Hunger
MPR recently did a story on the effects of hunger and early learning. Although the results are not surprising, it does make one think about the issue of hunger and poverty in our area. More importantly it sheds light on how poverty and hunger have a lasting effect on students throughout their learning careers. Kids that come into kindergarten hungry, are behind from the start and struggle to get caught up. This article does not touch on it, but the same can be said about older students as well. Students that come to school hungry, tend to have more struggles in their schooling. How can we ensure that all students, regardless of age are getting adequate nutrition at home? This is also a great thing to keep in mind as we are in the midst of testing season. Are we feeding our kids, not only on the day of the test, but also leading up to the test?
Friday, March 31, 2017
What Great Teachers Do Differently - The Ability to Ignore
What Great Teachers Do Differently - The Ability to Ignore
Another great chapter in Todd Whitaker's book, "What Great Teachers Do Differently". The ability to ignore is a critical aspect that sets not only teachers apart from one another, but also individuals. We all know someone that has a giant button on them and once you push that button, watch out! Students are very good at finding which "buttons" they can push on a teacher to get a rise out of them. It's the ability to recognize when a student is searching for the button and not allow them to push it that sets great teachers apart from the rest.
Whitaker is not suggesting we ignore all behaviors, but rather some find alternative means to dealing with misbehavior in the classroom. He says, "Great teachers have the ability to ignore trivial disturbances and the ability to respond to inappropriate behavior without escalating the situation." In essence it comes down to classroom management. Whitaker says, "...classroom management is grounded in their ability to manage their own behavior." We need to have high expectations for our own reactions just as we have high expectations for our students. For example, a student walks down the hallway and calls another student a name. This situation is totally dependent upon how the student who was called the name reacts. If he/she "flys off the handle" and punches the other kid, we have a situation. If he or she ignores the behavior, the situation likely diffuses because the kid doing the name calling did not get the reaction they wanted. Again, Whitaker is not suggesting to ignore the behavior, but rather painting a picture to show that the student being wronged has total control over how the situation will escalate or not. Misbehavior in the classroom is the same way. The student misbehaving is waiting to see how you will react.
Whitaker is not suggesting we ignore all behaviors, but rather some find alternative means to dealing with misbehavior in the classroom. He says, "Great teachers have the ability to ignore trivial disturbances and the ability to respond to inappropriate behavior without escalating the situation." In essence it comes down to classroom management. Whitaker says, "...classroom management is grounded in their ability to manage their own behavior." We need to have high expectations for our own reactions just as we have high expectations for our students. For example, a student walks down the hallway and calls another student a name. This situation is totally dependent upon how the student who was called the name reacts. If he/she "flys off the handle" and punches the other kid, we have a situation. If he or she ignores the behavior, the situation likely diffuses because the kid doing the name calling did not get the reaction they wanted. Again, Whitaker is not suggesting to ignore the behavior, but rather painting a picture to show that the student being wronged has total control over how the situation will escalate or not. Misbehavior in the classroom is the same way. The student misbehaving is waiting to see how you will react.
Learn to Use the MDE Data Center
When: May 4, 2017
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Holly Brunson
MDE Outreach and Training Specialist
Division of Statewide Tests
Holly will be conducting a training to highlight:
- the interactive data systems within the Data Center
- the various reports generated from the Minnesota assessments and resources
This will be an interactive presentation so participants are encouraged to bring their laptops or a device to follow along with. For more information about the day and to register, click on the link to the flyer below.
Click Here for Flyer
Where: MRVED Conference Room
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Audience: All Educators
Lunch: Provided
What:
Holly Brunson
MDE Outreach and Training Specialist
Division of Statewide Tests
Holly will be conducting a training to highlight:
- the interactive data systems within the Data Center
- the various reports generated from the Minnesota assessments and resources
This will be an interactive presentation so participants are encouraged to bring their laptops or a device to follow along with. For more information about the day and to register, click on the link to the flyer below.
Click Here for Flyer
21 Google Tools You Never Knew About
21 Google Tools You Never Knew About
I stumbled across this great blog post on Twitter by Eric Curts on 21 Google Tools You Never Knew. There is something for everyone in here from Google Scholar to Quick Draw with Google. Even if you think you know everything about Google, you will find something you never knew about.
I stumbled across this great blog post on Twitter by Eric Curts on 21 Google Tools You Never Knew. There is something for everyone in here from Google Scholar to Quick Draw with Google. Even if you think you know everything about Google, you will find something you never knew about.
MRVED Business
Upcoming Meetings
April 13, 2017 MRVED Common Day of Professional Development
April 19, 2017 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 21, 2017 Title III Teachers
April 26, 2017 Superintendents' Council
April 13 Information
April 13 will be the final Best Practice Day with MRVED. The workshop will be held in Montevideo and there will be over 600 educators gathering for a day of professional development. The morning session will be held at the Fine Arts Center with Todd Whitaker, a world renowned author on education topics. You will be greeted with fresh coffee, juice and an assortment of donuts. After the Whitaker presentation, a catered meal will be offered at the Training and Community Center (TACC) which is connected to the Montevideo High School. Busses will transport teachers to the TACC. After lunch, the elementary Best Practice groups will meet in the high school and the secondary groups will meet at the middle school.
April 13, 2017 MRVED Common Day of Professional Development
April 19, 2017 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 21, 2017 Title III Teachers
April 26, 2017 Superintendents' Council
April 13 Information
April 13 will be the final Best Practice Day with MRVED. The workshop will be held in Montevideo and there will be over 600 educators gathering for a day of professional development. The morning session will be held at the Fine Arts Center with Todd Whitaker, a world renowned author on education topics. You will be greeted with fresh coffee, juice and an assortment of donuts. After the Whitaker presentation, a catered meal will be offered at the Training and Community Center (TACC) which is connected to the Montevideo High School. Busses will transport teachers to the TACC. After lunch, the elementary Best Practice groups will meet in the high school and the secondary groups will meet at the middle school.
The menu will be pulled pork sandwiches, Asian sesame chicken salad, chips, apple wedges, assorted bars, milk and water. The cost is $6.00. If you choose to eat at the TACC, you will need to let your district know. Check with your administrator as to who in your district is handling this information. You need to make this decision by March 31 (that's today if you are reading this on Friday). This early cut off is so that the Montevideo food service can order and plan for the 13th. When you pay your $6.00, you will receive your meal ticket at that time. You will need to bring that ticket on April 13th.
A more detailed agenda of the day will be sent out about a week before the event with room numbers and other pertinent information. You will not be receiving any type of agenda when you arrive that day. You will need to refer to this email for information about the day. With all of the moving around on this day, there just isn't any central location to hand out agendas.
We look forward to seeing everyone that day.
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