Collaborative
Curriculum Work: Wednesday, December 13th
(Please, send a brief report of your
accomplishments to Betty Lewis or Carol Spencer by the 14th. Thank you.)
***Meetings to be held
at VUES
Art pK – 12
Continue
with individual work on technology infusion
Counselors pK – 6***
The
elementary school counselors will share lesson plans and cooperative
games. Meeting at VUES.
Grade 5-6 ***
Social
Studies Meeting (Joe Samaratoni’s room)
High School
Regular
department meetings
Middle School
Expeditionary
Learning time with Steven Levy
Music pK - 12***
Steve
and Jeannie: work on common assessments
Sue,
Karen and Bill: All-State planning
Meet
at VUES
Physical Education
pK – 12***
Important
meeting to review profile software and hardware. Meet at VUES in Robyn’s office, and prepare
for report for administrative council.
PreK-4***
Continue
meeting in grade level groups at VUES, focused upon math.
Schoolwide Literacy
Teachers***
Meet
to review survey results and help plan for sign up for PreK-4 Informational
Writing Inquiry groups for January through May.
Speech-Language
Pathologists***
ASHA’s
technical report on CAPD
Technology
Individual
work time
News & Notes
Reading Assessment
Team Report
Thank
you to Sheryl Thurber for her insightful report to the Administrative Council
on the results of the Reading Assessment team's work. Sheryl explained the various perspectives and
options studied and proposed by the
group of reading specialists, language arts and special education teachers
from all five ANWSU schools. The
Administrative Council asked Sheryl to re-convene the team and pursue their
current work and direction in improving and refining ANWSU's system of reading
diagnostic assessments for grades 3 - 9.
Bridges Pilot Update
The next informal discussion for the Everyday Math program
is on December 11. The next informal
discussion for the Bridges Math program is January 8. Both meetings are held at the ANWSU Central
Office conference room from
Expeditionary Learning
in the Middle School
There
are ten design principles that Expeditionary Learning schools like us to
follow. While there is not a lot that is
new in these, their synergy contributes to the unique approach known as
"comprehensive school reform."
This concept means that we are trying to align all facets of what we do,
with clear, consistent faculty expectations for students, voices and teaching
practices.
Among
our goals in adopting this school-wide approach are 1) to engage our students
more deeply in their own learning, and 2)
to show our students that they are capable of more than they think they
are. The implementation of these core
principles occurs in an environment that causes students to use the
literacy, mathematical, analystical and problem solving skills in their core
subject classes.
The
ten Design Principles of Expeditionary Learning Schools are:
--The primacy of
self-discovery
--The having of
wonderful ideas
--The responsibility
for learning
--Empathy and caring
--Success and failure
--Collaboration and
competition
--Diversity and
inclusion
--The natural world
--Solitude and
reflection
--Service and
compassion
Each
of the middle school teams will be engaged in its own "learning expedition"
after the new year. Millennium will
start in early January and run through February with a deep exploration of
winter and winter survival. Capsule will
start its expedition “From Farm to Feast” and, later in the year, Odyssey will
explore oil and its role in our community.
Farside's expedition will happen some time in March.
PreK-4 Informational Writing Inquiry
Groups for January through May
In response to
your interests and the feedback gathered at the May 2006 in-service, more
information is needed to develop inquiry strand options and gather needed
resources. Our Collaborative Curriculum
Work sessions will begin on
In inquiry,
participants investigate a question or solve a problem. No one knows how it will turn out in advance. Because of that, the predictable outcome is
“learning to learn” rather than learning a specified, predetermined set of
information.
You have the
opportunity to indicate your areas of interest for the seven strands listed
below by visiting this link to a survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=91622909552 Please
complete the short survey by
The seven strands/questions for the
K-4 inquiry work include:
1.
Vocabulary—Instructional
Strategies: With Informational text in
mind, how can we expand students’ written and spoken vocabulary?
2.
Looking
at Student Work—How can looking at student work improve and drive instruction?
3.
Instructional
Writing—How can teachers improve their practice so as to foster their students’
informational writing? (possible topics
to explore: Painted Essay, IIM,
4.
Oral
Language as it relates to Written Language—How does oral language impact
students’ written language?
5.
Book
discussion—Classroom Instruction that
Works (Marzano)—How can research-based strategies increase student
achievement?
6. Video and/or book discussion—Read, Write, and Talk or Think NonFiction—How
can the work of Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudis promote student learning?
7. Informational Writing and the Grade
Level Expectations—How does investigating the GLE’s support improved student
performance?
PreK-4 Facilitators Needed
There will need
to be 8-10 facilitators for the Collaborative Inquiry Groups for Informational
Writing. Facilitators will need to
prepare for and facilitate the inquiry groups for Jan. 24, Feb. 14, Feb. 28,
Mar. 28, Apr.11, April 25, May 9 and May 11.
