MELT Registration Closes Today at 3:00 p.m.

MELT Registration closes today at 3:00 p.m.   If you don't see a session listed, it simply means it is at capacity and no additional registrants will be accepted.  There are still many great sessions available; so before you leave for the holiday break be sure and register.

MELT BROCHURE

MELT REGISTRATION

MRVED UPCOMING MEETINGS:

January 8, 2014  Principals' Council

January 10, 2014  Title III Paraprofessionals

January 20, 2014  MELT

January 22, 2014  Superintendents' Council

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Karen, Brandon, & Mary

MELT Registration

MELT Registration

MELT Brochure

Registration Link

Registration for the MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) has begun!  Registration has been open for the past week and will close on  Friday, December 20th.  You will want to register now as sessions are filling up fast!  Once a session is closed, you will not see it when you register.  Please do not ask to get into closed sessions, as once a session is full, we will not let anyone else register.  With over 96 sessions to choose from throughout the day, there is something for everyone.  Please note that most sessions are 1 hour in length, but there are a couple that will be 2 hours and one that is 4 hours in length.  This is noted on the flyer as well as in the registration.

Lunch: The menu will be a barbecue or hot turkey sandwich on a bun, beans, chips, fruit cup, a bar, milk, and coffee. Should you decide to eat the catered meal, your home district will be collecting your lunch money.  The lunch cost is $5.00.

Special Notes (If your group is listed below, you still need to register for these sessions)

Special Education 

• MVCC Districts: There is an all day session offered by MVCC required of YME and RCW special education teachers to attend.  Attendance is not required of the other MVCC special education districts, but strongly encouraged.
• SW/WC Service Cooperative Districts (Benson, Montevideo, Ortonville): There is a 2 hour session that 4th-12th grade special education teachers are required to attend.

Elementary Music

• Elementary music teachers will be off site at Bert Raney Elementary in Granite Falls with Beth Jahn.  Jessica Leibfried from the Perpich Center will be working with the teachers in the morning.

Art/Band/Choir Teachers

• The Perpich Center will be continuing the work they began with you at your Best Practice Meeting.  Please register for the Arts in Cultural Context session offered in session 1.  In session 3, they will then break the group according to content area and that session is entitled "Implementing Arts and Cultural Context with Artful Teaching Practices."  Session 4, you will be able to network.

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
World Languages
The World Language teachers assembled at the MRVED on Friday, December 6th for their annual best practice meeting.  The morning was spent discussing 21st century skills and how it relates to World Languages.  After a great discussion, the group reviewed and revised their local standards one last time before board approval.  Lunch at Pizza Ranch was filled with laughter, stories, and awesome discussion.  In the afternoon, the group shared some awesome resources, we did some rhythmic clapping exercises and we (excluding Brandon) even danced!  It was an awesome day, with an awesome group of people!


MELT Reminder
If you have not registered for the MELT yet, you should do so right now!  With over 500 teachers expected, sessions are filling up fast and we will close sessions when they reach capacity.

MELT Brochure

MELT Registration Link

MRVED Upcoming Meetings:

December 18, 2013  Superintendents' Council
January 8, 2014  Principals' Council
January 10, 2014  Title III Paraprofessionals
January 20, 2014  MELT (at LQPV High School)
January 22, 2014  Superintendents'  Council

Tech Tips of the Week

#TIES13
If you are on Twitter, you will want to follow the #TIES13 hashtag starting on Saturday as the conference gets underway!  Brandon will also be live tweeting the events, so follow him as well @braymo22.








Google Storybuilder
Google Storybuilder is a Google App that allows users to create a story or a dialogue and have it recorded.  It is a tool you must see to fully comprehend.  Below you will find an example.

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

12. Help students do something with their learning

What it looks like: "Teachers use structured classroom discussions and writing assignments to help students extend their learning.  They use project-based learning and complex or heuristic problem-solving assignments to help students integrate and apply new knowledge in novel situations.  Such assignments do not replace but, rather, build on content knowledge."

Why it is important: "When students do not have opportunities to extend and apply what they have learned, their new knowledge tends to fade from memory.  The ability to solve complex problems or heuristic tasks is prized in the work world and by students, who are more engaged when given opportunities to learn through real-world application."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 198)

MELT Registration

MELT Registration

MELT Brochure

Registration Link

Registration for the MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) has begun!  Registration will run from today until 3:00 on  Friday, December 20th.  You will want to register early as sessions fill up fast!  With over 96 sessions to choose from throughout the day, there is something for everyone.  Please note that most sessions are 1 hour in length, but there are a couple that will be 2 hours and one that is 4 hours in length.  This is notated on the flyer as well as in the registration.

