BC Learning Update
December 2017
Professional Learning Plans for December
PK - 6 1:30 - 3:30 PK - 3 CL/DT in Atkins Carly, Sara, Kara, Jen H., Trish, Beth, Brooke, Cindy, Darci, Denise, Sara, Jen F., Bridget, Amber, Emily, Kelly 4-6 CL/DT in Norway MS/HS CL/DT 1:15 - 3:00 Conferences 3:30-7:30 p.m December 20 PK - 6 1:00 - 3:30 Building specific CL/DT’s MS/HS 1:15 in the IMC IPI Data review CL/DT Share learning walk reflections
Ander Ericcson
Veteran's Day
Carol Powell -- 103 yr. old Coast Guard Member
MS/HS & Keystone Learning Walks plans for December 2017
Learning Walks are done differently in each school, but the basic premise is that colleagues pop in on each other and see what is happening. In some way, a form or notes left on the door, data is collected as a reflection and the observing teacher focuses on specific areas and see what is happening (and what the teacher/student is doing) and what they’d like to take back with them to their own classroom.
One of the best parts of learning walks is that teachers can connect across departments. They are able to visit teachers who teach very different content and notice that they really aren’t that different. They notice that they teach many of the same kids. They see arrangements, activities and opportunities that they want to know more about and many are following up with the teacher they observed to learn more.
The upside of learning walks is that they are expected, everyone is doing them and teachers are encouraged to pop into other rooms to check out what is happening and learn from some of the best in the business. We value having the culture in place (again, relationships and trust is a core value of learning from each other!) that this is safe and comfortable.
During the month of December, the MS/HS staff will be participating in Learning Walks and learning from one another. Staff will use this google feedback form to provide feedback to the teacher(s) they choose to visit and share their reflections during PL on 12/20/17. We have been learning about Rigorous Reading practices & strategies, with Wendy Anderson from GWAEA, and we hope staff will see this learning in action with our students within each other's classrooms and be able to give specific feedback to one another based on their experiences during learning walks.
This google feedback form is based on the START model of the Characteristics of Effective Instruction. GWAEA has developed a poster with links to Innovation Configuration Maps of CEI which is linked here. These descriptors help us reflect on our own practices and those whom we learn from during learning walk visits.
Keystone will have building-wide learning walks on the week of December 11th. Staff will be asked to visit classrooms during at least one of your prep periods. You will be able to decide when and where you'd like to visit within the building. If there is something you'd like to see, please let Ryan or Anna know and we can help cover if available. Below are a few details important to this process.
- Please print your schedule and place it in the office. (There will be a basket for you to put them in.) This will let people know what is going on in your classroom during different parts of the day.
- The expectations for learning walks are the same as in the past. Please plan on visiting classrooms for at least 30 minutes. That time can be spent in one or two classrooms or many more.
- Any notes you take during this time will be for you. You will not be asked to share your notes with a teacher, but if you'd like to write notes to others, feel free! Some of our PL time on December 20th will be spent in carousel conversations where you'll be asked to share feedback with the people you visited. Please plan on bringing your notes to reference during this meeting.
- Please invite someone to go on your walk with you! Anna would love to go on as many of these walks as what her schedule allows. Ryan and Jo feel the same way. Having a reflective partner in this process helps!
- We know district-wide learning walks were beneficial in the past and that you'd like to go through that process again. We are working on making this a reality in the spring.
If you'd like to see a video example of learning walks, please feel free to view the Teaching Channel video on learning walks which is linked here.
BC Data Team Leaders Training
- December 6, 2017: Elementary Data Team Training (3:30 - 5:30 @ Atkins)
- December 20, 2017: MS/HS Data Team Training (3:30 - 5:30 @ IMC)
This is the draft Presentation link for our learning and this information will be finalized before each session.
IPI Data Collection @ MS/HS 12/12/17
We will be IPI data collecting in the MS/HS on 12/12/17. Linked here is our Data Collection Plan for that day. We will be reviewing this information on 12/20/17 during our CL/DT meetings.
