Dartmouth Public Schools
Take A Risk, iInspire, Kindness Matters, You Matter
MassCUE Takeaways!
A handful of DPS Instructional Staff and administrators attended the MassCUE (Mass Computer Using Educators) last week in Foxboro, MA. MassCUE is a resource-rich, vibrant network of educators who organize one of New England's premier educational technology conferences. There were keynote speeches, live demonstrations, vendors and hundreds of sessions. Folks could see, touch, try and learn how to make the best use of tech in our instructional practices. Our goal is attending the conference is to divide and conquer and learn as much as possible, so we can bring new information back to our district. Please see below for the biggest takeaways of the folks who attended this year! If you see something that peaks your interest, please reach out to the staff member.
Emily Goodwin - From the keynote: reminding students who need to hear it that they are “greater than their circumstances.” So many takeaways from the presentations! Some specifics: a high school history teacher and librarian collaborating on makerspace projects for assessments, teaching with primary source documents available through the library of congress, and the ease and accessibility of creating apps with glideapps.com.
Jennifer Thomas - A new take on delivering meaningful and relevant technology PD! One specific idea was enrolling teachers in a cohort model to obtain their Google Educator Certification.
Kate Powers - Technology is wonderful, but things can go wrong if you’re letting technology drive the lesson instead of the content. Go for the unplugged option if it makes more sense! I attended a great session on makerspaces using only unplugged activities!
Liz Voci - Teachers can use choice boards, hyperdocs, and Google Suite increase student voice and choice. Interactive boards can be used as a tool for practice, creation, and collaboration in the classroom, and not just as a way to display content.
Richard Gill - Using scenario discussions to foster improved administrative decision-making.
Ross Thibault - The idea of “gamifying” instruction to improve student-engagement. One presentation I was able to see focused on the creation of Math lessons as digital breakout rooms.
Tracy Chamberlain - The biggest take away for me from MASScue was the idea that I can go in to school tomorrow and start coding with my five year olds. This seemingly impossible notion was simplified by Josh Funk, the author of “Coding with Sandcastles”. His picture book focuses on teaching kids the big idea of coding vocabulary in an accessible way and uses a real life situation that is relatable to kids. Also working with Trisha Leary to bring my crazy inspirations to life in my classroom is amazing.
Tracy Oliveira - TPACK - a framework for understanding tech integration for education. It frames thinking around how the work we do each day is complicated. It certainly takes a team and collaboration. What is TPACK?
Trisha Leary - Using VR/AR and Expeditions to enhance lessons in all subject areas. Moving students from consumption to creation.
Second Graders Build Algebraic Thinking
Standards Build Upon Each Other
Students in Mrs. Pavlik's class were learning about molecular geometry. This is the final stage for the Science standard Types of Interactions. In Kindergarten through grade 2, students lean that pushes and pulls can have different strengths and directions. Moving to grades 3-5, students lean the effect of unbalanced forces on an object result in a change in motion. Grade 6-8 teachers teach that the mass of an object has an effect in the change in motion. This content builds to our high school chemistry where students learn inter-molecular forces determine atomic composition, molecular geometry and polarity, and, therefore, structure and properties of substances. All our standards get increasing sophisticated and build upon the years prior.
Representing Numbers
Literacy Standards at DMS!
DMS - Math Standards in Action
Adding and subtracting negative numbers in Mr. Zexter’s class using the chipboard model. Students rewrite subtraction statements as addition. Students are working on the 7th grade standard for operations with rational numbers.
PD Opportunity
Spring RETELL – SEI Endorsement Course
14 days: Mondays, January 6 – April 14, 2020, 2020 (4:00 – 7:00 PM)
PD Opportunity
Supporting English Learners in Specialty Subjects & Support Services
2 full days: Mondays, January 6 & 13, 2020 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM)