BASD Coaching Rundown
Issue #3: October 2020
Google Meet vs. Google Classroom
To teach live or not to teach live? That is the question…
We know many teachers are struggling with this decision right now. While some are very comfortable streaming the Hybrid students into class live, some aren’t yet ready to take that step. We completely understand -- there’s so much to consider when teaching two groups of students simultaneously! However, constantly having to replicate in-class activities in Google Classroom and making separate instructional videos just for your Hybrid students can be a major time-sucker. So, what’s a teacher to do? One suggestion? Reach out to a coach! We are more than happy to meet with you to discuss the pros/cons of teaching live and share tips and tricks with you if you decide to ultimately give it a go.
We are also willing to take on the role of one of your hybrid students if you want to practice. We can join your class period’s Google meet and participate in your lesson right along with your in-class students. Afterward, we can debrief and reflect on the process and provide non-evaluative feedback so that you feel more comfortable if you decide to try it on your own. Remember, we’re here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if we can ever help in any way!
Food for Thought
BASD Reads!
Virtual Learning Playbook
Teacher Feature
September Winners
Rocketbook Winner
Coaching Paparazzi
Strategy Spotlight
Open/Closed Sort
We’ve shared many great instructional strategies over the years on our strategy days, but how do we transition the tried and true strategies that we love to the digital environment? In each newsletter, we will review a previously shared strategy and share ideas for how to use it in the time of COVID-19.
This month’s featured strategy, Open/Closed Sorts, can be implemented at any grade level and in any content area. We attached the corresponding info document we shared a few years ago below. While you can certainly still use actual sorting cards (with sanitization measures in mind, of course), we’ve come up with a few ways to adapt the strategy to the virtual classroom setting. Watch this brief video to learn more: https://flipgrid.com/s/1Ar7rY_oHJUVPd7x
Links to all strategy documents referenced in the video can be found below:
Newsletter Challenge
Professional Learning Opportunities
Internal Trade Time
We have a number of in-house professional learning opportunities being offered in the coming weeks. Check out info about the following sessions:
Antiracist Book Club
Date: November 12th; December 10th
Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
Location: Virtually
It’s not too late to sign up to join the Antiracist Book Club. The next session will be held on Thursday, November 12th from 3:30-4:30. You’d just need to pick up a copy of one of the books from the list.
Using Technology to Enhance Acquisition of Learning Objectives
Date: Various dates in October & November
Time: 3:30-5:00 PM
Location: Virtually
Want one-on-one support to plan units/lessons that effectively incorporate technology? Anita Caruso is offering various sessions on this topic. Click here to learn more about this trade time opportunity and to sign up!
Bold School Book Study
Date: November 4th, 9th, 16th and 23rd
Time: 3:30-4:30
Location: Virtually
Anita is also offering a 4-part trade time series centered around the book Bold School by Weston Kieschnick. This book is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the blended learning model! Check out this link for more information.
BASD Twitter Chat
Date: November 16th
Time: 8:00-9:00
Location: Virtually on Twitter
Save the date for the November BASD Twitter Chat! It will be held on November 16 from 8-9. Reflect with your colleagues as you relax in your PJs from home! Check out this link for more information.External Trade Time
As a reminder, you can also seek out professional learning opportunities outside of the district. Just make sure you submit an External Trade Time Approval Form at least 3 weeks in advance. Check out some options we found below:
The National Museum of Mathematics offers regular events that allow teachers and students to interact with mathematicians and learn more about mathematical phenomena. The events are a mix of free- and fee-based, but they all provide a great opportunity to explore math further!
Are you a member of PAECT? If not, definitely check it out -- a basic membership is FREE and allows you to access a variety of resources and professional learning opportunities. On November 19th, Kristen Ziemke is hosting a webinar titled, Rethinking Learning: Digital Best Practice for School and Home. More information can be found here.
To kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month, the University of Florida Literacy Institute held a Dyslexia 101 webinar. Topics included: facts and myths; characteristics and needs; identification and intervention; and policy and professional development. They also hosted an Introduction to Teaching Reading Online webinar that would be a great watch for anyone who teaches reading!
Professional Magazines
Educational Leadership offers a monthly magazine with articles based around a variety of educational topics. October’s issue focuses on Trauma-Sensitive Schools. Check out the table of contents and let Jackie know if you would like a copy of any of the articles.
NCTM Research Magazine shares recent research articles on the topic of mathematics education. Check out the table of contents for October’s issue on Catalyzing Change in School Mathematics and let Melissa know if you would like a copy of any of the articles.
Digital Freebies!
Each month we’ll share a few fun finds that we came across in our internet travels. Feel free to add these digital resources to your collection!
Bitmoji Templates: (You can make a copy and edit as needed!)
Math Trick or Treat - even and odd numbers
Book Nook
The HyperDoc Handbook: Digital Lesson Design Using Google Apps
HyperDocs are all the rage right now! These “one-stop-shop” digital lesson plans help teachers (and students) successfully navigate the virtual learning environment and are a great instructional tool for asynchronous learning experiences. In this book, educators will explore best practices for digital lesson design, learn a step-by-step process for creating HyperDocs, select tech tools that are the right fit for lessons, and much more! While the book is a great resource, tons of information can be found online about HyperDocs. Reach out to one of us if you’d like to learn more about how to get started!
Clarity for Learning: Five Essential Practices that Empower students and Teachers
In all of the research on what helps students learn, the key for many studies is providing clarity on what students are to be learning. For students to be highly successful they should be able to describe what must be learned, why they are learning it, and how they can be successful. This book shows how to develop that clarity with your students by offering powerful practices and examples from teachers and leaders across the country who have implemented these practices. Contact Duckworth if you want to read more about it!
We Want Your Book Recommendation!
Contact Us!
Melissa Duckworth
Email: mduckwor@basd.net
Twitter: @1DuckyMathcoach
Nicole Kohlhepp
Email: nkohlhepp@basd.net
Twitter: @MrsKohlhepp
Jackie Wynkoop
Email: jwynkoop@basd.net
Twitter: @litcoachjackiew