Northwest RESA  News Update

 

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2009-2010 News Articles
Integrated Math

Quiltbooking

Getting to Know the
WIDA Standards
Climb Aboard the
Reading & Writing Express
Math Investigations Want to Make Your Students
 Hungry for Words?
Buttons & Embellishments Galore! Mentoring the Novice Teacher Receptive Skills Development
Interpreting 101 – What You Need to Know 2009 Fall Leadership Conference Vocabulary and Adolescent Literacy Strategies
“Comprehension Strategies” Essential Questions and Clear Learning Targets Vertical Alignment and Curriculum Mapping
Literacy and Science:
Connections That Spark
Books R 4 Boys Guided Math for the K-5 Classroom

Implementing Inquiry Based Instruction in the Math Classroom

   

 

Implementing Inquiry Based Instruction in the Math Classroom

 
Teachers who attended this workshop learned how to turn that natural inquisitiveness of students into a positive, valuable learning experience.  This workshop gave objective and specific ideas for implementing inquiry-based instruction into the math classroom.  Participants created lessons that can be used in the classroom to foster inquiry-based instruction.  

 

Vertical Alignment and Curriculum Mapping

 
December 1. 2009 -- Heather Mullins and Jennifer Griffin, Curriculum Specialists, Hickory Public Schools presented to District-level administrators, school-level administrators, and teacher leaders on how to plan effectively for district-wide alignment and curriculum mapping using research-based strategies.  A step by step process, examples, and resources were shared.  Methods of facilitation and specific potential roadblocks were also addressed.   

 

Essential Questions and Clear Learning Targets

 

Presenter Heather Mullins, Curriculum Specialist, Hickory Public Schools presented this informative workshop on November 18, 2009. Ms. Mullins cited that Wiggins (2007) defines an essential question as, “…important, vital, at the heart of the matter – the essence of the issue.”  Overarching essential questions requires students to use prior knowledge, new information and individual research/experiences to formulate a response.  Overarching essential questions require students to apply, evaluate, judge, and create.  Participants explored how to move from “stepping-stone questions” to overarching, high-quality essential questions as well as the relationship between essential questions and clear learning targets.  Teachers brought a unit outline or materials to develop materials on site.

 

 

Guided Math for the K-5 Classroom

 
November 17, 2009 - Alycen Wilson, Math Curriculum Specialist, Catawba County Schools introduced ways for teachers to keep students engaged in math instruction. New strategies were discovered to keep students active and involved, while meeting the individual needs of all students.  Teachers left with ideas of how to manage small group instruction while keeping the other students engaged and on task.  This was a make-and-take workshop with grade level specific activities ready for implementation.  

 

Comprehension Strategies

 

Joan Huffman, Retired Instructional Coach, Wilkes County Schools and currently a Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, demonstrated to  teachers ways to improve their students’ comprehension skills.   Participants learned comprehension strategies to make students stars in reading.  Strategies included summarizing, comparing and contrasting, main ideas, learning logs, and literacy skills. 

 

 

Books R 4 Boys
 
November 10, 2009.

Tericia Summers, Instructional Facilitator, Caldwell County Schools and Bobbi Faulkner, Draughn High School, Burke County Schools presented ways to engage and entice boys in literacy giving them choices in reading materials and their teacher choosing to embrace their home literacy practices.  This workshop was designed to provide Grades 6-12, ELA teachers with surefire strategies for engaging reluctant male (and female) readers.  Strategies included reading young adult novels that embrace positive male archetypes, bringing in local male role models to share  reading experiences and reading to the class (firemen, policemen, local politicians, etc.), and reading multigenre novels that develop plot through chat room sessions, emails, texts, conversations, etc. ( Sharon Draper’s Romiette and Julio was used as the literary model). Other strategies included introducing the classics through alternate genres such as the graphic novel and comic books, using class blogs to foster discussion (and to augment classroom journals), using reader’s autobiographies to help students explore their lives as readers, including when (and if) they stopped liking to read, and using the learning log as a tool in the language arts classroom.  Teachers were asked to bring in their most engaging literacy units, preferably those that embrace 21st century technology, to share.

 


 

Literacy and Science: Connections That Spark!

November 3, 2009 - Joan Huffman, Retired Instructional Coach, Wilkes County Schools, and currently a Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University provided connections to literacy and science through experiments, read alouds, science journals, connecting comprehension to content, using the Scientific method, and many more literacy connections.  Participants learned to experiment, enjoy, and make connections that will “spark” their students’ interest.

 

 

Interpreting 101 - What You Need to Know
November 6, 2009

Ashleigh Lassiter, Interpreter & Mentorship Coordinator, North Carolina School for the Deaf discussed the complex requirements to become a credentialed/licensed interpreter in North Carolina at this workshop held on November 6. 

Addressed were the various settings, expectations and opportunities available to potential interpreters (i.e. educational, community, religious, etc.).  This training was not intended to teach persons how to interpret information, but rather how to take the information and needed skills to become a working professional.  Topics discussed were state requirements, national certification, roles and responsibilities, ethical dilemmas, and the RID Code of Professional Conduct.  Also addressed were the EIPA and NIC certifications.  The course benefited persons seeking to become an interpreter, interpreter supervisors/coordinators as well as those desiring to increase their awareness of the role and responsibilities of interpreters.  Upon completion, participants obtained the knowledge needed to begin or further their professional development as an interpreter. 

NCRID is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities.  This Professional Studies program was offered for .5 CEUs at the selected Content Knowledge Level.

 
   
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Vocabulary and Adolescent Literacy Strategies
November 4, 2009

Presenters Heather Mullins, Curriculum Specialist, and Donna Murray, Instructional Technology Specialist, Hickory-City Schools provided participants with over forty strategies and just enough theory for application on the topics of facilitating vocabulary instruction and fostering adolescent literacy for students in grades 6-12.  Technology tools, sheltered strategies, research-based literacy and vocabulary strategies were presented. Participants received copies of the strategies as well as examples of how they can be used in class. Teachers used their laptops to explore the resources presented.

 
   

 

2009 Fall Leadership Conference

2009 Fall Leadership Conference
Asheville, NC
Co-sponsored by NWRESA

October 9, 2009 - The Western North Carolina RESA invited the Northwest RESA to partner with them in sponsoring a drive-in leadership conference for administrators in both regions. With the full cooperation and participation from the Department of Public Instruction, over 150 attendees found the sessions to be very informative. Dr. June St. Clair Atkins, State Superintendent, was the luncheon speaker. At that time, Dr. Atkinson also recognized state award winners from each region. Representing the Northwest were: Robert Turner, Regional Teacher of the Year from Hickory City Schools; DeAnna Finger, Regional Principal of the Year from Catawba County Schools; and Dr. Tim Markley, Regional Superintendent of the Year from Catawba County Schools. The afternoon speaker for the general session was Dr. Ric Vandett, recently retired Superintendent from Hickory City Schools.

