SIEC Notes: Welcome Spring!
Southern Indiana Education Center Spring 2018 Newsletter
SIEC Principals - Try This! Really!
If you want a collaborative inquiry-based learning environment for students; if you want to cultivate student agency, voice and engagement in the classroom, here’s how!
Cultivate a collaborative inquiry-based learning environment FOR TEACHERS! Develop teacher voice, efficacy and engagement systemically.
It isn’t hard, but here are some things that one would consider:
- Learn the collaborative inquiry process.
- Develop a plan for implementation.
- Let go. Be willing to allow teacher autonomy while supporting their efforts, thereby allowing them to become they professionals the aspire to be.
“Use the group to change the group.”
Various ways to accomplish the above:
# 1 – Read the book – Collective Efficacy by Jenni Donohoo. SIEC will provide that for you. Just let me know.
#2 – Schedule an onsite collaborative inquiry session for you and your teachers provided FREE by SIEC. Approaches can vary according to your needs and we can plan that together.
#3 - Encourage teachers to attend an SIEC Affinity Group. When you see these come across your email, let them know you will support them in this. The first SIEC secondary ELA affinity group just me and it was a powerful experience for them. We are encouraged and happy that these groups can become change agents for your district.
Article share - https://goo.gl/wMjxh9
The above article speaks to importance of creating an inquiry based learning environment for teachers. Happy spring to everyone! ~Judy
The Southern Indiana Education has a wide variety of professional learning opportunities. We are always adding to the offerings so be sure to bookmark our workshop page and check regularly! (www.siec.k12.in.us/workshops) As always, click on the links below for more information!
- Title I Networking 04/09/18
- Teachers Supporting Teachers Network Dinner: Finding Your Joy! 04/12/18
- Poverty and the Brain: Emotional Impacts, Strategies to Apply, Plus More! 04/12/18
- #GoOpen: Digital Lesson Design 04/13/18
- Preschool Training and Support: Striving Toward and Achieving Excellence with Early Learners 04/17, 05/10, & 05/30/18
- 2018 Legal Updates for Educational Leaders 04/26/18
- Global Exploration, Conquest, & Imperialism: Investigating Their Origins, Circumstances, and Consequences 04/27/18
- Grants: Hitting the Bullseye! 05/04/18
- Quality Questioning Every Day: Part I 05/07/18
- SIEC Fine Arts Networking 05/10/18
- Evaluate Your 1:1 Program: Click Refresh and Improve Effectiveness 05/11/18
- Quality Questioning Every Day: Part II 05/21/18
- Writer's Workshop: An Introduction 06/06/18
- Co-Teaching Success! Re-think, Re-Imagine, and Transform Education for Everyone with Patrick Schwarz 06/18/18
- Leading the Way: Co-Teaching For Administrators and Instructional Coaches 06/19/18
- World Language Teacher Retreat 2018 06/21/18
- ILEARN Math Grades 3-5: Preparing Your Students for the New Indiana Assessment 06/25/18
- Striving for Excellence: ILEARN ELA Grades 3-5: Strengthen Instruction and Prepare Students 06/27/18
- Striving for Excellence: ILEARN ELA Grades 6-8: Strengthen Instruction and Prepare Students 06/28/18
- ILEARN Math Grades 6-8: Preparing Your Students for the New Indiana Assessment 06/29/18
- Boost Your Writing Instruction Grades K-2 07/17/18
- Find Your Classroom Management Mojo GrK-2 07/17/18
- Boost Your Writing Instruction Grades 3-5 07/18/18
- Find Your Classroom Management Mojo Gr3-6 07/18/18
- Writing Across the Content Areas Grades 6-12 07/19/18
- Find Your Classroom Management Mojo Gr7-12 07/20/18
- Food Service Seminar 07/26/18
- Make Learning Visible! Thinking Dispositions That Support Learning in Grades K-5 07/30/18
- Make Learning Visible! Thinking Dispositions That Support Learning in Grades 6-12 07/31/18
- Handwriting Without Tears Grades PreK-2 Workshop 08/02/18
- Creating Critical Thinkers: Engaging Students in Critical Thinking Skills Grades K-5 08/24/18
- Creating Critical Thinkers: Engaging Students in Critical Thinking Skills Grades 6-12 08/27/18
- SIEC New Teacher Program Cohort 2 09/07/18, 04/05/19
- SIEC New Teacher Program Cohort 3 10/13/18 (plus 5 more dates)
SIEC Notes Spring 2018
Effective Writing Instruction
In discussions with educators across our region, it is clear that there is a need for assistance with writing instruction. Some of our area schools are using the workshop approach, and some are using the embedded writing in their reading programs. Regardless of the approach, there is consensus that writing instruction could be improved to better meet students’ needs and maximize student achievement.
