TMS BLIF Update
January 8, 2016
Welcome Back!
Duties
January Calendar Items
1/11/16 Spelling Bee
1/12/16 Data Day in PLCs
1/12/16 SIT Meeting @ 3:30
1/15/16 Grading period ends
1/18/16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Holiday1/19/16 Teacher Work Day
1/21/16 Teacher Work Day
1/28/16 Report Cards
1/29/16 Mid Year PDPs due
1/29/16 Student Reward Assembly
Data Day-January 12th, During PLCs
Canvas Info For The End Of Nine Weeks
Note: The sync between gradebooks only occurs during the term set in PowerSchool. If a teacher grades a quiz or assignment after the "official" grading period ends - it will not sync to PowerSchool. The grades will need to be manually entered in the PowerSchool gradebook.
Here are the term dates for Middle and High:
2nd nine weeks ends Jan. 15 - 2nd nine weeks access in Canvas until Jan 28.
3rd nine weeks ends March 24 - 3rd nine weeks access in Canvas until April 7.
4th nine weeks ends June 9 - 4th nine weeks access in Canvas until June 9.
Middle only:
2nd twelve weeks ends March 12 -access in Canvas until March 19
3rd twelve weeks ends June 9 - access in Canvas until June 9.
Leadership Opportunity
Technology Academy Conference Call for Presenters (2nd Session)
The second session of the Technology Academy will be on February 11th. Our first session was successful and our feedback was excellent! This letter is to inform you that we are once again continuing our search for interested teachers, media coordinators, coaches, or administrators to provide a 30 minute session that focuses on best practices and tricks to aid the use of MacBooks and iPads in elementary classrooms. This conference will be open to ALL elementary staff and will focus on the implementation of these devices. The format will be 3 concurrent sessions during 3 time slots that teachers can rotate through. You do not have to be working in an elementary school to provide best practices to your colleagues! A majority of our presenters from our last session were from the middle and high school levels! Elementary loved it!!! If you are interested in presenting please choose the link below to fill out a short application that will request your name, school, and a short synopsis of what you want to present. If chosen to present at this conference you will be contacted in the next few weeks so you can better prepare. The sessions start at 3:30 and run until 5 and the conference is held at the Unity Center. I hope to hear from you! http://goo.gl/forms/orhI9a9oj9
Thank you! Alan Warren
Building Math Fluency from Conceptual Knowledge
“Research suggests that about two-thirds of high school juniors and seniors are still functioning at a concrete level of thinking (Orlich, 2000). Consequently, manipulatives can play an important role for a wide range of students to visualize multi-digit multiplication by using base-ten blocks to allowing older students to make sense of completing the square by using algebra tiles.” (Principles to Actions, pg. 83)
It is important to note that fluency from conceptual knowledge is an important part of building a full understanding of mathematics for students. The links below provide information about how developing fluency from conceptual understanding can achieve long term retention for more students.
What is the role of algorithms in mathematics instruction? (PBS)
Personal Learning Networks
2016 Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement
March 21-23, 2016 http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ccsa/
North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education 41st Annual Conference
It’s Time for Some R & R…
Rigor and Relevance!
March 6-8, 2016
Koury Convention Center & Sheraton Greensboro Hotel
Greensboro, NC
Use the following link for information regarding registration and proposals:http://www.ncmle.org/conferences.htm
Professional Development Opportunities
Endeavor STEM
Endeavor STEM - Click here to register for a no-fee, live, info session about Endeavor’s 100% online, STEM Leadership Certificates or “low-cost” STEM Master’s Degree programs. Cohorts begin: late-January.
NEW. NASA Space Act Agreement-- NASA scientists & engineers participate live with teachers.
NEW. January’s “Distinguished STEM Educator” designation, and the first new course (20+) in three years: Diversity and Equity in STEM Education.
Just for Fun
99 Reasons Teachers Rock-41-45
41. Teachers rock because they are the only professionals who are MULTIPLE professionals all rolled into one ~ Myree Conway
42. The number one reason teachers teach is because they want to help young people learn and develop. This has been true in every year NCEI has asked the question (1990, 1996, and 2005), and it is also true for teachers entering through alternate routes to teacher certification. The reasons teachers give for teaching are similar across age groups, gender, race, types of communities they teach in, and grade levels they teach, according to the 2005 Profile of US Teacher by NCEI.
43. Teachers are bulletin board artists.
44. Unlike most other professions, many teacher are required to continually take outside courses and professional development training – often at the own expense.
45. Teachers rock because they see the big picture! ~ Debra Torrison, @MrsTsWorld