TMS BLIF Update
January 13, 2016
Duties
Digital Learning Day
10 Ways Teachers Can Inspire a Generation of Innovators
PBL information
FREE Microsoft Office PRO Plus (from Blattner’s 12/17 email)
I have been working with Microsoft to offer you 5 free downloads of Microsoft Office Pro Plus. Instructions on how to redeem this will be coming out as soon as they can get our portal working correctly. I have been working with Microsoft to get this ready before everyone left for break. It looks like they may not be able to have it completed by tomorrow, but I wanted you all to know about this opportunity.
You will set up an Office 365 online account using your ISS email. From there you will be able to download Office Pro Plus for free up to 5 times. You can download either the Macintosh version or the Windows version. Both are available. Again more information is forthcoming.Testing Resource
Readworks.org
Below you will find a web address to Readworks.org. This site provides passages to build reading stamina.
Professional Development
District Apple PD
Documenting and Reflecting with iMovie: TNL #12861
Discover how to use the powerful features of iMovie to enhance personal learning by fostering digital
storytelling, creative collaboration, and reflective sharing.
ONE 3-hour session at ONE location
January 19, 2016: 1:00-4:00 @ ADR SD2 (a workday)
Making Data Meaningful with Numbers : TNL#12859
Learn how to build meaning from data and display it in compelling ways by using built-in calculation tools,
interactive charts, tables, and other expressive media.
ONE 3-hour session at ONE location
- January 20, 2016: 8:30-11:30 @ADR SD2 (workday)
DPI Professional Development
Registration is now open for two 2016 Spring Session 1 instructor–facilitated online courses. These courses provide high-quality professional development and the opportunity to interact with peers and an instructor.
These two 14-week instructor-led courses
will start Monday, January 11th.
Registration is now open for the following courses:
Seize the Data: Empowering
Teachers to Create and Use Assessment and Measurement: 14 weeks, 4 CEUs
Teachers will gain a basic understanding of data literacy principles and be able to reflect on and improve
existing classroom assessment practices and classroom data collection. Weekly assignments are classroom-embedded and designed to help teachers reflect on the importance of data and how they collect, analyze, and use it in their instruction.
Implementing Action
Research in the Classroom: 14 weeks, 4 CEUs.
Action research takes the normal reflective practice of educational practitioners and adds a dimension of systematic inquiry that helps clarify how their particular classrooms/schools operate, how well they teach and how well their students learn. In this hands-on course, participants will design and implement a simple action research project.
The goals of this course are to facilitate a deeper understanding of action research, and provide resources and information that will inform such an inquiry and guide participants through each step of a simple action research project in their own educational setting. Educators will complete an action research project and receive instructor feedback throughout the project in this 14-week facilitated course. At the end of the project, participants will complete a short written report.
These courses are available at no cost to North Carolina educators and will be facilitated by DPI professionals. The courses are completed entirely online. Participants are expected to meet all weekly deadlines in order to receive CEUs. Partial credit will not be given.
Registration is limited. To register, follow the instructions below to log into Home Base to self-register for a course.
Log in to the NCEES system using your usual log in or the
alternate log in https://ncees.homebase.ncpublicschools.gov/alternateLogin.htmlClick the Professional Development tab.
You can search for the course, or list all opportunities
to find the course for which you wish to register.Click on the course title, you are then presented with
the course screen. Click on the sectionClick on the register button.
Directions on how to register are available at
https://ncees.homebase.ncpublicschools.gov/content/Searching%20and%20Registering%20for%20Courses.mp4
WIDA PD Opportunity ( Great for ESL and Content Teachers!)
NCDPI in collaboration with WIDA will offer a 2 day workshop entitled ELD Standards in Action: Collaboration.
This workshop provides an overview of collaborative methods and models for planning, instruction, and assessment of ELLs using the WIDA ELD Standards. It is designed for teams, teacher pairs, or instructional coaches but individuals will be accepted. This PD will be offered January 21-22, 2016, in Clayton, NC.
Registration closes Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Friday, January 8, 2016. Participants will be notified of acceptance into the course on Friday, January 8, 2016. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey Fults at lindsey.fults@dpi.nc.gov. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQ6W688
Leadership Opportunity
Tech Academy
Personal Learning Networks
VIF Learning Center Opportunities
6-12: Global Leader Chat (Principals and Global Committee Members)
Monday, Jan. 11, 4-5pm EST or Wednesday, Jan. 27, 4-5pm EST
6-12: Global Educator Chat
Calling all secondary educators! Join us to get answers to your questions, brainstorm, or get any support you may need.
Student Opportunity
ENERGY UNITED MIDDLE SCHOOL 2016 SPORTS CAMP
ENERGYUNITED MIDDLE SCHOOL 2016 SPORTS CAMP
As part of its commitment to giving back to the communities we serve, EnergyUnited is proud to again sponsor two middle school students to attend the 2016 Sports Camp in June 2016. If you would share the link below with your middle school principals, guidance counselors, PE teachers and/or basketball coaches that would be GREAT. When you click on this link, you can access/view the application and learn about the guidelines of the program and the requirements to apply. It is a wonderful scholarship opportunity for middle school students who have a passion for basketball.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We hope to see some applicants from YOUR district and/or school.
To learn more about the 2016 Touchstone Energy Basketball Sports Camp, go to:
https://www.energyunited.com/community/community-youth-programs/sports-camp/
Energy United’s FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/EnergyUnited?ref=streamFor MS: Future Engineers Camp
Just for Fun
99 Reasons Teachers Rock
46. Teachers are entertained by their students’ antics, even though they pretend not to be.
47. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008, there were 7.2 million teachers in the United States.
48. Music teachers rock because we can help children explore beauty and passion! ~ Doe L ♫♪♫♪, @DoeMiSo
49. Teachers inspire students to be their best. “My best moment as a teacher was the year a great, big, strapping country boy came up to me with a college application in his hand and told me he was applying to the College of Agriculture at Middle Tennessee State University. He said, "You are the only person who ever told me I was intelligent enough to go on to college. I'm gonna try." He applied, was accepted, graduated, and is now pursuing a master's degree. Definitely my best moment!”
50. The rare teacher runs for Congress as a Class. Check out Tierney Cahill’s story about running for the Senate.