MRVED Business

Best Practice Meetings Resume & Weather Policy
Best practice meetings will resume next week with Phy Ed and Health on Tuesday and Social Studies on Thursday.  We look forward to seeing all your smiling faces.

As a reminder, please review the MRVED weather policy (posted below) in case of inclement weather.

MRVED Weather Policy

Since we are located in the Montevideo School District area, if Montevideo schools are open and on time, we will hold the meeting. If Montevideo has a late start, the meeting will be cancelled and rescheduled.

However, even if the meeting is still being held, if the weather is unsafe to travel in your area, stay home! We want you to be safe. If the meeting is on time and you cannot make it, please let us know (320-269-9297) so we don't worry about you. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 320-269-9297.

MRVED will also submit meeting cancellations and/or updates on WCCO’s TV channel and website wcco.com (See School Closings under Quick Links). We will be listed under MRVED (just our initials.)

MRVED Meetings
February 4, 2014  Phy Ed & Health Combined
February 5, 2014  MRVED Board (7 p.m.)
February 6, 2014  Social Studies
February 7, 2014  Title III Teachers
February 12, 2014  Principals' Council
February 20, 2014  Teachers' Advisory Council
February 26, 2014  Superintendents' Council

Tech Tip

Interactive Simulations for Math and Science

Thank you to Amanda Peterson from Renville County West for sending me this link.  This looks like a great resource for any grade level in math or science.

Description from PhET website:

PhET provides fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena for free. We believe that our research-based approach- incorporating findings from prior research and our own testing- enables students to make connections between real-life phenomena and the underlying science, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the physical world.

To help students visually comprehend concepts, PhET simulations animate what is invisible to the eye through the use of graphics and intuitive controls such as click-and-drag manipulation, sliders and radio buttons. In order to further encourage quantitative exploration, the simulations also offer measurement instruments including rulers, stop-watches, voltmeters and thermometers. As the user manipulates these interactive tools, responses are immediately animated thus effectively illustrating cause-and-effect relationships as well as multiple linked representations (motion of the objects, graphs, number readouts, etc.)

To ensure educational effectiveness and usability, all of the simulations are extensively tested and evaluated. These tests include student interviews in addition to actual utilization of the simulations in a variety of settings, including lectures, group work, homework and lab work. Our rating system indicates what level of testing has been completed on each simulation.

All PhET simulations are freely available from the PhET website and are easy to use and incorporate into the classroom. They are written in Java and Flash, and can be run using a standard web browser as long as Flash and Java are installed.

Brandon's Brainwork - Motivation

Motivation
Motivation has been a topic of discussion lately.  How do we motivate kids to learn?  How do we motivate kids to do their work?  If there were a definite answer to these questions, we wouldn't have to ask these questions.

Dan Pink offers an interesting look into what motivates people with this TED Talk.  Intrinsic motivation versus extrinsic motivation...what's more powerful?

Students learn and are motivated in a variety of ways.  Differentiation and individualization are two ways in which a teacher can not only reach more students, but also motivate them.  Differentiation and individualization is easier said than done, but with practice becomes much easier.

Scholastic has a quick read on differentiation, I suggest you take a moment to glance over it.  When you have finished the article, take a moment and think about the reflection questions below.

Reflection Questions
Have you ever asked your students what motivates them?  Intrinsically?  Extrinsically?
Have you had your students complete a learning style inventory?
Have you tried a variety of differentiation strategies?
Have you thought about what motivates you as a learner?

MELT

Thank You
The MRVED staff would like to thank everyone for another great MELT conference!  This year was bigger and better than any year prior.  The MELT would not be possible without all the great presenters and facilitators.  Also, a hats off to everyone in the Lac qui Parle Valley school district for being such gracious hosts.  The custodial staff had the building in excellent shape for around 500 people, the kitchen staff did a marvelous job on the meal and served people quickly and effortlessly, the student council was of great help throughout the day, the teachers had their rooms ready for every session, and the administration did a great job with organization of the day.

Thank you to all the teachers that attended the conference this year.  Your dedication to becoming better educators does not go unnoticed.  We hope you got a variety of new ideas, strategies, and approaches for your classroom.  The MRVED staff is ever-impressed with the professionalism of our teachers.

