Professional Development
Des Moines District Teachers improve their methods and practices of teaching by attending training at Perkins Elementary school on Friday, October 23, 2015. This is an annual event provided for our educators who are committed to making our schools a more engaging experience for our students. We envision our schools as high functioning campuses of engagement and learning. A continuum of Professional Development allows for us to strive to accelerate school improvement and support the implementation of research-based practices that foster each and every child’s unique potential. Shelly Johnson and Karen Birchmier are the instructors who led this day of learning. Innovative Classroom Teachers were asked to present their recent action research. Mrs. Oglesbee demonstrated how technology can bring learning to life in the minds of a curious child. She shared an IMovie her students had created to support learning literacy skills. Mrs. cox shared research on how to best support a child who may have dyslexia characteristics. She shared strategies such as: Students diagnosed with dyslexia learn better in small groups, Students often need to see letters as many as 200 times before they become automatic, Words displayed at an angle make it easier for them to read, and much more. Ms. Pulliam shared strategies teachers could use to help students activate prior knowledge such as: Bring in the real thing, Provide a rich visual imagery through video, Use picture observation charts, and a word exercise that guides her students to list and label words. Mrs. Groepper shared with us a fantastic and usable tool called SQWORL. She demonstrated how this easy to use website can save mounds of time sharing URL’s with revolves. There was a lot of enthusiasm in the room. People were laughing, sharing, and engaged. Finally, the morning was coming to a close. Mrs. Johnson gathered the staff together for an activity that demonstrated how using learning targets and scales is the most important work we have in our future. This new grading practice that is gaining popularity is standards Reference grading. SRG involves measuring students’ proficiency on well-defined course objectives (Tomlinson & McTighe, 2006). Standards Reference Grading will unleash a force towards positive change allowing educators to better support students academic progress. Karen Birchmier took us on a tour of teachers who have demonstrated Marzano’s Instructional Framework-elements 36, 37, and 38:
DQ8: Establishing and Maintaining Effective Relationships with Students
- Understanding Students’ Interests and Backgrounds
- Using Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors that Indicate Affection for Students
- Displaying Objectivity and Control Student Interview
It was a valuable day of collaboration and learning that will guide our endeavors to become better teachers in a changing society. Bravo!! Well Done!
