March 2016

Networks

OCM BOCES convenes several networks for specific content areas of areas of interest.  While these groups meet over the course of the year, registration is for each session- participants are welcome to join at any point.  Session content is guided by attending groups.


Literacy Leadership Network- this group is focused on literacy standards, assessments and instruction to meet literacy needs of students K-12.  The final meeting for this school year is May 25.


Instructional Coaches Network is an opportunity for instructional coaches to share practices, collaboratively expand skills and offer support for each other. Topics for the year were identified at the fall meeting.  March 28 is the next opportunity to join this group as they continue their inquiry into quality coaching.  The final meeting for the year will be May 12.


Social Studies Network  will continue to explore resources and instructional approaches and demands pertinent to the NYS Framework .  The next session is  March 24 and May 26.


Project Based Regional Network will be March 31.  PBL Regional Network is a new opportunity for PBL 101 trained leaders and teachers to network, share ideas, and learn from one another. PBL Regional Network participants will engage in collegial dialogue and learning experiences to gain a deeper understanding of Project-Based Learning principles and practices.


NEW NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY:
Especially for teacher of Advance Placement courses:  an opportunity to network with other teachers of specific courses.  Share ideas, learn from one another and deepen understanding of coursework and approaches.

• April 12 is for Science and Math
• April 13 is for Social Studies and ELA
• April 14 is for Art, Psychology, and World Languages

Curriculum Development

Social Studies Follow-up for Summer Curriculum Work – Grades 5-8. These facilitated sessions are for teachers and administrators who participated in the Summer 2015 Social Studies Curriculum Work to continue the process of curriculum mapping, unit design and inquiry writing.

Participants will have opportunities to share information, ideas and instructional practices on the teaching and learning of social studies content and skills. Sessions are offered each month and participants may sign up for a single session or for multiple sessions, as desired.  Upcoming sessions are April 19 and May 17.

REGISTRATION OPEN:  Summer 2016- Curriculum work for grades 9-12 and grades K-4 will be July 18-21.  The guiding approach taken for the work is standards based design. We will begin with identification and close reading of the standards and practices. This will include examining the vertical progressions and alignment of skills. We will begin the week with whole group instruction and an explanation of the approach, available resources, and overall expectations. Throughout the week, there will be multiple opportunities for collaborative work time.

Instructional Practices

Project Based Learning:
PBL101: Project Based Learning
PBL-101 is a foundational four-day workshop inspired by the work of the Buck Institute for Education, New Tech Network, Edutopia and Expeditionary Learning. It provides attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to design, assess and manage a rigorous, relevant, and standards-based project. The workshop is a balanced blend of direct instruction, video analysis, hands-on work time, resource sharing, and peer collaboration and feedback.

May 11 is the last regional opportunity for this school year.

Over the summer, there are two ways to obtain PBL 101.  One way is a July regional training and the other way is during the Making Learning Happen-PBLNY 2106 in collaboration with BIE.

Especially for Math  (and Science) Teachers:
Problem Based Learning for Math Teachers - May 2, 2106
This workshop will guide middle school and high school math and science teachers through a learning process in which they will gain an understanding of the key differences between Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Problem-Based Learning (PrBL). We will analyze different ways to link your curriculum and technology with a PrBL approach to create a rigorous and engaging learning environment for your students. Participants will also utilize workshop time to start planning their first PrBL experience for their students. This session is for middle school and high school math and science educators and administrators who want to learn more about Problem-Based Learning. Participants will be able to:

• Explain the difference between Project-Based Learning and Problem-Based Learning
• Use resources to start to create a basic map for a PrBL unit
• Link their curriculum and technology as they plan their first PrBL unit

Also for teachers of mathematics:
Weaving Math Practices into Practice

May 24 be a day devoted to incorporating Math Practices into K-12 math instruction. Krystal Barber from Syracuse University will share an overview of math practices- what, why and how. In the afternoon, participants will work in facilitated small groups to plan units of instruction that integrate students learning both math content and practices. Participants will identify standards, formative assessments and instructional strategies to fully incorporate math practices. The day will conclude with a critical friends' protocol to learn from colleagues. Participants are requested to bring a unit they will implement either in June or next fall.

