MRVED Business

LAST DAY! MELT Call for Presentation

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2015 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 19.  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, email Brandon at braymo@mrved.net.

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


Title I Best Practice Update
The Title I teachers came to the MRVED for their meeting on Thursday, October 30.  The morning was spent looking at high impact vocabulary words as well as researching, finding, and sharing intervention resources.  Lunch was great as usual.  The group then had the opportunity to network with a group of their peers.  The day ended with an activity on motivation.  Overall, it was a great day of learning.


Upcoming Meetings

November 4, 2014 - Guidance Counselors
November 5, 2014 - Phy Ed/Health
November 13, 2014 - Social Workers
November 18, 2014 - FACS CANCELED - RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 16, 2014
November 20, 2014 - Industrial Tech

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 7

The information for this series comes from Ken O'Connor's book A Repair Kit for Grading: 15 Fixes for Broken Grades.  During this series you will get a "taste" of each fix, but I highly recommend investing in this quick read.  O'Connor offers very practical fixes to the grading system.  If all else, he will get you to think about how you currently are grading your students.

The first 6 fixes were fixes that were focused on fixing practices that distort achievement:

1. Don't include student behaviors in grades; include only achievement.
2. Don't reduce marks on "work" submitted late; provide support for the learner.
3. Don't give points for extra credit or use bonus points; seek only evidence that more work has resulted in a higher level of achievement.
4. Don't punish academic dishonesty with reduced grades; apply other consequences and reassess to determine actual level of achievement.
5. Don't consider attendance in grade determination; report absences separately.
6. Don't include group scores in grades; use only individual achievement evidence.

Fixes 7-10 focus on fixes for low-quality or poorly organized evidence.  The first of these fixes is:

Fix 7: Don't organize information in grading records by assessment methods or simply summarize into a single grade; organize and report evidence by standards/learning goals.

In simple terms this means creating a standards-based report card.  I dread the day my daughter comes home with a "B" in math, because what does that really mean?  Does it mean she knows all her standards, but lacks in some behavior?  Did she really earn a "C" and then do extra credit to get a "B"?  As a parent, I want to know what she does and does not know.  I loved her kindergarten report card.  It listed all the math concepts, letter sounds, and star words she needed to know.  The teacher was then able to assess those standards and report if she did or did not know it.  As a former high school social studies teacher, I thought to myself, what do the letter grades I give my students really mean?  A parent would get the report card and it would say "Johnny" got a "D" in social studies.  As Johnny's teacher I would then get an email from mom and dad asking what he was "missing".  In a standards-based report card world, the discussion is no longer what is he "missing", but rather what does he not know.

In the elementary classroom the standards-based report cards make sense and seems to be a much easier sell than the high school classroom.  When switching to a standards-based report card in the high school many questions arise, such as:

• What about GPA and colleges?
• Elementary has 30 kids, high school teachers can see up to 150

I think these are questions that can be worked out.  A formula can be developed to translate into a GPA and a system can be established where 150 standards-based report cards are not insurmountable.  In the end, we are here for the students and to see what they know and are able to do.

A Repair Kit for Grading: 15 Fixes for Broken Grades by Ken O'Connor

Tech Tip - Minnesota Partnership for Collaborative Curriculum

The Minnesota Partnership for Collaborative Curriculum is a grassroots initiative to promote the creation of open digital curriculum. The goal is to leverage the power of collaboration and digital resources to launch teachers and students into new learning frontiers. The goal is to create course work in a digital format in the four core subject areas for grades 3-12. At the conclusion of the development project, all materials will be shared publicly under a creative common license.

Check out the website for more information and to see a list of courses that are already created and/or are currently in the works.

If you would like more information, Brandon can point you in the correct direction.

TEACHERS WANTED!!

MELT Call for Presentation

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2015 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 19.  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, email Brandon at braymo@mrved.net.

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

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 6

Fix 6: Don't include group scores in grades; use only individual achievement evidence.

Cooperative learning is a great teaching strategy and research has proven that through cooperative learning student learning can dramatically increase.  However, O'Connor suggests that cooperative learning should be used as a form of formative assessment and not be graded.  After the cooperative learning activity, students can then individually be assessed for a better determination of learning.

Group scoring can be unfair and not accurately reflect what a student knows and is able to do.  For example, there are four members of a group.  Their task is to cooperatively create a presentation, three of the four members could work very hard and complete the task and receive an "A".  Does the fourth member deserve the "A"?  Therefore, group grading is unfair and not all students are accountable for the learning.

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates

Art Best Practice Meeting
The Art teachers met at the Ben Lecy farm in rural Belview, MN for their annual best practice meeting.  Dean Baldry and Ben Lecy (YME) planned the day and it was spent learning about smudging, fire pitting, talking sticks, dream catchers, local history, and many other outdoor art activities.  Ben treated us to a traditional soup as well as a fresh vegetable soup straight from his garden.  After lunch Ben gave us a tour of his beautiful place in rural Belview.  It was a great day of learning for our local art teachers and we are very fortunate to have someone like Ben Lecy in our area.  See the slideshow of pictures by clicking HERE.

