MRVED Business

FitnessGram Webinar
The MRVED will be assisting in hosting a FitnessGram webinar for all Phy Ed teachers on Monday, May 9th from 3:15-4:00.  The purpose of the webinar is to dig deeper into the software and ask questions of the FitnessGram presenter.  If you need a refresher or just have a few questions, participate in the webinar on May 9th.  Contact Brandon before May 1st if you would like to participate and he will send you the webinar information.

Summer Professional Development
Due to decreasing participation numbers the last few summers, the MRVED will not be offering any summer professional development opportunities.  If you are in need of a relicensure area, contact Brandon and he can provide some assistance in finding other opportunities.

MRVED Meetings
May 16, 2016  Principals' Council & TAC (11:30 a.m. combined meeting)
May 25, 2016  Superintendents'  Council

June 15, 2016  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
June 22, 2016  Superintendents' Council

Better Conversations - Life-Giving

Life-Giving Conversation
The last of the six beliefs from Jim Knight's book Better Conversations will be discussed this week.

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.

Life-Giving Conversation

"When I believe conversations should be life-giving, I go into the conversations expecting that my conversation partners and I will leave conversations feeling more alive for having experienced them" (Knight, 57, Better Conversations Companion Book).  The prime example of this is when you have a conversation with someone and you walk away thinking you learned so much and you have that feeling like you really were into that conversation.  During these conversations time seems to fly by.  It's really a culmination of the five previous beliefs.  If all these pieces come together, more often than not the conversation is life-giving.

Life-giving conversations are engaging and energizing and they increase your sense of well-being.  If the topic at hand is something we are invested in, then we are more likely to engage in deep conversation about it.  Again, if we are equals, and truly listen to others, give them autonomy, not judge, and the conversation is back and forth, the conversation will more than likely be life-giving and we will walk away energized.

On the opposite end, we have all had conversations where we walk away physically and mentally exhausted.  These conversations are the opposite of life-giving conversations.  Sometimes these types of conversations are necessary, but if we engage in conversation like this on a daily basis, it will likely burn our desire to have a better conversation.

Next week we will wrap up this series on better conversation.

5 Practices That Provoke Misbehavior

5 Practices That Provoke Misbehavior
It's the end of the year, the weather is getting nice, everyone can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This is a prime time for student misbehavior.  Sometimes the misbehavior is on the kids, but other times it can be our classroom management, or simply the way in which we do things in the classroom.  ASCD published a great article in Educational Leadership from the October 2015 edition.  It is well worth the read as well as the time to reflect on our own practices.

5 Practices That Provoke Misbehavior by Eric Toshalis

Minnesota ArcGIS Map Contest

Taken from https://sites.google.com/site/minnesotamapcontest/home

What: An online GIS map making contest

Dates: March 15, 2016 to May 27, 2016

Who is eligible: Minnesota public, private, or homeschooled students are eligible to enter the contest. Maps can be submitted individually or as a team of two students. Limit of one entry per student or team.

Challenge: Your challenge is to create an original Minnesota based map on a topic of interest or concern to you. The area mapped can range from the entire state to a smaller area, like a county or city.

ArcGIS Online Requirement: You must use ArcGIS Online to create your original map. Your final map must be submitted in one of the following formats:

• ArcGIS Online Presentation
• ArcGIS Online Web App
• ArcGIS Online Story Map

ArcGIS Online is available to any K-12 school in the United States free of charge from Esri; see https://esri.app.box.com/connectedpdf for access to software and guidance. Your school will need to sign up for a free ArcGIS Online organization account so you can create and submit your final map. 

Prizes: The five maps judged the best in each division will be awarded a $100 prize. ALL participating students and their teachers will also receive GIS Map Competition t-shirts.

Middle School Division - grades 6 - 8
Senior High Division - grades 9 - 12 

Note: Teams spanning grade levels will be entered in the division of the student at the upper grade.
Award-winning maps will remain visible to the public for one year.

Tech Tip - Osmo

Osmo
If you have an iPad in your room, this is a must-have!  Osmo offers a unique way to interact with your iPad. You have to watch the video to see what it can do.  I will be ordering one for my family!

(The 50% off is no longer available)

What do I need to use Osmo?

You just need an iPad with a camera. Osmo is compatible with: iPad 2, iPad (3rd Generation), iPad (4th Generation), iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air and iPad Air 2.

How much does it cost?

The Starter Kit is $79, the Genius Kit is $99. The Numbers game (if you already have a Starter Kit) is $29.

What exactly will I get when I buy Osmo? (What’s in each kit?)

