Do you hate when Professional Development/Learning ("PD") doesn't focus on what you value or doesn't fit with what you care about? Does it 'click' when it seems to be connected to your day to day job?

This is no different than your students! This issue of Convocation of Learning focuses on tools and ideas that give your lessons authenticity and allows students to 'see' themselves in what you teach!

"As educators, we have all had at least one student approach us with the question, “How will this help me in the real world?”

Every year, teachers are reminded of the academic requirements they must help their students fulfill. These requirements typically involve students taking many tests throughout the year. Accordingly, educators feel pressure to ensuring their curriculum leads to passing test scores.

This pressure can also leave teachers struggling to ensure their lesson plans allow students to apply their learning to their interests in the real world. To help you alleviate this struggle, here are 12 activities for your classroom that encourage interest exploration."

LINK From TeachThought.com

By now, the educational benefits of Project Based Learning (PBL) are well documented. Students who participate in high-quality PBL develop skills, processes, and products that are an ideal match for the demands of the 21st century.

That being said, a teacher can design the most complex, differentiated, and open-ended project ever created, but if the students aren’t interested, they won’t engage.

USE THIS LINK to find out how to make project-based learning authentic for your students!

"Teachers are familiar with students who obsess over every missed point on an assignment. It’s annoying; and many teachers wish students were more focused on the process of learning and their own growth, instead of the final grade. But putting the process front and center can feel difficult in a results-oriented school. While most teachers can’t entirely move away from grades, they can use simple strategies that require students to reflect on their progress, evaluate their work and set goals for improvement."Click this to find out how -->LINK

HS students or teachers need help with your Chromebook?

MS/EL students or teachers want help or an extra hand with tech?

USE THIS WEBSITE to check out tips and tricks or fill out our tech request form to get HS students to help you quickly! Customer service and helping everyone learn are our goals!

You can always find our site and form on the Maintenance and Tech Page on our Schoolcraft website.

Documentation of utilizing this newsletter or any of our coaching conversations can be evidence of Domain 4 "Professional Responsibilities" A, D, and E on your Danielson evaluation rubric!

Matt McCullough - Director of Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Email: mcculloughm@schoolcraftcs.org
Website: http://www.schoolcraftschools.org/
Location: 551 East Lyons Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087, United States
Phone: 269-488-7250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolcraftEagles1/
Twitter: @SCSEagles1