Math Best Practice Meeting
The Math teachers assembled at the MRVED on Tuesday, October 21, for their annual best practice meeting.  The day started off with a presentation from Chris Sieling and Eric Schwankl, math teachers from Lakeview.  Their topic of presentation was revamping grading practices in the math classroom.  Both teachers shared practical advice that can be applied to the classroom.  The next activity the group did was provide feedback to the state on the math standards.  The Math standards are set to be under review in the coming year, and part of the state mandate is soliciting feedback from the public.  This feedback piece is built directly into the curriculum review and development cycle.  Lunch was fabulous as always.  The afternoon was spent networking and sharing ideas and a short presentation on SAMR by Brandon.  Overall another great day of learning!

MRVED Meetings

October 29, 2014  Superintendents'  Council
October 30, 2014  Title I Teachers
November 4, 2014  Guidance Counselors
November 5, 2014  Phy Ed/Health
November 13, 2014  Social Workers

Tech Tip - Halloween Resources

With Halloween almost upon us, check out some of the resources below as to ways to teach about the holiday.

• Read Write Think
• Teaching Ideas
• NEA
• Pinterest

Share your own Halloween ideas HERE.

MN Math Leaders Networking

The MN Math Leaders networking meetings are designed for leaders to give and receive support. The Networking time includes:

• opportunities to share and celebrate what is working well.
• structures to work in role-a-like and/or grade band groups regarding previously selected topics.
• time for participants to provide their expertise.
• "hot topics" identified by the participants at the beginning of each meeting.

There will also be open time following each meeting for continued work in self-identified groups. The goals of these networking meetings include:

• Share ideas and collaborate with other MN Math Leaders
• Receive updates about mathematics education policy
• Learn about resources available to support your work

This event is open to anyone who is in a department, school, or district leadership position. Administrators and teacher leaders who are passionate about leading change in mathematics education for all students are encouraged to attend! All meetings will be held at the Minnesota Department of Education, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Check below links for conference room details.

It is recommended that participants purchase the book, "NCTM Principles to Actions," available at http://www.nctm.org/ as an e-book for $4.99 ($3.99 for NCTM members). One of the topics for each of the networking meetings will use readings and resources from this book.

• October 23, 2014 – Topic: Achievement Gap, Equity, and Mindset. Register Online.
• December 11, 2014 – Topic: Technology and Differentiation. Register Online.
• February 12, 2015 – Topic: Assessments and Interventions. Register Online.
• May 14, 2015 – Topic: Coaching, Cognitively Guided Instruction, and Problem Solving. Register Online.

For assistance with questions, contact Terry Alvarado (terry.alvarado@state.mn.us).MN

2015 MELT Call for Presentations

MELT Call for Presentation

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2015 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 19.  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, email Brandon at braymo@mrved.net.

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

MRVED Business

Best Practice Meeting Updates

Science

The Science teachers gathered at the MRVED this past Tuesday for their best practice meeting.  The day started with an activity to help reflect on differentiation in the classroom.  The activity produced some great discussion centered around how can educators effectively differentiate in the classroom. Then the group spent the rest of the morning in data analysis and really diving into their assessment data.  Everyone was filled after a great lunch at Pizza Ranch.  In the afternoon, the group had the opportunity to network and hear from Patrick Moore of PBS.

Upcoming Meetings
October 15, 2014  MRVED Professional Development Day
October 21, 2014  Math Best Practices
October 23, 2014  Business Best Practices
October 24, 2014  Community Ed
October 29, 2014  Superintendents' Council
October 30, 2014  Title I Teachers

There will be no MRVED update next week due to the Education Minnesota break.

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 5

Fix 5: Don't consider attendance in grade determination; report absences separately.

Again, fix 5 is a subset of fix 1 (achievement grades and behavior grades are separate).  "Standards-based learning is not about seat time." (O'Connor, 47)  I think we all agree that being in school is a good thing and will lead to greater achievement.  However, if a student can prove to a teacher they know the standard being taught at the time, why does that student need to be in a attendance?  Grades on achievement should reflect what the student knows and is able to do.

Attendance is important, but if we are deducting points from their achievement grade based upon their attendance, our grade then becomes distorted.  If the student can prove they know the material, do they really need the seat time, or can we do something different to challenge that student?  If the student is not in attendance, and cannot prove they know the material, what will we do about it? Does deducting points really make sense if our grades are truly about achievement?

