http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/chinn/?p=594
Howdy Everyone,
May 2-6 is Teacher Appreciation Week for 2011 and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank ALL STAFF for your hard work and dedication to our students, families, and programs. Although this is a rough time to be in education, your passion and enthusiasm for working with a variety of students, has created a truly unique and wonderful place for kids. Keep up the great work, everyone! You rock!
Seven items of note for this week:
• Spring easyCBM Benchmark Testing – Please note that the Spring easyCBM Benchmark testing window opens this week, running from May 2nd – June 3rd. It’s the same procedure as in the past. If you need a sub to relieve you to complete testing, you may put in for a sub in AESOP using “EasyCBM Elementary” as the absence reason. If you have questions about the benchmark testing, just about any and all questions you might possibly have can be answered on the 4J easyCBM Website.
• OAKS Testing Window Coming to a Close – The last day for online testing will be May 23, 2011. Online tests include, Math, Reading, Social Science (optional for 5th), and Science (Required for 5th). The online testing will be suspended on 5/20 due to the ODE furlough day.
• Input Requested on Proposed 2011-12 Reading Cut Scores – ODE is considering raising the reading cut scores, the same as they did this year for math. They are seeking input from a wide variety of stakeholders. If you would like to weigh in with your two cents, go the the ODE Website. This survey will remain open through May 8, 2011.
• Breaking the Rules to Let Kids Play – I don’t agree with everything this EdWeek blog has to say (particularly that math and language arts are the dry, drudgery the author makes them out to be), but I do greatly appreciate his point that schools and teachers should keep students engaged with “fun” educational activities. I think that our schools do a good job of this, but this is a nice reminder not to feel guilty about it.
• Gary R. Howard on Culturally Responsive Teaching – If you’re not familiar with Gary R. Howard, he’s well worth reading. His excellent book, We Can’t Teach What We Don’t Know: White Teachers, Multiracial Schools, is a classic on culturally responsive teaching. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop he lead this past Friday and it was excellent! If anyone thinks they would like to read his book, I’ll purchase you a copy using my own professional development funds. Just let me know by the end of the week if you’d like a copy. Also, here is a link to Gary R. Howard’s website, but I actually like the Amazon user reviews of his book better for describing the importance of his work.
• UO Teach Out, Monday, May 9th – The 2011 UO TeachOUT is a forum on gender and sexuality minority issues in education. This event is specific to the topic in education. It comes highly recommended. Here is a link to a flyer for the event and also a link to the event website.
• Teacher Appreciation Video “What Teachers Make” – I’ve posted this once before, but in honor of Teacher Appreciation week, here is a great video by slam poet Taylor Mali entitled “What Teachers Make”. Be forewarned, the video contains some naughty language, but I imagine most of you are up to it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU [/youtube]
Have a fab week everyone!
Allan