Announcing the Making Connections 2015 Call for Proposals! Making Connections will be at Monticello High School on Monday, November 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
We are looking for sessions that address (1) the Seven Pathways—especially Choice & Comfort, (2) our Lifelong-Learner Competencies, (3) higher levels of Blooms, and (4) the Qualities of Engagement. Continue reading
ACPS Educators: What do you think about homework?
Albemarle County Public Schools is looking at homework practices in our schools in order to review our policies and guidelines in these areas. View our current homework policy »
We would like to hear from you in the process. Please complete the survey by noon on Friday, October 2, 2015. Take me to the survey »
(Hint: Click on the image to view a larger version.)
Connected Educator Month 2015 is here! October will offer 31 days of professional learning opportunities for educators around the world. Continue reading
The Big Draw is the world’s biggest drawing festival with thousands of enjoyable, and mainly free, drawing activities that connect people of all ages with museums, outdoor spaces, artists, designers, illustrators—and each other. The Big Draw 2015 takes place October 1-31. The theme is Every Drawing Tells A Story.
Join in this annual festival of 1,800 events throughout the month of October. Once you register, you will have access to new Big Draw Resources, including Logos, Posters, Stickers, and mini magazines full of ideas. Get more details »
In partnership with FoodCorps, Whole Kids Foundation created the School Garden Grant Program, which annually provides a $2,000 grant to a K-12 school to support a new or existing edible garden on school grounds. Interested applicants must apply by 5 p.m. CST on October 31, 2015. Learn more »
Dear Teachers and Administrators: I want to thank each of you for your role in getting our division off to such a fantastic start this year! As I have had the privilege to see during my school visits, teachers already are providing excellent learning work and opportunities for our students.
That’s a great lead-in to our 2015-16 School Year Teacher Performance Appraisal (TPA) cycle. The Performance Appraisal process is so important because it strengthens and extends our professional learning culture. This in turn ensures that we are meeting the educational needs of all students. While you can read about our TPA philosophy and technical guidance, I’d like to share with you some thoughts about three of our division’s priorities this year: goal setting, learning walks, and an update to the TPA that will take effect next year. Continue reading
Calling all artists, filmmakers, and recyclers! Students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in a national recycling awareness contest sponsored by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) and JASON Learning. The theme of this year’s contest is Recycling Is Bigger Than the Bin.
Your challenge is to choose an item that is “bigger than the bin” and find a way to recycle it! Continue reading
Join students, teachers and organizations in celebration of global collaboration on September 17! On this day (and beyond), experienced global educators and professionals will host connective projects and events and invite public participation. The primary goals of this whole day event are to demonstrate the power of global connectivity in classrooms, schools, institutions of informal learning and universities around the world, and to introduce others to the tools, resources and projects that are available to educators today. It’s a global party, and everyone is invited! Get connected »
“What are the real benefits of a maker-centered approach to learning? It’s often described as a way to incubate STEM skills or drive technical innovation — and it is probably both of these. But as a new report from Project Zero’s Agency by Design concludes, the real value of maker education has more to do with building character than with building the next industrial revolution.” Keep reading in Usable Knowledge, an online resource from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Shenandoah National Park, as part of the White House’s new Every Kid in a Park program, is offering fourth graders (and their families!) the opportunity to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for FREE! Fourth-grade students can visit the Every Kid in a Park website and complete an activity to obtain a free year-long entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks.
Fourth-grade educators: You can download the activity and print paper passes for each of your students by clicking on the Educators link!