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Deanna Hanlin and Dr. Joe Sinclair, NWRESA

 

 

Receptive Skills Development

 
 

 

 

 

Bill Ross, CI/CT, M.S. Director of Communication Access Support Services, NC School for the Deaf presented this informative workshop on October 8, 2009, which focused on the improvement of visual receptive language skills among sign language interpreters/users.  Many interpreters/signers for the Deaf today acquire American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language.  The ability to understand sign language is critical to a comprehensive understanding of the signed message.  Providing interpreters with the tools needed to identify areas of concern will aid them in building the skills needed for a quality interpretation and comprehension.  Attention was given to various techniques that aid in developing greater receptive ability. Some topics addressed: contextual clues, numeric recognition, fingerspelling, regional signs, and techniques used to elicit repetition from Deaf speakers. NCRID is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities and participants earned .5 CEUs for this Professional Studies program at the selected Content Knowledge Level.

 

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Mentoring the Novice Teacher

 
October 6, 13 & 20, 2009 - John Caldwell, NWRESA Consultant, and Principals’ Evaluation Instrument Trainer, presented this three-day training for teachers interested in becoming mentors for beginning teachers.  The focus of this training was on communication, observation, reflective writing, coaching skills, and the NC Professional Teaching Standards including the evaluation process (SBE, 2008). John Caldwell,  

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Buttons & Embellishments Galore!

Stephanie Quattrini, an artist recently moved to Concord, NC last year from New Zealand, presented an exciting workshop on October 6, 2009. Stephanie taught participants how to create a variety of buttons & embellishments.  The above photos show examples of  various materials used to make creative projects. Visit www.hanzoncreativity.com

Participants spent the day making lots of fun and funky buttons and embellishments for pocket books, art quilts, brooches, and other craft projects  and experimented with a variety of techniques and materials including polymer clay, felt, Angelina fiber and tyvek.  Each participant took home a lot of goodies, going away with lots of ideas for future creative endeavors for use in the classroom.  Participants also received a kit of materials. 

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Want to Make Your Students Hungry for Words?

Presented by Lora Drum, Curriculum Specialist, Catawba County Schools

October 1, 2009 - This session  “dished up” a plateful of ideas for turning students into Verbivores (a species that lives off words.)Participants collected “recipes” to help their students become vocabulary connoisseurs and shown ways to fill students’ gigantic appetites with words, leaving them hungry for more. 

This session also offered opportunities for differentiating vocabulary instruction.  Creative ideas and activities were shared to engage and motivate students in developing and expanding their vocabularies.  Participants were provided with strategies to integrate vocabulary instruction throughout their curriculum. 

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Want to Make Your Students Hungry for Words?

 

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Michelle Capen, Math Investigations Kindergarten Instructor

The Mountain Valley Partnership Project has begun its final year of Math Investigations instruction for hundreds of participants from Alleghany, Ashe, Elkin City, Hickory City, Wilkes and Yadkin County Schools. Deanna Hanlin, Director of the 3-year MVP grant, says that the primary goal of the project is to increase student achievement in elementary mathematics as measured by End-of-Grade tests, increase teacher mathematics content knowledge, and develop a sustainable partnership with the mathematics departments higher education, seven school districts, and the Northwest Regional Education Service Alliance in Wilkesboro, NC.  Investigations in Number, Data and Space will be implemented during the project as a standards-based curriculum to enhance the ability of elementary teachers to understand and use the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Professional development will also be provided to administrators to develop instructional leadership in mathematics, understand the role of teacher learning and observing in a standards-based mathematics classroom.

   

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Lora Drum, Presenter

 

Climb Aboard the Reading & Writing Express

 

September 24, 2009 - “ALL ABOARD!”  Lora Drum, Title I/ESL/Language Arts Curriculum Specialist for Catawba County Schools, took her participants on a fast-paced ride through a literacy adventure.  This hands-on workshop offered participants multiple strategies for differentiating instruction designed to excite and motivate students in reading, writing and vocabulary development. Participants created many make-and-take samples to use in their classrooms.

 

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Getting to Know the WIDA Standards

 

Angela Garcia, ESL Teacher, NBCT, St. Stephens HS,  Catawba County Schools, gave an information session that began with an overview of the WIDA standards and the WIDA Standards Resource Guide. This document is a valuable resource as educators begin to incorporate the standards into daily classroom activity.  Participants gained an understanding of the meaning of the standards as applied to educating English language learners in North Carolina. A copy of the WIDA Consortium Resource Guide was provided for each participant. 

Participants also worked in grade-level cluster groups and practiced using the standards to create learning objectives for ELLs and discussed ways to bring the standards into their classroom practices. 

 

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Integrated Math Core Plus Training

July 6-10, 2009

July 6-10, 2009 - The Integrated Math 5-day training provided an overview of the Core-Plus Mathematics curriculum with sessions modeling classroom instruction and providing hands-on experience with the materials. Discussions included assessment strategies, facilitation of collaborative-learning groups, and program implementation and participants experienced using graphing calculators and CPMP-Tools software with the curriculum. Instructors also shared pacing guides correlated to the NCSCS for Integrated Math. A student text and single manipulative kit was also provided to all participants.

NWRESA is pleased to offer this and other quality staff development opportunities at no cost to our member systems!

 

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July 22-23, July 28, & August 4, 2009

Essential 21st Century Leadership Skills for Assistant Principals

          

 

This four-day leadership training featured three outstanding educators in North Carolina, Linda Suggs, Ric Vandett and John Caldwell.  Mrs.  Suggs has served as the Legislative Director for the NC Department of Public Instruction and also served as Human Resources Director for Wake County Schools. Dr. Vandett has served in many important administrative roles and most recently has served as Superintendent of the Hickory City School System.  John Caldwell has served as a NWRESA Consultant and is a trainer for the Principals’ Executive Evaluation, the NC Teacher Evaluation Process and is a mentor trainer. 

Among the topics  discussed: How to work with politics at the local and state levels, working with School Boards, the importance of contacting legislators and elected officials, why spending time looking for the right person to hire; how to find good applicants; and essential administrative skills necessary for success.  Also discussed,  what do 21st Century skills look like in the classroom using mathematics as a framework?  A special reference was made to the new NC Teacher Evaluation Process.

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Quiltbooking workshop

 

Quiltbooking

Participants of the popular “Art and Mathematics of Quiltmaking” workshops requested an encore!  So, for all of our artist and mathematicians, NWRESA offered “Quiltbooking,” integrating the arts of scrapbooking and quiltmaking. 

Participants received an 8x8 coverset and materials to make 6 quilt/picture pages.  They also learned to make templates for the blocks to be made of fabric by adding Ľ inch seam allowances. Lots of precision measurement was needed as  these art forms were combined.

Participants brought their creativity and some photos - while being supplied with other needed materials for an enjoyable day of skills application. 

