MN Math Leaders Networking

The MN Math Leaders networking meetings are designed for leaders to give and receive support. The Networking time includes:

• opportunities to share and celebrate what is working well.
• structures to work in role-a-like and/or grade band groups regarding previously selected topics.
• time for participants to provide their expertise.
• "hot topics" identified by the participants at the beginning of each meeting.

There will also be open time following each meeting for continued work in self-identified groups. The goals of these networking meetings include:

• Share ideas and collaborate with other MN Math Leaders
• Receive updates about mathematics education policy
• Learn about resources available to support your work

This event is open to anyone who is in a department, school, or district leadership position. Administrators and teacher leaders who are passionate about leading change in mathematics education for all students are encouraged to attend! All meetings will be held at the Minnesota Department of Education, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Check below links for conference room details.

It is recommended that participants purchase the book, "NCTM Principles to Actions," available at http://www.nctm.org/ as an e-book for $4.99 ($3.99 for NCTM members). One of the topics for each of the networking meetings will use readings and resources from this book.

• October 23, 2014 – Topic: Achievement Gap, Equity, and Mindset. Register Online.
• December 11, 2014 – Topic: Technology and Differentiation. Register Online.
• February 12, 2015 – Topic: Assessments and Interventions. Register Online.
• May 14, 2015 – Topic: Coaching, Cognitively Guided Instruction, and Problem Solving. Register Online.

For assistance with questions, contact Terry Alvarado (terry.alvarado@state.mn.us).MN

2015 MELT Call for Presentations

MELT Call for Presentation

The MRVED is once again looking for people to present at the annual MELT conference in January.  The 2015 installment of the MELT will be held at Lac Qui Parle Valley High School on January 19.  This is a great day to showcase some of the great things you are doing in your classrooms.  Presenters will be paid a small stipend for their efforts.  If you are interested in providing a session, please click on the link below and fill out the form.  Filling out the form does not guarantee or bind you to providing a session.  If you don't want to present, but have great ideas for possible sessions, email Brandon at braymo@mrved.net.

If you are willing to present and provide a session click HERE

MRVED Business

Best Practice Meeting Updates

Science

The Science teachers gathered at the MRVED this past Tuesday for their best practice meeting.  The day started with an activity to help reflect on differentiation in the classroom.  The activity produced some great discussion centered around how can educators effectively differentiate in the classroom. Then the group spent the rest of the morning in data analysis and really diving into their assessment data.  Everyone was filled after a great lunch at Pizza Ranch.  In the afternoon, the group had the opportunity to network and hear from Patrick Moore of PBS.

Upcoming Meetings
October 15, 2014  MRVED Professional Development Day
October 21, 2014  Math Best Practices
October 23, 2014  Business Best Practices
October 24, 2014  Community Ed
October 29, 2014  Superintendents' Council
October 30, 2014  Title I Teachers

There will be no MRVED update next week due to the Education Minnesota break.

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 5

Fix 5: Don't consider attendance in grade determination; report absences separately.

Again, fix 5 is a subset of fix 1 (achievement grades and behavior grades are separate).  "Standards-based learning is not about seat time." (O'Connor, 47)  I think we all agree that being in school is a good thing and will lead to greater achievement.  However, if a student can prove to a teacher they know the standard being taught at the time, why does that student need to be in a attendance?  Grades on achievement should reflect what the student knows and is able to do.

Attendance is important, but if we are deducting points from their achievement grade based upon their attendance, our grade then becomes distorted.  If the student can prove they know the material, do they really need the seat time, or can we do something different to challenge that student?  If the student is not in attendance, and cannot prove they know the material, what will we do about it? Does deducting points really make sense if our grades are truly about achievement?

O'Connor gives a great example in his book from Forrest Gathercoal:

"I was confronted at a workshop by a teacher who asked "are you telling me that if a student has been ill and another has been skipping, that they both should be able to make up that work missed?"  My response was that both needed an educator when they returned, perhaps the one who skipped more than the other.  Regardless of the reason for student absences, make up work and late assignments should be accepted to ensure those students equal educational opportunity."  (Gathercoal, 2004, p.163; quoted in O'Connor, 2011, p.49)

 

Tech Tip - Webcam QR Code Reader

QR Codes can be a quick way for a teacher to get students where they need to go on the web.  QR codes can be links or documents you want your students to access.  They work really well for classroom sets of mobile devices, like iPads, but have not been a great tool for classrooms with Chromebooks or laptops.  Until now!  Try this webcam QR code reader for your classroom!

https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/scan

Now any device with a webcam attached can scan QR codes.  You can also generate the QR codes on the same website.

https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/

Kathy Schrock as a great guide to using QR codes in the classroom if you are looking for ideas.

MRVED Business

Best Practice Meeting Updates
Agriculture
The Agriculture teachers kicked off the 2014-2015 best practices meetings on September 30 with a tour of Ralco Agnition in Balaton and ADM in Marshall. Agnition develops cutting-edge technologies that improve the quality of soil and the health of crops. The Agnition tour was amazing with the day starting with an overview of the company and then a tour of building. The business is located in the old school in Balaton. They modernized the building and gave it more of a business feel. It was neat to see how an old abandon school could still be utilized in a small community. In the afternoon we stopped by ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) in Marshall on our way home. This company converts corn, oilseeds, wheat, and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. Again, another amazing experience to see what actually happens in that place and to see the volume of corn products that pass through every day.

Music
The music teachers came to the MRVED on Thursday, October 2 for their annual best practice meeting. The day was filled with visiting and idea gathering. The day started with an activity about parent and community involvement and groups brainstormed possible ways in which they can include both into their classrooms. Before lunch the group spent some time looking at the new National Common Core Arts Standards. Pizza Ranch was filled with more stories and laughter. After lunch the group had the opportunity to network and create a plan for the MELT. The group was energetic as always and it was a great meeting for all.


Upcoming Meetings
October 7, 2014 Science
October 10, 2014 Art (Ben Lecy Farm, Echo) NEW DATE
October 10, 2014 Title III Paraprofessionals
October 15, 2014 MRVED Professional Development Day
October 21, 2014 Math
October 22, 2014 Community Ed
October 23, 2014 Business