TAC Update

 Today the Teacher Advisory Council met for their monthly meeting. The following were topics discussed:
-The process of brainstorming and sharing questions on the one to one student technology initiative. Many advisory groups are meeting over the course of this month and next to collect questions, ideas and concerns regarding the roll out of the one to one process. The advisory feedback will be shared with the one to one staff advisory group coming up in January.
- An update was shared with the council on the process of teacher laptops. The district is looking into the replacement process of teacher laptops. The goal is to be able to share and distribute new teacher laptops later this Spring and Summer.
-The ELA Review process shared an update on their work for the council. The ELA team will have all continuum maps or units of study drafted for final reading by the end of January. The ELA Review Team will then begin to look for tools and resources to use while instructing with the new maps next year.
-Feedback from the Learning Forward Conference was shared. The idea of Pop Up PD was shared.
-The team discussed other ways to get PD experience for staff when they are most pertinent to the teacher.

 At our next meeting we will discuss the following: Math Continuum Pilot, Open House Feedback, and Collaborative Inquiry process. Please know we are looking for feedback from any staff on these topics, please feel free to come to TAC on January 28th as a guest to share your feedback.

 

Google for Education Tools

Share Your Preferences and Interests
We want to hear from you! Looking toward 2019, we want to learn about your interests and preferences so that Google for Education resources are as useful and interesting as possible. Please share your feedback in the survey above.

Google Classroom Product Updates
It's been a busy fall for the Google for Education product team. We've launched betas for locked mode for Quizzes in Google Forms, available only on managed Chromebooks, and a new Gradebook in Google Classroom. We've also added the ability to create a Google Forms Quiz directly from Google Classroom.

Help Us Improve the Newsletter
Share your feedback on the newsletter with a quick, six-question survey. Let us know what you like, and what can be improved.

Catch up on EDU in 90
Don't miss an episode of EDU in 90! Keep up with new episodes, including Google Classroom updates, apps for creating engaging presentations, and innovative ways your peers are using Slides.

Learn about Global Holiday Traditions with Google Earth
Feeling festive? Google Earth launched a fun and quick quiz that will test your knowledge of how holidays are celebrated around the world. Other quizzes cover ocean marine life, global soccer stadiums, haunted places, and of course, natural wonders.

Locked Mode in Quizzes in Google Forms
Locked mode for Quizzes in Google Forms is now available on managed Chromebooks! Locked mode allows teachers to lock students’ screens to prevent them from navigating away from the Quiz until they submit their answers. Teachers and administrators, sign up for the beta to get access.

Teach Coding with CS First
Google's free, video based computer science curriculum is designed for teachers with no prior CS knowledge and for students in grades 4-8 (ages 9-14). Explore the getting started videos and check out how teachers like you are using CS First in their classrooms.

Try Out the Google Classroom Gradebook
Sign up for the beta to access new Gradebook features in Classroom. This includes viewing submissions across classwork & students, adding grade categories, and choosing how overall grades are calculated. Any teacher or administrator can sign up.

First Day of Classroom Trainings
Google Classroom saves you time, keeps you organized, and helps you communicate with your students. Get started today with resources, tips, and tricks from educators like you.

Get Started with Your First Day of Google Forms
Google Forms makes creating quizzes and grading faster, easier, automated, and customizable. Learn helpful tips and tricks on how to use Google Forms in your classroom today!

Made with Code Partners with Disney 
Made with Code has partnered with Disney's Mary Poppins Returns to launch a brand new project in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. For this project, students will use code to design their own Mary Poppins themed snowflake animation.

Advanced Password Controls in G Suite for Increased Security
When it comes to protecting online accounts, a strong password is the first line of defense. Admins can now require that users set a strong password, control when password length and strength requirements go into effect, prompt users to change their passwords after a certain number of days, and prevent users from reusing old passwords.

New Applied Digital Skills Lessons
Check out Applied Digital Skills' new video lesson on 'How to Program a Progress Bar in Google Slides'. Filter all the available lessons in the curriculum by topic, apps, and audience to find ones that are perfect for your class!

Virtual Labs with Labster
Looking to conduct a science experiment? Now, all you need is a Chromebook. Students can complete more than 40 science labs which meet high school biology, chemistry, and physics standards with Labster Chromebook labs. To get labs at your school, visitlabster.com/chromebooklabs.

New CS First Activity: An Unusual Discovery
Thousands of you around the world participated in Hour of Code this year, and we were delighted to see you and your students coding with CS First’s new activity, An Unusual Discovery! If you want to continue the journey, or get started, check out our new page in the Teacher Resource center.

