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

The Principal 50: Critical Leadership Questions for Inspiring Schoolwide Excellence Guides school leaders through 50 self-reflection exercises designed to yield a deeper understanding of the meaning behind the work that they do. Read more

5 Myths About Classroom Technology: How Do We Integrate Digital Tools to Truly Enhance Learning? Explains how you can assess and answer your students' technology needs in terms of access, purpose, and audience. Read more

Differentiation in Middle & High School: Strategies to Engage All Learners Explores how to use differentiated instruction to help students be more successful learners--regardless of background, native language, learning style, motivation, or school savvy. Read more

How to Make Decisions with Different Kinds of Student Assessment Data Identifies the critical elements and nuances of assessment data and how that information can best be used to inform improvement efforts in the school or district. Read more

Real-World Projects: How Do I Design Relevant & Engaging Learning Experiences? Describes how to connect with real-world experts, allies, and audiences; and what practical, field-tested strategies are essential for planning, assessing, and using technology to support successful projects. Read more

July 29, 2016

An important aspect of deeper learning is global competence. If we want our students to be ready to live in an ever-flattening world, this is a must. Therefore, it’s important for us to be deliberate about preparing students to have certain competencies.

The social studies transition plan has been described in greater detail:

Here’s an argument for teaching entrepreneurship in school, especially at the elementary level.

In response to a survey conducted by Manpower, here are the skills that will help students in their careers and work, no matter what the job or career is.

Image CC US Department of Education

As you sharpen your saw during the summer months, this collection might offer some suggestions and resources.

Does physics belong at the beginning of high school, for all students, rather than at the end? This article argues that we’ve got it wrong.

The Special Education Process for Principals workshop is designed to deepen a school principal's understanding of the special education process. Key information regarding special education law and regulations is included to ensure each principal understands his or her role and responsibility in relation to the education of students with disabilities. Hot topics include collaboration between general education and special education, least restrictive environment, and the blueprint for students with disabilities.

A growth mindset can counteract some of the impacts of poverty, as described in this article. An impact on achievement has been identified.

Image: CC Jimmy_Joe

The New Teacher Welcome Project is a great way to welcome your newer teachers to the profession and the area. On September 15th, the CNY/Oswego Teacher Center, in coordination with CiTi and OCM BOCES, will provide a nice, free, evening event including dinner. Please encourage your new teachers to come!

Opportunities for creative “making” should not depend on a particular teacher – they should be systemic. A report from NPR explains (and raises a few additional questions about equity).

Teachers use the summer to re-think their classroom organization and structures. This post suggests thinking about the classroom in “zones.” There is an infographic that expresses the concept succinctly.

As you prepare for your induction program, consider how these videos from the Teaching Channel might be useful. The New Teacher Survival Guide video playlist includes advice for eight different topics.

Differentiated Instruction (DI) is de-mystified in this column. How teachers plan for DI is explained in a way that makes it seem more natural and manageable.

A large survey about leadership skills and traits provides consistent data from all levels of organizations. What do you think?

Here’s an idea for using QR codes at curriculum night or back-to-school night. You can manage all the paper given out that night and make a positive, tech-friendly impression.

The Newseum has all sorts of resources for teaching US history.

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