Lunch: The menu will be a barbecue or hot turkey sandwich on a bun, beans, chips, fruit cup, a bar, milk, and coffee. Should you decide to eat the catered meal, your home district will be collecting your lunch money.  The lunch cost is $5.00.
Special Notes (If your group is listed below, you still need to register for these sessions)

Special Education 

• MVCC Districts: There is an all day session offered by MVCC required of YME and RCW special education teachers to attend.  Attendance is not required of the other MVCC special education districts, but strongly encouraged.
• SW/WC Service Cooperative Districts (Benson, Montevideo, Ortonville): There is a 2 hour session that 4th-12th grade special education teachers are required to attend.

Elementary Music

• Elementary music teachers will be off site at Bert Raney Elementary in Granite Falls with Beth Jahn.  Jessica Leibfried from the Perpich Center will be working with the teachers in the morning.

Art/Band/Choir Teachers

• The Perpich Center will be continuing the work they began with you at your Best Practice Meeting.  Please register for the Arts in Cultural Context session offered in session 1.  In session 3, they will then break the group according to content area and that session is entitled "Implementing Arts and Cultural Context with Artful Teaching Practices."  Session 4, you will be able to network.

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
English Language Arts Best Practice Meeting
The English Language Arts Best Practice Meeting was held on Tuesday, December 3rd.  A large group of teachers gathered at the MRVED on a cold, wet/snowy day.  The morning started off learning what 21st century skills are and how they relate to the classroom.  After a great discussion on the 21st century skills, the group then broke into smaller groups and tackled creating a K-12 MRVED Academic Vocabulary List.  This was a great activity for teachers to do, and revealed some awesome discussion about teaching vocabulary in the classroom.  Lunch was great as usual.  The afternoon was a little more laid back and the teachers had the opportunity to share their own resources and ideas with each other.  Brandon showed some augmented reality technology at the end and the group parted ways for another year.  Again, overall a great bunch of teachers and an awesome day!


Health Best Practice Meeting
The Health best practice meeting was postponed due to the weather.  Look for a makeup date to be sent out soon.

MRVED Meetings
December 9, 2013  District Assessment Coordinators (DACs)
December 11, 2013  Principals' Council
December 12, 2013 Teachers' Advisory Council (TAC)
December 13, 2013  Title III Teachers
December 18, 2013  Superintendents' Council

Tech Tip of the Week

Emaze
Emaze is an interesting new way to create presentations.  It is a cross between creating a Prezi and a PowerPoint.  Emaze is still in beta testing, and can be buggy at times.  Overall, it is a great alternative for students who are sick of the PowerPoint or Google Presentation and Prezi might be a little too scattered for them.  Emaze gives you the Prezi look, but in an organized way.  Give it a try or have one of your students try it today!  Brandon created his TIES 2013 presentation using Emaze!

Emaze Example

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

11. Coach students to mastery

What it looks like: "Teachers use frequent checks for understanding to know which concepts or skills students are struggling to master and reteach as needed to help students develop mastery.  They also provide students with opportunities for deliberate practice, focusing on developing the skills and knowledge they are struggling to master."

Why it is important: "Research shows one key to elite performance is having a coach pressing performers to concentrate their practice on areas where they're needed most.  Research has also found a much stronger effect for practice than homework, which suggests that homework assignments should be constructed as opportunities for deliberate practice."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 198)

MRVED Business

LAST DAY:
MELT Networking Facilitators

Today (Friday, November 22) is the LAST DAY to signup to be a facilitator of a networking group at the MELT in January!  The signup sheet will close at 3:30 p.m. today! As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.

The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.

Networking Facilitator Signup

So Far the only groups that will have a networking session will be:

• Kindergarten (Math Emphasis)
• 3rd Grade
• HS/JH Science
• HS/JH Social Studies
• Industrial Technology
• Agriculture
• Art
• ECFE/ECSE
• Counselors
• ESL
• New Teachers
• Principals
• Band
• Choral
• World Language
• FACS

MRVED UPCOMING MEETINGS

November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council

December 3, 2013 - Language Arts

December 4, 2013 - MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)

December 5, 2013 - Health

December 6, 2013 - World Languages

December 9, 2013 - District Assessment Coordinators (DACs)

TIES 2013 Technology Conference

Don't miss out on the 2013 TIES Education Technology Conference, December 14-17.  The featured speakers this year are Marc Prensky and Dr. Mizuko Ito.  If you are a fan of educational technology, this is the conference for you!  There are 100's of breakout sessions to choose from throughout the day, and time to connect with some of the greatest minds in educational technology from around the state and world.  This year the MRVED is lucky to have a couple presenters in our midst.  Brandon will be presenting 50 Tools for 21st Century Skills on Monday morning at 8:00 AM and Krista Isaacs and Melissa Wilber from Lakeview will be presenting the Best Free Websites for the Upper Elementary Classroom at the same time.

Tech Tip of the Week

Are you looking for a neat way to grab the attention of your students?  Are your students looking for a different project idea?  Look no further!  Newsjack.in is an awesome website that allows you to take any website and edit the contents.  See this EXAMPLE.  Newsjack.in is so easy to use, elementary students would have a blast using it!