A Starter Kit includes a white iPad stand, a red reflective mirror for the iPad camera, two sets of game pieces (two complete alphabet letter tile sets and wood tangram shapes). Masterpiece and Newton don’t require any pieces. All of these apps are available to download from the App Store free of charge but you need the Osmo system (base + mirror) to play them.

A Genius Kit includes all of those items, plus a set of high-quality number and dot tiles for the Numbers game.

What is the educational value of each game?

Osmo fosters learning in key areas such as: social-emotional skills, creative thinking, art, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and common core.
Tangram fosters spatial relational skills.
Words teaches spelling and critical thinking skills.
Newton fosters creative problem solving skills.
Masterpiece teaches drawing and creative confidence.
Numbers teaches counting, addition and multiplication.

Tech Tip - Chromebook Help Center

I have had many inquiries into working a Chromebook in the past few weeks, so I thought I would share a really good place to go if you are trying to figure out how to run a Chromebook.  The site also offers great advice or tips for even the most advanced user.  Check it out today!

Chromebook Help

MRVED Business

FitnessGram Webinar
The MRVED will be assisting in hosting a FitnessGram webinar for all Phy Ed teachers on Monday, May 9th from 3:15-4:00.  The purpose of the webinar is to dig deeper into the software and ask questions of the FitnessGram presenter.  If you need a refresher or just have a few questions, participate in the webinar on May 9th.  Contact Brandon before May 1st if you would like to participate and he will send you the webinar information.

Summer Professional Development
Due to decreasing participation numbers the last few summers, the MRVED will not be offering any summer professional development opportunities.  If you are in need of a relicensure area, contact Brandon and he can provide some assistance in finding other opportunities.

Upcoming Meetings
April 13, 2016  Community Ed
April 20, 2016  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 22, 2016  Title III Teachers
April 27, 2016  Superintendents' Council

Better Conversations - Back and Forth Conversation

Belief 5
For the past two months we have examined what it takes to have better conversations with people using the book Better Conversations by Jim Knight.  Two weeks ago we talked about not judging your conversation partners.  Today we will look at belief 5, conversation should be back and forth.

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 5: Conversation should be back and forth

"During a better conversation, my conversation partner and I become more thoughtful, creative, and alive when we talk in ways that open up rather than shut down our thinking and talking" (Knight, 49, Better Conversations Companion Book).  Conversation should be back and forth, you should gain something and I should gain something.  If it's always me talking, what will I gain from the conversation?  Controlling the conversation also implicitly puts the person talking in a one-up scenario.  Whether intentional or not, we need to be aware of how much we are talking in a conversation and the words we are using.

Granted there are times where the purpose of our conversation is not back and forth, but rather me giving you information.  Again, there are times and places for all six beliefs.  In a better conversation, we need to try to listen as much as we talk and learn as much as we teach (Knight, 51).

Free GED Testing

Below, you will find the press release from the Governor from April 7 announcing that GED testing will be free through July 2016.  If you know of someone that could benefit from this, please pass the word along!  This is a great opportunity.

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced that General Educational Development (GED) testing is available at no cost to eligible Minnesotans through July 2016, expanding economic opportunity for thousands of Minnesotans across the state.

“People who obtain a high school diploma can expect to earn significantly higher incomes in their lifetimes than those who do not,” said Governor Dayton. “This program will help reduce economic disparities in Minnesota, racially and geographically, to help ensure our economy works better for all Minnesotans. I urge the Legislature to approve funding this session to continue the program.”

Having a high school diploma or GED increases the earning power of individuals by 37.5 percent – that’s nearly a $10,000 per year median wage increase, which can make a significant difference for a Minnesota family.

“The GED provides a pathway to better jobs and opportunity,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This proposal will make the GED more affordable for more Minnesotans. I urge the legislature to support the Governor's proposal, and help build an economy that works for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota.”

Minnesota has long invested $125,000 each year through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to partially reduce the cost of the GED test for some Minnesotans. An additional $100,000 in funding from the federal Workforce Investment Act is making the GED test free for Minnesotans through July 2016. The Governor and Lt. Governor’s 2016 Supplemental Budget proposal would invest $120,000 to keep the test free for test takers into 2017.

MDE estimates that as many as 2,000 Minnesotans could benefit from this initiative in 2016. In 2015, more than 3,600 Minnesotans took the GED test. The GED test is comprised of four subject area tests, the total cost of which is normally $120.

