teaching area, please be as complete as possible in your description. A small group from the Teacher Quality Committee will review applications outside of teaching areas to determine funding eligibility. You will be notified shortly after this group meets.

Below are some recommendations of coursework to consider.  (You may also pursue courses outside of these recommendations). These course listings will be updated regularly between now and the end of the school year.  *See TQ "frequently asked questions" at the bottom of the blog.

Teacher Quality Course Application

*When you have completed your course, please submit a course transcript and a payroll sheet to Nikki Christianson for payment.

All Teacher Quality Course applications are due by June 2nd.

Course Considerations

**New courses added

Language Arts:

Dyslexia Assessment & Instruction, July 5 and 6 

Visual Phonics, July 21 & July 22

Word Walls, K-6 - July 20 & 21

Universal Core Instruction: Literacy for ALL  June 15-16 and 21-22 (please visit Heartland’s PD site and enter this activity number: DR419161011701) (New activity number!)

Word Knowledge (Vocabulary) Instruction to Impact Comprehension in Secondary, June 17 and 20. Please visit Heartland AEA’s PD site and enter this activity number- DR420602251701.

Technology Integration

Intro to Google Classroom (online) - June 13-July 11

Moodle 101 - June 30, July 1

Advanced Moodle  July 7 & 8

Utilizing Effective Online Assessments and Evaluations June 16, 20, 23 & 27

Utilizing Effective Online Assessments and Evaluations July 9 & 16

Assessment

Utilizing Effective Online Assessments and Evaluations July 16, 20, 23, 27

Utilizing Effective Online Assessments and Evaluations July 9, 16

Early Childhood

Visual Phonics, July 21 & July 22

Universal Literacy Instruction in Preschool, June 8 & 9

Leap Into Life Science, June 16 & 17 

Special Education

ADHD and Learning Disabilities: Classroom Interventions May 15 -July 15 **

Advancing Minds: Collaborative Teaching - Making it Work June 1 - August 5 **

Direct Instruction Strategies for Students with Autism & Developmental Delays June 17 & 20 **

Iowa Special Education Symposium June 13 and 14**

Counseling/At-Risk

Delving Deeper into the  Nine Essential Skills for Love & Logic Classroom, June 27 & 28

Counseling Strategies for Classroom Teachers, July 20 & 21

Building Assets June 28th, 29th **

Building Assets 2 2 June 30th, July 1st **

Building Assets 3 July 5th, 6th **

Sparks 1: Igniting the Strengths in Kids June 20th, 21st **

Sparks 2: Empowering the Strengths in Kids June 22nd, 23rd **

Sparks 3: Changing Strengths in Kids June 24th, 27th **

The Explosive Child  Aug 1st, 2nd **

Addressing Mental Health in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports Aug 10th 11th **

Science STEM & Outdoor Learning (Science/Math)

Taking STEM Outside: WILD Project-based Learning in Your Schoolyard June 13 & 14

Creatively Thinking with MinecraftEdu online June 6-August 12

Bioethics Workshop for Educators June 20, 21, 22, 23

Biotechnology Education Workshop I June 13, 14, 15, 16

Biotechnology Education Workshop II June 27, 28, 29, 30

Physical Science for Elementary Teachers online June 6-July 29, 2016 Computer Assisted Learning

Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom June 15, 16 (paperwork due June 23)

Mathematics

K-2 Math: Connecting the Common Core to the Classroom July 18, 19 **

K-8 Math: Best Practices in Targeted Math Instruction July 26, 27, 28 **
K-3 Math: Assessing Math Concepts July 7, 8 ** (Kathy Richardson Training)

6-12 Math: Putting Practices Into Action, June 28, 29 **

Connecting the Common Core to the Classroom July 18, 19 

Best Practices in Targeted Math Instruction July 26, 27, 28 
Assessing Math Concepts July 7, 8 

Social Studies

2016 Best Practices in Social Studies Institute--June 20 and June 21 (registration closes May 10th  Click here)  You can also check out a flyer about the institute here.

Building Literacy in Social Studies, August 1, 2 **

Cultural Competency/ Diverse Learners/ ELL

Visual Phonics, July 21 & July 22

Identifying Your Cultural Identity, June 16 & 17

Our Kids Summer Institute, June 16 & 17

Our Kids Workshop: Using the Academic Vocabulary Toolkit for ELLs in Grades 3-12, June 15

Practical Applications for Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom, June 21 & 22

Historical Perspectives of Diversity, June 13 & 14

Celebrating Diversity: African American Arts, July 11 & 12

Celebrating Diversity: African American History, June 20 & 21

Celebrating Diversity: African Americans in Iowa, June 16 & 17

Celebrating Diversity: African Cultures, June 6 & 7

Celebrating Diversity: Art, Dance, Music and Drama, June 23 & 24

Celebrating Diversity: Asian American Culture, June 13 & 14

Celebrating Diversity: Bosnian Culture, July 7 & 8

Celebrating Diversity: Burmese Culture, July 14 & 15

Celebrating Diversity: Gender Issues in the Classroom, July 18 & 19

Celebrating Diversity: Middle Eastern Culture, June 9 & 10

Celebrating Diversity: Native American Culture, June 27 & 28

Advanced Learners/ Enrichment/ TAG

Anxious Kids Searching for Calm July 13 & 27 (+ online)

Developing Student Directed Learning, Online June 22-July 22

Engaging Students in Collaboration,  June 29 & 30

Engaging Students in Creativity, June 27 & 28

Motivating Kids from the Inside Out, July 18 & 29 (+ online)

Personalized Learning: Helping Your Students Take Charge of their Learning, online July 6-August 2

PE/Health

Iowa Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Convention-June 21 and 22 **

Awkward to Awesome aka: Sex Ed Boot Camp **

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ec51r6bs3684e704&llr=yirfcudab

Puberty/Reproductive Anatomy/Contraception **

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ec51sndee91f8d4a&llr=yirfcudab

HIV/AIDS/STD's **

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ec51u153b1b08484&llr=yirfcudab

F.L.A.S.H. Training of Educators **

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ec5iafkwd3a1c5aa&llr=yirfcudab

Other Courses to Consider

Celebrating Diversity: Art, Dance, Music and Drama, June 23 & 24

Celebrating Diversity: Gender Issues in the Classroom, July 18 & 19

Children's Literature in the Music Classroom, June 27 & 28

Get Moving, Get Learning: Tips and Techniques for Action-Based Learning, June 28 & 29

Fun and Focus for Your Classroom, June 6 & 8

Fun and Focus for Your Classroom Part 2, July 20 & 21 *Do not need Part 1 to take Part 2

Fun and Focus for Your Classroom Part 3, July 5 & 6 * You can start with Part 3

Spanish for Educators, online July 5-August 16

For other course information, please visit the Heartland AEA PD Calendar

Teacher Quality Frequently Asked Questions

• A TQ application should be completed for any course work--even those courses listed on the blog.

• TQ funds may be used to support taking 1 class over the summer.  Please submit only 1 TQ form.

• TQ funds are eligible for 15 hours of course time (up to $375).  If the course has more hours of contact time, only the first 15 are eligible for TQ funding. 

• Please indicate on your payroll sheet the hours of contact time.  If you are taking an online class, indicate the hours you worked on the course (up to 15) on your payroll sheet.

• Instructional coaches and model teachers may also apply for TQ funds for coursework.  TQ funds, however, may not be used for professional development that is going towards additional contract days. 

• Because a course transcript is submitted for payment, there is no need to have an instructor sign your payroll sheet.