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

Reminder: This series of posts comes from the book The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching by Bryan Goodwin & Elizabeth Ross Hubbell.

10. Help students develop deep knowledge

What it looks like: "Teachers introduce new knowledge by helping students connect it to prior knowledge.  They help students make meaningful patterns, assembling disparate bits of information into coherent patterns.  They consider what students will think about with each assignment and aim to focus thinking on deep knowledge"

Why it is important:  "The goal of learning is deep knowledge- the ability to connect ideas, see patterns, and apply learning in novel situations- which in turn, is key to memory.  Effective teaching strategies do not always work; they must be applied with intentionality according to the knowledge teachers are helping students develop."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 198)

MRVED Business

MELT Networking Facilitators

The MRVED is looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.

The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.
Networking Facilitator Signup

MELT Update
MELT planning is coming together nicely!  There are currently 40+ sessions on the docket with many networking sessions scheduled in throughout the day.  Please consider being a networking facilitator if you feel strongly about networking with colleagues.  Registration will be out in early December.  Be sure to register early as many sessions filled up quickly last year.  Look for the registration materials to be delivered in an email as well as the weekly update.

MRVED Meetings
November 21, 2013 Industrial Technology (Tour K & M Manufacturing)
November 26, 2013 Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)
December 3, 2013    Language Arts
December 4, 2013    Community Ed
                                 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
December 5, 2013    Health
December 6, 2013    World Languages
December 9, 2013    District Assessment Coordinators (DACs)

Early English Language Development (E-ELD) and Early Spanish Language Development (E-SLD) Standards Webinars

WIDA is hosting a series of free webinars, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on the dates indicated for early childhood practitioners across all early care and education programs (Head Start, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, home visiting, etc.).

Before joining any of the webinars, check your system requirements. Audio for the webinars will be either through the computer speaker and microphone or through a phone. To check speakers and microphone settings, join the session and go to Tools-Audio-Audio Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen. To use a phone, join the session and go to Tools-Telephone-Use Telephone for Audio and enter the phone number and PIN on the screen.

Language in Play: Introduction to the Early English Language Development (E-ELD) Standards - Monday, November 18, 2013

• This webinar will provide a more in-depth view of each component of the E-ELD Standards Framework. Each component will be reviewed and implications for use as well as implementation in various early care and education programs will be discussed.

Participate in Language in Play webinar.


Understanding Language Growth: The E-ELD Performance Definitions - Wednesday, December 11, 2013

• This webinar will provide a detailed examination of the Performance Definitions including:
• Foundational concepts and research that guided development of the Performance Definitions;
• Similarities and differences with WIDA’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework; and
• Considerations for use of the Performance Definitions in planning curriculum and monitoring growth of early English language development.

Participate in Understanding Language Growth webinar.


Playing with Language: Understanding and Using the Model Performance Indicator (MPI) Strands - Tuesday, January 14, 2014

• This webinar will build a deeper understanding of the MPI strands including:
• The connection between the Early English Language Development (E-ELD) Standards and the MPIs;
• Identifying elements of a MPI strand;
• Using MPI strands in everyday practice; and
• Implications for instruction and assessment.

Participate in Playing with Language webinar.

Sophia

If you are looking for video resources for your classroom, look no further!

Sophia was created with a vision of transforming education through a vibrant online community of teachers and learners. Our goal is to provide self­-paced, inspirational and relevant curriculum to learners of all stages and ages.

To achieve that vision, Sophia built a customizable education platform that offers more than 37,000 academic tutorials. Taught by thousands of teachers using the Many Ways model, learners can choose teaching styles that appeal to their own unique way of learning. By combining rich content with online flexibility, Sophia gives our community success skills that will last a lifetime.

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

9. Make the most of every minute

What it looks like: "Teachers plan lessons to ensure bell-to-bell learning for students.  Routines are established to ensure efficient transitions and classroom logistics."

Why it is important: "A few wasted minutes per class period can add up to weeks of lost learning time.  Time on instruction has a greater effect on student achievement than socioeconomic status.  Even more important is academic learning time- the actual time students are on task and learning."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 198)

The Well-Managed Classroom by Harry Wong

Recap of 1-8

1. Standards should be the guide

2. Student set personal learning objectives for each lesson

3. Performance expectations are clear

4. Measure understanding against high expectations

5. Engage student interest with every lesson

6. Interact meaningful with every student

7. Use feedback to encourage effort

8. Create an oasis of safety and respect

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers took a field trip for their best practice meeting this Fall.  The group spent the morning at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall meeting with the department chairs of education and culinology.  The group had the opportunity to hear from higher education as to what they are seeing in students as well as trends in their area.  The teachers also toured the departments.  After a great lunch at SMSU, the FACS teachers made their way over to Schwans Research and Development. This was a treat!  The group had the opportunity to throw on a hairnet and see how a product is born and all the steps that are involved in bringing a product to market.  Overall it was a great active day for everyone!

