TEDx Charlottesville: Complimentary Scholastic Outreach Tickets Available!

TEDx Cville 2014The 2nd annual TEDx Charlottesville event will be held this Friday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Paramount Theater. Though the website says tickets are sold out, the TEDx Committee is offering COMPLIMENTARY scholastic outreach tickets to active students and educators in our community, available on a first-come, first-served basis! Visit the TEDx Charlottesville website to view the schedule and learn about the speakers, including Western Albemarle High School senior, Jack Marcus.

Interested in attending? Please contact Cathy von Storch, Education Coordinator, The Paramount Theater, at 434-293-1000 or catherinevonstorch@theparamount.net.

Unique & FREE PD Opportunity for Teachers Next Weekend: Startup Weekend EDU

Startup Weekend CvilleClassroom innovation has become foundational to our work as educators and it has been an important contributor to our success as one of the highest performing school divisions in Virginia. Next weekend, November 14-16, there is a special event at Monticello High School that promises to build upon these accomplishments. Startup Weekend EDU and Hardware Hackathon Charlottesville brings together students, pre-K to college educators, designers, computer programmers, engineers, and entrepreneurs, all around the goal of transforming ideas for improving education from concept to prototype. Continue reading

Making Connections: Feedback Requested by Nov. 14

MC2014The 2014 Making Connections Planning Team hopes your day this past Monday was full of energized learning and that you walked away with new connections and ideas! Please help us make future events and professional learning opportunities even more engaging and useful to you by taking a few minutes to complete our short “Making Reflections” exit slip. Please provide feedback by Friday, November 14! Thanks in advance.

Just Launched: New ACPS Digital Citizen Website!

digital citizenshipAre you looking to provide your students with meaningful and age appropriate learning experiences about how to use technology safely and responsibly? Would you like a great resource to recommend to parents and guardians when they ask questions about how to best facilitate their children’s interaction with digital media and use of technology outside of school? Access our division’s new Digital Citizenship website and find answers to these questions and more. Continue reading

Free “Minecraft in the Classroom” Webinar Tonight at 7!

Student Uses MinecraftThe Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) is offering a FREE “Minecraft in the Classroom” Webinar TONIGHT, November 3, at 7!

Join us to hear from educators who are using Minecraft with elementary students in engaging and exciting ways. They will discuss how they are using it as well as logistical issues related to implementation. Continue reading

Making Connections 2014: Program Now Available

MC2014Monday, November 3, 2014 is a teacher contract day set aside for division-level professional development. Making Connections 2014 will take place on Monday, November 3, at Monticello High School from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The program for Making Connections includes over 160 sessions and workshops, a Maker Faire, and EdCamp/Unconference time. The depth and scope of the sessions is a testament to the willingness of division teachers to share and work together. Continue reading

Register Now for a Special BIOteach Event at Making Connections! Spots Are Limited!

State-of-the-art LabWant to learn more about the biotech industry in Charlottesville and have the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art modern laboratory? Our partners at HemoShear and Virginia BIO have put together a special Making Connections session for interested science and technology teachers and career specialists! Sign up NOW for these exciting morning or afternoon sessions—spots are limited! Continue reading

Dan Meyer Presents “Math Curriculum Makeover”

Math Teachers: You likely know the professional learning work of high school math teacher, Dan Meyer. In this Ted Talk, he describes his three-act math problem-solving strategy with humor and concrete math examples of why he thinks the U.S. needs different math learning resources and curricula. “I sell a product to a market that doesn’t want it, but is forced by law to buy it.” His goal? Engage teens in mathematical thinking that grabs their interest and builds deep understanding, not simply memorization of procedures. You can follow Dan Meyer on Twitter @ddmeyer.

What Is Deeper Learning?

american-institutes-for-research-squarelogoThe combination of (1) a deeper understanding of core academic content, (2) the ability to apply that understanding to novel problems and situations, and (3) the development of a range of competencies, including people skills and self control, is called deeper learning. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation—a leader in the national initiative to promote deeper learning in schools—has defined deeper learning as “a set of competencies students must master in order to develop a keen understanding of academic content and apply their knowledge to problems in the classroom and on the job.” Continue reading