Week of Code Dec. 4 - Dec. 10 at Norway Elementary
Norway Intermediate is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 4-10)!
The Hour of Code, organized by the nonprofit Code.org and over 100 others, is a global movement that believes the students of today are ready to learn critical skills for 21st century success.
Students at Norway will be participating in a variety of activities both in, and out, of their classrooms during this week. From creating code in the computer lab via Code.org, to collaborating to complete "unplugged" activities in our STEAM space, all students will have the opportunity to learn, and get involved with, the world of computer sciences.
Financial Literacy Update -- Iowa Department of Education
Contents:
- Iowa Financial Literacy Network Reviews Resources
- Financial Literacy News
- Instructional Resources
- Professional Development Opportunities
Check Out:
- Iowa Department of Education Financial Literacy webpage
- Iowa Core 21st Century Skills (Financial Literacy)
Iowa Financial Literacy Network Reviews Resources
The instructional resources team on the Iowa Financial Literacy Network has reviewed the following resources:
- Edutopia- Financial Literacy: This webpages contains resources, links and downloads for educators teaching financial literacy.
- My Money.Gov : This site describes five principles related to money: earn, save, invest, spend, protect and borrow. Checklists, calculators, and other financial worksheets are included on the site.
- Money Geek: Money Geek includes several tips in various areas of financial literacy. There are also detailed instructions for multiple ways of creating and using a budget.
- Next Gen Personal Finance: This site connects educators with a multitude of free and high quality financial literacy resources. There are lesson plans, video clips, case studies, a semester-long sample course and more.
- Adam Carroll: Adam Carroll, an Iowa native, is a nationally recognized speaker on financial literacy. His website includes several resources as well as information on his books including Winning the Money Game and The Money Savvy Student. Information is also included about his latest documentary, Broke, Busted, and Disgusted.
- OppU: This website includes links to several free online courses on money management.
You can check out these and several other vetted resources at https://www.educateiowa.gov/financial-literacy#Financial_Literacy_Resources.
Financial Literacy News
JA Stock Market Challenge and Career Fair
The JA Stock Market Challenge and Career Fair presented by CFA Society Iowa will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd at the John Deere Financial Facility.
JA will host 240 students during the day for a career & college fair with representatives from local businesses and colleges followed by the JA Stock Market Challenge. The Stock Market Challenge is an exciting, fast-paced competition, which is centered on a software system that simulates a 60-day cycle of the stock market and its function of buying, selling, analysis and risk. Every 60 seconds represents a day of trading. The goal of each team (3-4 players) is to accumulate the highest possible net worth in their investment portfolio at the close of trading. The event is fun and exciting, where the stakes are high and the competition is fierce.
JA will host a corporate JA Stock Market Challenge in the evening which will include a networking social followed by JA Stock Market Challenge. JA has a variety of sponsorships that are available. Please visit www.jacentraliowa.org or contact kelly@jacentraliowa.org for more information.
Money Smart Kid Essay Contest
The Iowa Bankers Association is once again sponsoring the annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest in 2018. The essay question will be announced in January 2018. One student will be named the 2018 Money Smart Kid and will receive a $1,000 award, awarded during Money Smart Week in April 2018. Last year, Kira Currier from Johnston Middle School wrote the winning essay, answering the question: Do you think there is a connection between financial health and physical health? The 2018 essays will be due in March. For more information, visit the Iowa Jump$tart website at www.iowajumpstart.org.
Your Course to College Guide
Iowa College Aid has released the 2017-2018 Your Course to College Guide. Check it out here.
