15 Day Challenge Follow Up

Today's blog includes a link to the presentation from Casey Ahner on the 15 Day Challenge.  It also includes a link to the evaluation if you have not yet submitted this.

We appreciate the engagement and response to the learning on Monday.  Casey and other representatives from Solution Tree commented several times regarding the level of professionalism and the depth of the work and conversations among teacher teams.  We are proud of the approach to learning on the part of our teacher teams and are excited to see the continued benefits for our students! 

15-Day Challenge Presentation

15-Day Challenge Handout

Evaluation Link

MLK Day

As we celebrate the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., today's blog has some teaching resources to use in your classrooms. 

"I Have a Dream"

While Dr. King had many accomplishments, perhaps he is best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech that was given at the 1963 March on Washington for jobs, freedoms, and civil rights. The link below is a primary source resource and includes the entirety of this famous speech.

 

"Virtual Visits"

Our expanded technology can help students understand the context of King’s life with virtual tours of the MLK memorial in Washington, D.C. and King’s childhood home in Atlanta, GA.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: A virtual tour of the memorial with simple English narration.

• The National Park Service, which administers the national MLK monument and MLK birthplace, share a number of digital resources around historic sites, both in the life of Dr. King and the American struggle for civil rights at large, including the Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

• National Geographic Kids shares a full outline of the advocate’s life and times in this simple presentation, ideal for covering the basics.

• The National Archives shares sources, discussion questions, and more.

--@TCEA

Teaching Resources

PBS Classroom Resources

The March on Washington and its impact

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as visual text

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as a work of literature

Music and speeches at the March on Washington

Lesson Plans from the National Education Association

Dr. King's Dream
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., listen to an excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech, and create picture books about freedom for Americans today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., record information on a KWL chart, and keep a journal of thoughts and ideas.

How Big Are Martin’s Big Words? Thinking Big about the Future
Students in grades 3-5 listen to a reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and then analyze excerpts from King’s speeches for "big" words, words not necessarily as large in length as they are in importance: Freedom, Peace, Love.

Students in grades 6-8 create found poems based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1968 obituary published in The New York Times.

Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Power of Nonviolence
Students in grades 6-8 investigate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced King's views.

Lesson Plan: The Children's Crusade & the Role of Youth in the African American Freedom Struggle

Students in grades 9-12 learn about the role of youth in the Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama and Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech as a work of literature
Students (9-12) analyze the rhetorical influences on and the oratorical devices used by King.

Background Resources

I Have a Dream: Celebrating the Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.
A source of activities, lessons, and websites.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Racial and Social Justice: A Curriculum for Empowerment

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WEBSITES

• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Online

Videos

• Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream"
• The History Channel provides a collection of 49 short videos on Martin Luther King, Jr. and his career.

District Professional Learning-January 16th

We are looking forward to our district professional learning on January 16th.  The focus of the day is strengthening core instruction for all students.  Casey Ahner and Bryce Amos from Solution Tree will be joining us to help facilitate our learning. 

Casey R. Ahner has more than 22 years’ experience in education. He has served as a special education teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal at the intermediate and elementary levels.

Bryce Amos, EdS, was superintendent of the Carlisle Community School District in Iowa. He has been an educator for more than 20 years, also serving as executive director, principal, and teacher.

Casey Ahner will be presenting a process called "The 15 Day Challenge".  This protocol brings an intentional structure to unit designs that supports teams in anticipating and planning for the needs of students. 

Below is the schedule for the day.

8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Elementary Staff--Building PD

• Please report to the building you attend on Mondays.

Secondary Staff--15-day Challenge

• Please report to the HS Auditorium.  Bring a charged laptop and something to write with.

11:00-12:30: Lunch

12:30-3:30 PM

Elementary STAFF--15 day Challenge

• Please report to the HS Auditorium.  Bring a charged laptop and something to write with.

Secondary STAFF--Building PD

Please report to the building you attend on Mondays.

3:30-4:00: TEAM TIME

Elementary Collaboration-January 11th

Happy New Year!

We are looking forward to our upcoming elementary collaboration this Wednesday, January 11th.  The focus of our work will be supporting advanced learners.  We will be meeting from 2:30-4:00.  Teacher teams may report to the locations below:

Preschool	Willowbrook Elementary
Kindergarten	Altoona Elementary
Grade 1	Centennial Elementary
Grade 2	Runnells Elementary
Grade 3	Delaware Elementary (location change)
Grade 4	Willowbrook Elementary
Grade 5	Clay Elementary
Nurses	Clay Elementary
Counselors	Centennial Elementary
Teacher Librarians	Join grade level at home building
Music	Delaware Elementary
Art	Delaware Elementary
PE	Clay Elementary
ESOL	Join grade level at home building
Title I Math	Clay Elementary
Special Education Teachers	Junior High Auditorium
TAG	Join grade level at home building
Title I Reading & Reading Specialists	Mitchellville Elementary

Please bring a charged laptop and notetaking materials.  We look forward to learning together on Wednesday!