 

 

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2008-2009 News Articles
Dr. June Atkinson Principals Council "Comprehension "What?"
Tools for Teaching Weather Math Investigations Principals Evaluation Training
Using Technology for 21st Century Writing Who Was LULU The Goat? Writing Across the Curriculum
NWRESA Hosts DPI Roundtable Advisory Principals Advisory Council Meets Leadership Summit for
Aspiring Superintendents and System Level Administrators
"Spelling, Phonics, and Word Sorts, Oh My!" "Middle School Science Behind CSI:
The Case of the Missing Champion"
2008-09 Leadership Academy for Building-Level Administrators Begins
Math Investigations Begins Year 2 Integration of Mathematics and Science John Caldwell Conducts NC Executive Evaluation Training
Executive Evaluation Training Sessions Visual Journaling  

 

 

Principals Council

 

A distinguished panel of North Carolina School Superintendents including Dr. Marty Hemric, Watauga County Schools, Dr. Ric Vandett, Hickory City Schools, Dr. Don Martin, Winston Salem School Superintendent along with Dr. Joe Sinclair, NWRESA Executive Director, addressed a large group of Principals with questions concerning the budget crisis during the recent Principals Council meeting.

 

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NWRESA Consultant Dee Hanlin and co-presenter Sheree Sloop

Art and Mathematics teachers participated in an encore of the popular “Art and Mathematics of Quiltmaking” workshop. All artists and mathematicians we not disappointed as NWRESA Consultant Dee Hanlin and co-presenter Sheree Sloop offered the art of “Quiltbooking,” integrating the arts of scrapbooking and quiltmaking. 

Participants received an 8x8 coverset and materials to make 6 quilt/picture pages and also learned to make templates for the blocks to be made of fabric by adding Ľ inch seam allowances. Lots of precision measurement is needed as we combine these art forms. 

 

"Comprehension "What?"

Carol Sutherland,  K-5 Language Arts Consultant, NCDPI

Carolyn Southerland, K-5 Language Arts Consultant, NCDPI, presented an informative workshop entitled "Comprehension "What?"  which allowed teachers to gather important and unique ways to help students comprehend written text.  This technical assistance session included ways to motivate students to read and become independent life long readers.  Good literature selections were discussed and correlated to strategies that students use when learning to comprehend text. Participants learned good strategies to help students with comprehension and also have fun with “Make and Take” activities.

 

Principals' Evaluation Training

John Caldwell, Principals' Evaluation Trainer and NWRESA Consultant, addresses Principals during the two-day session for superintendents/evaluators and principals. The training reviewed the seven standards and the evaluation process for the new instrument.  

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Dr. June Atkinson, NC State School Superintendent

  North Carolina State School Superintendent, Dr. June Atkinson, recently attended the Northwest RESA Superintendent's Council meeting and responded to many questions superintendents had regarding how the stimulus money may be used for education within their school districts. Retiring Hickory City Schools' superintendent, Ric Vandett, was also honored with a surprise birthday cake for his 64th birthday.

 

 

 

Karen Lowe addresses Math Investigations Content Groups on how to pursue grant opportunities.
 

Math Investigations Training

  Dr. Betty Long from Appalachian State University, along with co-presenters Tina Higgins, Wilkes County Instructional Coach, and Cynthia Townsend, have conducted 6 sessions for teachers participating in the Math Investigations Content groups. The Green and Yellow content groups are made up of 30 teachers randomly selected from Grades 3-5 who are already participating in the Mountain Valley Partnership Project. The content group sessions focus on how the training connects from one grade level to another.

 

TOOLS FOR TEACHING WEATHER



Dr. Cliff Mansfield

Dr. Cliff Mansfield, retired chemist and teacher with WS Forsyth County Schools, presented an informative workshop on March 19, 2009.

Cliff is a long-time weather buff, and recent attendee at the National Weather Service Training School. 

Participants explored activities available from the American Meteorological Society and NOAA for teaching weather and left this training with fun, hands-on exercises to promote interest and understanding of the weather. 

 

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

 

Patricia Chalmers and Phyllis Blue, DPI Language Arts Consultants, addressed content area teachers in Grades 5-9 as well as Literacy Coaches and Administrators, during their Writing Across the Curriculum workshop held February 19, 2009. NWRESA hosted the regional workshop sponsored by the NC Department of Public Instruction. The workshop was designed to help teachers in all content areas, grades 5-9, with learning how to incorporate writing into their teaching of the SCOS. Strategies were provided to encourage students to develop as writers. Teachers were given a document that guided through the development of the writing process in all disciplines.

 

Patricia Chalmers and Phyllis Blue
DPI Language Arts Consultants

 

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During the final Curriculum and Instructions Directors meeting for the current school term, Northwest RESA bid farewell to Directors Marsha Woodard, Gail Ford, and Susan Pollpeter, all of whom are retiring.

 

 

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Using Technology for 21st Century Writing

 

 
Teachers enthusiastically enjoyed exploring writing and technology skills used to create podcasts, wikis, and blogs by listening to presenter Carol Baldwin, author of Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8. Carol shared her writing and technology skills with teachers on February 11, 2009.  Using their laptop computers, teachers experienced hands-on fun possibilities of the 21st century writing. Writing and sharing lesson plans concluded the session, addressing North Carolina's Language Arts and Computer Technology Standards. Teachers left with numerous ideas that they wanted to implement in their classroom immediately.

 

 

LULU - We Miss You!

 

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Ric Vandett, David Burleson, and Jim Benfield, Superintendents

 

 

Leadership Summit for Aspiring Superintendents and System Level Administrators

 

The two-day summit was held for educators aspiring to hold district-level positions.  The purpose of the summit was to gain practical knowledge and experience not taught in graduate school programs.  Panels of superintendents and other administrators were featured discussing such the following topics:

  • So You Want to be a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent?
  • Critical Elements of Dealing with Boards of Education
  • Organizing a District-Level Team
  • Qualities for a District-Level Administrator
  • Balancing Your Personal and Professional Life

 

 

 

 

Dee Hanlin

 

  Stephen Martin, Director of Elementary Education for Caldwell County Schools, recently  expressed his appreciation to NWRESA consultant, Deanna Hanlin:
 

Dee:  I wanted to take a moment and share with you a comment I heard today while visiting with a 5th grade teacher who attended your workshop in October. She said that before the workshop, she had recently taught quadrilaterals to her students. Many did not "get it." She came back to school and told the class to scrap their recent work and they were starting over. She used the "quad squad" and the students all did wonderfully. She said it "clicked" with them all and it was great! She teaches at Hudson Elementary School. She has already shared with her fellow 4th and 3rd grade teachers at HES about how meaningful, practical, and useful the activities were that you taught at the 5th grade session. She encouraged them to go to the upcoming sessions as well.

I've had other positive comments throughout the district as well. Just wanted to give you a compliment and say that I'm looking forward to the January sessions. I also told Dr. Sinclair when I saw him last week that your session was fantastic! Thanks for all!
-- Stephen Martin

 

NWRESA has one of the most active regional Principals Advisory Councils in North Carolina. The council meets on a monthly basis during the regular school year.