Instructional Resources
Responding to a Data Breach-Current Events & Hot Topics for Student Learning- Resources from Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
Half of all Iowans now have personal information exposed by the recent Equifax cybersecurity incident. Past breaches including Yahoo accounts to FAFSFA Data Retrieval Tool also impacts our students.https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen
The High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP) curriculum provides student activities relevant to this topic. Two such lessons guide teens to protect personal data and respond appropriately to fraud incidents: Module 2 Lesson 2-5: Identity Fraud and Module 5 Lesson 5-3 Financial Fraud. The News and Events Blog keeps the student learning: https://www.hsfpp.org/blog/article/130/3-easy-steps-to-protect-your-online-identity.aspx
Ideas for Educators: Facilitate lessons and discussions about social media habits that put personal information at risk, and feature consumer rights and responsibilities associated with the use of personal and financial data. Explore cybersecurity career opportunities and the growing job opportunities within industry and government.
Teach students to research State and National Recommend Resources for responding to a data breach. Some other resources include:
- Iowa Attorney General https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/security-breach-notifications/
- National eXtension http://articles.extension.org/pages/74535/data-breaches-credit-freezes-and-vigilance
- ISU MoneyTip$ Blog https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/moneytips/ incorporates Social Media in the classroom and model for students the need to keep learning and stay informed
Learn more about this curriculum at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/high-school-financial-planning
Next Gen Personal Finance
Check out several resources from Next Gen Personal Finance including their video library, which includes several videos tied to different aspects of financial literacy such as budgeting and careers. Also don't forget to check out their open access one semester course. This resource is built entirely in Google docs and free to access. The Next Gen interactive library also includes several interactive personal finance activities. Finally, they also have an amazing podcast library. Check it out here.
Scholastic Next Generation
Next Generation is a high school education program that focuses on insurance and financial planning basics. The resource includes lesson plans, worksheets, videos, etc. Check it out here.
Professional Development Opportunities
Everfi to Host FREE Webinars on Financial Literacy in New Standards
EVERFI will be hosting three webinars to demo and grant access to their web-based, financial literacy lessons that align with elementary, middle and high school Iowa Core standards. Free of charge to schools, the EVERFI Platform provides teachers and students with personalized, supplemental resources that use video, animations, and interactive activities and games to bring complex financial concepts to life. Additionally, EVERFI tracks individual student progress and knowledge gain. The webinars will take place at 3:30 on either January 9th, 10th, or 11th. To sign up go here.
High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP) and Instructor Training
High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP) Instructor Trainings for 2018 are being planned by ISU Extension & Outreach. Middle-School/High School instructors who attend are prepared to teach a fully developed, award winning curriculum that has been lab tested, providing noncommercial, and unbiased personal finance curriculum. The free, turnkey financial literacy program specifically focuses on basic personal finance skills relevant to the lives of teens in Grades 8-12.
The ISUEO training provides HSFPP® ‘Instructor Starter Kits’ with a sampling of lesson plans and the Student Guide for each module. During the hands-on training, teachers become familiar with the content, and practice using the instructional materials, which include lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, activity handouts, performance assessments and participation certificates.
The six modules of the High School Financial Planning Program include:
1. Money Management: Control Your Cash Flow
2. Borrowing: Use-Don’t Abuse
3. Earning Power: More Than a Paycheck
4. Investing: Money Working for You
5. Financial Services: Care for Your Cash
6. Insurance: Protect What You Have
To learn more contact Carol Ehlers, xehlers@iastate.edu and visit: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/high-school-financial-planning
The High School Financial Planning Program is provided as a public service by the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®), a private, nonprofit foundation wholly dedicated to inspiring empowered financial decision making for individuals and families throughout every stage of life. (www.NEFE.org)
Stefanie Rosenberg Wager
Social Studies Consultant
21st Century Skills- Civic and Financial Literacy
Iowa Department of Education
Phone: 515-725-7842
Cell: 515-419-2876
Fax: 515-242-5988
Email: stefanie.wager@iowa.gov
Social Studies Website, Calendar, Iowa Core Social Studies, Newsletter, Diigo, Pinterest
Jo Prusha
Email: jprusha@benton.k12.ia.us
Website: https://prushaperspective.blogspot.com/
Phone: 319-228-8701
Twitter: @joprusha