October 19, Professional Development Day
The MRVED wishes to thank everyone for their participation in our first common professional development day on October 19. We hope the day was beneficial to you as an educator and helped move you forward in your professional learning. The MRVED would also like to thank the people who were willing to facilitate the meetings. Without them, this day would not be possible.
If you have not already filled out the evaluation for the day, please do so. You can access the evaluation by clicking the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyfc3X_UtiPxyJp1Xnm61aglJF_jww522PK3lxFnvdpoTTsg/viewform
We look forward to providing another excellent day of professional development on January 16, when we will all gather for the MELT conference. This year is shaping up to be the best MELT yet with many new presenters. You still have time to submit a presentation proposal. More information can be found at the link below.
http://mrvedupdate.blogspot.com/2016/09/melt-2017-call-for-presentation.html
MRVED Meetings
November 18, 2016 Principals' Council
November 23, 2016 Superintendents' Council
December 2, 2016 Title III Teachers
December 5, 2016 District Assessment Coordinators
December 15, 2016 TAC
December 16, 2016 Principals' Council
December 21, 2016 MRVED Board (7 p.m.)
December 21, 2016 Superintendents' Council
Friday, October 28, 2016
What Great Teachers Do Differently - Prevention versus Revenge
Prevention versus Revenge
As we continue on our journey through Todd Whitaker's book What Great Teachers Do Differently, we are looking at the 17 things that matter most. This chapter deals with student discipline. It offers a great way to think about classroom management, and more importantly discipline.
The first thing that struck me while reading this chapter is the mindset of how to deal with a student who misbehaves. Whitaker states "Effective teachers want to prevent misbehavior, whereas ineffective teachers focus on punishing a student ... (Whitaker, 25)". The effective teacher finds ways and deals with a student in a manner that will prevent the misbehavior from happening again. The ineffective teacher will punish the behavior and often times see the same behavior happen again. Ineffective teachers deal with the past, whereas effective teachers deal with the future.
When misbehavior happens, all eyes are usually on the teacher to see how he/she responds to the situation. If the teacher blows up, yells, or embarrasses the student, often times the behaviors will reoccur. If a teacher can deal with the student at an opportune time and in a private matter, often times the behavior will not reoccur. Students are smart, if they know the teacher will fly off the handle while everyone is watching, the student got what they wanted...attention and amusement.
In short, deal with the future not the past when handling misbehaving students.
As usual, there is so much more in this chapter, so I highly recommend reading this great book by Todd Whitaker.
As we continue on our journey through Todd Whitaker's book What Great Teachers Do Differently, we are looking at the 17 things that matter most. This chapter deals with student discipline. It offers a great way to think about classroom management, and more importantly discipline.
When misbehavior happens, all eyes are usually on the teacher to see how he/she responds to the situation. If the teacher blows up, yells, or embarrasses the student, often times the behaviors will reoccur. If a teacher can deal with the student at an opportune time and in a private matter, often times the behavior will not reoccur. Students are smart, if they know the teacher will fly off the handle while everyone is watching, the student got what they wanted...attention and amusement.
In short, deal with the future not the past when handling misbehaving students.
As usual, there is so much more in this chapter, so I highly recommend reading this great book by Todd Whitaker.
MELT Presenters
MELT Presenters
The MRVED is still actively pursuing teachers to present at the MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) conference in January. Please see this previous post that explains all about presenting. If you know someone who is doing something great in their classroom, encourage them to present, or if you are doing something great, please fill out the form.
The MRVED is still actively pursuing teachers to present at the MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) conference in January. Please see this previous post that explains all about presenting. If you know someone who is doing something great in their classroom, encourage them to present, or if you are doing something great, please fill out the form.
Google Education On-Air Conference
Google Education On-Air Conference
Google will once again be hosting their Education On-Air conference on December 2nd and 3rd. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of the top thinkers and educators in the world. The event is free and all you need is an internet browser. There are a variety of topics and people presenting this year. Check out the Education On-Air Conference webpage today!
Google will once again be hosting their Education On-Air conference on December 2nd and 3rd. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of the top thinkers and educators in the world. The event is free and all you need is an internet browser. There are a variety of topics and people presenting this year. Check out the Education On-Air Conference webpage today!
Free Social Studies Workshops
Social studies teachers can take advantage of a variety of Free workshops to enhance their own knowledge and pedagogy.