FACS group touring a kitchen at SMSU with department chair Michael Cheng.

MELT Update

The MRVED still needs YOU!  We know there are great things going on in all of our schools.  Please consider sharing some of those great things at the MELT in January.  If you are interested in presenting, or are not sure if your topic would be interesting, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).  Remember, you do not have to present alone, teams of teachers are encouraged to present together.

The MRVED is also looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.  The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.

Networking Facilitator Signup

MRVED BEST PRACTICE MEETINGS:
November 12, 2013 - District Technology Coordinators
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors
November 15, 2013 - Social Workers
November 21, 2013 - Industrial Technology (K & M tour)
November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)

Augmented Reality in Schools

According to the Horizons report, Augmented Reality is set to have a great impact on education in the next 5-10 years.  What is augmented reality (AR)?  Augmented reality is taking the real world and superimposing a virtual image on top of it to bend your perception of reality.  See the TED talk below about how Augmented Reality is being used today.

This technology can have a great impact on the way our students view the world in the coming years.  There are many ways in which this technology can be used in education today.  See the great list of apps below and start experimenting with this great technology today! (All links will take you to the Apple App store, please note some are also Android apps).

• Aurasma (Website)
• AR Player (Website)
• AR Flashcards (Website)
• AR Flashcards in Space (Website)
• ColAR Mix (Website)
• FETCH: Lunch Rush (Website)
• Google Goggles

Google Forms for Educators

Google Forms can be a very powerful tool to use in your classroom, with parents, or among colleagues.  If you have a Google Account, you already have access to this great free tool.  Watch the videos below to learn how to create a form and also incorporate Flubaroo with Google Forms.  If you know how to create a form, check out this great resource for ideas for use in education.  This website is jam-packed with great ideas on how to incorporate Google Forms into the education world with ready to use examples.

Creating a Google Form

Using Flubaroo

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

8. Create an Oasis of Safety and Respect in Your Classroom

What it looks like: "Teachers establish clear rules for behavior and consequences for misconduct, ensuring that all students feel safe to learn and contribute to classroom discussions."

Why it is important: "Until more basic needs of safety and respect are met, students will find it difficult to learn.  The most effective behavior management techniques balance punishments for misconduct with rewards for good behavior and also enlist the entire school community in enforcing clear expectations for behavior throughout the school."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports website

MRVED Business

MRVED on the Hunt

We are still on the prowl for people willing to present at the MELT in January.  If you or a team is at all remotely interested in presenting, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).  We have many "outside" presenters coming in, but are lacking on the amount of local talent willing to present.  If you know of someone in your school that has something to present, please encourage them to contact Brandon.

Meeting Updates

Business

The Business teachers assembled at the MRVED on Wednesday October 23 for their annual best practice meeting.  The teachers were in for a treat as their state specialist Jean Kyle was in attendance for the morning.  Jean is a wealth of knowledge in the world of education and more specifically a real asset to the business teachers.  She brought everyone up to speed on the state of business education in Minnesota as well as trends in business education.  The afternoon was spent with Gail Polejewski talking Perkins and sharing resources.  It was a great experience for all to work with both Jean and Gail.

Math

The Math teachers came to the MRVED on Tuesday October 29 for their best practice meeting.  There were many comments from people that this was one of the best best practice meetings they have ever had.  The morning was spent discussing and working with 21st century skills and applying them to the classrooms.  After a deep discussion on the P21 Framework, the teachers jumped into their curriculum work for the day.  They spent a good deal of time watching a video on effective feedback and then working with the content of the video within their groups.  Many deep educational conversations ensued.  Lunch was a good break from all the deep thinking that was happening and the afternoon was spent sharing resources and Brandon's technology.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

November 5, 2013 - FACS (meeting will be held in Marshall)
November 6, 2013 - Principals' Council
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors
November 15, 2013 - Social Workers
November 21, 2013 - Industrial Technology (Will be touring K & M Manufacturing, Renville MN)
November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE)

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

7. Use Feedback to Encourage Effort

What it looks like: "Teachers provide students with frequent and timely feedback that links to learning objectives.  Teachers also keep feedback non controlling and growth oriented, helping students see how their efforts are the key to success and giving students opportunities to self and peer assess."

Why it is important: "Effective feedback has among the strongest influences on student success of any instructional practice.  Feedback is most effective when it is linked to learning objectives..."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

See the power of effective feedback in the story about Austin's Butterfly.

Austin's Butterfly can be used in a variety of ways.  Use it with your students to show the importance of effective peer feedback.  Use it with other teachers to show the importance of providing specific feedback to students.  You can see other examples by going to the Expeditionary Learning website.

Apply to be a Green School

Apply for the US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award. This award honors public and private early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools and school districts that are exemplary in all three of the following areas:

• Reducing environmental impact
• Improving health and wellness
• Providing effective environmental education

Awardees receive a plaque and a flag for the school, local recognition, and an invitation to the national ceremony in Washington, DC. The awards are announced annually on Earth Day and the national award ceremony occurs in the summer.

