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.