MRVED Business

MELT Networking Facilitators

The MRVED is looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.

The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.
Networking Facilitator Signup

MELT Update
MELT planning is coming together nicely!  There are currently 40+ sessions on the docket with many networking sessions scheduled in throughout the day.  Please consider being a networking facilitator if you feel strongly about networking with colleagues.  Registration will be out in early December.  Be sure to register early as many sessions filled up quickly last year.  Look for the registration materials to be delivered in an email as well as the weekly update.

MRVED Meetings
November 21, 2013 Industrial Technology (Tour K & M Manufacturing)
November 26, 2013 Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)
December 3, 2013    Language Arts
December 4, 2013    Community Ed
                                 MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
December 5, 2013    Health
December 6, 2013    World Languages
December 9, 2013    District Assessment Coordinators (DACs)

Early English Language Development (E-ELD) and Early Spanish Language Development (E-SLD) Standards Webinars

WIDA is hosting a series of free webinars, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on the dates indicated for early childhood practitioners across all early care and education programs (Head Start, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, home visiting, etc.).

Before joining any of the webinars, check your system requirements. Audio for the webinars will be either through the computer speaker and microphone or through a phone. To check speakers and microphone settings, join the session and go to Tools-Audio-Audio Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen. To use a phone, join the session and go to Tools-Telephone-Use Telephone for Audio and enter the phone number and PIN on the screen.

Language in Play: Introduction to the Early English Language Development (E-ELD) Standards - Monday, November 18, 2013

• This webinar will provide a more in-depth view of each component of the E-ELD Standards Framework. Each component will be reviewed and implications for use as well as implementation in various early care and education programs will be discussed.

Participate in Language in Play webinar.


Understanding Language Growth: The E-ELD Performance Definitions - Wednesday, December 11, 2013

• This webinar will provide a detailed examination of the Performance Definitions including:
• Foundational concepts and research that guided development of the Performance Definitions;
• Similarities and differences with WIDA’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework; and
• Considerations for use of the Performance Definitions in planning curriculum and monitoring growth of early English language development.

Participate in Understanding Language Growth webinar.


Playing with Language: Understanding and Using the Model Performance Indicator (MPI) Strands - Tuesday, January 14, 2014

• This webinar will build a deeper understanding of the MPI strands including:
• The connection between the Early English Language Development (E-ELD) Standards and the MPIs;
• Identifying elements of a MPI strand;
• Using MPI strands in everyday practice; and
• Implications for instruction and assessment.

Participate in Playing with Language webinar.

Sophia

If you are looking for video resources for your classroom, look no further!

Sophia was created with a vision of transforming education through a vibrant online community of teachers and learners. Our goal is to provide self­-paced, inspirational and relevant curriculum to learners of all stages and ages.

To achieve that vision, Sophia built a customizable education platform that offers more than 37,000 academic tutorials. Taught by thousands of teachers using the Many Ways model, learners can choose teaching styles that appeal to their own unique way of learning. By combining rich content with online flexibility, Sophia gives our community success skills that will last a lifetime.

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

9. Make the most of every minute

What it looks like: "Teachers plan lessons to ensure bell-to-bell learning for students.  Routines are established to ensure efficient transitions and classroom logistics."

Why it is important: "A few wasted minutes per class period can add up to weeks of lost learning time.  Time on instruction has a greater effect on student achievement than socioeconomic status.  Even more important is academic learning time- the actual time students are on task and learning."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 198)

The Well-Managed Classroom by Harry Wong

Recap of 1-8

1. Standards should be the guide

2. Student set personal learning objectives for each lesson

3. Performance expectations are clear

4. Measure understanding against high expectations

5. Engage student interest with every lesson

6. Interact meaningful with every student

7. Use feedback to encourage effort

8. Create an oasis of safety and respect

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers took a field trip for their best practice meeting this Fall.  The group spent the morning at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall meeting with the department chairs of education and culinology.  The group had the opportunity to hear from higher education as to what they are seeing in students as well as trends in their area.  The teachers also toured the departments.  After a great lunch at SMSU, the FACS teachers made their way over to Schwans Research and Development. This was a treat!  The group had the opportunity to throw on a hairnet and see how a product is born and all the steps that are involved in bringing a product to market.  Overall it was a great active day for everyone!

FACS group touring a kitchen at SMSU with department chair Michael Cheng.

MELT Update

The MRVED still needs YOU!  We know there are great things going on in all of our schools.  Please consider sharing some of those great things at the MELT in January.  If you are interested in presenting, or are not sure if your topic would be interesting, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).  Remember, you do not have to present alone, teams of teachers are encouraged to present together.

The MRVED is also looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.  The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.

Networking Facilitator Signup

MRVED BEST PRACTICE MEETINGS:
November 12, 2013 - District Technology Coordinators
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors
November 15, 2013 - Social Workers
November 21, 2013 - Industrial Technology (K & M tour)
November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)

Augmented Reality in Schools

According to the Horizons report, Augmented Reality is set to have a great impact on education in the next 5-10 years.  What is augmented reality (AR)?  Augmented reality is taking the real world and superimposing a virtual image on top of it to bend your perception of reality.  See the TED talk below about how Augmented Reality is being used today.

This technology can have a great impact on the way our students view the world in the coming years.  There are many ways in which this technology can be used in education today.  See the great list of apps below and start experimenting with this great technology today! (All links will take you to the Apple App store, please note some are also Android apps).

• Aurasma (Website)
• AR Player (Website)
• AR Flashcards (Website)
• AR Flashcards in Space (Website)
• ColAR Mix (Website)
• FETCH: Lunch Rush (Website)
• Google Goggles