TIP 15 - March 18, 2024
This update includes: (Click links to jump to topic)
Dates of Interest
Friday, March 22, 2024 - Virtual Instruction and Two-Hour Early Dismissal - End of MP3 (Professional Responsibilities)
Monday, March 25 - April 1, 2024 - Spring Break (No School for Students and 10-month employees)
A Message from Heather: Recovery and Accountability
With the close of the third marking period, teachers are taking stock of the condition of their student's grades and making decisions about narratives to write on SBRC. During the discussion at the most recent seminar, teachers explored ways to improve student motivation and engagement. Among the motivations was offering recovery for students on assignments. This topic raised concerns about the accountability of students for preparing and completing their work and grading processes that might overwhelm the teacher.
Some teachers shared that they did not know how many times to allow a student to recover an assignment. Another teacher expressed frustration about offering recovery during one-hour lunch and students not taking that opportunity. Other teachers expressed concerns about managing resubmitted assignments at the end of the marking period from students looking to improve their grades. These are all valid concerns.
I found a few articles that can start a discussion with your mentor, PLC, or department.
Student Retakes - This article provides practical guidance for implementing recovery opportunities in your classroom that support the student without overwhelming the teacher.
Shifting the Focus from Grades to Learning - This article explores ways to use feedback as communication about skills and learning rather than a grade. Recovery does not always need to be redoing the same assignment. Maybe there are other ways to demonstrate their knowledge including verbal assessments.
Grading Practices - This article offers suggestions for changing your grading practices to more accurately reflect student progress over time. Considering the grade book as a form of communication about a student's abilities and knowledge rather than a number can reduce the rush at the end of a grading period for students submitting assignments.
The Case Against Zeros in Grading - This article explores the impact of including zeros in the grade book. If you are looking for a change in the way you approach grading, this article is food for thought.
If you continue to struggle with the balance between student accountability and opportunities to recover with additional learning, have a conversation with your peers. Collaboration is more than lesson planning and scoring. Collaboration can be used to help you determine your philosophy of grading, feedback, and student accountability. I am happy to join that conversation!
Remember . . . You've Got This!
Heather
I will visit schools throughout the school year and I enjoy joining classes, being a guest reader, working with small groups, or providing feedback with a brief walkthrough. Email me if you wish to invite me to your class.
All Non-Tenured Teachers
Praxis Tutoring Available
The Education Association of St. Mary's County (EASMC) is offering members the opportunity to access tutoring resources for Praxis exams.
Support is being offered in the form of one-on-one support by completing this Praxis Support FORM to provide details of your needs and be matched with a tutor from the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA). MSEA processes individuals daily and finds tutors to work directly with members. Once the form is completed, an email is sent to the member to collect more information that aids in pairing individuals with the right tutor. For questions, contact Danielle Jones at djones@mseanea.org.
Praxis Preparation Books Available
Through the Maryland Leads Grant, the Department of Strategic Initiatives purchased Praxis preparation books for various assessments. There are limited numbers of available copies that conditionally certified teachers can request. If you want a copy of one of the Praxis prep books, please email Heather Husk at hlhusk@smcps.org.
The books will be sent to your school via metro while supplies last based on the order in which the requests are submitted.
Available Books Include:
Praxis CORE Study Guide for Assessments 5713, 5723, and 5733
Praxis Special Education Core Study Guide for 5354, 5543, 5545 Assessments
Praxis Principles of Learning & Teaching: Early Childhood Study Guide for the Praxis II PLT 5621 Assessment
Praxis II: Early Childhood Education Study Guide for Praxis 5025 Assessment
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: K-6 Study Guide for the Praxis II PLT 5622 Assessment
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: 5-9 Study Guide for Praxis II PLT 5623 Assessment
Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12 Study Guide for Praxis II PLT 5624 Assessment
Praxis Study Guide for English Language Arts 5039 Assessment Copies Claimed
Praxis Study Guide for Social Studies Content Knowledge for 5081 Assessment
Praxis II World and US History Rapid Review for Content Knowledge 5941 Assessment
Articles of Interest
Student Engagement: Setting Up Choice Boards in Math and Science by Katherine Rowe, Edutopia
Highlights:
Benefits
Building the Choice Boards
During Class
Follow up
Note from Heather: This article supports the seminar session on Choice Boards from the March 6 Seminar.
Technology Integration: Using Virtual Field Trips and Game-Based Lesson to Support an Inclusive Classroom by Michelle Singh, Edutopic
Highlights:
Connect trips with curriculum
Involve students in planning
Reflect and Share
Note from Heather: Virtual field trips are a great way to change the "scenery" during the testing season to explore learning throughout the school year.
ESOL: Co-Teaching English Language Learners When You're Short on Prep Time by Sarah Elia, Edutopia
Highlights:
First, Follow
Be Flexible and Spontaneous
Identify Daily Goals
Note from Heather: This article is relevant to ESOL teachers and those with ELL in their general education classroom.
Mentoring Topics in March
Elementary
Writing Instruction
What kinds of writing are you having your students do?
How are you assessing student writing?
Are you using writing rubrics? How well are the students able to understand the rubrics?
How have students worked with scoring rubrics to complete peer and self-assessments?
Differentiated Learning - Groups and Centers
How are your differentiated groups working?
What kinds of assignments are you giving each group?
How have you set up learning centers for students to use while you may be working personally with a small group?
How are you adjusting your groups to accommodate frequent absences?
Personal Self-Care
How are you managing the balance between work and home?
What is one goal that you can set for yourself between now and spring break?
Secondary
Writing Instruction
What kinds of writing are you having your students do?
How are you assessing what they write?
If your course has a required assessment, how are you preparing students to work with rubrics for peer and self-assessment of their writing?
How effective has it been when you have used exemplary papers to help students in their training and learning?
Differentiated Learning
How are your differentiated groups working?
How are you adjusting your plans to accommodate frequent absences?
What is the latest hands-on lesson that you have taught that you feel like your students were able to collaborate with each other?
What strategies have you attempted in your recent lessons that provide student choice or multiple methods of instruction or assessment?
Personal Self-Care
How are you managing the balance between work and home?
What is one goal that you can set for yourself between now and spring break?
First-Year with SMCPS Non-Tenured Teachers
April Asynchronous Activities
I hope that Monthly Induction Seminar participants are making their way through the Asynchronous Activities that will replace the April Monthly Seminar. Once the two reflections are completed, they can be emailed to Heather Husk at hlhusk@smcps.org. While the reflections are due by April 30, 2024, they can be submitted earlier.
Monthly Induction Seminars
As shared at Orientation, those of you in your first year with SMCPS will participate in monthly seminars on the first Wednesday of each month. The seminars begin with dinner at 4:30 PM followed by professional development sessions from 5:00-7:00 PM. All monthly seminars are held at the Dr. James A. Forrest Center.
There are no virtual options for monthly seminars.
The next monthly Induction Seminar is on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Please confirm your attendance by clicking "Yes" on the invitation in your Google Calendar.
Recurring Items of Significance
TPAS Domain Rubrics
Each seminar will focus on various components within the Teacher Performance Assessment System (TPAS) rubrics. Classroom observations will generally focus on Domains 1-3 and your SLO will focus on Domain 5. Domain 4 is an evaluation of your all-around professional responsibilities. Links to each of the rubrics for each domain are located below.