For more information about the GED program, visit the MDE Adult Basic Education website. For more information and to register for the GED test, visitthe official GED website.
Permalink: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/index.jsp?id=1055-212679

Testing Resources

Testing Resources
Testing season is upon us!  It can be a stressful time for both students and teachers.  Here is a list of resources that can assist you and/or your students with testing.

Pinterest Ideas
Resources from Scholastic
Frontline: Testing our Schools (bit dated, but still relevant)
Larry Ferlazzo Blog Post

MRVED Business

FitnessGram Webinar
The MRVED will be assisting in hosting a FitnessGram webinar for all Phy Ed teachers on Monday, May 9th from 3:15-4:00.  The purpose of the webinar is to dig deeper into the software and ask questions of the FitnessGram presenter.  If you need a refresher or just have a few questions, participate in the webinar on May 9th.  Contact Brandon before May 1st if you would like to participate and he will send you the webinar information.

Upcoming Meetings
April 13, 2016  Community Ed
April 20, 2016  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 22, 2016  Title III Teachers
April 27, 2016  Superintendents' Council

May 16, 2016  Principals' Council & TAC (11:30 a.m. start)
May 25, 2016  Superintendents' Council

"Building Strong Brains and Bodies" Through Dance and Movement

"Building Strong Brains and Bodies" Through Dance and Movement

Stephanie Johnson, a Dance Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, will be presenting on the benefits of dance and movement at Dawson-Boyd School Commons on Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by Dawson-Boyd Early Childhood Family Education and is free of charge. Child care will be provided with activities planned in the Stevens Elementary gym. Register by Wednesday, March 30 for childcare (320-769-2955 #238).

Stephanie founded Sage Education and Therapy in Minneapolis. Stephanie discusses movement in children and how it affects brain development and engagement in school. She shows how to do certain movements at home with your child that promote these developments. Stephanie works with children of all ages and now even adults. Stephanie talks a lot about how early movement in children relates to brain development. She is a highly sought after national speaker.

Mark you calendars for this worthwhile event. Click HERE for more information.

Better Conversations - Judgement

Judgment
Last week we looked at belief three, people should have autonomy, from Jim Knights book Better Conversations.  This week we will focus on judgment.

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 4: I don't judge my conversation partners.

"When people judge others, they destroy any pretense of equality.  If I judge you as having done something well or poorly, by doing that very act I put myself one-up and put you one-down" (Knight, 41, Better Conversations Companion Book).  

Again, this is one of the beliefs that we all believe we do well in, but in reality we all struggle with.  When we come into any conversation we bring in tons of assumptions and our own opinions.  If we truly are to have a conversation where everyone feels equal, we care about what others are saying, and we give our partner autonomy, those assumptions need to be left at the door.

Things you can do to be nonjudgmental

• Listen without assumptions and without prejudging.
• Begin to let go of the desire to give unsolicited advice.
• Practice letting go of having to be right.

The last two bullet points are the most difficult.  If you were to record yourself in a conversation, I think you would find that you often times are giving advice that is not asked for.  Also, nobody wants or likes to be wrong, but sometimes we need to let go of that and give your conversation partner some autonomy.

Tech Tip - Front Row

Front Row
Front Row is an individualized math and ELA program that allows students to practice at their own pace. Their curriculum is completely Common Core aligned, and covers every standard in K-8 math.

Students start Front Row by taking a diagnostic test that places them based on their capability. Then, they answer practice questions that vary based on what the student knows. If a student gets stuck, they see remediation material and videos that help them understand the topic at hand. If they do well, they move on to harder material! The kids love using Front Row because it’s so engaging.

The Front Row dashboard is just amazing for teachers. It shows where each student is stuck, and whether they need help, and it also gives materials that can help them! What’s really amazing is the printables feature, which allows teachers to generate a personalized printable sheet for each student that gives practice where they need it.

Overall, Front Row is an amazing time saver, and students really love it. Sign up is super easy, just go to http://www.frontrowed.com and click on the sign up button. It’s free!

Front Row Resource Folder

Minnesota ASCD Spring Relicensure Roundup

When: Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Where: Minnesota Department of Education
Cost: $25 per session

Attend the ASCD Relicensure Roundup to earn up to SIX Minnesota educator relicensure credits... Register for individual requirements OR purchase a day-pass for all six and get $25 off!

Session times will be determined by registration numbers and posted online at minnesotaascd.org two weeks prior to the event.

Sessions include:
English Learners
Warning Signs of Early-Onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents
Accomodations and Modifications for DIfferentiated Instruction
Reading Preparation
Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)
Technology Integration

Event Registration Link