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ELA, SS, and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Other Technical Subjects April 2021

Here are some of the latest PD opportunities and resources!

MIELA Network 2021 - Register Now!

MiELA Network Institute, June 23 and 24 (Virtual Conference)
Two new gold-standard studies provide compelling evidence that project-based learning is an effective strategy for all students—including historically marginalized ones. Read more about this research. Learn more about cross-disciplinary literacies at this years MiELA conference on June 23 and 24. Click here to reserve your seat now!

Check out the amazing sessions that we will be offering here!

Registration now open!  You can register right from the Kent ISD Website!

DISCIPLINARY LITERACY: HONORING UNIQUE WAYS OF THINKING IN EACH CONTENT-AREA

In this latest blog post from Kent ISD's "The Bulletin" you get to learn from Jenelle Williams Oakland Schools English Language Arts Consultant on the latest of disciplinary literacy in the State of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education has released The Essential Instructional Practices in Disciplinary Literacy: Grades 6 to 12 document that forms the foundation of professional learning events offered by the MAISA GELN Disciplinary Literacy Task Force, whether that learning is the Introductory Institute, the Deeper Dive Institute, or the upcoming MiELA Conference.
All of these professional learning opportunities around disciplinary literacy approaches honors the uniqueness of each discipline and provides educators with opportunities to learn how to make such approaches more visible and explicit to their students. 

Specifically during the two-day MiELA Network Institute, held virtually on June 23 – 24, 2021, participants in the Disciplinary Literacy session will investigate adolescent and disciplinary literacy. In addition to participating in hands-on experiences that support inquiry, participants will use The Essential Instructional Practices in Disciplinary Literacy: Grades 6 to 12 to frame their thinking about literacy within their content areas. Teachers, leaders, and coaches from all disciplines are encouraged to attend and join the statewide conversation.

 

Call for Summer Brain Gain Teacher Facilitators

Hello Prospective Online Teacher,
 
Summer Brain Gain is coming back for 2021! Kent ISD is looking for teachers in Kent County to lead online elective courses this summer. Last year almost 1,400 students enrolled in elective topics including: math, literature, history, foreign languages, music, game design, baking, and many more. In fact, ALL of our K-2 courses sold out! Looking at the course offerings last year, it was evident that the teachers chose topics that they really enjoyed teaching. This is your chance to teach what you love to teach! Click here to see the results from last year’s Summer Brain Gain program. Click here to see a student interviewed by Miranda about her experience in one of the online courses. If you are interested in leading a course online this summer for students, click here to fill out the application form (due by April 30).  Please share this email with any colleagues that might be interested in this opportunity as well!
  
Each Summer Brain Gain online elective courses will be two weeks in length.  Teachers will receive a $600 stipend check for each two week course they run.  The top of the application form explains in more detail the process.  The first two week block will start on July 12th.  The second two week block will begin on July 26th.  Teachers may submit an application for one or both of the two week blocks, either to repeat a course or offer a different course.
 
Mark Raffler will be in contact with anyone that has submitted a form early in May to confirm receipt of your submission, confirm that it will be listed for student registration, and ask any clarifying questions.
 
Thanks for your interest in this opportunity and we hope that you fill out this application form to share your expertise with the students of Kent County during the summer of 2021!
 
Keep the Learning GOING in 2021!

Intensifying Literacy Instruction: Essential Practices

It is necessary to support educators in knowing how to provide effective intervention supports to accelerate literacy outcomes. This webinar introduces Michigan educators and leaders to the "Intensifying Literacy Instruction: Essential Practices" guide. The presenters will highlight key essential practices and reflect on considerations for implementation to support a range of students with literacy needs, including, but not limited to, those with disabilities.
 
Training Details
 
May 24, 2021
3:00- 4:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar
Free for all participants
Trainers
Sharon Vaughn
Kim St. Martin

 
Who Should Attend
Educators, School and District Leaders, ISD Consultants, and State Leaders
Diverse Group Of Kids Study Read Book
 
Registration Details
 
Deadline
May 24, 2021, or upon meeting session capacity, whichever occurs first.
Event Contact
Sarah Moss
smoss@mimtss.org
 
If you have never registered for an event in our online registration system you will need to first create a user account.
Create an Account
 
Once you have created a user account, or if you already have one, you may register for the training event.
Register Here
 

The Return of Text Message PD

After the success of our Micro-PD efforts at Kent ISD this year, we've decided to adjust and relaunch our text message courses starting Monday. We had a ton of positive responses from our first efforts and hope to grow this as an offering in the future.   
If you would like to learn more about Asynchronous Instruction (formerly Effective On-Demand Learning Environments) or Remote Assessment OR you'd like to see what all the hype is about, check out our offerings below. Here are some of the key features of each course:
  • FREE to participate.
  • Receive course content in small bites. One text message per day at a time you choose.
  • Focused on the most critical aspects of remote assessment and asynchronous instruction.
  • Earn SCECHs by replying to each text message.
 
