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.