Announcing Project Lead the Way Compatibility with Chromebooks
Coming in fall 2019, you'll be able to access the Project Lead the Way PreK-5 curriculum straight from Chromebooks. The program empowers students to adopt a design thinking mindset through activities, projects, and problems that relate to the world around them. Stay tuned for more information.
Innovate & Transform with Chromebooks
Looking for inspiration on using Chromebooks with your students? Explore our new webpage to see how you can transform your classroom with Chromebook apps and tools.

Host Hangouts Meet Events with up to 100 Participants
G Suite Enterprise for Education users can now host a Hangouts Meet with up to 100 participants, and G Suite for Education users can now host meetings with up to 50 participants.

The History of Us: Museum Island Berlin
Museum Island Berlin preserves more than 6000 years of human heritage. Discover its treasures through a lens of themes that strongly resonate with a young audience: Wanderlust, Vanity and Body Image, YOLO, Modern Romance, Female Empowerment, and Rebellion. (Google Arts & Culture + Google Expeditions)

Preserving Afghan Heritage
For the first time on Google Arts & Culture, users can explore and learn about how the people in Afghanistan kept their art, architecture, and craft alive. We are currently showcasing Turquoise Mountain Trust and their incredible work in reviving and restoring the traditional crafts and skills in the historic Old City of Kabul.

Lessons from the Dynamic Learning Project
The Dynamic Learning Project is a program that supports high-need schools across the country as they build and manage instructional technology coaching programs. Hear directly from coaches and teachers, who participated in the program's inaugural year, on how they've tackled classroom challenges together and made an impact at their schools.

Jamboard EDU on Air
Catch up on our recent EDU on Air covering Google Jamboard, the interactive whiteboarding tool now part of G Suite for Education. Hear updates from the Jamboard product team and from educators using Jamboard in their classrooms.

Printing Management Solution for Schools
PaperCut offers schools using Google for Education tools a complete printing management experience. Their flagship solution PaperCut MF lets schools print easily from Chromebooks, scan straight to Google Drive, and sync/authenticate users directly from G Suite or Cloud Identity.

Training Resources: First Day of Jamboard 
Want to get started with Google Jamboard, the collaborative digital whiteboarding experience? We are excited to announce a new set of best practice resources, such as videos, guides, and exercises, created by educators like you.

Make Your Class Reservations Today

We are excited to extend the One and Only Ivan Escape Room for all students into the new year.  We are excited to be taking reservations for in-district field trips.  Many families may be finishing up the One Book One School read this holiday season, and January and February would be a great time for an application field trip.   So far we have had excellent feedback from staff and students on the escape room.  If your grade level is interested in attending the One and Only Ivan Escape Room, please contact Sarah Mumm to set up your field trip date and logistics.  The students that have attended enjoyed their time and loved taking part in this process.  Be sure to book your date today. 

HR Update....

Please be sure to review, sign, and return your SOHD confirmation letter to your Building Principal Secretary by Thursday, December 20th.  In the interim, please contact Chris Adkins at x71114 with any questions.  Thanks!

Please be sure to complete your Teaching Preference Survey by Friday, January 18th.  This information is used when the District begins to develop the Staffing Plan.  Your insight is greatly appreciate as this very complex process unfolds.  Please contact Chris Adkins at x71114 with any questions.  Thanks!

Want to Expand Your Horizons???

As education moves more towards personalizing and working with more diverse learners, it is time to consider your own personal learning and preparation.  Have you ever wanted more learning and experiences in the following areas:
-Best practices in merging and blending Special Education and General Education
-Best practices in working with Special Education or RTI students
-Best practices in working with English as a Second Language students
-Best practices in learning with technology infusion
-Best practices in working with parents
-Working with Special Education and EL process and paperwork

The best part is you can experience all this while getting a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and obtaining a LBSI 1 and EL Endorsement.  (And it's in your own backyard....or even held on Kaneland campus!)

This is the first and only Masters Degree in the state that provides you a degree with 2 endorsements!
If you have an interest in looking into a cohort for this Masters here at Kaneland, please email Sarah Mumm.  Cohorts in our area are starting this Fall.

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction:  Teaching Diverse Learners

Aurora University is the first and only institution in the state to offer the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Diverse Learners degree. The program will prepare teachers to support students with varied academic and language needs. This two-year program (13 classes) allows you to earn:
A Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
An English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement
A Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) endorsement

The coursework is designed to improve your instructional strategies and behavior management techniques for students in diverse populations. Earning these endorsements will enhance your ability to effectively communicate with students and their parents, as well as prepare you to be an integral member of the student services support team in your school and/or district.
Note:  Aurora University’s MACI program is pre-approved by ISBE.
Degree Requirements:
The Master of Arts in Curriculum Instruction: Teaching Diverse Learners includes 36 semester hours of coursework. The program is designed with field experiences embedded into every course to meet all
degree and endorsement requirements.