Qualifications
include:
·
Previous
facilitator experience
·
Cognitive
coaching, Critical Friends Group or equivalent leadership/facilitation training
·
Maintain
accurate records of meeting notes
·
Preparation
for meetings (arrange for copying, preparation of materials
·
Communicate
with Betty Lewis
·
Attend
Facilitator support meetings
(Feb. 5, Mar. 5,
Apr. 2, May 7)—
Please contact Alyson Cota at acota@anwsu.org or 877-3332 to indicate your
interest, as a facilitator. These are
grant stipended positions and the $500 stipend is based upon the
responsibilities listed above.
DRA Training
There are two DRA trainings for people who have never been trained being
offered in January. January 23rd in
Address Change for VT DOE
Please note that e-mail addresses for DOE employees were recently
revised. In most cases an individual's
e-mail address will follow this pattern: firstname.lastname@state.vt.us
The Duke University Talent Identification Program
Online Newsletter for Parents of Gifted Youth: This free newsletter
includes articles addressing current issues in gifted education. The site also includes a keyword search
function, archives in order by author, column, topic, and issue, and a blog
comment tool. To subscribe for this
online newsletter, go to www.dukegiftedletter.com.
Nicholas Green Award
The Vermont Council for Gifted Education is pleased to announce the
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) -- Nicholas Green Distinguished
Student Award for 2006-2007. This award,
which includes a certificate and a $500 US Savings Bond, will be made in every
state to a student who is between grades 3 and 6 who has distinguished
him/herself in academics, leadership, or the arts. Award recipients can achieve
excellence in any area of endeavor -- visual or performing arts, academic
achievement, and / or leadership. For additional information, visit www.vcge.org. The deadline for applications is
Gifted/Talented Public Relations Contest
Grades 4-12 eligible to participate.
The Center for Gifted Studies at
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Please take a moment to read through the various courses The Vermont Mathematics Partnership and
The Vermont Institutes will be
offering around the state of
FOR GRADES K-12 CLASSROOM
TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND MATH COACHES
From the Cultivating Mathematical
Thought Professional Learning Cluster. (Section #072002)
A recent
study of extensive NAEP data states, “mathematics students whose teachers
emphasize higher-order thinking skills outperform their peers by about 40% of a
grade level… students whose teachers conduct hands-on learning activities
outperform their peers by more than 70% of a grade level” (Wenglinsky,
2000).
During the
Best Practices Institute, you will investigate ways to enhance your use of
higher-order thinking, hands-on learning, and other research-based “best”
practices. In particular, you will:
¨
Learn research-proven teaching methods for promoting
problem solving, invention, discourse, inquiry, challenge, and achievement by all
students.
¨
Gain tools that support intensive reflection about your
students’ learning as a basis for instructional planning and decision-making.
¨
Sharpen your “critical eye” for teaching practices, and
materials that foster:
– Student understanding, invention, and
sensemaking
– A productive classroom culture
– Worthwhile mathematics tasks
– Deepened teacher content knowledge
¨
Learn to enhance mathematics lessons/tasks to maximize
learning.
¨
Design your personal Best Practices Action Plan for
refining your mathematics teaching practice to better align with the high
quality teaching defined by research and the NCTM Standards.
FACILITATOR for Best Practices
Institute :
CLARE EARLEY is a talented middle school mathematics
teacher whose classroom experience includes working with special needs
students. Clare formerly provided professional development through Vermont Institutes,
and is now Director of Best Practices Initiatives for Teachers Development
Group. She has been a developer and facilitator of the Best Practices institute
curriculum since the inception of the institute.
SI6E
SITE:
DATES AND TIMES: Mondays, January
15 through
OPTIONAL COLLEGE CREDIT
Vermont College, Unim Institute, 3 graduate credits.
Register and pay $270 for graduate credit at first institute
session.
TEXT
TEXT:
Purchase Connecting Mathematical Ideas, Jo Boaler, Cathy Humphries,
Heinemann Press, ISBN#0-325-00670-9. All participants will receive a notebook
of professional readings, resources, and reference materials at no additional
cost.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Clare Earley, Teachers Development Group
E-mail: clare.earley@teachersdg.org Phone: 802-434-4743D
COST AND REGISTRATION: $550 per participant.
REGISTER ONLINE, BY FAX, OR BY
PHONE, with purchase order information by
Online: www.teachersdg.org
Fax: 802-434-6140
Phone: 802-434-4743
Toll-free: 877-650-1914
ABOUT
T
SPRING 2007 ONLINE CLASSES
OFFERED THROUGH
Teaching
Writing to Students with Learning Disabilities and/or AD/HD
March 12 –
Cost:
$795, Additional cost for
graduate credit: $405
Writing
is one of the most challenging academic tasks for students at risk. This course explores methods and strategies
for teaching writing to struggling secondary and post-secondary students,
especially those with learning disabilities and/or AD/HD.
