December 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 Students thrive when educators commit to proactively meeting their behavioral as well as academic needs. This book will help teachers and school leaders transform the research on behavior, response to intervention, and professional learning communities into practical strategies they can use to create a school culture and classroom climates in which learning is primed to occur. Read more

RTI in Middle and High Schools Perhaps more than any other single initiative, response to intervention is likely to restructure how middle and high school teachers teach in a very profound way. This timely and targeted resource discusses the innovations of RTI, differentiated instruction, and instructional technologies. Based on numerous real-world case studies, this book explores solutions for the complex challenges the RTI implementation process brings. Read more

Succeeding with Inquiry in Science and Math Classrooms Research shows that inquiry-based instruction boosts students' critical thinking skills and promotes the creative problem solving needed for an energized learning environment. This guide helps hone the necessary skills to plan and implement inquiry-based lessons that engage math and science students. Read more

100+ Ways to Recognize and Reward Your School Staff Provides school administrators with practical, easy-to-use, and inexpensive ways to reward and recognize the efforts of their staff. More than 100 ideas are divided into three categories based on the amount of effort they require. Read more

Better Learning Through Structured Teaching Describes a purposeful classroom structure that relies on four phases. Included with the description of each phase are practical strategies that help teachers use this approach, plus tips on how to differentiate instruction, make effective use of class time, and plan backwards from learning objectives. Read more

Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself as Jen Spong, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Support Services. I am excited to join the OCM BOCES team and contribute to finding innovative ways to support the needs of our component districts. I look forward to meeting you!

December 02, 2016

Image: CC quapan

Might those electronic devices be interrupting your students’ sleep patterns? 

Bilingual education has great impacts on brain development.

Interested in learning more about the Next Generation Science Standards, which are the basis for the draft New York State Science Standards? Achieve, the organization that facilitated the writing of the NGSS, has videos on the teaching channel demonstration 3 dimensional instruction.

NYSED to allow “tests read” accommodation in ELA for Students with Disabilities with the accommodation listed on their IEP/504 plan.

Free Webinar
Collective Action to Develop Awareness: Equity and Social Justice in Mathematics Education

Which equity-based strategies can be incorporated in your math education work now? Which ones are most difficult? Why?

Register now to gain insights into the various readings identified in A Call for Collective Action to Develop Awareness: Equity & Social Justice in Mathematics Education. Join us for the 60-minute webinar on Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Speakers and discussants will include John Staley, Christine Thomas, Dorothy White, Diane Kinch, Julia Aguirre, and Marilyn Strutchens.

The webinar will conclude with the following closing question: What is one thing the organizations could do to further support your work in making mathematics education a more just, humane, and positive experience for children?

This webinar is offered as part of NCTM's continuing work and collaboration on equity and social justice in mathematics education.
Register for FREE

Professional Development Opportunities

K-6 Literacy Collaborative
Dec 13
This Literacy Collaborative is an opportunity for K-6 teachers to come together and explore instructional practices and strategies for improving literacy outcomes for all students. Participants will be able to collaborate with and learn from each other, share ideas and best practices and plan for the application of new learning in a supportive environment.

PBL 201 
Mastering the Project Calendar: Manage Activities
Dec 21
PBL practitioners will learn how to develop a well-balanced project calendar to tame the messy middle of a project. During this interactive workshop, participants will develop a project calendar that reflects a balanced approach to student learning. The afternoon time will be collaborative work time for participants to use to update projects and calendars with a PBL coach in the room for support.