The Southern Indiana Education Center is working to meet those needs! In the coming months, we will be providing a number of one day workshops based on different approaches and needs. We will be offering a one day training on a overview of the Writer’s Workshop approach for grades 3-8, as well as workshops on what research shows is best practice for Effective Writing Instruction at k-2, 3-5, and Writing Across the Content Areas for grades 6-12.
Along with our offerings at the SIEC, we would love to have you join the districts that are inviting us into their schools for ongoing writing PD, in the forms of coaching, targeted strategy PD, and collaborative groups that set goals, learn together, and support each other in attaining student growth. If you’re interested in increasing your comfort level and sharing high-quality writing instruction, look for our one day workshops, or reach out to us at the Southern Indiana Education Center. Julie Monetta or DeAnne Taggart (click on names to e-mail)
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Podcasts: Start Today!
Essentially, you will need some type of player. IOS devices usually have a podcast player ready to go for you and Android devices can easily use Google play. Free is always good, but there are paid players out there as well. There really are so many great topics out there it can get overwhelming pretty quick! Start with one or two and see what you think. Here's a list from the creator of the Truth for Teachers podcast. I commute 1 hour each way to work and my trouble with listening was my phone signal was pretty sketchy between home and work. If you experience a similar lack-of-signal, be sure to download episodes ahead of time. (This can load up your device quickly, so be sure to delete as well.)
So, we are always interested in what you are reading professionally, but now we will be making a point to ask "What are you listening to professionally?" My favorite for awhile and currently is the Google Teacher Tribe podcast. Matt Miller and Kasey Bell are engaging and super-helpful. I find value in every single episode.
Wanting to get students in on the fun? Here's a handy beginning list from Common Sense Education of podcasts to use with students.
So what are your favorites? Send us a message at #siecfavepodcast on Twitter.
~DeAnne
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Indiana Region 4 Migrant Education Center
Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow
Building Momentum in Migrant Education
Planning is well underway for summer with our migrant students and families. Applications were sent out in January with interviews held in early February for summer teaching positions. Dedicated teachers, bus drivers, cooks, and other staff keep our program strong and we are always seeking energetic, highly-qualified individuals to work with our students. We are very excited as we plan curriculum and activities for this time. New additions for this summer include “The Leader in Me” for grades PreK-6 and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” for grades 7-12. We will also be incorporating related programming with our parents with “The 7 Habits of Successful Families”. We feel that as parents learn the 7 Habits along with their children more lifelong skills will be developed by all.
Our migrant preschoolers will soon be receiving programming in a new way. Our teacher has been trained with The Creative Curriculum materials and will be visiting communities to work with the students in small groups or individually several times each week during the spring. A statewide Migrant Retreat will occur two days in March for administrative teams from all six regions. Breakout groups will cover many topics including recruiting, family engagement, and instruction for all levels from prekindergarten through the out-of- school youth ages through 21. Time is included for regions to share successful strategies, discuss difficulties, and structure priorities for the future. ~Debbie
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Teachers-Teachers: The New "Job Bank" for Indiana Schools
The old job bank is still in existence so for a few months be sure to check/post in both spots, but the move to the new platform should be complete by this summer according to the DOE. Click here to take a look!
SIEC Notes Spring 2018
One of the Best Field Trips Ever….without Leaving the Gym!
With the Starlab portable planetarium, you have the opportunity to teach multiple subjects
(astronomy, geography, meteorology, mythology, biology, and more!) in a way that will inspire and awe your students while they learn. Starlab provides a unique learning environment for all grade levels and provides an experience students don’t forget!
The SIEC has three Starlab portable planetariums available for loan to member schools. The only cost involved is a one-day training workshop. Each school that plans to use Starlab must have a teacher trained in Starlab operations. Several schools will be using Starlab yet this spring. In May, a Starlab email will be sent to principals inviting educators to submit their preferred scheduling dates for 2018-19. Contact Amy at the SIEC if you have questions.
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SIEC Notes: Spring 2018
Southern Indiana Education Center
Email: dtaggart@siec.k12.in.us
Website: www.siec.k12.in.us
Location: 1102 Tree Lane Drive, Jasper, In 47546
Phone: 8124826641
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Indiana-Education-Center/130321986441
Twitter: @SoInEduCtr