North Carolina DEN

It’s that time of year again…Testing Time!

 Have you checked out the interactive EOG web samples (for grades 3-8 and Algebra I and II)…here’s the site - http://cuacs8.mck.ncsu.edu/mathsampleitems/main.html

Happy EOG-ing!!!

From Jen Dorman’s (DEN Account Manager) Blog…

The Discovery Educator Network is seeking feedback from educators who have participated in the DEN and/or attended DEN-sponsored events. This survey should take you about 5 minutes to complete. We really appreciate your feedback.

If you are a blogger and would like to embed this survey on your blog, click here to copy the iFrame embeddable code.

[Note: If you do not see the form embedded below, click here to open it in a new window.]

Do you love to blog, plan events, or simply LOVE the DEN?!?!  Well then, come join the North Carolina DEN Leadership Council!

The DEN has doubled in size since last year and this amazing growth has a lot to do with our incredible DEN Leadership Councils.  We are in awe of the work they have volunteered to do to make the DEN community what it is today.  Wouldn’t you love to be part of these incredible groups of STAR DEs?  Now’s your chance.

In order to provide the necessary support to ever-growing state-level DEN communities, give new STAR Discovery Educators the opportunity to take an active leadership role with the DEN, and allow current LC members a break (if they choose) we are starting an annual LC election process.

From now until Friday, May 15, 2009 you have the opportunity to express interestin staying active as an LC member, joining an existing LC or helping to launch a new LC.

Every STAR Discovery Educator is encouraged to formally express his/her interest by completing the self-nomination form.  You will select which leadership role(s) you are interested in as well as provide a brief statement of interest that will serve as your “campaign speech” should someone else wish to be considered for the same leadership role.

In order to be considered for the Chair, Blog Coordinator or Events Coordinator roles you must serve on the DEN LC for at least one year as part of the Events Team or Blog Team.  For new LCs this does not apply.

For more details about the DEN Leadership Councils including the roles, responsibilities, benefits and the election process please read the DEN LC Overview.

Spring Breaks marks the coming of the end of the school year. The number of school days between now and the end of grade tests in middle school means it’s time to focus on resources for review. As a teacher, high stakes testing preparations is serious business. It is like Tax Day deadline for CPAs and due dates for expectant mothers. Schools have their favorite strategies designed to remediate, reteach, and reinforce. Hopefully, this blog will help readers share some of their secret strategies or best practices (let’s post the legal ones only folks–please).

Personnel

Reading coaches. As a classroom teacher, I have always argued that if Johnny can not read the question, then he can not show proficiency. Designing a program within a school is not for the faint of heart. Pulling Johnny out of his art or computer skills class for reading coaching requires buy in. Again, data driven decision making is crucial for a focus intervention.

Printed Materials

Our middle school math teachers are fond of their textbook ancillary materials. These materials are correlated with the North Carolina Standards. Another publishing companies sell books and if your schools has the funds, buy them and try them. In my personal opinion, just passing out the EOG books and having them work through the pages is a poor use of instructional time. Worksheet do not build dendrites. Creative uses of this material can engage students. This spring break, our middle school students were provided with a packet of review materials as a graded assignment. The completed packet if due the Monday we return from break. On my way to my vehicle, the day we dismissed for spring break, I passed a parent talking with our principal at 3:35 PM. All I could here was her talking about her son’s packet. She was not trying to assault our principal, so I dashed to my vehicle and speed out of the teacher’s parking lot with dust flying!  Our teachers are trying to do all we can. Providing every affordable opportunity to learn. I am not trying to be negative here, but everyone has responsibilities. Ok, here’s the question- what printed materials do you use in your classroom? Leave a comment.

Online resourses

Our district has Compass, StudyIsland, Accelerated Math, and Streaming Discovery (in one school). I created lessons for my students using the Teacher Center section. There are lessons available in the Teacher Center. The links below was copied from our school’s front page. Teachers have already received positive feedback from parents.

Parent Night

Everyone knows that parent involvement is the key to academic success.  Our school is planning a night for parents to come out and view the various strategies our teachers are implementing. One idea I have heard them discussing is a timed mock test (shortened version) formatted like our North Carolina EOG. Also, there are plans to distribute materials for parents on test-taking strategies and proper nutrition for test days.

Earth Day

Remember to mark your calendar for Earth Day.  http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/ Streaming Discovery Education has a bundle of resources ready to roll out to participating schools.

Description of Earth Day:
Former Senator Gaylord Nelson’s concern about the environment led him to organize the first Earth Day “teach in” demonstration in April 1970. Twenty million Americans participated in environmental rallies, demonstrations and other activities to raise environmental awareness, to celebrate Earth’s life and beauty, and to alert people to the need for preserving and renewing the threatened ecological balances upon which all life on Earth depends. Later that year, on December 2nd, President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address pollution problems in America. The agency focuses on cleaning up our nation’s water, air, and soil. It conducts research, sets standards, monitors activities, and helps enforce environmental laws. Celebrated on April 22nd, Earth Day is a reminder to learn more about environmental protection through educational programs and activities. It has been observed on that date every year since its first celebration in 1970.

DEN Spring Training is here! We’ve had a lot of new recruits in the past year and we expect big things from the community this spring. Last year the stat we focused on the most was ESA (Earned STAR Average). This year we are looking for STARs who put up solid numbers in the RS category. Runs scored? Nope. Resources Shared. We’re looking for STARs who will take the time to share their presentations, projects, videos, lesson plans, etc. by uploading them to the Educator Resources section of the DEN website. Any STAR who uploads at least TWO resources between April 6 and May 22 will receive a limited edition DEN Spring Training 2009 t-shirt featuring the design above. So, what are you waiting for? Upload those resources because “If you share it, they will learn!” Note: At the end of spring training (May 22) we will send an email to all STARs who uploaded at least two resources asking for your address and t-shirt size. Shirts will ship in early June.

Spring Into Action at the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Virtual Conference on Saturday, April 25th (9 AM to 3 PM EDT).  Join thousands of educators who are passionate about integrating media into their instruction and collaborating with each other to improve student achievement.

During this unique (and free) professional development event attendees have the flexibility to attend online or in-person at one of many regional events hosted by the DEN Leadership Councils.

For more information and to register visit: http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/denvirtcon.

On April 24th the Discovery Educator Network will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new DEN headquarters in Second Life – which, by the way, will be a virtual replica of Discovery Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD!

We hope that you and other educators from around the world will join us at the Virtual Conference to network, gain valuable insight, and have fun!  

There is no better way to experience the excitement and terror of war than video.

 Enjoy linking literature to history and expanding the minds of your young students .

 Ready for some fun Triva? What world famous chef served as a spy during World War II? Answer