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.