The Ricketts Reader
Monthly Newsletter
September 2013 Schedule
3rd-FCE/HPE/Elementary Principal Meeting
4th-3rd Grade District PD
5th-4th Grade District PD
6th-HPE
9th-TCE
10th-TCE
11th-HSE 21 PD
12th-FCE
13th-FCE
16th-HPE
17th-TDS Meeting/Elementary Principal Meeting
18th-TCE
19th-HPE
20th-TCE
23rd-FCE
24th-FCE
25th-HPE
26th-HPE
27th-TCE
30th-TCE
Another New Thing?
The TDS team lost two members to administrative positions and nobody new was hired. Since there are only four of us and we're supporting all twelve elementaries, we decided that we could "divide and conquer" on some of our projects. The newsletter is one of the projects we'll be doing together.
In this first monthly edition, you'll get a brief synopsis of some of the initiatives happening in HSE and how they relate to the TER (teacher effectiveness rubric.) How do you see them connect? There are many more similarities than differences between the big ideas. Instead of thinking about them piling on top of one another, imagine them as layers - configured together to support individualized instruction. TEDS asks us to ensure that all students are actively engaged in the learning process...think HSE21 and Project Based Learning. TEDS asks us to provide differentiated ways of engaging with content specific to individual student needs...think Response to Instruction in our general education classrooms.
Like you, I am learning many new things and have participated in numerous summer and after school trainings to keep up to date with my knowledge. My stack of books for the summer included many texts related to district initiatives. Feel free to stop and chat or email me if you have a question or comment.
Thanks!
Connect the Dots.... HSE Initiatives
We've got a lot of dots (and abbreviations!).... and thankfully they do all connect and support each other:
HSE21
HSE Best Practice Model
PBL (Project Based Learning)
RTI (Response to Instruction)
TEDS
NWEA
Differentiated Instruction (supported through a workshop structure)
Many ShiFts.... One Message: It's all about the instruction
HSE21
The mission of HSE21 is to equip students with the content knowledge, unique skills, and new literacies they will need to succeed in the 21st‐century global economy. It's not just about fun and fancy apps.
iPads allow us to easily embed inquiry and project based learning into our daily work.
Best Practice Model
- sparking students' interest
- expanding on prior knowledge
- inquiring about new concepts and ideas
- celebrating new learning
- applying new learning to real-world problems and siutations
Differentiated Instruction
RTI
Response to Instruction (RtI) is the systematic process of supporting the academic and/or behavioral needs of every student through the use of differentiated, high-quality core instruction and scientific, research based interventions. RtI involves the use of student data to inform instructional decisions in regards to curriculum, instruction, intervention and placement. Differentiated, high quality, effective core instruction in the general education setting results in academic and/or behavioral progress for the majority of students (approximately 80%). The primary focus of RtI is to provide early general education interventions that support success of all students.
Project Based Learning
NWEA
We are the catalyst to create a world in which education is kid-centric, relying on accurate and comprehensive data to inform each child's optimal learning path.
In our intended world of education, assessments are used primarily to measure academic growth and inform instruction, and are tied to educational objects such as curriculum that is targeted to the needs and current academic achievement of each learner.
TEDS
Some of the heavy-lifters in TEDS that are prevalent in HSE initiatives:
- Teachers facilitate student academic practice so that all students are participating and have the opportunity to gain mastery of the objectives in a classroom environment that fosters a climate of urgency and expectation around achievement, excellence and respect.
- Teacher effectively connects content to other content areas, students’ experiences and interests, or current events in order to make content relevant and build interest
- Explanations spark student excitement and interest in the content
- Teacher ensures that all students are actively engaged in the learning process through best practice engagement strategies
- Teacher provides differentiated ways of engaging with content specific to individual student needs
- Classroom activities offer students choices that enhance engagement
- Students have opportunities to meaningfully practice, apply, and demonstrate that they are learning through assigned work that requires the use of academic skills in relation to course content (critical reading, writing process or critical thinking)
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
- 3rd Grade - District PD - Wednesday, 9/4/13 (8:30-11:30, 1:00-4:00 @ CRE)
- 4th Grade - District PD - Thursday, 9/5/13 (8:30-11:30, 1:00-4:00)
- Units of Study Grades K-4 - Tuesday, 9/10/13 (4:15-5:15 @ CRE)