Learner Profile Feedback

After almost 3 quarters of using the learner profile and supporting students in the process of reflection and self-discover, we want to hear your feedback.  Please take a moment to share your ideas and thoughts on the use of the learner profile by completing these very short questions:  https://goo.gl/forms/X3gliwDQxK8nG0qJ2
We appreciate your feedback and are excited to see the shifts in learning and reflection over time for our students as they use the learner profile even more each year.  Thank you for all you do for our students. 

Ever Wonder....

Ever wonder what personalized, student empowered learning might look like in a primary classroom?  Well, here is one example.  Check out this YouTube sharing the journey of learner empowered routines:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoXfaY0XhU&feature=youtu.be
Again, I do not share this with the intent to say all of our classrooms need to become this room, but rather to share the opportunity that may be out there to transition learning for some students.  Just as a reflective and wonder process!  Enjoy!

March 2nd Kane County Professional Development Day

As you know, Kaneland will be one of the host sites for the county-wide professional development offerings on March 2nd.  This will be an exciting day of networking, collaboration, and learning for all.  We will be hosting sessions at both Kaneland High School and Meredith Middle School (just like on IgKnight day).  High School teachers who will have visitors in their rooms have been contacted, and we thank you for helping us to host this date!

Thank you, too, to all of the Kaneland staff who are presenting on this date!  We will hear topics about Personalized Learning, takeaways from Learning Forward, best practices, and much much more!  This day couldn't happen without your commitment to sharing your learning with your colleagues, so thank you!

If you have any questions about the day or have still yet to register, please make sure you reach out to Mike, Sarah, or Kathy Lawson at the ROE as soon as possible.

Social Studies Curriculum Review Update

At the February 26th Board of Education meeting, we will be sharing an update with the Board and community on the hard work of all of our Social Sciences teachers as they undertook a review of their curriculum and an alignment to the revised Illinois Social Sciences Standards.  This is a celebration of a year and a half of work from these teams.  Please feel free to join us in person or via the live stream to hear a bit more about the direction they have taken in their work!

AAC-OC

AAC-OC was cancelled this month due to scheduling conflicts.  Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12.

Teacher Initative Joint Statement

Today the Teacher Initiative Council met for their monthly meeting.  The following were topics discussed: Digital citizenship lessons were reviewed. A suggestion was made to create consistent consequences for students as well as further investigation of ways to monitor student activity on devices. Rigby norms were discussed and staff opinions are inconsistent with regard to whether teachers would like to test their own students or have a sub administer the test. Discussion postponed until further investigation of I-Ready takes place. The behavior screener was discussed. All schools feel that it’s a necessity, and that it should be digital and consistent among the buildings. After discussing reading RtI, the general consensus is that due to higher expectations and fewer available interventionists, the kids who would benefit the most aren’t being serviced. Some strategies, such as ANNA plan and Power Ten, are being employed to try to meet all the needs of students and bridge the gap.

Show Your Pride Reminder!

Don't forget to bring your best acting skills and create a video to show your Kaneland Pride.  There are great prizes on the line for the three categories:  humor, drama, and action.  All videos needs to be submitted to Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org by April 2nd.   Let's celebrate the great work happening in our district and show our pride! 

Congrats!

Our very own Fox Valley Career Fire Science Teacher, Gary Baum, has been invited to Hong Kong to present his research paper that he completed last year!  It is such an honor to have Gary share his expertise and work internationally.  Very impressive work, we are proud of you Gary!  Truly you exemplify what it means to show Kaneland Pride!! 

Learner Profile Samples Needed

For the upcoming Gallery Walk, we would like to highlight a few of the completed slides from our students' learner profiles.  If you can PDF or copy a slide or two from a few of the learner profiles that your students have submitted and send to Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org, it would be much appreciated.  We would love to highlight the work of our students in their reflection of learning.  Please send prior to February 21st. 

Key Dates for EC-5

As we move through winter, here are a few key dates for EC-5th grade:

2-19 No School, rest and relax!
2-21 K-5 District Behavior Meeting at KSS
2-26 Gallery Walk and Board of Education Meeting
3-2 Kane County Day, be sure you are registered
3-5 TAC HMS 7th grade Team Room
3-7 IgKnighter Fellowship Meeting HMS 4:00
3-9 Collaborative Inquiry Day KMS

Olympic Learning

So many of us have caught the Olympic Fever!  Seeing a 17 year old realize his dream and win gold to the excitement of the Wisconsin siblings in curling and the first Silver medal for Men's Luge, it has been a great start to the 2018 games.  If you are wanting to bring some of the excitement of the Winter Games into your classroom, check out the link below from Education World.  It shares a few great ideas on extending the learning and connecting the the Games.  Enjoy....USA!  USA!  USA!!


Lesson plan link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson201.shtml

Personalized Learning PodCast

Thank you to Jenelle M. for sharing a podcast on personalized learning.  It gives some great initial examples of how to personalized in your classroom.  A nice listen if you have a chance. 

Here is the podcast link:  https://www.teachthought.com/podcast/teachthought-podcast-ep-67-how-i-personalize-learning-for-students-in-my-classroom/

Please feel free to continue to share any resources you find that are helpful in navigating personalized learning implementation.