Required Core Curriculum: 36 semester hours
SPED 6515:  Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law for Diverse           Populations (3) §
EDU 6115: Foundations for Language Minority Education of Diverse Learners (3)*
SPED 6525:  Cognitive Development and Disabilities of Diverse Learners (2)
SPED 6565:  Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Multiple Disabilities and Diverse Learners (2)
EDU/SPED 6501: Assessment of Diverse Learners:  Special Education and ESL (4) §
EDU 6125: Linguistics for Teaching Diverse Populations (3)*
EDU 6200: Cross Cultural Curriculum for Diversity (3)
EDU 6630:  Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3)
SPED 6555: Prosocial and Problematic Strategies for Diverse Learners (3)
EDU 6221:  Methods and Materials for Teaching Diverse Learners (3)*
EDU 6071:  Introduction to Action Research (2)
EDU 6061: Scholarship Applied to Teaching (2)
EDU/SPED 6545: Collaboration, Differentiation, Instruction, and Transition for Diverse Learners (3)
* blended learning §16-week course

Program Admission Requirements:  Candidates of the MACI: Teaching Diverse Learners program must hold a current Professional Educator License (PEL) and be currently employed as a full-time classroom teacher.

Applicants seeking to enter the program must submit:

• A completed graduate application for admission (aurora.edu/apply)
• Transcripts (official, sealed in envelope) from all degrees earned: undergraduate degree indicating a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher or a graduate degree indicating a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, both based on a 4.0 scale. Aurora University accepts official electronic transcripts at 
• AU-ETranscripts@aurora.edu
• A recommendation from your current supervising administrator verifying contractual employment and attesting to your academic and professional potential
• A personal statement (approximately one page in length) of past professional experience and future educational goals
• A current resume

Expectation Check...Personalized 2.0 Reminder

As we are nearing the halfway mark from this school year, it is important to check our expectations.  These are the consistent expectations for this school year that were shared during the August Personalized Learning 2.0.  Please take a moment to stop and reflect on your year so far.  Consider if you are making shifts towards meeting these expectations.  Are these actions becoming observable in your learning environment?  What support do you need to continue to meet this expectations?

It is highly encouraged to take a moment and reflect on the expectations with your team, peer, administrators, and consider next steps for you to continue to grow.  These would be great expectations for Administrators to ask or reflect on through learning walks over the course of the next few months. Please feel free to contact Mike Rice or Sarah Mumm with any questions at all.

What will this look like for Kaneland Teachers next year?

1.  Unpacking Standards into learning targets (“I can statements”)
2.  Defining what Mastery looks like for each standard/target
3.  Aligning assessment questions to learning targets
4.  Ensuring all learning activities are tied to targets and assessments
5.  Providing timely feedback tied to specific standards/targets
6.  Evaluating feedback structures for their usefulness in the above practices

What will this look like for Kaneland Students next year?

1.  Students can articulate learning targets for a given learning activity
2.  Students understand what mastery of a given standard/target looks like
3.  Students can clearly see the tie between assessments and standards
4.  Students can explain how learning activities support growth to a standard
5.  Students can articulate how feedback they are given aligns to a standard
6.  Students utilize feedback they are given to plan the next steps in learning

What are some things we probably won’t get to quite yet but may be dabbling in?

1.  Completed learning progressions

2.  Total student choice in what standards are mastered and when

3.  Personalizing content and/or process

4.  More conferencing about standards and attainment

5.  More student choice about when to investigate specific standards

6.  More student choice in terms of how to show mastery of a standard

7.  Ability to move at their own pace (ahead of or behind) “standard” pace

ELA Review Cycle Update

This past week the K-12 ELA Review Cycle Team met to continue the collaborative work on revising the English Language Arts units of study. During this most recent session the team (comprised of reps from each grade level), met to check in a grade spans as well as become critical friends and read each others' maps.  This experience provided all teachers to give feedback to all other grades on the drafted units.  This also gives the team the experience to see the progression of learning from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade.  During this meeting the K-5 Teach to Lead team shared the drafted reading continuum maps as well.  The expectation for all staff in the district is that the new revised units of study will go into practice as blended reading, writing, listening, and speaking learning next school year.  Thank you to all staff who took the time outside of the classroom to continue this important work.  All new unit maps will be finalized by February of this year.  The team will meet again in late January.