April eBook Top 5 Collection OCM BOCES Instructional Support would highlight these selections from our eBook Professional Library. View Professional eBook Library.

Pyramid of Behavior Interventions: Seven Keys to a Positive Learning Environment Transform the research on behavior, response to intervention, and professional learning communities into practical strategies. Read more

Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division Explores many aspects of human behavior, social conditions, and history to reveal best practices for building healthy school cultures. Read more

Learning by Doing : A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work An action guide for closing the knowing-doing gap and transforming schools into PLCs. Read more

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn Ways to re-envision learning and prepare students for a rapidly evolving global and technological world. Read more

Principal: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact Shows systematically how the principal's role should change, demonstrating how it can be done in short order, at scale. Read more

April 29, 2016

For the most current information about graduation and diploma requirements, check out the SED webpage. They have added the latest information about the expanded appeals process there.

SED is seeking feedback about the prototype for the new Global Regents exam. The deadline is May 15th.

It takes the leader’s support to establish a culture of creativity and making in a school. This article describes the role that the principal can play.

The 6th Annual Teacher Leadership Conference will be an evening of celebrating and learning about teacher leadership. The theme is “Teacher Leadership beyond District Boundaries,” and the workshops will all explore the ways that teacher leadership reaches across district lines to benefit the state [and beyond]. Commissioner Elia will deliver the keynote. The event will again be held at Drumlins, this time on May 31st. Information and registration is posted.

This site offers several different explanations of the progressions in the math standards. It is important to see how math concepts develop across grade levels.

This short spot from NPR helps to explain how we can learn from our students’ misconceptions. We can learn as much from their misconceptions as from their right answers! Related to this, AASA has information about key ideas in science that includes common misconceptions.

Hey! Your professional book collection now includes Solution Tree and Corwin titles in addition to all of the ASCD titles that you’ve had access to via the OCM BOCES Instructional Support e-library. Enjoy free access to books about RTI, literacy, PLC, social studies, technology, STEM, assessment, PBL, leadership, classroom management, motivation, and much more!

Here are some concrete ways for schools to connect with families. This article, written from the perspective of a principal, offers strategies.

The final 2015-2016 meeting of CNY NYS ASCD will be the Annual Meeting. We'll elect the board for next year, kick around some ideas for topics for next year, and enjoy good food and good company. It's a good time! The meeting is at Laci's Tapas Bar, May 11th, 4:45p - 6p

PBL-101 is the 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 cohort that begins May 11th is the last one during this school year.

The Buck Institute for Education is teaming up with OCM BOCES to offer a four-day conference on the research-driven success of Project-Based Learning. The one-of-a-kind event embraces the Maker Movement and offers a long list of inspiring speakers and workshops aimed at bolstering your understanding and success with student-centered, inquiry-based learning. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with fellow educators, renowned experts, and PBL trailblazers for an event guaranteed to spark creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the classroom.

Details about this summer’s Middle-Level Institute have just been announced! As usual, there’s a great line-up of workshops to choose from: EdTech & Literacy, math, social studies, and RTI.

As part of the 2016 Annual NYS Middle School Association Conference (located this year in Watkins Glen), one-hour middle level education and program focused practitioner workshops will be scheduled throughout the day for Friday, October 21, 2016. Individuals or groups are invited to submit a Call for Presenters application. Please note that if your presentation is accepted you MUST register for the conference. Applications are due by August 15, 2016.

NYSSBA has published a short whitepaper about gender stereotypes and what to do about them.

Registration is now open for the next round of summer social studies, July 18th – 21st, facilitated curriculum work. Examples that integrate ELA and social studies will be used, especially at the elementary level. There are two threads:  grades 9-12 and grades K-4.

Rarely are the challenges associated with technology really about the technology. Most of the time, there are people issues that require attention.

The Instructional Coaches Network will have their last gathering for the year on May 12th.

The Literacy leadership Network has a meeting on May 25th.

The final meeting for the year for the Social Studies Network is May 26th.

Image CC Todd Van Hoosear

We can learn a great deal from Audri and his Rube Goldberg contraption. Creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance are just a few of the qualities you might see. Watch it!