On a personal note, Brandon would like to thank Mary Brown for all the hard work and extra hours she has put in over the past few months in getting everything organized, taking the numerous phone calls, and answering all the emails.  The MELT would never go as smoothly as it does without Mary's hard work and effort.

MELT Evaluation
Please take a couple minutes out of your busy day to tell us how your sessions went at the MELT.  We value and take into account all feedback.  The feedback is not only reviewed by the MRVED staff, but also our Teachers' Advisory Council, Principals' Council, Superintendents' Council, and Board.  We try hard to improve the experience every year.  Some of the changes you see (or don't see) are based upon the feedback given by teachers.  All feedback is anonymous and taken seriously.  Click on the link below to access the evaluation.

MELT Evaluation Link

MRVED Meetings:
February 4, 2014  Physical Education & Health (combined meeting)
February 5, 2014  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
February 6, 2014  Social Studies
February 7, 2014  Title III Teachers
February 12, 2014  Principals' Council
February 20, 2014  Teachers' Advisory Council
February 26, 2014  Superintendents' Council

Brandon's Brainwork: Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking
It can be a challenge to get students to think critically about a certain topic, especially if they are not particularly interested in that topic.  How do we get students to think deeper?  Here are some quick question prompts that can get students to that level of deep thinking you are looking for.

• How do you know?
• Prove it.
• Explain/show your thinking.
• Why?
• Solve the problem a different way.
• Show me.
• Provide an example.
• Retell what your classmate just said, but in your own words.
• Put yourself in the author's/characters shoes.

Getting students to think critically is a challenge for all educators.  Simple word phrases or sentence starters can be a great tool to use in your classroom to get students to think critically.  Mariko Nobori wrote a great article on critical thinking for Edutopia.  She provides teachers with Ten Takeaway Tips for Teaching Critical Thinking.

Brandon's Brainwork Questions to Consider

1. Do you provide time for your students to think critically?

2. Do you ask open-ended questions and give everyone the opportunity to answer?

3. Do you have students write their answers?

4. Do you allow debate in your classroom?

5. Can students question you?

Tech Tip (Grant Opportunity)

Education Minnesota Technology Grant

Classroom Technology Grants enable Education Minnesota members who work directly with students. You may request up to $3,000 to buy mobile devices and supporting resources to use with students.

The deadline is 4 p.m. April 11. Grants are awarded after June 1, and funds must be spent by the end of June 2015.

The paperwork for the grant is not overwhelming and can give you the opportunity to bring some technology into your classroom.

Information can be found on the Education Minnesota website.

MELT

MELT 2014
The MELT 2014 is upon us.  Here are some tips and reminders for Monday.

• First and foremost, the WEATHER POLICY - if the weather is inclement, any cancellation or delay relating to the MELT will be posted by 6:00 a.m. on the WCCO website under Quicklinks - School Closings. We will be listed under MRVED (just our initials.) This will also be posted on WCCO's TV channel.
• Dress in layers. The commons area (morning refreshments and lunch) could be cool because the main doors are there and people will be coming and going. Also, some of the rooms could be warm or cool depending on the number of people in the session. The gymnasium will be open and the bleachers will be down so you have a place for your jackets.
• Coffee and hot water for tea/hot chocolate (tea bags and hot chocolate not provided) will be available all morning in the commons area.
• Lunch (commons area) - there will be two lines so that lunch can be served in a timely fashion. There will be signs around the building directing you to the lunch lines.
• If you are not eating the catered meal, we suggest you bring a bag lunch. The school is out in the country and the nearby towns are not that close to allow you to drive there, eat a relaxing lunch, and return in time for the afternoon session which begins promptly at 1:00 p.m.
• An electronic evaluation will be sent out on Tuesday, January 21. Please complete it as soon as possible. We really listen to your suggestions and your feedback.
• If you are attending a networking session during the day, remember there is no "expert" presenting at these sessions. This is a time for you to bring items (websites, lessons, apps, projects, etc...) to share with others. There will be a facilitator at the networking sessions, but they are there to simply provide guidance and order to the session.
• Lastly, here are the session times in case you are not coming right away in the morning for the first session.
• Session 1: 8:40-9:40
• Session 2: 9:50-10:50
• Session 3: 11:00-Noon
• Lunch:       Noon-1:00
• Session 4: 1:00-2:00
• Enter through Door #5 (follow the walkway to the left of the eagle statue). The door also has the number 5 on it.
• Be sure to stop by the registration table in the commons area to pick up your registration packet (personalized agenda, clock hours, lunch ticket if applicable). We have over 500 people picking up packets that day so if you would be so kind as to say your name when it is your turn, registration will go that much faster. The tables will be divided up by the first letter of your last name, so look for the signs on the wall behind the tables to get into the correct line.

