MRVED Meetings
February 22, 2017 Superintendents' Council
February 23, 2017 TAC
February 24, 2017 Principals' Council
March 17, 2017 Title III Paraprofessionals
March 21, 2017 Counselors
March 22, 2017 Superintendents' Council
March 23, 2017 Social Workers
Thursday, February 16, 2017
What Great Teachers Do Differently - Respect Everyone, Every Day
Great teachers create a positive atmosphere in their classrooms and schools. They treat every person with respect. In particular, they understand the power of praise." (Whitaker, 56)
It seems trivial, but the old adage of "Treat others how you would like to be treated", really is a crucial part to what separates the good teachers from the great teachers. Think about a time you were mistreated...now think of a time you were praised. Which one was easier to think about? Which memory was more recent. Chances are, you could easily identify a time when you were mistreated and your memory of praise happened more recently. Why is this? It's because those memories of mistreatment stick with you.How does this apply to the classroom? Think about the student who constantly feels as if he/she is mistreated by the teachers. Do you think that will stick with them? Whitaker makes a great point. He says, "You don't have to like the students; you just have to act as if you like them." (Whitaker, 50). Now, this seems like an awful statement to make, but I guarantee you that there are one or two students in your classroom who you can think of right now who you have a hard time liking. If they know you don't like them, they can sense you don't care about them. Do you think they will do anything for you? Probably not. If you act as if you like them and treat them with the same respect you treat all other students, they will be more than likely to do what you want them to do.
Whitaker goes into length about Ben Bissell's "five strategies that help praise work". They are the praise must be authentic, specific, immediate, clean, and private. Authentic, specific, immediate, and private praise are self-explanatory. But clean praise could be somewhat confusing. For praise to be clean, you can't expect something in return for the praise. For example if you praise a kid on Monday, you can't expect the kid to not screw up on Tuesday. The two behaviors are not related. For praise to also be clean, it cannot contain the word "but". For example, "great job on question 2, but you got 4 and 6 wrong". The praise will not have an effect on the student because what do you think they remember from that sentence...they got 4 and 6 wrong. They probably don't even realize you said "great job on question 2".
In short...respect everyone, every day! Treat others how you would want to be treated, even if you really don't like them. Give praise that is authentic, specific, immediate, clean, and private. Great teachers, according to Whitaker, do all these things.
February Science Update from MDE
The February Edition of the MDE Science Update includes:
News
MDE Science Update
News
- MnSTA position statement of elementary science
- Minnesotan receives national teaching award
- Spring and summer workshops
- Presidential Award
- Chemical disposal
- Scientists in the Classroom
- Field Trips
- Student competitions
- Summer programs
MDE Science Update
Tech Tip - FrontRow Adds Social Studies Content
FrontRow Adds Social Studies Content
FrontRow is a program that allows teachers to assign students practice in reading and math. The program can be adaptive to how the student is performing. Teachers can get some great data from using this program. If you are looking for something for your students to practice before the MCA's, this could be a great supplement. All content is based off the Common Core standards.
Recently FrontRow added social studies content. Right now there are 11 units to choose from ranging from the Civil War to Elections. There are videos, handouts, and readings for all ages. If you are currently using FrontRow, check out the social studies content today.
FrontRow is a program that allows teachers to assign students practice in reading and math. The program can be adaptive to how the student is performing. Teachers can get some great data from using this program. If you are looking for something for your students to practice before the MCA's, this could be a great supplement. All content is based off the Common Core standards.
Recently FrontRow added social studies content. Right now there are 11 units to choose from ranging from the Civil War to Elections. There are videos, handouts, and readings for all ages. If you are currently using FrontRow, check out the social studies content today.
Friday, February 3, 2017
School Garden Grant from Jeffers Foundation
School Garden Grant
If you have been thinking about starting a school garden, but don't know where to start or don't have the funds to do it, check out the Jeffers Foundation "A Garden 4 Every School" page. Grant applications are due by March 10, so check it out today. Wouldn't it be great to get a couple of these going in every school in our area!
If you have been thinking about starting a school garden, but don't know where to start or don't have the funds to do it, check out the Jeffers Foundation "A Garden 4 Every School" page. Grant applications are due by March 10, so check it out today. Wouldn't it be great to get a couple of these going in every school in our area!
Teaching Kids Fake News vs Real News
Fake News vs Real News
In today's world of "Fake News" and "Alternative Facts" it is becoming increasingly important to teach kids how to recognize when a story is real or fake and/or full of bias. This skill is not only important for our kids, but adults as well. NPR ran a story in December about this topic. The article references The News Literacy Project and their tool, Checkology. Checkology is curriculum that kids can go through to help them learn about what Fake News is. The premium version makes the curriculum more interactive.
If you are looking for a way to teach kids how to read news, check out The News Literacy Project and Checkology.
In today's world of "Fake News" and "Alternative Facts" it is becoming increasingly important to teach kids how to recognize when a story is real or fake and/or full of bias. This skill is not only important for our kids, but adults as well. NPR ran a story in December about this topic. The article references The News Literacy Project and their tool, Checkology. Checkology is curriculum that kids can go through to help them learn about what Fake News is. The premium version makes the curriculum more interactive.If you are looking for a way to teach kids how to read news, check out The News Literacy Project and Checkology.
MRVED Business
Upcoming Meetings
February 3, 2017 Title III Teachers
February 15, 2017 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
February 22, 2017 Superintendents' Council
February 23, 2017 TAC
February 24, 2017 Principals' Council
February 3, 2017 Title III Teachers
February 15, 2017 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
February 22, 2017 Superintendents' Council
February 23, 2017 TAC
February 24, 2017 Principals' Council
Tech Tip - SeeSaw
Seesaw
Seesaw is an awesome tool that can be used in the K-12 classroom on any device. The free version allows users to turn in different types of media; drawings, pictures, videos, links, writing, etc... With the paid version, teachers can start to track formative assessments to the standards or learning goals. Seesaw is truly an awesome tool! Check it out today!
Seesaw is an awesome tool that can be used in the K-12 classroom on any device. The free version allows users to turn in different types of media; drawings, pictures, videos, links, writing, etc... With the paid version, teachers can start to track formative assessments to the standards or learning goals. Seesaw is truly an awesome tool! Check it out today!