Applying for the award provides an opportunity to analyze energy and water usage, waste reduction and transportation. Schools review the strategies that promote healthy practices by students and teachers. In addition, teachers examine their curriculum for instruction in environmental concepts, skills and careers. In the process members from various sectors of the school community collaborate to improve their efforts toward sustainability.

The application for Minnesota schools and local information is available from John Olson, MDE Science Specialist, John.C.Olson@state.mn.us, 651-582-8673. The application is due December 18th. Information about the Green Ribbon Schools program is at www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools. Minnesota information is at the Mn Dept. of Education Green Ribbon Schools page.

There will be information and assistance webinars on:

November 6, 3 – 4 pm
November 12, 4 – 5 pm
December 2, 3:30– 4:30 pm

Contact John Olson for login details.

Click here to see the flyer.

iOS 7 Beginners Guide

iOS 7 Beginners Guide
If you or your school has updated their Apple devices to iOS 7, you are probably wondering how to use the operating system to its full potential.  Start out by taking a look at "The Beginner's Guide to the iPad and iOS 7" by Edudemic.  There are also great tips at teachingwithipad.org.

MRVED Business

Last Week for the Call for MELT Presentations & Session Ideas

The call for presentations will close on November 1st.  The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2014 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 20.  This is a great day to showcase some of the great things you are doing in your classrooms.  Presenters will be paid a small stipend for their efforts.  If you are interested in providing a session, please click on the link below and fill out the form.  Filling out the form does not guarantee or bind you to providing a session.  If you don't want to present, but have great ideas for possible sessions, please click on the correct link below to provide the MRVED with your suggestions.

If you are willing to present and provide a session click HERE

If you do not want to present, but have ideas for sessions, click HERE

Meeting Updates
Title I
The Title I teachers came to the MRVED for their 2nd ever best practice meeting on October 8.  Brandon and Karen facilitated the learning around effective feedback and depth of knowledge.  The afternoon was spent networking and sharing ideas.  Overall it was a great day of learning and networking.

Music
The music instructors gathered at the MRVED for their annual best practice meeting on Wednesday, October 9.  The day was full of conversation and sharing.  Part of the morning was spent networking in job-alike groups, with all instructors coming well-prepared for their networking.  21st Century Skills was also a focus of the morning and the teachers really got into discussing and learning about what it looks like in their classrooms.  During the afternoon, Jessica Leibfried from the Perpich Center met with the teachers to discuss what the Perpich Center can do for them professionally.  Jessica will be continuing to work with the teachers during MELT in January.  Overall a great day was had!

Art
The art teachers met at the MRVED on Thursday, October 10 for their best practice meeting.  The day started off with a presentation and discussion from OSHA on safety in the art classroom.  After the OSHA presentation, Jeremy Holien from the Perpich Center met with the teachers and discussed and facilitated 21st Century Skills and curriculum alignment with the instructors.  The rest of the afternoon was spent networking and discussing possible MELT sessions for the art teachers.

MRVED UPCOMING MEETINGS:
October 29, 2013 - Math
October 30, 2013 - Superintendents' Council
November 5, 2013 - FACS (meeting will be in Marshall)
November 6, 2013 - Principals' Council
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors

Math and Science Frameworks

The Minnesota Department of Education and SciMath MN partnered a couple years ago to develop an online version of the Math and Science Frameworks.  It is a great website to get standards aligned resources and ideas.  The frameworks are user-friendly and aligned to the most current version of the standards.  If you haven't been out to the website in awhile, give a look over today.

Watch a 12 minute tutorial on the Math and Science Frameworks

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

6. Interact meaningfully with every student

What it looks like: "Teachers interact with students, getting to know them and demonstrating interest in them as individuals and as learners.  They also bring a positive personality to the classroom, displaying enthusiasm for learning and modeling for students how their particular subject areas can be worth of lifelong pursuit." (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

Why it is important: "Research shows that students with weak relationships with teachers are more likely to disengage from school.  Conversely, strong positive links have been found between student performance and teacher-student relationship variables, such as empathy, warmth, nondirectivity, and sensitivity to students' social and emotional needs." (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

MRVED Business

Call for MELT Presentations & Session Ideas

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2014 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 20.  This is a great day to showcase some of the great things you are doing in your classrooms.  Presenters will be paid a small stipend for their efforts.  If you are interested in providing a session, please click on the link below and fill out the form.  Filling out the form does not guarantee or bind you to providing a session.  If you don't want to present, but have great ideas for possible sessions, please click on the correct link below to provide the MRVED with your suggestions.