Technology
Solutions
March 12 –
Cost:
$795, Additional cost for
graduate credit: $405
The goal of
this course is to provide educators with the necessary tools to use assistive
technology strategies to support students with learning and attention
difficulties in their reading, writing, and study skills. Participants will explore technologies,
including text-to-speech, voice recognition, graphic organizer software, and
specialized features of Microsoft Word such as the reviewing toolbar. The course will focus on integrating
assistive technology with effective learning strategies.
Teaching Reading & Study
Skills to Students with Learning Disabilities and/or AD/HD
March 19 –
Cost:
$795, Additional cost for
graduate credit: $405
Students at
risk for academic failure can thrive when they develop effective routines and
strategies for understanding and remembering information. This course offers methods for creating a
successful reading and study skills program for high school and college
students.
Designing Accessible Educational
Content
March 19 –
Cost:
$795, Additional cost for
graduate credit: $405
This
online class takes an in-depth, hands-on and practical approach to
understanding and developing educational materials that are designed to
accommodate a wide range of learners.
Educators will develop strategies for creating materials that adhere to
the standards of
This
class is appropriate for educators instructing all ages; administrators;
disability services staff; technology services staff; instructional, web and
graphic designers; corporate trainers; and educational services providers.
Registration for courses with
Online: www.landmark.edu/teach
By Phone: 802-387-1662
By Mail: Landmark
College Institute for Research and Training
WEBSITES OF
INTEREST
For early learning reading and language
skills
A good web site for reading and language
arts for elementary kids - very game like - teaches opposites, what is real and
what is make believe - to name just a few.
http://www.cogcon.com/gamegoo/gooey.html
Lesson Plans and Classroom Resources
http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/teachingresources/resources.php
1. Civics and Government - TVW
TVW
is the
Be sure to check out the Education
Zone, where you'll find lesson plans and more. And visit the Washington
State Legislature, where you can access information on any bill, find out
who your elected representatives are, and learn things like how a bill becomes
a law. For younger viewers, there's a Kids'
Page with activities and links to educational websites.
2. Math - GoMath
GoMath
features answers to over 50,000 math questions sent in by students. Students
can search for solutions to problems from algebra, trigonometry, geometry,
calculus, logic, arithmetic, and more. GoMath also features interactive
tutorials and math games. The Teacher and Parent Exchange allows educators to
share teaching tools, learning strategies, resources, and more.
3. Science - PALS
PALS
is an online, standards-based, continually updated resource bank of science
performance assessment tasks indexed via the National Science Education
Standards (NSES) and various other standards frameworks.
4. ScienceCourseware
ScienceCourseware.org
produces interactive, online simulations for the life science laboratory or for
earth science field studies. The activities are designed to enhance an existing
curriculum and include online assessments. They can be used by middle school,
high school, or college students.
5. General Resources – Gateway to Educational Resources
GEM
allows you to quickly and easily search for educational resources, such as
lesson plans and curriculum units.
PROGRAMS AT THE
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
January 3 – Looking
Back at
Fletcher Free Library –
Over
seven years, nine photographers working for the Farm Security Administration’s
Historical Section documented
January 3 – Stark Decency: German POW’s in a
Ilsley Public Library –
Dr.
Allen Koop tells the story of
JUST FOR
FUN! Six Free Phone Services
State of the Art Free Services to Inspire Your Cellphone (from the NEW
YORK TIMES)
By DAVID POGUE Published:
1. FREE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE By this time, it’s quite clear that nobody with a “$50 a month” calling
plan actually pays only $50 a month. The cellphone companies will do anything
to puff up your bill - like charging you $1.50 or $2 every time you dial 411 to
find a phone number.
Try
800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411) instead. A computer or human being looks up a
number for you at no charge, once you’ve listened to a 20-second ad. It’s a
classic time-for-money swap.
Or,
for an ad-free option, there is a little-known Google service. Send a text
message to 46645 (that’s “Google”; leave off the last E for efficiency). In the
body of the message, type what you’re looking for, like “Roger McBride 10025”
or “chiropractor
2. FREE ANSWERS Google’s 46645 text-messaging service can fetch much more than phone
numbers. It can also send you the weather report (in the body, type, for
example, “weather sacramento”), stock quotes (“amzn”), where a movie is showing
nearby (type “flushed away 44120”), what a word means (“define schadenfreude”),
driving directions (“miami fl to 60609”), unit conversions (“liters in 5
gallons”), currency conversions (“25 usd in euros”), and so on.
Every
cell carrier charges for text messages - about 10 cents each, unless you have a
plan that includes them. But Google itself doesn’t charge for any of this. It’s
not only ad-free, it’s free free.
If
you prefer conducting your research missions by voice, call 800-555-TELL
(800-555-8355). A cheerful recorded voice invites you to say “Travel,”
“Traffic,” “