As of today, the weather looks like it will cooperate and it is set to be a great day of learning for all. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact either Brandon (braymo@mrved.net) or Mary (mbrown@mrved.net). We look forward to seeing you all on Monday!

COUNTDOWN CLOCK

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings:

January 20, 2014  MELT
January 22, 2014  Superintendents' Council
February 4, 2014  PE & Health Combined Best Practice meeting
February 5, 2014  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
February 6, 2014  Social Studies
February 7, 2014  Title III Teachers
February 12, 2014  Principals' Council

MRVED Business

Happy New Year
The MRVED staff wishes you all a very happy new year!  We hope your year is filled with happiness and success!

Health Best Practice Meeting Rescheduled

The Health best practice meeting that was cancelled due to bad weather on December 5th will be rescheduled for February 4th.  This is the same day as the Physical Education best practice meeting as we will combine both groups this year.  If you have any questions, please let us know.  You will receive an agenda for the meeting approximately a week before.

MRVED Meetings:
January 20, 2014  MELT
January 15, 2014  Community Ed Meeting
January 22, 2014  Superintendents' Council
February 4, 2014  Phy Ed and Health Best Practices Combined
February 5, 2014  MRVED Board (7 p.m.)
February 6, 2014  Social Studies
February 7, 2014  Title III Teachers

MELT Update

It's Coming!

The MELT is only 10 days away.  We look forward to seeing most of you on January 20th, at LQPV.  Coffee and muffins will be ready by 8:00, so come early to get your registration materials, enjoy a light snack, find your room, and get comfortable for a great day of learning.  Look for an email next week with some instructions and great tips on making your day an enjoyable one.  The first sessions will start promptly at 8:40.  See you there!

COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Brandon's Brainwork

New Series

During the Fall we spent 12 weeks looking at the 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching by Bryan Goodwin and Elizabeth Ross Hubbell.  For the rest of the Winter we will have a series called Brandon's Brainwork.

The goal of this series is to get you to reflect and think about your teaching practice.  Each week will end with a variety of questions for you to consider and think about.  Feel free to interact in the comments section.

Week 1

Mindset, Mindset, Mindset

If I only could give one book recommendation for educators, Mindset would be the book I would choose!  Why Mindset?  Because, in my opinion, the difference between a good and great teacher is their mindset.  What is a mindset?  Watch the short video below to explain the difference between a growth and fixed mindset.

Brandon's Brainwork Questions
1. Which mindset do you have?
2. If you answered a growth mindset, do you really have a growth mindset?
3. Watch the video again, which areas can you get better at?  How will you get better at these areas?
4. How does having a growth mindset make you a better educator?
5. How do you instill the growth mindset into your students?

Ending Quote

"It's for you to decide whether change is right for you now.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  But either way, keep the growth mindset in our thoughts.  Then, when you bump up against obstacles, you can turn to it.  It will always be there for you, showing you a path into the future." (Dweck, p. 246, Mindset)

Tech Tip

OmNomNomify It
Want to "wow" your kids or friends?  Use OmNomNomify It to make them laugh and scratch their heads.  OmNomNomify will turn any image on a website into a picture or video of Cookie Monster!  It's very easy to use.  Click on the link above and follow the directions about putting the shortcut to your favorites bar on your browser and you are good to go.

Kahoot
Kahoot is another player on the clicker in the classroom field.  What sets Kahoot apart from Socrative or Infuse Learning is the game-based approach.  Once you create a quiz or survey, students can answer the questions in a game-like manner.  Each question is worth 1000 points and the faster you answer the question, the more points you get.  Points are then accumulated throughout the quiz and a leader board is developed.  It's a pretty neat way to get some great feedback from your students in a fun and interactive way.