If you are willing to present and provide a session click HERE

If you do not want to present, but have ideas for sessions, click HERE

Science Best Practice Meeting Update
The Science teachers gathered at the MRVED on Thursday October 3 for their annual best practice meeting.  This year the teachers had the opportunity to work with Minnesota Department of Education specialists John Olson and Doug Paulson.  The teachers spent the day working with teaching science through literacy.  They had the opportunity to participate in a lesson that incorporated lots of reading and writing.

Title I Best Practice Meeting Update
The Title I teachers met at the MRVED on Tuesday, October 8th for their 2nd ever best practice meeting.  The meeting was well attended and the teachers had the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities that dealt with providing effective feedback and depth of knowledge.  The afternoon was spent networking and sharing ideas and resources.  Overall it was a great day for all!

Upcoming Meetings:
October 11:  Title III Paraprofessionals
October 16:  MRVED Professional Development Day
October 23:  Business
October 25:  Technology Coordinators
October 29:  Math
October 30:  Superintendents' Council

Geographic Information Systems and Google Sketchup State Licenses

ArcGIS

Geospatial technologies are one of the three fastest growing technology fields (Source: U.S. Department of Labor). To introduce students to the geospatial tools and skills that will be required for many high-demand jobs of the future, Minnesota, through a partnership of organizations and individuals, have negotiated a statewide license for ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

The software will be available at no cost to qualified organizations in Minnesota. These include, but are not limited to:

• All K-12 public, private and charter schools
• Homeschools
• K-12 aged formal and non-formal youth groups (including afterschool and summer programs)

If your district is interested in acquiring a free site license for the ArcGIS software, have your technology coordinator contact mde.schooltechplan@state.mn.us or Doug Paulson, STEM specialist at MDE.

Google Sketchup

The Minnesota Department of Education also has a state site license for Google Sketchup Pro.  Google Sketchup is a 3D drawing program.  There is no cost to the districts as the state has secured funding through a variety of sources.  If your district is interested in acquiring a free site license of Google Sketchup Pro, have your technology coordinator contact mde.schooltechplan@state.mn.us or Doug Paulson, STEM specialist at MDE.

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

5. Engagement and Motivation

What it looks like: Teachers hook students at the beginning of each lesson using a variety of activities.  Teachers should provide student choice in learning activities, use mysteries and puzzles, as well as novelty and variety in the classroom to engage and motivate students. (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

Why it is important: "Student motivation accounts for more variance in student success than ability.  Studies have found that student interest in core subjects declines as they progress through school".  Using choice can motivate students, and puzzles and mystery can help engage students. (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

Goodwin, B., & Hubbell, E. R. (2013). The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching: A Checklist for Staying Focused Every Day. Alexandria, VA: ASCD - See more at: http://www.mcrel.org/products-and-services/products/product-listing/100_199/product-111#sthash.NJswMvKe.dpuf


For something to think about on motivation, see Daniel Pink's TED talk.  He offers research based ideas on how to increase student motivation in your classroom.

MRVED Business

Call for MELT Presentations & Session Ideas

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2014 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 20.  This is a great day to showcase some of the great things you are doing in your classrooms.  Presenters will be paid a small stipend for their efforts.  If you are interested in providing a session, please click on the link below and fill out the form.  Filling out the form does not guarantee or bind you to providing a session.  If you don't want to present, but have great ideas for possible sessions, please click on the correct link below to provide the MRVED with your suggestions.

If you are willing to present and provide a session click HERE

If you do not want to present, but have ideas for sessions, click HERE

Agriculture Best Practice Meeting Update

The Agriculture instructors assembled on Thursday September 26 at K&M Manufacturing in Renville.  The group had the opportunity to tour the building, seeing new equipment and techniques.  They also had the chance to visit with management talking about the process as well as what skills are needed to succeed in this area.  Great conversation was had over lunch.  In the afternoon, Gail Polejewski met with the instructors to talk Perkins and the group shared resources and ideas for the rest of the afternoon.  Overall it was a great tour and another chance to get together and network.

Last Chance To Register for October 16 Common Day Activities
Registration will close on Wednesday, October 9 at 4:00 to participate in any of the professional development activities.  See the flyer for registration information.  Sessions being offered are:

Google Docs @ LQPV
Middle School Math Data Day @ MRVED
MCIS Training @ MVALC
Diversity Day @ Prairie's Edge Casino

October 16 Flyer Link

Meet Karen Jacobson

Karen Jacobson is the Director of the MRVED. Hired as Assistant Director in November 2001, Karen became the MRVED Director in July 2007. Prior to joining the MRVED, Karen worked as the Community Initiatives Director for the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation, served as the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator for several area schools, and began her career as an Extension Educator in Chippewa County. She earned her Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, in 1990.

Karen and her husband, Steve, have two grown sons. Scott is a Mechanical Engineer for K & M Manufacturing in Renville and is married to Michelle who is the finance manager for Yellow Medicine County. Thomas is a registered nurse at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital. He is single. ;-) When not at work, Karen enjoys wine tasting, traveling, following football (Go Bears!), spending time with her new horse, and is a volunteer Pole Vault coach for the Montevideo Track and Field team.