 
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Distinguished panel of Superintendents address Principals Advisory Council

 

 

 

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Dr. Sinclair welcomes Priscilla Maynor, DPI Roundtable Advisory

DPI Roundtable Advisory Panel Meets at NWRESA

 

 

 2008-09 Leadership Academy for Practicing “Building-Level” Administrators Begins

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Dr. Sinclair welcomes Presenter Cathy Tomon, Principal at Broadcreek Middle, Carteret County

 

Dr. Joe Sinclair has assembled an expert panel consisting of Linda Suggs, Cathy Tomon, Deborah Jones, Hank Hurd, Steve Moree, and various panels of NWRESA Superintendents to assist principals in meeting the following mandate:  

“Effective July 1, 2007, school administrators shall earn at least five renewal credits during each renewal cycle that focus on the principal’s role in teacher effectiveness, teacher evaluations, teacher support programs, teacher leadership, teacher empowerment, and teacher retention.”(GS 115C-12(9)a)

To assist administrators in this process the Northwest RESA (with the support of member superintendents) has begun its exciting and innovative academy for practicing administrators in northwest North Carolina.  This academy will focus on the above mandate: teacher recruitment, teacher empowerment, and teacher retention.

Topics will include: Interviewing Skills for Administrators, Nurturing Your Employees, Politics in Education, The Principal’s Role in Teacher Retention, Effective Resource Management, Instructional Leadership and Monitoring, and Data Driven Decision Making.  Participants will also have related reading and one page summary to be submitted before November 20thThe Academy will consist of seven sessions and will conclude in March, 2009 

 

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Cathy Marlow, Presenter (Curriculum Coach and NBCT, Caldwell County)

"Spelling, Phonics, and Word Sorts, Oh My!"

October 2, 2008 - Cathy Marlow, a Curriculum Coach and National Board Certified Teacher from Caldwell County, presented to fellow educators ways to use word sorts to teach the spelling and reading of word patterns.  Creative “memory tricks” were shared to help participants reach their struggling students who may be having difficulty learning the sounds and rules for phonics and spelling.  Participants had a great time learning new ways to teach spelling and phonics! 

 

 “Middle School Science Behind CSI: The Case of the Missing Champion”
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Dottie Hayes, Presenter, CSI workshop

 

October 2, 2008 - This unique hands-on workshop used a case study of a crime scene to explore the science behind various forensic techniques. The Case of the Missing Champion provided a crime scene and clues to the disappearance of a championship dog. Forensic techniques of fingerprint analysis, blood spatter patterns, hair and fur microscopic analysis, and chemical analysis of ink types and drug types were used to solve the case.

 

 

“Integration of Mathematics and Science: Developing Student Understanding of Important Measurement Concepts”
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Tim Hawig, Presenter

 

October 1, 2008 - Tim Hawig, Presenter and teacher from Hickory City Schools, conducted this workshop that demonstrated how measurement, as a curriculum strand, is common to both the NC mathematics and science curricula and serves as an ideal strand for integration of content. In his workshop, he introduced student-appropriate activities to unpack important measurement concepts, develop measurement vocabulary and definitions; and consider issues of accuracy and precision of measurements. Special attention was given to building on students’ everyday experiences with given attributes (e.g., mass and weight).

 

Mountain Valley Partnership Begins Year 2 of Math Investigations Training
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Deanna Hanlin, Director of MVP project, Julie Little - Grade 3 Instructor for Math Investigations

 

 

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Brenda Lewis, Grade 5 Math Investigations Instructor, CVCC

 

The Mountain Valley Partnership Project kicked off its second year of Math Investigations instruction for hundreds of participants from Alleghany, Ashe, Catawba, Elkin City, Hickory City, Wilkes and Yadkin County Schools. Deanna Hanlin, Director of the 3-year MVP grant, says that the primary goal of the project is to increase student achievement in elementary mathematics as measured by End-of-Grade tests, increase teacher mathematics content knowledge, and develop a sustainable partnership with the mathematics departments higher education, seven school districts, and the Northwest Regional Education Service Alliance in Wilkesboro, NC.  Investigations in Number, Data and Space will be implemented during the project as a standards-based curriculum to enhance the ability of elementary teachers to understand and use the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Professional development will also be provided to administrators to develop instructional leadership in mathematics, understand the role of teacher learning and observing in a standards-based mathematics classroom.

 

NC Principals' Evaluation Instrument and Process Training
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John Caldwell, NWRESA consultant, NC Evaluation Instrument trainer

 

September 19, 2008 - NC Principal's Evaluation Trainer John Caldwell conducted an additional session for principals in September. The session was to present the North Carolina School Executive Standards which were developed as a guide for principals and assistant principals as they continually reflect upon and improve their effectiveness as leaders throughout all of the stages of their careers. These standards are to serve as an important tool for principals and assistant principals as they consider their growth and development as executives leading schools in the 21st century.

 

 

Visual Journaling a Hit!

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Mindy Essic, Art Teacher & Presenter

July 31, 2008- Mindy Essic, Art Teacher, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, returned to present the popular Visual Journaling workshop on July 31, 2008. Participants who may aspiring to be an artist were introduced to the scope of visual journaling, a way for artists, non-artists, students, teachers or anyone to combine both visual and written elements for creative processing. Ms. Essic pointed out that both Leonardo da Vinci and Frida Kahlo were visual journalists and kept sketches and notes as a way to record, plan, reflect, explore and create.  She demonstrated how the same creative process can be used across the curriculum with math, science, art, social studies, literacy, or just to sketch and journal for fun.  Teachers were shown ways to incorporate visual journaling by sharing their own journals and explorations with various art materials. Participants learned to use collage, drawing, painting, writing, mixed media, printmaking and related tools to embellish their journals.  Poetry, guided imagery and “getting started with a sketchbook,” were a few topics that were explored.  As Ms. Essic concluded, "Anyone can visually journal through written and visual personal expression."

Northwest RESA Hosts Executive Evaluation Training Sessions  
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School Executives gather at NWRESA for training

 

NWRESA welcomed hundreds of principals to Wilkesboro for the Executive Evaluation Training during June and July 2008. The training was mandated by the Department of Public Instruction and to meet the new NC Standards required for School Executives. In addition to the summer sessions, NWRESA consultant John Caldwell will  present a two-day session (a repeat of the summer training for superintendents/evaluators and principals), on September 18 and 19, 2008 at the Holiday Inn express in Wilkesboro. This training will review the seven standards and the evaluation process for the new instrument.

North Carolina Standards for School Executives
As Approved by the State Board of Education
December 7, 2006
 

Public education’s changed mission dictates the need for a new type of school leader – an executive instead of an administrator. No longer are school leaders just maintaining the status quo by managing complex  operations, but just like their colleagues in business, they must be able to create schools as organizations that can learn and change quickly if they are to improve performance. Schools need executives who are adept at creating systems for change and at building relationships with and across staff that not only tap into the collective knowledge and insight they possess but powerful relationships that also stir their passions for their work with children. Out of these relationships the executive must create among staff a common shared understanding for the purpose of the work of the school, its values that direct its action, and commitment and ownership of a set of beliefs and goals that focus everyone’s decision making. The staff’s common understanding of the school’s identity empowers them to seek and build powerful alliances and partnerships with students, parents and community stakeholders in order to enhance their ability to produce increased student achievement. The successful work of the new executive will only be realized in the creation of a culture in which leadership is distributed and encouraged with teachers, which consists of open, honest communication, which is focused on the use of data, teamwork, research-based best practices, and which uses modern tools to drive ethical and principled, goal-oriented action. This culture of disciplined thought and action is rooted in the ability of the relationships among all stakeholders to build a trusting, transparent environment that reduces all stakeholders’ sense of vulnerability as they address the challenges of transformational change.

