MRVED Business

MRVED Meetings:
March 18, 2016  Title III Paraprofessionals (Today)
March 22, 2016  Guidance Counselors
March 23, 2016  Superintendents' Council
March 24, 2016  MRVED Common Date

April 13, 2016    Community Ed
April 20, 2016    MRVED Board (7 p.m.)
April 22, 2016    Title III Teachers
April 27, 2016    Superintendents' Council

Tech Tip - MCA Test Prep

MCA Test Prep
With the MCA tests fast approaching, here is a small list of websites that may be used for test prep.  Please note: These websites are NOT endorsed by Pearson unless noted on the website.  These websites are simply for practice of concepts that may appear on the test.

Reading
Reading for Thinking
ACE Practice Tests
My Vocab
Perspective Learning Resources

Math
Regents Exam Prep Center
Ten Marks
IXL (Aligned to MN Standards)
Holt Math Test Prep
Perspective Learning Resources

Writing
ACT Writing
Paragraph Punch
Time 4 Writing


Some information taken from Anoka-Hennepin Schools

Report on 1:1 Device Programs Best Practices in K-12 Education

1:1 Report
The Minnesota Department of Education as directed by the legislature has released an interesting study on 1:1 initiatives in the state of Minnesota.  Doug Paulson did a great job of compiling some usable data our schools can use to guide them in their implementation of not only 1:1 programs, but also general technology integration.  I highly suggest bringing this report to either your technology committee or staff development committee to use when making decisions on professional development geared toward technology.

1:1 Device Programs Best Practices in K-12 Education Report

Better Conversations - Autonomy

Autonomy
We have been discussing the 6 beliefs to better conversations from the book Better Conversations by Jim Knight.  Each update, we highlight one of the 6 beliefs.  Two weeks ago the topic was listening and hearing what others have to say.  This week the topic is autonomy.

6 Beliefs to Better Conversations

1. I see others as equal partners in conversations.
2. I want to hear what others have to say.
3. I believe people should have a lot of autonomy.
4. I don't judge my conversation partners.
5. Conversation should be back and forth.
6. Conversation should be life-giving.

Belief 3: I believe people should have a lot of autonomy.

Partners don't tell their partners what to do.  If we are to tell our conversation partner what to do, we are no longer equals, and we have violated the first belief in better conversations.  Autonomy is so important when conversing with people.  The ability to make our own decisions and ultimately say "yes" or "no" creates an equal playing field, where all opinions matter.  Peter Block says, "If we cannot say no, then saying yes has no meaning" (Knight, 33, Better Conversations Companion Book).

People are rarely motivated by other people's plans for them.  One of my favorite quotes from this section in Better Conversations is, "When you insist, they will resist" by Timothy Gallwey.  I think about my coaching and teaching experiences, and this quote is very true.  If the idea is the kids, then it becomes much easier to get them to do what I want, whereas, if I tell them to do something most will do it, but some will resist.  Adults are the same way.  If ideas come from them, they are much more likely to put an effort into accomplishing it is what they want.

Of course there are occasions when a conversation does not have a decision made, so therefore autonomy does not come into play.  There are also situations where there is no autonomy because the district and/or administration has decided something already.  But there can be autonomy on how to accomplish what it is the district and/or administration wants.

MRVED Business

MRVED Meetings
March 7, 2016  FACS Best Practice
March 8, 2016  Business Best Practice CANCELLED
March 16, 2016 Community Ed
March 17, 2016 Social Workers
March 18, 2016 Title III Paraprofessionals
March 22, 2016 Guidance Counselors (Changed from March 15, 2016)
March 23, 2016 Superintendent's Council
March 24, 2016 MRVED Common Date

Resources for iPads in the K-2 Classroom

Resources for iPads in K-2 Classroom
I often get K-2 teachers asking me for ideas on how to implement the iPad into their classroom.  This is a difficult question for me to answer as I have never taught in a K-2 environment.  We all know there is a world of difference between a primary classroom and a high school classroom.  So I continually try to fill my toolbox with information and tools that can assist the primary teachers.  I recently came across this article and resource guide from Edutopia.  It offers some great practical tools and ideas for the primary classroom. Even though it was published 2 years ago, it still has some great, relevant information.

Resources for iPads in the K-2 Classroom

Better Conversations - Listening

Hearing What Others Have to Say
Two weeks ago the topic for Better Conversations was seeing your conversation partner as an equal.  This week we will look at, "I want to hear what others have to say".

6 Beliefs to Better Conversations

1. I see others as equal partners in conversations.
2. I want to hear what others have to say.
3. I believe people should have a lot of autonomy.
4. I don't judge my conversation partners.
5. Conversation should be back and forth.
6. Conversation should be life-giving.

Hearing What Others Have to Say

This is one of the beliefs I think we all think we do a good job of, but in reality, we struggle the most with this belief.  In our world today, it is very difficult to give someone 100% of our attention 100% of the time.  With a smartphone nearby, emails are constantly coming at us, text messages are frequently making your phone "ding", telephone calls are more prevalent, and it's your turn on Words with Friends :-).  If I truly believe we are equals in conversation, I will treat you as I would want to be treated and truly LISTEN to what you have to say.  You can listen and not hear a word your conversation partner says.  This is evident in many relationships (especially us men!).  If you are married, you probably can think of a time your significant other told you, "I told you that last night or earlier this morning".  

Being fully present in a conversation is a sign of respect for the other person.  It shows them that you truly are interested in what they have to say.  We don't have to be fully present in every conversation we have, but if we are trying to help people get better at what they do, they believe what they do is important and we need to respect that.

Tips to being present in a conversation

• Silence your phone (even the vibrate feature).
• Shut your laptop.
• Take off your watch (yes, looking at the watch distracts you from your conversation).
• Keep the time sacred (don't let other "things" come into your time with someone).
• Respect their time and your time.
• Video record yourself having a conversation.
• How many times do you look away, at your phone, computer, or watch?
• I think you will be surprised to realize what you look like!

The video below is a classic scene from Wayne's World.  This radio DJ is NOT present in the conversation.  Don't be THAT guy!

Deadlines and Standards Based Grading

Deadlines
Last year, on this blog, we spent a significant amount of time outlining different grading practices.  In our best practice meetings this school year, we have taken the grading practices a little further and dove deep into conversation about it.  One of the common criticisms to grading practices and standards based grading is we do not hold the kids accountable.  The assumption is that students are allowed to turn in work whenever they want.  I stumbled across a great article by Brian Stack on Deadlines Matter.  It's a great article and a quick read and might change some perceptions about deadlines and standards based grading.