Upcoming Meetings
October 4: Online Teachers
October 8: Title I Teachers
October 9: Music
October 10: Art
October 11: Title III Paraprofessionals

Digital Public Library of America

The Digital Public Library of America is an awesome resource if you are looking at bringing any primary resources into your classroom digitally.  They have an extensive collection of primary sources on a variety of topics.  There are also a couple apps you can download to be used on iPads.  Head out there and take a look today!

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

4. Measure Understanding

What it looks like: Course grades should reflect what a student knows, not what a student does or how he/she acts. (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 196)

Why it is important: Grade inflation gives students a false impression they have learned something.  Students learn how to play school, rather than learn material.  Grading nonacademic factors also lowers expectations for students. (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 196)

Goodwin, B., & Hubbell, E. R. (2013). The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching: A Checklist for Staying Focused Every Day. Alexandria, VA: ASCD - See more at: http://www.mcrel.org/products-and-services/products/product-listing/100_199/product-111#sthash.NJswMvKe.dpuf

MRVED Business

Call for MELT Presentations & Session Ideas

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2014 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 20.  This is a great day to showcase some of the great things you are doing in your classrooms.  Presenters will be paid a small stipend for their efforts.  If you are interested in providing a session, please click on the link below and fill out the form.  Filling out the form does not guarantee or bind you to providing a session.  If you don't want to present, but have great ideas for possible sessions, please click on the correct link below to provide the MRVED with your suggestions.

If you are willing to present and provide a session click HERE

If you do not want to present, but have ideas for sessions, click HERE

TAC Meeting Update
The Teacher Advisory Council met on Tuesday, September 24 for their first meeting of the year.  The morning was spent doing a "big picture" activity and evaluating where our districts are with certain initiatives.  There was great educational conversation around each one of the initiatives.  The afternoon was spent brainstorming possible MELT sessions.  Overall it was a great day with awesome conversation!

Meet the MRVED- Pam Bruns

Pam is an office assistant for the MRVED and ALC offices.  She returned to MRVED in 2004 following a 13 year retirement to be home with her children. Pam maintains the Independent Study program records for MRVED/Montevideo Valley Area Learning Center, and the Adult Basic Education records for our region.  Pam and her husband Gary have two children Molli, a senior at Minnesota State Mankato and Derek, freshman at University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.  She enjoys time at Lake Florida with family and friends, playing a little golf and reading. Pam is an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church with Worship Team and the annual Trinity Drive-In committee.

October 16 MRVED Common Day

October 16 MRVED Common Day

There are a number of events planned for the October 16 MRVED common professional development day.  A number of schools are sharing their offerings for this day.  Please see the link below for a flyer describing all the events in detail.  Pay close attention to the contact person for registration and register soon as there are limited seats available for all sessions.



Google Drive, Calendar, and Chromebook Training held at LQPV @ 7:45-9:30
MCIS Training held at the Area Learning Center @ 8:30-3:00
Middle School Math Data Mining held at MRVED @ 8:30-2:30
Diversity Day held at Prairie's Edge Casino in Granite Falls @ 9:00-2:40

If you would like to register for any of these offerings, please see the flyer for more information.

October 16 Flyer Link

Interactive Math Websites for Primary Teachers

Are you a primary teacher looking for ways to engage your students in math?  Try this great list of interactive math sites compiled by a fellow teacher.

List of Interactive Math Websites for Primary Teachers by Mrs. K. Morris

There is also an EverySchool website from the United Kingdom that has some awesome interactive games on them.  The website is broken down by content area.  Many of the games would be a great addition to a SmartBoard library!

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

3. Use Performance Rubrics

What it looks like: "Teachers use rubrics to guide student improvement and shift the role of the teacher away from a "giver outer" of grades to a coach who is helping them accomplish their learning goals" (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 196)

Why it's important: Research shows that using rubrics in the classroom improves student achievement.  If a student has a clear expectation of what is expected of them, it will guide their learning.  Rubrics can also be an intrinsic motivator. (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 196)

Goodwin, B., & Hubbell, E. R. (2013). The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching: A Checklist for Staying Focused Every Day. Alexandria, VA: ASCD - See more at: http://www.mcrel.org/products-and-services/products/product-listing/100_199/product-111#sthash.NJswMvKe.dpuf

Resources
RubiStar
Rubric Machine
Rubric Generator

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching Series

Touchstone 2: Ensure Students Set Personal Learning Objectives for Each Lesson

Why it is important: "By setting and achieving small goals, students develop fate control, learned optimism, and willingness to take on new challenges. Research suggests teacher effectiveness largely boils down to deliberate teaching of learning objectives" (Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 196)

What it looks like: Teachers help students create learning goals and short-term learning objectives.  Students then have a clear picture of what the end looks like and can develop a plan to meet their goals.