Remote Assessment Course Part 1
One text message per day over 8 days for 1.75 SCECHS 
Register between 4/19/2021 and 5/21/2021.
 
Remote Assessment Course Part 2
One text message per day over 7 days for 1.5 SCECHS 
Register between 4/19/2021 and 5/21/2021.
 
Asynchronous Instruction
One text message per day over 10 days for 2.5 SCECHS 
Register between 4/19/2021 and 5/21/2021.
 
Community Conversations: Continuing!
 
Exciting News from the Michigan Center for Civic Education!
 
 
 
 

 We are incredibly excited to announce the third Community Conversations event to build greater community with the Michigan Center for Civic Education. The conversation will take place on Wednesday, April 28 from 6-7pm. Matthew Stiffler, Research and Content Manager at the Arab American National Museum, and Petra Alsoofy, Outreach & Partnerships Manager at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, will be speaking at the event. We are looking forward to having meaningful conversations with the panelists and attendees. This event is for all civically minded people, including alumni, students, teachers, and volunteers. Please join us and click here for the registration link!
 
 Register and get more information here!
 
Sincerely,
 
Michigan Center for Civic Education
Website
 

2020 Assessment Learning Institute offers timely format and focus

 
 
 

Looking for a better way to assess students?

Join us for a virtual conference that aims to support district teams as they re-imagine their districts’ assessment systems and improve learning for all!
 
Did you know that about 80% of the assessments given to students are the result of decisions made by local educators?

More than at any other time in recent history, educators and policymakers recognize the need to accurately identify what students know and can do and then move them forward in their learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities in student learning, but it also presents an opportunity for schools to adopt assessment approaches and systems that truly support all children in becoming capable learners.

You will hear from and engage with respected national, and international assessment experts on a wide variety of timely topics. You will also have ample time to work with Michigan assessment leaders, reflect on their current assessment practices, and collaborate to find new opportunities to improve student learning through assessment.
 
View topics and presenters!
 
 

Come as a team or attend alone!

Educators and policy makers at all levels are invited to attend, but we encourage schools/district to register and work in district teams of 3 or more. The event will feature group work time and office hours with selected experts, allowing participants to address their schools’ unique opportunities. Plus, the MAC will support each team’s work after the conference through private consultation and group engagements designed to keep the collaboration going.

Learn more

Download and share the BBAF flyer.
 
 
Register today!
 
 
The event is hosted by the Michigan Assessment Consortium in partnership with MDE’s FAME (Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators) program and Oakland Schools.
 

 

MCSS Spring Webinar Series: Uncomfortable But Necessary Conversations

 
 
Join MCSS for a free, spring webinar series open to everyone.  Uncomfortable but Necessary Conversations is a beginning series focused on equipping teachers with tools, stories, and strategies for teaching some of the things that may be difficult to approach in the social studies classroom. With all star speakers like Eric Hemenway, Florian Feucht, and Marshall Collins and a panel discussion in May (registration coming soon!) the online learning team is pleased to present this offering and think you'll find it valuable in leveling up social studies instruction in your district!
Three of the sessions are live for registration right now!  The rest are coming soon!
Learn More and Register!
 

Chippewa River Writing Project Summer Institute Summer 2021

For 2021, as educators continue to integrate reading and writing into all forms of remote learning — and grapple with the emotional aspects of teaching under current conditions — the Chippewa River Writing Project is offering a two-week, 36-hour intensive professional development experience from June 21 to July 2, 2021.

Through whole- and small-group Zoom sessions as well as innovative asynchronous activities that will model best practices for teaching reading and writing in face-to-face, hybrid, or fully remote settings, we welcome 30 teachers to gain insights on best practices for remote learning.

We will engage in daily, synchronous work from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM EST on weekdays (30 hours), with additional opportunities scheduled at your convenience in an asynchronous format (6 hours).

The CRWP Summer Institute was one of the most beneficial and impactful PDs that I have ever had the privilege of attending. The teaching demos presented by facilitators each day were highly engaging, consisted of a variety of online tools, and could be modified for any grade level or subject area. I highly recommend this PD for any teacher that is looking for a meaningful experience that will have a positive impact on their classroom practice.

Lyndsay Young, North Branch Elementary School

Teachers who participate in the Chippewa River Writing Project summer 2021 institute each day will meet online in Zoom (or similar platform) and will receive 36 SCECHs or 3 graduate credits (EDU 508) for successful completion of the summer institute and additional course requirements.

 

Mark Raffler
Kent Intermediate School District
Educational Consultant
2930 Knapp NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
 
Phone: (616) 447-3075
Fax: (616) 364-1489
Email: markraffler@kentisd.org
Resource Website: http://www.protopage.com/markraffler
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Kent Intermediate School District · 2930 Knapp NE · Grand Rapids, MI 49525 · USA

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