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

If you have any questions, let Brandon know and he will point you in the right direction.

Opportunities for Teachers

GIS Educator Day: Oct. 7th

The organization of statewide GIS professionals invites all teachers to an Educators day at the at
the Duluth Convention Center 9 am – 4:30 pm. on October 7th. Teachers will learn about online
mapping resource (ArcGIS Online), available free to all schools. This FREE event (including lunch
and snacks) will include sessions presented by teachers and professionals for both beginning and
advanced users as well as specific sessions for science and social studies. The schedule provides
opportunities to collaborate with other teachers and GIS professions on projects for the classroom.
CEUs will be available for teachers and administrators. Visit the teacher registration page.

EdCamp Math and Science MN: Oct. 16th

Edcamp is a form of unconference for teachers. Unlike traditional conferences which have
schedules set by the people running the conference, Edcamp’s agenda is created by the participants.
Instead of a presentation, people are encouraged to have discussion and hands-on sessions. This
free event will be held at Eden Prairie High School and is sponsored by the Minnesota Science
Teachers' Association, and the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics. For information and
registration visit the Edcamp website.

MCIS Training Sites Around the State

MCIS Training
Last year the MRVED was one of only a handful of MCIS training sites around the state.  This year the Minnesota Department of Education has really ramped up their trainings.  Below is a list of dates and locations for this Fall.  Note:  There is NOT a MCIS training this year at the MRVED.

MCIS Workshop List – Fall 2015 Workshops will be a full day 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Mon, Sept 21-Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)-Roseville MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSY62MP Tues, Sept 22-Byron High School-Byron MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSFLJMJ Wed, Sept 23-John Marshall High School-Rochester MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SR9VZNZ Thurs, Sept 24-Maple Lake High School-Maple Lake MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SRMKL9N Fri, Sept 25-Brainerd High School (South Campus)-Brainerd MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SR5CXQT Mon, Sept 28-Murray County Central High School-Slayton MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S3HT2VQ Tues, Sept 29-Northeast Metro 916 Career & Technical Center (Century College - East Campus)-White Bear Lake MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGV95LY Wed, Sept 30-Tri-City United High School-Montgomery MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGRDTHJ Thurs, Oct 1-Red Wing High School-Red Wing MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGPG362 Mon, Oct 5-Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (ACGC) High School-Grove City MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SBJ9WL2 Tues, Oct 6-Lincoln High School-Thief River Falls MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DL7QZ68 PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS WORKSHOP ONLY, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP COMPUTER. THIS IS A WIRELESS LAB WITH NO COMPUTERS. Wed, Oct 7-Laporte High School-Laporte MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DVZM2MQ Thurs, Oct 8-Blue Sky Charter School-West St. Paul MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D7XVV85 Mon, Oct 12-Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)-Roseville MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D9DHTQM Tues, Oct 13-Pine Island High School-Pine Island MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D9G8M3T Wed, Oct 14-Lake Superior College-Duluth MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DDRGHG5 THIS WORKSHOP ONLY IS FOR MCIS – ADULT VERSION; TIME: 1:00 – 4:00 PM Mon, Oct 19-Buffalo High School-Buffalo MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DYBPXJG Tues, Oct 20-Apollo High School-St. Cloud MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D2GPW57 PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS WORKSHOP ONLY, THIS IS A WIRELESS LAB WITH NO COMPUTERS. YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP COMPUTER. CHROMEBOOKS AVAILABLE – PLEASE NOTE IN COMMENTS WHEN REGISTERING IF NEEDED. Wed, Oct 21-Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)-Roseville MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DJCZH5M Mon, Oct 26-Duluth PS Central Administration Building-Duluth MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DJ59PNK PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS WORKSHOP ONLY, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP COMPUTER. THIS IS A WIRELESS LAB WITH NO COMPUTERS. Tues, Oct 27-Virginia High School-Virginia MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DQH73PZ Wed, Oct 28-Lakeville South High School-Lakeville MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DS7T22P PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS WORKSHOP ONLY, THIS IS A WIRELESS LAB WITH NO COMPUTERS. YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP COMPUTER. CHROMEBOOKS AVAILABLE – PLEASE NOTE IN COMMENTS WHEN REGISTERING IF NEEDED. Thurs, Oct 29-Blue Earth High School-Blue Earth MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DS5JH58 Fri, Oct 30-Voyageurs Expeditionary School-Bemidji MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DRTRMK3 Mon, Nov 2-Kimball High School-Kimball MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTKV68G Tues, Nov 3-New London-Spicer High School-New London MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DMV2KMJ Tues, Nov 10-Marshall High School-Marshall MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DMNZ2ZP Mon, Nov 16-Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)-Roseville MN https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DXC2ND8

Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium

Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium
If you are looking for summer professional development, there is a great opportunity to learn more about Gifted and Talented programming.  More information can be found on the MDE website by clicking here.  There are excellent keynotes throughout the days as well as top-notch breakout presenters from around the country.

The Seventh Annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium provides an opportunity for educators, administrators, counselors, psychologists, school board members and parents to gain a greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and high potential learners.

A generous grant from the Hormel Foundation and collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Education and Austin Public Schools makes possible this intensive educational experience. All are welcome to register and attend the symposium. Invited speakers include many of the field’s finest regionally, nationally and internationally known presenters, focusing on foundational knowledge, creativity, curriculum strategies, social and emotional needs. Attendance is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Grading Practices Workshop in Minnesota

IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE GRADING AND REPORTING PRACTICES WITH THOMAS R. GUSKEY

Topic: Implementing Effective Grading and Reporting Practices

Presenter: Dr. Thomas R. Guskey, Professor at the University of Kentucky, International Consultant and Author

Audience: K-12 Teachers, Principals and District Level Administrators, Building Leadership Teams and School Board Members

Dates: February 18, 2015

Location:
Double Tree by Hilton Rochester-Mayo Clinic Area
150 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 281-8000
Hotel Website

Registration: 8:00 am-8:30 am

Cost:
$225 per person if you register on or before February 6, 2015
$250 per person if you register after February 6, 2015
$210 per person if a school registers with a team of 5 or more

*Price includes coffee in the morning, lunch, refreshments throughout the day and all workshop materials*

Workshop Time: 8:30 am-3:00 pm

Workshop Description: Based on his recent book On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting, participants who attend this workshop will learn how to create and sustain a learning environment where students thrive and stakeholders are accurately informed of student progress. Mr. Guskey will clarify the purpose of grades, craft a vision statement aligned with this purpose, and discover research-based strategies to implement effective grading and reporting practices. He will also identify policies and practices that render grading inaccurate, and understand the role grades play in students’ future success and opportunities.

By the conclusion of this workshop, participants will:

• Learn how to question traditional grading and reporting practices, and seek more accurate practices.
• Identify the purpose of grading, and ensure school and classroom visions, practices, and policies support it.
• Implement research-based grading and reporting practices that promote accurate, useful accounts of student learning.
• Understand why traditional practices, such as grading on the curve and offering plus or minus grades, don’t fully report student academic performance.
• Examine grading and reporting policies, and make sure they support students, parents, and other stakeholders.

To register for this workshop, please call (920) 479-6504 or email us at info@firsteducation-us.com.

Workshop Flyer

Link to workshop information

Information taken from First Educational Resources

Host a School Garden Workshop

Host a School Garden Workshop at your School

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom is providing free school garden workshops for educators at schools this year featuring hands-on, standards-based lessons. Participants will complete a variety of lessons that will serve as a starting point for brainstorming opportunities to use school gardens as a vehicle for contextualizing learning in science, social studies, language arts, math and health/nutrition. Each workshop is designed to fit the specific needs of your school and build on your current garden use (or give you the tools to start a garden!). FREE resources and lessons will be shared. For more information and to schedule a workshop, please contact Zoe Hastings at zoe.hastings@state.mn.us or 651-201-6260.