Goodwin, B., & Hubbell, E. R. (2013). The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching: A Checklist for Staying Focused Every Day. Alexandria, VA: ASCD - See more at: http://www.mcrel.org/products-and-services/products/product-listing/100_199/product-111#sthash.NJswMvKe.dpuf

MRVED Business

Week Ahead
We will have a busy week at the MRVED next week as the Teacher Advisory Council will be in on Tuesday, the Superintendents on Wednesday, and agriculture instructors will be touring K&M Manufacturing on Thursday.  Please be sure to check the MRVED calendar for all the meeting dates this upcoming school year. We look forward to working with all of you.

Meet the MRVED

Meet Mary Brown. Mary is the Administrative Assistant for the MRVED. She is originally from the Iron Range, spent several years in the Twin Cities area, and moved to Montevideo in 1992. She joined the MRVED in 1993 and has seen many changes over the years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University and in a former life worked as a probation officer (who knew???). She and her husband have a daughter, Lana, who is an athletic trainer in northern Minnesota, and a son, Matthew, who owns Prairieland Builders in Montevideo and is married with two “beautiful” daughters with a third baby on the way. Mary enjoys playing with her grandbabies, cooking, baking bread, and spending time 320 miles north at their cabin on Lake Vermilion.

October 16 Common Day

October 16 MRVED Common Day

There are a number of events planned for the October 16 MRVED common professional development day.  A number of schools are sharing their offerings for this day.  Please see the link below for a flyer describing all the events in detail.  Pay close attention to the contact person for registration and register soon as there are limited seats available for all sessions.



Google Drive, Calendar, and Chromebook Training held at LQPV @ 7:45-9:30
MCIS Training held at the Area Learning Center @ 8:30-3:00
Middle School Math Data Mining held at MRVED @ 8:30-2:30
Diversity Day held at Prairie's Edge Casino in Granite Falls @ 9:00-2:40

If you would like to register for any of these offerings, please see the flyer for more information.

October 16 Flyer Link

Resource

MN Video Vault

The MN Video Vault is a project of Twin Cities Public Television. The Vault contains hundreds of programs from the tpt archives: classic interviews and performances from Nighttimes Variety, Newsnight Minnesota and Almanac as well as a broad cross-section of tpt documentaries. Also included are current tpt productions, as well as programs from other regional public television stations. And soon, the MN Video Vault will feature new web-only tpt productions.

All of the material in the MN Video Vault is fully searchable. Programs have been broken into segments and tagged with key information to make specific videos easy to locate. In addition, all of the material is closed-captioned and, through advanced search functions, these captions can be searched to locate any word spoken within a program. Finally, many of the video segments will be tagged to relevant Minnesota State Academic Standard benchmarks, to facilitate classroom use.

Ultimately, the MN Video Vault will provide a platform for the preservation, digitization, cataloging, tagging and presentation of video material from the archives of regional museums, educational institutions, historical societies and other institutions.

Make You Think

All your apps should fit on one screen!

Karen came across this great article from eSchool News about using the iPad as a tool for the 4 C's, consumption, curation, creativity, and connection.  It is a great reminder that our tools are not always about content specific applications, but rather should be used for a broader purpose.  Once you realize the capabilities of the device, whether it be an iPad, Chromebook, Desktop, etc..., it can be seen as so much more than just a "drill and kill" device.  The article provides great examples of how an iPad can be used as a device for the 4 C's.  It's another reminder that our devices are merely just tools for education.

The Evergreen iPad: Why all your apps should fit on one screen by Tom Daccord

MRVED Business

MRVED Email Change
The MRVED has changed email addresses, please update your email address book to reflect the change.

Mary:  mbrown@mrved.net

Karen: kjacobson@mrved.net

Brandon: braymo@mrved.net

Pam: pbruns@mrved.net







ECFE Meeting Update
The Early Childhood educators gathered at the MRVED on August 8 for their annual best practice meeting.  The day started with a phone conference with the Minnesota Department of Education about the new Parent Aware 4 Star Rating program as well as the Early Childhood Scholarships available.  Next, the group split into educators, parent educators, and coordinators to network.  There was some great discussion in both groups, and all walked out with some ideas that can be used in their classroom.  Brandon spent a little time talking about technology and the group participated in an activity that really made them think.  It was an awesome time with some awesome people!


Meet the MRVED Staff

Meet Brandon Raymo. Brandon is the Assistant Director of the MRVED. Brandon joined the MRVED in the summer of 2011. Previous to coming to the MRVED, Brandon taught 7-12 grade social studies at Yellow Medicine East and was their tech integrationist. He has a strong background in educational technology, obtaining his masters in educational technology from Minnesota State Mankato in 2011. Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife Katie and 2 girls Adelyn (5) and Gretta (9 months). In his spare time he has been involved with amateur baseball for the past 12 seasons and also coaches the Montevideo Junior Varsity baseball team. If he's not on the baseball field, you can find him broadcasting sporting events around the area for KDMA/KMGM/KKRC.