February Tidbits

Is there a difference between non-fiction and informational text? They aren't the same. Read more.

Feedback is being sought about the proposed PARCC test accommodations policy, particularly with regard to writing.

The Teaching Channel has all sorts of modeling videos, including all subjects and all grade-levels.

The next CNY NYS ASCD meeting is February 26th at West Genesee High School (note the location change). Continuing with the year’s theme of assessments, this meeting will include a presentation about Daily Formative Assessments.

This video explains Project-Based Learning, the New Tech way. We’ve also collected lots of helpful PBL resources.


Here are lessons you can use to teach on-line research skills, from beginner to advance.




Upcoming Webinars

Putting the Pieces Together: Connecting Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction, Common Core State Standards, and 21st Century Skills (Grades K-2) Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM EST

Educators in today's classrooms are challenged each day with figuring out how to combine differentiated instruction best practices, classroom management, Common Core State Standards, and 21st century skills. Join Donna for this complimentary webinar that will help you solve the problem of so much to teach ... with so little time. Come and learn: Ways to prioritize these vital components of learning and to ensure that they are integrated into your classroom schedules Highlights of each topic along with thoughts on how they will "look" in your classroom Best of all—new strategies that you can put to work in your classroom tomorrow About the presenter: Donna Whyte Veteran Teacher and Best-Selling Author  Donna Whyte is an early education consultant and former teacher who works with teachers and children in classrooms nationwide. Her presentations are exciting and valuable to educators due to her positive attitude, high energy, practical ideas, and strategies and activities that are easy to transfer into classroom practice. Donna has published several books including You Can't Teach a Class You Can't Manage. Maximizing Engagement in a Common Core Environment Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 5PM Eastern Time REGISTER HERE for the webinar Engaging students in their learning is the paramount task for great learning facilitators. As school and classroom leaders, it is essential that we look for a variety of ways to provide personalized and passionate opportunities for our students to learn. Students are looking for a voice and a choice in how they showcase their learning. In addition, their engagement is maximized when they have an authentic audience and a genuine opportunity to shape change in their school and community with their actions. In our community’s next webinar, Dr. Robert Dillon will share ideas and resources for adding more student engagement elements to your Common Core State Standards implementation. Project-based learning, experiential learning, and technology-infused learning – all best practices at the core of today’s Common Core landscape - will be covered. Join him on February 27th to learn how to maximize student engagement in today’s new Common Core landscape.   Webinar: The Core Six Are you looking for research-based strategies that can help you enhance teaching to meet the rigors of the new standards? Mark your calendar for R. Thomas Dewing's Tuesday, Jan. 8 webinar, which kicks off at 3 p.m. EST. During this hour-long webinar episode, Dewing, author of "The Core Six," will present easy-to-implement strategies that educators teaching any grade level can use to reach excellence with the Common Core State Standards.Register.  Learn more about "The Core Six."