US History Cohort

The Minnesota Historical Society is hosting a teacher cohort for the 2014-15 school year. Build relationships with your fellow U.S. history teachers from around the state throughout the 2014-2015 school year in a series of professional development opportunities, created to provide resources and a unique learning environment. The U.S. History Teacher Cohort for 2014-2015 includes four required elements:

• an in-person workshop 
• an online webinar 
• a two-day summer experience 
• online communication throughout the school year

The theme of the cohort is "American Pop Culture: A Window to U.S. History." All experiences will focus on various aspects of pop culture and will include content and instruction from various organizations, and resources and materials for the classroom. The cohort will provide a small group of U.S. history teachers the opportunity to build networks of colleagues outside of their schools, and share resources throughout the school year and beyond.

All cohort participants will be expected to attend all three opportunities and be active in online discussions throughout the year with fellow cohort members and MNHS educators. Program cost is $200.

Cohort members will receive books and resources related to each of the workshop topics, Continuing Education Credits, meals and parking during the in-person experiences, and an individual Minnesota Historical Society membership. Some subsidy funds are available to defray the costs of sub fees and travel.

Workshop topics, dates, and locations:

• Wed., Dec. 10, 2014. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: "Baseball as America: Sports and U.S. History" Target Field, Minneapolis
• April webinar, weekday afternoon/evening (date to be decided by cohort group): "Teaching with Art"
• June 24-25, 2015: "American Pop Culture: A Window to U.S. History" Minnesota History Center, St. Paul and other metro cultural institutions. This two-day experience will focus on other aspects of pop culture, such as music, film, fashion, literature, etc.

This experience is intended for U.S. history teachers in Minnesota, teaching in grade 7 or in high school. Applications are due Mon., Nov. 3. Successful applicants will be notified by Mon., Nov. 10. Space is limited for this exciting opportunity! Apply online.

MCIS Workshop Offered at the MRVED

MCIS Workshop



When: October 15, 2014

Time: 8:00-3:30

Location: Minnesota Valley Area Learning Center

Cost: Free

Lunch: On Your Own

What: Minnesota Career Information System website training.
The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is an Internet-based system that combines a wealth of career, educational and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. With MCIS, students and clients can:

• Learn about over 520 occupations
• Develop a personal portfolio
• Research colleges, universities, and career schools
• Find scholarships and financial aid
• Improve job search skills and create a resume

Registration Link

Questions can be directed to:

Deb Parkos
Phone: 651/582-8321 or 800/599-6247
debbie.parkos@state.mn.us

Social Studies Summer Workshops

The Center for Social Studies Education is sponsoring a variety of workshops this summer for social studies teachers and/or people who are interested in social studies.  Access the link below to see dates, location, and cost.

Full List of Summer Workshops

• Meeting the New Elementary Social Studies Standards
• Inter-Disciplinary Workshops
• Different Discipline Workshops

MDE Offering Free GIS Workshop

Find more information HERE.

Summer Workshops for Science Educators

Minnesota Zoo Teacher Programs

Did you know the Minnesota Zoo offers teacher education programs?  The Minnesota Zoo will be offering a series of workshops focusing on conservation issues facing Minnesota wildlife. Come learn more about these animals in our own back yards– observe them at the zoo, learn about their habitats, exploring their roles in the ecosystem, and discuss some of the challenges that they face here and beyond. Gather ideas and activities for teaching about these animals and broader conservation issues in your classroom. Workshops are open to all educators.

Check out their programs by going to their website.

The Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education

The MMEW is a three-day workshop for K-12 Earth science educators and pre-service teachers that offers short courses and field trips focused on the geology and mineral resources of Minnesota. The upcoming 17th annual MMEW will be held June 17-19, 2014 at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN. On the first day of the workshop, participants may choose among 16 different short course topics taught by professional geologists, academics, government scientists, and K-12 educators. Many of the courses introduce curriculum ideas for various grade levels. The second and third days of the workshop will involve field trips that are designed to familiarize participants with the geology, mineral resources and environmental issues of southwestern Minnesota.

Participants will receive a variety of resource materials including rock and mineral samples, lesson plan ideas, posters, maps, videos, and other useful information. Upon completion of the workshop, attendees will be provided with a certificate of participation listing contact hours. We are looking into again being able to offer graduate credits through the University of Minnesota Duluth with the submission of a lesson plan in addition to full workshop attendance.

You can find out more and register by going to their website.