O'Connor gives a great example in his book from Forrest Gathercoal:

"I was confronted at a workshop by a teacher who asked "are you telling me that if a student has been ill and another has been skipping, that they both should be able to make up that work missed?"  My response was that both needed an educator when they returned, perhaps the one who skipped more than the other.  Regardless of the reason for student absences, make up work and late assignments should be accepted to ensure those students equal educational opportunity."  (Gathercoal, 2004, p.163; quoted in O'Connor, 2011, p.49)

 

Tech Tip - Webcam QR Code Reader

QR Codes can be a quick way for a teacher to get students where they need to go on the web.  QR codes can be links or documents you want your students to access.  They work really well for classroom sets of mobile devices, like iPads, but have not been a great tool for classrooms with Chromebooks or laptops.  Until now!  Try this webcam QR code reader for your classroom!

https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/scan

Now any device with a webcam attached can scan QR codes.  You can also generate the QR codes on the same website.

https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/

Kathy Schrock as a great guide to using QR codes in the classroom if you are looking for ideas.

MRVED Business

Best Practice Meeting Updates
Agriculture
The Agriculture teachers kicked off the 2014-2015 best practices meetings on September 30 with a tour of Ralco Agnition in Balaton and ADM in Marshall. Agnition develops cutting-edge technologies that improve the quality of soil and the health of crops. The Agnition tour was amazing with the day starting with an overview of the company and then a tour of building. The business is located in the old school in Balaton. They modernized the building and gave it more of a business feel. It was neat to see how an old abandon school could still be utilized in a small community. In the afternoon we stopped by ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) in Marshall on our way home. This company converts corn, oilseeds, wheat, and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. Again, another amazing experience to see what actually happens in that place and to see the volume of corn products that pass through every day.

Music
The music teachers came to the MRVED on Thursday, October 2 for their annual best practice meeting. The day was filled with visiting and idea gathering. The day started with an activity about parent and community involvement and groups brainstormed possible ways in which they can include both into their classrooms. Before lunch the group spent some time looking at the new National Common Core Arts Standards. Pizza Ranch was filled with more stories and laughter. After lunch the group had the opportunity to network and create a plan for the MELT. The group was energetic as always and it was a great meeting for all.


Upcoming Meetings
October 7, 2014 Science
October 10, 2014 Art (Ben Lecy Farm, Echo) NEW DATE
October 10, 2014 Title III Paraprofessionals
October 15, 2014 MRVED Professional Development Day
October 21, 2014 Math
October 22, 2014 Community Ed
October 23, 2014 Business

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 4

Fix 4: Don't punish academic dishonesty with reduced grades; apply other consequences and reassess to determine actual level of achievement.

Fix 4 is another subset of fix 1 (don't lump behavior grade with academic grade).  By giving a zero on assignments for cheating, it distorts the academic grade and does not accurately show what the student knows and is able to do.  Having a clear policy in place to deal with academic dishonesty is key.  The biggest part to the policy is how you punish the behavior.

"Effective policies first and foremost recognize that academic dishonesty is very serious inappropriate behavior equivalent to theft, and as such requires primarily behavioral consequences." (O'Connor, 40)  The important words in the previous sentence is "requires primarily behavioral consequences."  The appropriate academic consequence, O'Connor would argue, is to allow the student to redo the work with honesty and integrity.  This will give a true measure of what the student knows and is able to do.

Our first reaction is to give a student a zero and punish behaviorally as well.  By giving a zero, you are distorting the grade that reflects what that student knows.  This again, could be added into a separate behavior grade.

If I pay for my electrical bill with counterfeit money, I will get in trouble for my behavior, but I will still have to pay my bill.  Don't punish the student, give them a zero, and move on.  See what they actually know.

MCIS Workshop Offered at the ALC

MCIS Workshop



When: October 15, 2014

Time: 8:00-3:30

Location: Minnesota Valley Area Learning Center

Cost: Free

Lunch: On Your Own

What: Minnesota Career Information System website training.
The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is an Internet-based system that combines a wealth of career, educational and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. With MCIS, students and clients can:

• Learn about over 520 occupations
• Develop a personal portfolio
• Research colleges, universities, and career schools
• Find scholarships and financial aid
• Improve job search skills and create a resume

Registration Link

Questions can be directed to:

Deb Parkos
Phone: 651/582-8321 or 800/599-6247
debbie.parkos@state.mn.us

Tech Tip - TodaysMeet

I have highlighted TodaysMeet before, but wanted to share some of the recent updates from the summer that make this a great classroom tool.  TodaysMeet is a website that allows you to setup a chat room.  The chat room can be used as a place for students to share thoughts and/or talk about a movie while it's playing.  I use it when I present as a way for attendees to talk and share ideas while I present.

Summer Updates

Moderate the rooms - before this update TodaysMeet chat rooms were unmoderated.  Meaning the creator of the room had no control over things that were said.  Now the creator can delete unwanted posts.

Log In Feature - You now have the ability to log in to an account and save rooms.  

Opportunity

If you are interested in pursuing a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning or K-12 Administrative Licensure prep, there is an opportunity coming to Marshall this Fall.  St. Mary's University will be starting classes this fall in Marshall and it runs for 18 months.  If you would like more information, contact Stacy Hinz at shinz@smumn.edu or 507-828-7421.