In addition, these standards will serve other audiences and purposes. These standards will:

  • Inform higher education programs in developing the content and requirements of school executive degree programs;

  • Focus the goals and objectives of districts as they support, monitor and evaluate their school executives;

  • Guide professional development for school executives;

  • Serve as a tool in developing coaching and mentoring programs for school executives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARCHIVED 2007-2008 News Articles
Forensic Science Workshop NWRESA & USA TODAY Practicing Leadership Academy 2007-08
January 7, 2008 Meeting JASON Workshop Appalachian Region Math & Science Partnership Grant
Visual Literacy The Mathematics of Quilt Making NWRESA Principal's Council
Altered Books Workshop 2007 NCAEE Conference Literacy in a Bag
Critical Stance Science Matters Workshop MVP Grant
AIMS Workshops Science Safety Training Library Media Conference 2007
The Impact of Globalization:
Spanish for Educators
Milkin' the Mornin' and Squeezin' the Afternoon Leadership in the 21st Century
Put Pizzazz into your Students’ Writing: Using Fiction Techniques to
Write Grab-You-by-the Collar Expository Essays
Hands-On Science Experiences:
Efficacy in Selection, Design and Assessment (Grades 3-4)
Everyone is a Storyteller - Kerry Madden
A "Thank You" from Texas Instruments Writing on Demand Creative Teaching with an After-Christmas Budget
Reaching All of Our Students Just Say Poetry Writing on Demand
Reading, Writing and Social Studies Strategic Reading 6-12 Strategic Reading in 3-5 (Mardy Brown, NWRESA Consultant)
 Creative Teaching with an "End of  the Year" Budget   Visual Journaling
     

 

Strategic Reading 6-12

Knowing effective reading strategies builds confidence and enhances reading comprehension.  Mardy Brown, K-12 Language Arts Consultant for the Northwest RESA, presented a workshop filled with helpful strategies, interesting selections, and valuable resources.  This well-paced workshop provided helpful ideas to motivate students.

Participants shared the following comments:

  • “Multiple, useful strategies were shared!”
  • “I got some great ideas and samples I can use…also, time flew by…I was never bored and did learn a great deal!”
  • “Great ideas! Great presenter!”
  • “Join Mardy for another workshop!”

 

 

 

 Visual Journaling

Artists and non-artists alike were given the opportunity to explore visual journaling with practicing art teacher, Mindy Essic of Winston Salem, North Carolina.  Mindy provided an inspiring, hands-on day using cross-curricular strategies to enhance learning.  Participants found a wonderful modality to enrich their teaching and enhance student learning.  

 

Mindy will return July 31, 2008 to repeat an initial visual journaling workshop and again September 26, 2008 to do a follow-up training.  Watch for registrations on the Northwest RESA website. (www.nwresa.org

 

Read what teachers had to say about their day::

 

  • “I got just what I expected and MUCH, MUCH, More!”
  • “The examples were great!  I loved the Iguana idea, watercolor and written word, the portraits, and bookmaking.”
  • “…information, ideas, motivation, and laughter!”
  • “I look forward to another workshop with Mindy!”

 

 

 

 


2007-2008 Leadership Academy Schedule
 

July 26, 2007
August 8, 2007
September 12, 2007
September 25, 2007
October 9, 2007
November 13, 2007
December 4, 2007
March 4, 2008

Location:  Holiday Inn Express, Wilkesboro, NC

 


 


 


 

 

 

2007-2008 Practicing Leadership Academy Begins

Dr. Joe Sinclair, Director of NWRESA, welcomed over 40 school officials to the 2007-2008 Leadership Academy for Practicing Administrators which began on July 26, 2007 and will continue through March 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkesboro.  Some of the top educators in North Carolina are on tap to present and the purpose is geared toward providing school administrators with ideas and strategies designed to benefit them professionally.  At the conclusion of the Academy, participants will have earned 54 hours of intense instruction and 5.4 renewal credits.  This satisfies the new mandate:  "Effective July 1, 2007, school administrators shall earn at least five renewal credits during each renewal cycle that focus on the principal’s role in teacher effectiveness, teacher evaluations, teacher support programs, teacher leadership, teacher empowerment, and teacher retention.”  (GS 115C-12(9)a)

“There was much preparation in organizing an event of this magnitude,” stated Sinclair, “as well as an immediate need to provide training to satisfy the new state requirements, mandatory for school administrators beginning with the 2008 school term.  We are extremely fortunate to have such a wide array of experts from all over the state of North Carolina to assist with this endeavor.”

Linda Suggs, a former Legislative Director for the North Carolina State Board of Education and ranked by the NC Center for Public Policy Research as one of North Carolina’s most influential lobbyists, presented intense sessions on Interviewing Skills for Administrators and Politics in Education. Ms. Suggs earned her bachelor's degree magna cum laude at Meredith College and holds a master's from Duke University, with postgraduate work in curriculum and supervision at NC State University. She also is now working as an education consultant with her chief client being the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Also presenting for the academy was Jack Hoke, now in his 7th year as Superintendent of Alexander County Schools and a 31 year veteran in education. In August 2007, he was appointed by Governor Mike Easley to serve on the Professional Teaching Standards Commission to represent the 115 state superintendents. He also completed the Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006, served on the State Superintendents Advisory Council, the Board of Directors for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and served as Chairman of the NWRESA Board of Directors. His most recent honors include the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2007 Superintendent of the Year and the Northwest RESA Superintendent of the Year in 2006.

In addition to Linda Suggs and Jack Hoke, other important topics pertaining to teacher recruitment and retention will be presented by some of the top state leaders in education including Hank Hurd, Doris Jones, Gordon Millspaugh, Steve Moree and Alisa McLean.

During the 2006-2007 school year, the first Leadership Academy, which was also organized by the NWRESA, produced very positive results. Due to the high demand and limited space availability for the second academy, registration had to be limited.

LITERACY IN A BAG

A popular session for K-2 teachers has been “Literacy in a Bag.”  This “Make and Take” workshop gave teachers the opportunity to create high-interest, book bag activities to integrate into the curriculum. Workshop presenter, Tori Wise, T.O.Y. for Moore Magnet School in Winston Salem, NC is currently teaching kindergarten. The workshop has been a favorite and repeats have been requested.

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Strategic Reading in 3-5
Mardy Brown, Presenter
 

Knowing how to use effective reading strategies in the classroom builds confidence and enhances reading comprehension.  Mardy Brown, K-12 Language Arts Consultant with the Northwest RESA, gave teachers a day filled with helpful strategies, interesting selections, and valuable resources.  New ideas were shared as participants explored “hands-on” activities. 

Here are a few comments from participants:

  • “Excellent presentation!”
  • “The day went by fast due to the presenter making it so interesting. I feel energized in going back to the classroom with new ideas.”
  • “It was phenomenal!  I plan to take more workshops with Mardy.”

 

 

 

“Reading, Writing, and Social Studies”
March 7, 2008

 


Media specialists, classroom teachers, and instructional coaches gathered on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Express/Northwest RESA to hear Joyce Hostetter, renowned author of Blue and Healing Water, share her research and writing expertise.  Joyce’s selection, Blue, has been recognized by Parents’ Choice- Silver Honor, IRA Children’s Book Award for Intermediate Fiction, and Best Children’s Book of the Year-Bank Street College of Education.

 As Mardy Brown, Language Arts Consultant shared, “It is not very often that you have the chance to have a real author spend the day with you to share the makings of a novel!”

 Polio and leprosy instilled great fear and tangled emotions for many during troubled times.   However, President Roosevelt focused on his abilities rather than his disabilities as he confronted the challenges of polio.  Students face many obstacles today.  Much can be learned as both teachers and students examine President Roosevelt’s remarkable life.

 An integration of themes took place throughout the day.  A luau took place in the afternoon!   Participants sampled an array of Hawaiian goodies!

What a delightful day with Joyce!

 


 

 

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Just Say Poetry
January 25, 2008

 


Colleen Dixon, Ashe County Schools, and Mardy Brown, Language Arts Consultant, NWRESA brought “poetry to life” in this fun-filled workshop. These two, energetic ladies provided practical lessons, integrated activities and a wealth of resources. Genres were explored and modeled! 

Participants made the following comments:

·         “I received wonderful ideas and am not afraid to write poetry with my students!

·          I wish this had been a two-day workshop instead of one!”

·         “I got more than I ever expected…new ideas, literature, and wonderful presenters!”

 

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Texas Instruments

 


Barbara Simpson - Texas Instruments Regional Representative

Congratulations to Dee Hanlin

Deanna "Dee" Hanlin is Northwest RESA's Math Consultant and a Texas Instruments Tł National Instructor. We congratulate her for the many math contributions she has made to educators throughout North Carolina!

 

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Leadership in the 21st Century
presented by Dr. Alisa R. McLean

Dr. Alisa R. McLean presents at the
Practicing Leadership Academy on October 9, 2007.

Dr. Alisa McLeanAlisa R. McLean, M.Ed., with the Center for School Leadership Development, Principals' Executive Program at UNC Chapel Hill, presented at the Practicing Leadership Academy on October 9, 2007. Dr. McLean shared with principals the importance of leadership, leadership skills, and having essential leadership characteristics. She also discussed types of leadership as well as leadership in North Carolina. Principals focused on the difference between management and leadership. "Leaders", said Dr. McLean, "can step 'out of the box' - know how to think about boundaries, and the basic assumptions which support them. It is not the 'big picture', but the ' picture behind the picture' that is essential to the exercise of leadership."

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Hands -On Science Experiences: Efficacy in Selection, Design and Assessment
(Grades 3-4)

Dottie Hayes, a teacher with Hickory City Schools, presented this informative workshop on November 2. Participants learned ways to allow their students to experience science through real world connections. Each increased their awareness of science content relative to the North Carolina SCOS by integrating the unifying themes of the National Science Standards into lesson plans. Participants designed a learning sequence including identification of learning targets, selection of the best investigations and various forms of assessment.

 

Fall Media Workshop
 “Sailing into the Future: The Next Generation Reads!”

 

Karen Lowe, Media Consultant for NWRESA, organized and offered free of charge to membership schools, an annual day of staff development for media coordinators and other media personnel. The event was held at the John A. Walker Community Center on the campus of Wilkes Community College.


Sessions included: graphic novels, internet safety and misuse, the IMPACT model, assessing student learning in the media center, NC Children’s Book Award nominees, book reviews, and NCDPI presentations from Frances Bradburn, John Brim, Gerry Solomon and other media specialists.

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Milkin' the Mornin' and Squeezin' the Afternoon

Highlights from the Milkin' the Mornin' and Squeezin' the Afternoon with Deborah Dees, a National Board Certified Teacher from Fayetteville, NC


Deborah Dees, a National Board Certified Teacher, from Fayetteville, NC, recently presented a colorful presentation to a capacity crowd of educators at the NWRESA location in Wilkesboro.

Ms. Dees focused on how a teacher's instructional “time” is an extremely, precious commodity!  The workshop showed, not "told" how to effectively and creatively manage, integrate, and deliver instruction that is rigorous and relevant while forming academic and social relationships!  Participants experienced: The Magnificent Morning Graph, The Morning Meeting, Conversation Logs, Morning Routines that SET UP successful days, “Ditties” for everything, Probes, Author’s Chair, Learning Centers, and many other effective tips.

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 The Impact of Globalization:
 Spanish for Educators


Ryan McCreary, a teacher in Hickory City Schools,  recently participated in the World View Conference conducted by Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, and shared a dynamic presentation with fellow educators on September 21, 2007. 

As Ryan  merged  global awareness and skills in teaching Spanish, his presentation addressed the world's interconnections via world trade and the Internet, and focused on how educators must have an understanding of the global issues facing them today.

Participants became aware of the progress being made worldwide, and developed strategies that will allow North Carolina students to become leaders in an internationally-competitive job market.

Ryan truly values the importance of developing and maintaining strong student relationships.
 

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quilt picture

FORENSIC SCIENCE WORKSHOP

Experts from Ward Scientific led teams of math and science teachers as well as members of the local law enforcement through a fascinating day of investigating forensic science on July 11, 2007. Presentation techniques allowed participants to follow the path/trajectory of a bullet from weapon to victim or surface using 30, 45, 60, and 90 degree angles. Using simulated blood from Ward Scientific, participants learned how to safely and realistically demonstrate blood spatter analysis techniques to their students. allowing them to investigate the relationship between the height blood is dropped from and the diameter of the drop on impact. Students will also learn to recognize vertical blood drops on a variety of different textured surfaces and differentiate between high and medium velocity spatter such as from a gun shot or blunt force trauma.
Participants explored the techniques used by forensic anthropologists to determine the approximate age, race, height, and sex of a juvenile skeleton by assessing and measuring specific skeletal traits.  This workshop allowed participants to become actively engaged in the integration of math and science and was made possible by the Mountain Valley Partnership Grant, Deanna Hanlin, Director.

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     The Mathematics of Quilt Making

Participants of this unique workshop were treated to a historical background of quilt making and shown skills one requires for precision measurement and an understanding of geometry concepts. Candy St. Laurence, a quilt teacher and appraiser with a degree in Art History along with Dee Hanlin from the NWRESA staff, provided participants with an activity-filled day creating paper fabric quilts, designing tessellations, learning facts and folk tales about quilting, exploring many literature connections, from picture books to novels and making connections to the NC Standard Course of Study for mathematics, grades 3-8. Due to a heavy response, a second workshop is in the planning.

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&
NWRESA
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills
 

 

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills
What is it and how will it affect you?

The State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction, in collaboration with the N.C. Center for 21st Century Skills and other key partners, are developing an action plan to support the vision that all students will graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills needed for success in a 21st century, global society. Their work is based on the work of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a unique collaboration of leading business, education and government groups which believes that states can use the convergence of nationwide urgency, public and private consensus for significant school improvement, and federal requirements to develop visionary state education policies. Their work will likely impact the development of strategic plans and school improvement plans as adopted by boards of education and schools across our state. Melissa Bartlett, the 2002 State Teacher of the Year, and current member of the State Board of Education, has been named by Governor Easley as Director of the NC Center for 21st Century Skills.  

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LENOIR RHYNE HOSTS MEETING FOR SCIENCE SUPERVISORS

The Lenoir Rhyne School of Education, the Northwest RESA, and the Center for Inquiry-based Learning have partnered to provide an enrichment program for educators in northwest North Carolina. This opportunity will soon be offered to NWRESA members.  Now that science is tested in grades 5 and 8, many North Carolina school districts are thinking about improving science teaching in their schools.  Upgrading science system-wide is expensive and complicated.

It’s hard for teachers and administrators to learn enough early in the process when they need to make hard decisions.  To help districts get started, the Center for Inquiry-based Learning (CIBL) provides professional development and temporary use of science kits to help teachers and administrators get their feet wet before investing large amounts of time and money.  With a $5.3M grant from the National Science Foundation and large-scale corporate support, CIBL is helping more than a dozen school districts, some of which are now fully implemented.  CIBL is offering a half-day session to orient curriculum specialists in the NWRESA to the issues, concerns, and successful strategies from their experience since 2000.

An informative meeting was held on January 7, 2008 on the campus of Lenoir Rhyne College for all K-8 Curriculum Directors and Science Coordinators.   

The Center for Inquiry-based Learning is a group of scientists and science educators who are developing programs to assist teachers in the use of multi-disciplinary, hands-on, minds-on discovery methods for teaching science.  During the program on January 7, the CIBL staff will demonstrate how to enrich science instruction by making science more accessible and interesting to students of varying skill levels and educational backgrounds.

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NWRESA Assists in Developing Program for USA TODAY


July 7, 2006

Dear Dr. Sinclair: 

I would like to extend to you the appreciation of USA TODAY Education for helping us develop a new Math and Science Professional Development program.  The pilot program that we have implemented through the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA) for North Carolina teachers will benefit educators and students across the country.  We have already received requests from Miami Dade School District, Arlington School District in Virginia, and Los Angeles School District in California for this program.   

It has been helpful to have two professional experts assist us in the development, review and implementation of the program.  Both Deanna Hanlin and Martha Brown who work at NWRESA have been instrumental in the development of the USA TODAY Education Math and Science Professional Development.  This program will assist teachers who are required to teach reading across the curriculum.

We are grateful for the support of NWRESA in developing and piloting this important program.  There will continue to be a national and state focus on improving instruction in math and science.  Due to your support and efforts USA TODAY will continue to be an important partner in improving students’ performance. 

I look forward to continuing to work with you and your staff.

Sincerely,

Joyce L. Winterton, Ph.D.
Director of Education Programs

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MOUNTAIN VALLEY PARTNERSHIP GRANT IS FUNDED

A three-year instructional grant submitted by the Northwest RESA has been funded. Deanna K. Hanlin will serve as Director of the project entitled "The Mountain Valley Partnership for Elementary Mathematics" (MVP). MVP is a partnership formed between three institutions of higher education (Appalachian State University, Catawba Valley Community College and Surry Community College), seven school districts (Ashe, Alleghany, Catawba, Elkin City, Hickory City, Wilkes and Yadkin), and the Northwest RESA for the purpose of providing staff development to teachers in standards-based mathematics curriculum so that students will ultimately achieve better on end-of-grade tests.

Two teachers per grade level from fifteen schools in seven school districts have been selected to participate in staff development training in the Investigations in numbers, Data and Space curriculum. Professors from the mathematics departments from ASU, CVCC and SCC will provide the staff development training throughout the grant period. The teachers in grades 3-5 will be randomly assigned into one of two groups, a control group and a treatment group. The control group will receive the Investigations training, along with a professional development package called Bridges to Classroom Mathematics. They will participate in follow-up training in vertical groups of K-5 teachers to ensure the flow of the curriculum, common use of terminology, etc.

Training began on October 4, 2007 and will continue throughout the end of the 2007-08 school term.

 

Science Safety Training provided by ARMS grant

Deanna Hanlin announced that the ARMS grant would fund training for membership LEA's at a rate of $2250 per registered participant to attend the Science Safety Training. Linda Stroud of Science & Safety Consulting Services conducted the two intense science safety trainings with Level 1 being held in Raleigh and Level 2 in Wilkesboro during July 2007.

Since school science programs are integral in the development of young minds and important in the mastering of skills and
disciplines which will serve students throughout their lives, the training and reference material required to ensure a safe
laboratory experience cam become scattered through countless and sometimes obscure sources. These circumstances make it extremely difficult and complicated to achieve a consistent and diligent level of safety in the school laboratory with set
protocols and responses. All science programs have inherent dangers. In an environment where students are in contact
with chemicals, electricity, water, unfamiliar pieces of equipment, open flames, and a variety of biological materials, the
potential for an accident is apparent to everyone. These potential hazards can be readily addressed with the proper attention
and instruction.

With those goals in mind, participants left with an understanding and familiarity of the legal requirements and nuances vital to the proper administration of their school science program.

 

 

2007-2008 NWRESA Principals' Council


The Northwest RESA is pleased to host the Northwest Principal's Council for the 2007-2008 school year. Meetings begin in October and end in April, with guest speakers discussing important information about administrative matters. Last year, topics included school law, student accountability, school finance, gang violence in schools, public relations and how to deal with the media, personnel issues and other administrative topics. Joe Sinclair coordinates the council which is made up of one administrator from each member system.

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Visual Literacy:  News Photos, Comics, Political Cartoons and More

      
      

Sandra Cook, Certified Reading Teacher and Newspaper in Education Instructor, NC Press Foundation, and Jock Lauterer, Lecturer, UNC-Chapel Hill (with support from Carole Ireland,  W-S Journal entertained participants who explored the meaning and significance of photography in communication and discuss the ethics of photojournalism with Jock Lauterer, a professional photographer and lecturer at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Participants learned how to analyze news photos, comics, political cartoons, ads and other graphic content found in newspapers and received print and web-based curricula to support their use of those features in the classroom.  Participants were shown how varied content in a newspaper could be used to appeal to students with different interests and abilities to allow them build on what they know.  It was shown how thoughtful analysis of a newspaper’s visual elements encourages and requires reading and writing as well as integrates different subjects.

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AIMS Workshops Benefit Hundreds of Teachers
Deanna Hanlin, Director of the Appalachian Region Math and Science Partnership grant, made possible six 4-day workshops for teachers during June and July 2007, which provided hands-on content and management strategies, aligned to NCSCS.  The AIMS Model of Learning provided a practical method for differentiating ionstructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of all students and promoted conceptual understanding. The workshops focused on a different content strand each day and provided teachers with relevant publications and/or manipulatives. The registration fee of $405 per registered participant , was covered by the ARMS grant.

Kay Kent Returns for K-2 Math and Science Sessions

 

Kay Kent, an nationally certified AIMS Instructor, returned for a 2-day session to benefit teachers in K-2 (one day Science/one day Math). Participants received science training that addressed Life, Earth and Physical Science and engaged in hands-on activities to help student's gain conceptual understanding. NC Science goals were also addressed.

Math participants received a hands-on, minds-on, learning experience to help engage their students while teaching the concepts addressed in the NCSCS for Math. Teachers went away with plenty of K-2 math ideas to rev up their classrooms!

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Science Matters

         

To help “spark an interest” in science, Dottie Hayes, Hickory City, and Mardy Brown, NWRESA, co-presented “Science Matters: Action Science and Literacy” on June 13, 2007.  This interactive, hands-on session provided the opportunity for teachers to explore various stations and to conduct investigations. The workshops were made possible by the ARMS grant.

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Altered Books Workshop

Can one turn a tired, old, discarded book into a “work of art?”  Heidi Wicker, Art Specialist and NC Elementary Art T.O.Y. helped teachers do just that! 

Altered books are currently displayed in art museums across the United States.  The results from this session were worth “showcasing!”

 

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Critical Stance Workshop

Having the necessary skills to read analytically is critical.  Mardy Brown has conducted numerous sessions both on-site and regionally with “Strategies for Success with Critical Stance.”  She will present this training for the Burke Staff Development Day on August 15, 2007 and the Hickory Staff Development Day on August 21, 2007. This training will allow participants to explore author’s craft through strategic reading strategies using various genres and real-world selections.
   

 

Jason picture 1

 

JASON picture 2

 

JASON picture 3
 

JASON participants at ASU

How does the JASON Professional Development program improve instructional practices and increase teachers’ science and math content knowledge?

Teachers get results! & become skilled and confident instructors through the JASON curriculum.  A recent SRI International evaluation showed teachers participating in the annual JASON professional development program reported significant gains in classroom inquiry practice, expanded teaching techniques, access to new resources, increased comfort with the Internet, and increased confidence in themselves as teachers.

JASON can help you meet your science and math instructional goals!

To learn more visit www.jason.org

NASA recommends Mysteries of Earth and Mars curriculum as “outstanding.”

As part of the Appalachian Region Math and Science Partnership,  Project Director Deanna Hanlin joined with Appalachian State University in presenting the second year JASON curriculum entitled "Mysteries of Earth and Mars".   Over 100 attended NWRESA's JASON Workshop at ASU conducted by Dr. Rob Sanders, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies.  Dr. Sanders, along with 10 assistants, provided the day-long training which included 10 break-out sessions: It's Alive!, Properties of Salt and Freshwater, Extreme Adaptations, Safe Landing, Take Off!, The Facts of Friction, Get the Signature!, Modeling Martian Craters, Martians Among Us, and Team JASON online.

Dr. Sanders  has conducted years of research in the area of interaction and collaboration in virtual learning environments and has been involved in the JASON Project for four years. He began when JASON X asked that he provide training for teachers in the Southwest region of Ohio. He subsequently worked with JASON for the next three years, conducting training for JASON and supervising trainers to offer additional training workshops. He also served on the board for JASON-Ohio, a committee of JASON PINS Coordinators and Trainers from Ohio.

The latest JASON EXPEDITION: MYSTERIES OF EARTH AND MARS is designed to allow students to accompany Dr. Robert Ballard and a team of scientists who will take middle-grade students and teachers on the trip of a lifetime - to Mars! Working with partner organizations such as NASA, as well as research and academic institutions around the world, students will conduct investigations and make discoveries that will help unravel the Mysteries of Earth and Mars. JASON expeditions are science-centered supplementary educational products for middle grades, featuring experienced-based, multimedia curriculum materials developed around real research by real scientists.

A NASA review panel that includes five educators and two scientists recommended the Mysteries of Earth and Mars curriculum with an overall rating of “outstanding”, the highest rating possible.  

Research conducted by the Center for Children and Technology (CCT) indicates that “JASON students consistently scored above average and out performed non-JASON students.”

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Nationally Known Speaker Presents for NWRESA

Dr. Tate pictureDr. Marcia Tate, a national educational consultant that has presented to over 75,000 administrators, teachers, parents, business and community  leaders throughout the United States,  was the guest of NWRESA on October 5, 2005 for the first of her popular workshops  entitled "Classroom Management".   During her 30-year career with the district, Dr. Tate served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development director.  Her first book. Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites: 20 Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain, has become a best-seller.   The ARMS Partnership project sponsored Dr. Tate who presented a second workshop for NWRESA, Worksheets Don't Grow Dentrites.

Classroom Management examined a wide array of student behavioral problems.  Dr. Tate's presentation covered student's behavior patterns when traveling from one classroom to another and exhibiting different behaviors depending upon teacher expectations and management techniques.  While we know that not all brains are the same, Dr. Tate suggests, there are teachers who consistently meet the needs of various brains in a well-managed, proactive classroom.  Participants learned the secrets of how to maximize instructional time and minimize disruptions by being introduced to a variety of ways to help with managing students including:  Establishing rituals and routines for a well-managed, proactive classroom environment; developing a classroom management plan which addresses unique student needs; Learning strategies for managing students who provide teachers with exceptional behavioral challenges, e.g., learned helplessness, attention deficit disorders, oppositional disorders, and conduct disorders.

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APPALACHIAN REGION MATH AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP GRANT
 PROVIDES MANY BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance provided its expertise toward identifying and assisting the number of middle school mathematics and science teachers who did not meet the Federal guideline requirement as being highly qualified, which became a key concern for North Carolina school districts attempting to meet the No Child Left Behind legislation. 

Thus, evolved the creation of the Appalachian Region Math & Science Partnership, a regional union consisting of 13 school districts, two universities and the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance, established exclusively to meet the needs of teachers who may lack full certification in the area of math or science.

Over a three year period, the ARMS partnership has provided scholarships and support to middle grade teachers who will complete a rigorous program of university courses and other teacher enhancement activities that has resulted in a masters degree, full certification, or both. The Partnership assisted participants to achieve their expectations by having the ARMS mentors provide sustainable, professional staff development at the local level and support for the ARMS scholars and other mathematics and science teachers in their schools. 

Participants of the Appalachian Region Math & Science grant received training from nationally known instructors, grant-writing workshop opportunities and thousands of dollars worth of equipment and educational materials.   In addition, the ARMS project has been of significant benefit to the local economy by purchasing much of the equipment and materials from local businesses as well as hosting dozens of workshops/trainings at its facility and in turn, encouraging participants to shop, dine and purchase gas while participating through the past 3 years.

The Appalachian Region Math Science (ARMS) Partnership was a 3-year project and focused on the improvement of math and science instruction at the middle school level.  Training for "highly-qualified" middle school math and science teachers began in the summer of 2005 and continued through June 2007.

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Last revised on December 02, 2009

©2005 Northwest RESA.

All rights reserved.