#INspirEDlit
July 2019 Vol. 16
Sunny Days of Summer!
Hopefully you have had time to relax, unwind, and enjoy family time. Educators have the hardest job on the planet, so we sincerely hope you were able to disconnect and re-energize. If not, that is what your IDOE Literacy team is for-- sharing information, bringing new ideas, and highlighting positive people and events happening in our schools.
Did you know IDOE has a whole division for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) that create and share resources for all teachers, counselors, and administrators to implement in their classrooms and schools? If we spend time preparing for academia, we should also spend time preparing for our student's social emotional needs. See our featured educator below for some more tips on meeting your student's social-emotional needs.
Decide now what kind of teacher you want to be this year. Need some inspiration? Check out Clint Pulver's memory of a teacher who made all the difference in the world to him. #beAMrJensen
Literacy Updates from IDOE
Literacy Framework Phase II
The Literacy Framework is a tool you can use to curriculum map and plan for this upcoming school year. Does your school utilize a curriculum map, scope and sequence, or pacing guide? Use the Literacy Framework to dive into each standard through question stems, practical examples, and digital resources!
Over the course of the 2019-2020 school year, additional resources will be added. Stay tuned!
Have special requests for support? Feel free to reach out to us at any time. That's what we are here for!
Pages to Paradise Summer PD
In July, IDOE will travel and present in Lake Central, Warren Township, Fort Wayne, and Plainfield. If you are interested in learning more, or attending a July session, please click here. So far, over 1,200 Indiana educators are registered and we look forward to making connections and growing alongside you!
Ideas and Insight
Interactive Ideas for Your Classroom
- Do you have a welcoming classroom? Here is a list of considerations when setting up your classroom environment.
- Did you know starting the day by greeting students at the door helps set a positive tone for the rest of the day? Read more here.
- How do you gain student's attention? Teach Hub provides a list of both verbal and non-verbal calls to quiet your class and gain their attention.
- Plan ahead for Back To School Night. Check our Scholastic's tips and tricks for making your Back To School Night a success!
- Passion Projects: What is a better way to start the year than discovering your students passions and interests?
Book Suggestions
The Essential 55
By: Ron Clark
When Ron Clark walked into his fifth-grade class in rural North Carolina, he was confronted with disinterested children in desperate need of structure and compassion. Brainstorming how best to reignite their love of learning, Ron created 55 lessons. Soon his fifth graders were reading at a sixth-grade level, engaging in class, and loving school. What's more, they were gaining something crucial: self-respect. These lessons evolved into The Essential 55.
Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8
By: Debbie Silver
The book explores the relationship between student motivation and risking failure by providing down-to-earth―often humorous―real life examples, and outlines concrete, applicable guidelines for helping students overcome setbacks and failure to foster lifelong success.
180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents
By: Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle
Two teachers.
Two classrooms.
One school year.
"Who will these students be as readers and writers after a year under our care?"-Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle
Dyslexia Updates
Dyslexia Professional Awareness
IC 20-35.5-6-2(B), as created by SEA 217 (2018) states that Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will ensure that all teachers working for the school corporations and charter schools receive professional awareness on dyslexia. This professional awareness will include information on: the characteristics of dyslexia, evidence based interventions, and evidence based accommodations for dyslexia. This professional awareness information is offered through IDOE’s Moodle course website. Please visit IDOE’s Dyslexia page under the “Dyslexia Professional Awareness” tab for a link to the professional awareness course and directions on how to set up and log in to IDOE’s Moodle website.
Dyslexia Rapid Naming Screener Information
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has released multiple new documents and videos to enhance schools’ knowledge and usability of the Arkansas Rapid Automized Name Screener (AR-RAN). IDOE has released: a revised version of the screener, a tutorial video on how to give the AR-RAN, and a frequently asked question (FAQ) document for the screener. IDOE also created a section in the FAQ document giving sample cut scores and explaining how to calculate cut scores for the AR-RAN. For additional clarity IDOE created a video showing how to calculate AR-RAN cut scores in excel. Please visit IDOE’s Dyslexia website to access all of these resources under the “Dyslexia Screeners” tab.
Featured Educator: Gina Courtois, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator, Warsaw Community Schools
Warsaw Community Schools has taken an integrated approach when looking at implementing SEL in the classrooms. Gina works specifically with Core Teams (building based SEL leadership teams) and additional staff seeking training and support. The work that she is doing with teachers and students includes educating in the understanding of Applied Educational Neuroscience and the integration of SEL. Dr. Bruce Perry’s work supports and helps educators understand that our students need an opportunity to regulate prior to learning. “We must regulate people before we can possibly persuade them with a cognitive argument or compel them with an emotional affect.” WCS hosted Dr. Lori Desautels to educate staff on the purpose and practice of advisory meetings and morning meetings. Teachers within WCS are implementing Morning Meeting (K-6) or Advisory Meeting (7-12). Teachers and administrators are committed to beginning each day with a focused attention practice to allow all students an opportunity to regulate. Teachers integrate this practice into their morning routine and as a part of their meeting time. This meeting time is a component of responsive classroom; it allows for students and teachers to build a relationship. Gina works with teachers to model meetings, integrate these strategies and share resources. An effective way of integrating literacy and life skills occurs during this meeting time.
Listed below are a few of the books that Gina has used in her work in classrooms and recommends to educators.
ILA Conference
Check out the Indiana State Literacy Association Conference on September 14. For more information, click here.
$12,000 Renewal Grants for Indiana K-12 Educators
Lilly Endowment announced its 33rd Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP). This renewal program supports Indiana educators to take intentional time to pursue their dreams and passions, explore new areas of interest, and expand existing talents or develop new ones. Renewal times encourage new experiences, exploration and reflection to discover renewed energy and enthusiasm, spark innovative approaches to teaching and leading, and reveal thoughtful ways to enhance creativity in students and classrooms. Up to 100 grants, each totaling $12,000, will be awarded in 2020. Learn more about TCFP at lillyendowment.org.
Literacy & Tech: Thought of the Month!
Don't have Twitter? Check out this quick tutorial here!
Cheat sheet: Twitter for Teachers
Scholastic article: Twitter for Teachers
A great book to read: 140 Twitter Tips for Educators
Connect on Twitter!
1. Tweet about all things LITERACY using #INspirEDlit
2. Follow the hashtag and connect with other coaches and educators
3. Follow @EducateIN for the latest updates from Indiana Department of Education