Culture

Responsive Classroom:
Spring Institute: The Responsive Classroom® Course
Become a more effective teacher by learning research-based strategies that lead to: 

• Engaging academic instruction 
• Better classroom management 
• Positive learning communities 
• Developmentally Appropriate Instruction and Discipline

This interactive, highly practical 28-hour course is our new and improved entry-level training. It gives classroom and special area teachers everything needed to start using core Responsive Classroom teaching practices.
This course replaces Responsive Classroom Level I (RC1). Learn specific ways to build classroom community and establish and sustain an optimal learning environment.

Dates for the Spring Institute are: May 25, 26 and June 2,3

Developing Collaborative Groups Using the Adaptive Schools Framework
Schools today are faced with the challenges of increased accountability, effectively using data, and increasing the rigor of curriculum to ensure student success. This workshop will prepare team members to build strong collaborative and caring work cultures focused on continuous school improvement. Explore the research on organizational development and learn practical skills and tools to effectively navigate the currents of change.  May 3,4, 24 and 25 are the dates for this school year.

Special Events

Some Blogs by Our Team:

• 

  Randi Downs writes this month about Confidence… Another Success Skill and giving student voice and choice.  This blog has been shared out nationally by Buck Institute on Education!  Thank you Randi, for giving voice to students needed multiple paths to learning.

  
  
  
• Catie Reeve concluded that collaboration is the key, not a core program, for supporting students to reach success.  See what she has to say in  Will Someone Please Just Tell Us What to Do? Curriculum, Core Programs and Collaboration

Through Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment component districts have the opportunity to send participants to regional offerings at no additional fees. Other districts may also attend and fees apply. Regional offerings are developed based on district input and expressed interests. Additional focus areas or alternative dates may be arranged especially for a district using included days or at regular daily rates. CI&A facilitates support for instruction through coaching, regional sessions and direct in-district work.

• In-District Days: Districts may contract for specialized work or projects by contacting Lynn Radicello at lradicel@ocmboces.org
• Coaching: OCM BOCES offers direct instructional coaching in the areas of literacy, Project-Based Learning, math and general instructional coaching. Districts may arrange for coaching by contacting Lynn Radicello at lradicel@ocmboces.org
• Regional Sessions: Registration is usually through My Learning Plan.  Most sessions are posted by summer for the coming school year. Additional sessions may be added according to emerging requests. Offerings are found on MLP, are highlighted in Jeff Craig’s weekly blast and are described in the monthly PD enews.

Other PD Events From OCM ISS

Instructional Support Services (ISS) is the division within OCM BOCES that provides support through district specific work, regional workshops and networking opportunities and technical assistance. Within ISS there are several departments- please note the departments operate under different cosers and State Education Department Contracts so pricing may differ according to the varied regulations.

From Literacy Interventions:
Sonday System 2 Training

March 30 is a one day training offering  hands-on use of Sonday System 2 materials, and practical strategies to use with struggling students. Sonday System® 2 focus is on Syllable Division Patterns, Syllable Types, Syllable Division, Prefixes, Suffixes (with governing rules), Roots, Contractions, Non-Phonetic Words, Vocabulary, Comprehension.

In addition to this one day training - OCM Boces will supply each building represented up to 2 half days in district for small group follow up & coaching.

There are two ways to register. 

• Register here if you have the materials already . With this option the cost is $550/participant.
• If you need to have Sonday System 2 materials provided for you, please register here for a cost of  $1975.  Follow-up support is included for both options.

From RSE-TASC:
Dropout Prevention For All Students - March 30

Participants will have an increased knowledge regarding the risks of dropping out as well as learn research-based interventions for students at-risk of dropping out. Participants will understand the importance of proper transition and career planning to increase the graduation rate and decrease the dropout rate. There will be collaboration time and a chance to look at data across the State to make informed decisions about the correct interventions to be used.

From RBERN:
Rigor and ELLs - April 15

This workshop will show how instructional rigor and academic English can exist with ELLs. In spite of its reputation, academic rigor does not have to be a negative when it comes to ELL students in your classroom. With proper support & guidance, ELL students can demonstrate an in-depth mastery of challenging tasks as they develop cognitive skills (quality of thinking not quantity). Implementing concepts and resources from a variety of sources (Barbara Blackburn, Willard R. Daggett, Tony Wagner, Robin Scarcella, Kate Kinsella, Lily Wong-Fillmore, Linda New Levine & Laura Lukens, among others) we will examine how instructional rigor and academic English can exist with ELLs. Highly recommended for Co-Teaching Teams.