The Aviator Compass
Empowering teachers to grow EVERY child every day.
FEBRUARY - 2019
Introduction
Good formative instructional practices (F.I.P.) include providing specific feedback to students that helps them with next steps toward mastery. When we grade in a traditional methods, are we motivating students to push themselves toward mastery of the content or do we unintentionally reduce hope with zeros or "muddy the water" with other "points"?
Our MasteryConnect usage has stirred great conversation about the equity of grading practices; teachers using more "standards-based" grading with the MasteryConnect 4 point scale are finding that their students are truly becoming more interested in working toward a higher level of learning mastery versus always working toward "the grade".
This article, Does Grading Undermine Equity? has some great points to consider. Start by taking the quiz, Equitable Grading Quiz for Teachers. This resource, Equitable Grading has lots of tools to help teachers develop more equitable grading practices.
To Learn, Students Need to DO Something
By: Jennifer Gonzalez
First, let me say that authentic, project-based learning is probably the best way to have students experience meaningful learning. But many schools and classrooms aren’t quite there yet: They deliver instruction in a more traditional way. That model can still result in solid learning, if it’s implemented correctly. And that’s where I’m seeing a problem. I think we’re skipping over one of the most important steps in our lesson plans.
Yes, Project-Based Learning Gets Kids Ready for the Test (And so Much More)
I was worried the first time I tried a project-based learning unit with my students. As a young teacher, I had prided myself on running a challenging class and had focused much of my attention on getting my students prepared for what we were both going to be assessed on: the test.
I was not doing test prep. I didn’t believe that giving students sample test questions would make them do any better on our state standardized scores (and still don’t).
Yet, I was actively trying to match my lessons and activities to what they would be assessed on later down the road. I thought that this was best practice, and would benefit us both as they would be ready to tackle challenging questions (in any format) as we got towards the end of the school year.
Heading into our first true project-based learning unit, I wondered whether my students would learn as much as they did when I was teaching in more traditional methods.
I wondered if they would have more fun and balk at going back to those traditional tasks.
But, deep down, what I really worried about (if I’m being honest with myself), is how their results on the standardized test would reflect on me as a teacher.
And I don’t think I was the only teacher who felt this way…
Click here for the rest of the article.
Interested In Participating In Our Next PBL Training???
(e-mail address: wegenerk@sycamoreschools.org) to get on the list for 2019-2020.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICES
How do you support ELs with writing?
New Netflix short documentary on United States immigration and citizenship
TESTING UPDATES
Sycamore Community Schools Testing Calendar
Elementary Schools Testing Dates
Greene Intermediate Testing Dates
ODE has released new support documents for the AIR Assessments:
AIR Test Specifications and updated Blueprints:
https://oh.portal.airast.org/resources/general-resources/
Other resources for Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies:
Other resources for Math and ELA AIR Assessments:
http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Mathematics/Assessments-in-Mathematics
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Opening the World and Exploring Diversity Week-end Workshop
LOCATION: Voice of America Learning Center
Our students live in a diverse world, and our classrooms offer a unique opportunity to open the world and our many voices.Join K-12 teachers, Miami faculty member, Sara Austin, and special guests as we examine our practices, explore resources for building diverse book lists, and share strategies for supporting student voices. Be a part of this important conversation.
More information: click here
Ohio Writing Project Teaching of Writing Workshop
LOCATION: Voice of America Learning Center
For over 30 years, the OWP's four-week workshop on the teaching of writing has earned consistently excellent ratings by classroom teachers and external evaluators. The focus of the workshop is on the best in contemporary theory and practice, involve active participation, and support teachers as they build skills in both teaching and writing.
More information: click here
Nancy Frey....Co-author of VISIBLE LEARNING for LITERACY April 25th, 2019
Implementing the Practices that Work Best to Accelerate Student Learning
DATE: Thursday, April 25th, 2019
TIME: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Refreshments
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Presentation
LOCATION: Fairfield Freshman School
8790 N. Gilmore Road
Fairfield, OH 45014
REGISTRATION: To register, click here for the form.
COST: Free of charge
CONTACT: Laura Griffin at griffin_l@fairfieldcityschools.com
Check out the HC ESC Professional Development Opportunities
Featured HCESC PD Opportunities
Adolescent Literacy: Exploring a Culture of Learning
February 15th, 2019,
8:30-3:30 PM, Princeton Administration Center, 3900 Cottingham Drive
A full day of regional learning and discussion to explore the adolescent literacy component of Ohio's Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement. Led by Ohio Department of Education Adolescent Literacy Specialists, participants will explore the definition of adolescent literacy and how to create a culture of learning to promote higher achievement for adolescents. Presenters will provide an overview of content area literacy, disciplinary literacy and individualized intensive interventions focused on literacy. Participants will engage in planning activities to address making adolescent literacy achievement a priority in their districts/buildings.
Registration Link: https://www.escweb.net/oh_hcesc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=39277
Professional Development for Physical Education Teachers
March 5th, 2019,
Amity Elementary in Deer Park, 8-3 PM
Having a hard time finding meaningful professional development for your PE staff? OPEN Phys Ed is a national organization that provides hands-on PD for educators and also provides a platform for staff members to continue to grow and share ideas together long after their session is over. Deer Park will host the OPEN Phys Ed team for a full day of PD at Amity Elementary on March 5. This event is targeted to all K-12 PE teachers in the area.
Registration Link: https://www.escweb.net/oh_hcesc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=39296
Innovation Engineering Blue Belt Certification Course
March 12-13th, 2019,
Eureka! Ranch in Newtown, Cost: $1200 per person or $1,000 per person for a team of 5 or more
Hamilton County ESC is partnering with Eureka! Ranch to offer a 2 day innovation course that teaches you: how to create ideas and problem solve with methods 8x more effective than brainstorming; how to communicate ideas in a way that fast tracks stakeholder engagement and buy-in, and how to take an idea from inspiration to reality- FAST. The certification involves 33 short digital assignments (7 minutes each) in advance of the training days and then for 60 days following you will apply what you learn to a personal or professional project with access to a virtual coach, Meghan Lawson. Once certified, not only can you apply your learning to your current work, but you can put an official badge on your Linked In page and note your certification on future resumes and portfolios.
Registration Link: https://www.escweb.net/oh_hcesc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=39294
Stress Management for Families
Fairfield City Schools is presenting part III of their Mental Health Series on
March 14 from 5:30-8 PM.
See details on the flyer below.
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