1) Thanks to a generous Library of Congress grant, the Minnesota Historical Society and partners are offering free workshops for social studies teachers! In the 2016-2017 school year, nine regional workshops throughout Minnesota will focus on historical and geographic inquiry, and primary sources in the classroom. Workshops are open to current classroom teachers in grades K-12, and are limited to the first 25 registrants. Visit the grant website for more information and to register: http://education.mnhs.org/loc/workshops.
2) Register NOW to attend a free workshop about ArcGIS Online! Educator Day at the MN GIS/LIS Conference in Duluth is on Wednesday, October 26. Join us to learn about ways to engage students in spatial thinking and problem solving using several online mapping tools from Esri. Visit the website to learn more: http://www.mngislis.org/?page=2016_conf_k12_form
3) Join us for "Shaping America's Elections," a free workshop sponsored by Colonial Williamsburg. Social studies teachers in grades 5-12 are invited to register for a day of discussion and learning about historical elections. The workshop will take place on Saturday, November 5 at the Minnesota History Center. Visit the website for information or to register: http://education.mnhs.org/node/11687
1) Thanks to a generous Library of Congress grant, the Minnesota Historical Society and partners are offering free workshops for social studies teachers! In the 2016-2017 school year, nine regional workshops throughout Minnesota will focus on historical and geographic inquiry, and primary sources in the classroom. Workshops are open to current classroom teachers in grades K-12, and are limited to the first 25 registrants. Visit the grant website for more information and to register: http://education.mnhs.org/loc/workshops.
2) Register NOW to attend a free workshop about ArcGIS Online! Educator Day at the MN GIS/LIS Conference in Duluth is on Wednesday, October 26. Join us to learn about ways to engage students in spatial thinking and problem solving using several online mapping tools from Esri. Visit the website to learn more: http://www.mngislis.org/?page=2016_conf_k12_form
3) Join us for "Shaping America's Elections," a free workshop sponsored by Colonial Williamsburg. Social studies teachers in grades 5-12 are invited to register for a day of discussion and learning about historical elections. The workshop will take place on Saturday, November 5 at the Minnesota History Center. Visit the website for information or to register: http://education.mnhs.org/node/11687
If you have any questions, let Brandon know and he will point you in the right direction.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
MRVED Business
MELT Call for Presentation Proposals
The 2017 MELT Call for Presentation Proposals has been sent out, See the previous weeks blog post explaining the Call for Presentation Proposals. Proposals are due by October 26. If you know someone who is doing awesome things in their classroom, encourage them to present. Or, if you, yourself, are doing something awesome, show it off!
MRVED Upcoming Meetings
October 19, 2016 MRVED Common Day for Best Practice Meetings
October 26, 2016 Superintendents' Council
October 28, 2016 Principals' Council
November 18, 2016 Principals' Council
November 23, 2016 Superintendents' Council
The 2017 MELT Call for Presentation Proposals has been sent out, See the previous weeks blog post explaining the Call for Presentation Proposals. Proposals are due by October 26. If you know someone who is doing awesome things in their classroom, encourage them to present. Or, if you, yourself, are doing something awesome, show it off!
MRVED Upcoming Meetings
October 19, 2016 MRVED Common Day for Best Practice Meetings
October 26, 2016 Superintendents' Council
October 28, 2016 Principals' Council
November 18, 2016 Principals' Council
November 23, 2016 Superintendents' Council
October 19 Professional Development Day Information
October 19, 2016 Update
The MRVED Common Professional Development Day will soon be upon us. Teachers will be attending this day either at the Montevideo High School or the Dawson-Boyd High School depending on their discipline or grade level. Teachers should have received an email yesterday, Thursday, indicating where they will be attending and some additional details on the day. The following information is probably redundant but it never hurts to reiterate details on the day.
The MRVED Common Professional Development Day will soon be upon us. Teachers will be attending this day either at the Montevideo High School or the Dawson-Boyd High School depending on their discipline or grade level. Teachers should have received an email yesterday, Thursday, indicating where they will be attending and some additional details on the day. The following information is probably redundant but it never hurts to reiterate details on the day.
Agenda: (Special Ed teachers have a slightly different agenda)
8:00 a.m. - Coffee and breakfast treats
8:30 a.m. - Meetings commence
11:30 a.m. - Lunch on site
12:00 p.m. - Afternoon meetings commence
2:30 p.m. - Day is done
Lunch:
- We are allowing only a half hour for lunch so if you did not sign up for the catered meal, please bring a bag lunch.
- Money is to be collected at each district.
- The district superintendents are providing the morning refreshments.
Transportation:
- Check with your district office for transportation details.
- If teachers drive themselves:
- Dawson has parking available in the Community Center lot located on Chestnut St.; a small church parking lot across from the main doors on Chestnut St; and a small parking lot west of the building.
- Montevideo has a very large parking lot on the south side of the building.
- Buses can be parked:
- Dawson - in the Community Center parking lot
- Montevideo - in the bus garage parking lot across from the high school
- In Dawson, enter through the main door located on Chestnut Street.
- In Montevideo, enter through the main door on William Avenue (not the gym doors). A sign above the door reads "Montevideo Senior High School Main Entrance" and the numeral 1.
- There will be a registration table for teachers to pick up their agendas for the day, along with their lunch ticket if they selected to eat the catered meal.
You are strongly encouraged to bring a device. WiFi will be available at both sites.
This is a new venture for us this year and we will be anxious to read your evaluations on the day. You will receive an evaluation survey on Monday, 10/24/16 and we would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete the survey.
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Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) Conference
MEA
The Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) Conference is an awesome FREE education conference to attend. This year is no exception. There are many great sessions to choose from throughout the 2 day conference. Click the link below to find out more!
MEA Conference Link
The Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) Conference is an awesome FREE education conference to attend. This year is no exception. There are many great sessions to choose from throughout the 2 day conference. Click the link below to find out more!
MEA Conference Link
Tech Tip - Utah Education Network
Utah Education Network
This site is a hidden gem! The Utah Education Network (UEN) has tons of resources for your classroom. From lesson plans to an app search engine to a list of interactives. There are TONS of things on this website for every educator. Take a couple minutes today and browse through it!
This site is a hidden gem! The Utah Education Network (UEN) has tons of resources for your classroom. From lesson plans to an app search engine to a list of interactives. There are TONS of things on this website for every educator. Take a couple minutes today and browse through it!
What Great Teachers Do Differently - When You Say Something, Mean It
When You Say Something, Mean It
As we continue through the book, "What Great Teachers Do Differently- 17 Things That Matter Most", by Todd Whitaker, we will review the previous 2 weeks.
1. It's People, Not Programs
2. The Power of Expectations
Now we will examine the chapter titled, "If you say something, mean it". This chapter is exactly as the title describes. Great teachers follow through with what they say they are going to do. This chapter focuses primarily on classroom management, but I believe it can apply to all facets of things including, but not limited to, helping organize school events, meeting preparation, attending student events, etc... It's not about how many things you are involved in or how many events you attend, it's about following through when you say you will do something.
In terms of discipline, if you say there is going to be a consequence, then follow through on your consequence. If kids know you don't follow through on consequences, they will push you to the limit, thus disrupting quality instructional time. Whitaker also points out that, although follow through is important, so is how you deal with the misbehavior. For instance, often times you can acknowledge a behavior, without letting the whole class know you have seen the behavior. Often times the student misbehaving is seeking attention. By acknowledging the misbehavior in a loud way, you are giving the student what they want, attention. So communicating the consequence is often times just as important as following through on the consequence.
"Great teachers manage their classrooms thoughtfully. When they say something, they mean it (Whitaker, 24)."
As we continue through the book, "What Great Teachers Do Differently- 17 Things That Matter Most", by Todd Whitaker, we will review the previous 2 weeks.
1. It's People, Not Programs
2. The Power of Expectations
Now we will examine the chapter titled, "If you say something, mean it". This chapter is exactly as the title describes. Great teachers follow through with what they say they are going to do. This chapter focuses primarily on classroom management, but I believe it can apply to all facets of things including, but not limited to, helping organize school events, meeting preparation, attending student events, etc... It's not about how many things you are involved in or how many events you attend, it's about following through when you say you will do something.
In terms of discipline, if you say there is going to be a consequence, then follow through on your consequence. If kids know you don't follow through on consequences, they will push you to the limit, thus disrupting quality instructional time. Whitaker also points out that, although follow through is important, so is how you deal with the misbehavior. For instance, often times you can acknowledge a behavior, without letting the whole class know you have seen the behavior. Often times the student misbehaving is seeking attention. By acknowledging the misbehavior in a loud way, you are giving the student what they want, attention. So communicating the consequence is often times just as important as following through on the consequence.
"Great teachers manage their classrooms thoughtfully. When they say something, they mean it (Whitaker, 24)."