Science and Math Free Online Interactive Simulations for K-12

On this website https://phet.colorado.edu/ from the University of Colorado Boulder, you will find a whole host of interactive science and math simulations for K-12.  The simulations can be searched by grade range (Elementary, Middle School, High School and University) or by subject area (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Math).

Standards Based Learning Resources!

The Vermont Standards Based Learning Collective has created a WONDERFUL collection of resources!  Find that collection HERE.  On this page, you'll find links in the following categories:

• General standards based learning resources (including the legendary herding cats video!)
• Curricular resources 
• Instruction and assessment resources
• Reporting: Progress Reports, Report Cards, and Transcripts
• Talking to Students, Parents, and Community Members
• College and career resources
• Books
• Blogs and Twitter

"Open Doors for Students in Poverty"

          In a thoughtful article in the March/April 2014 issue of Principal magazine, Arkansas principal Regina Stewman draws a distinction between situational poverty – usually a temporary condition in a family caused by the loss of a job, a divorce, or a death – and generational poverty – the family has been mired in substandard conditions for decades. “Students living in generational poverty often exist in survival mode,” says Stewman. “They endure stressors such as abuse, hunger, and early imposed responsibilities for younger siblings. They lack goal-setting skills that will help them plan ahead.” These conditions have a direct impact on school achievement.

 In Stewman’s school, 77 percent of students qualify for free and reduced-price meals and many seem trapped in generational poverty. She considers it a calling and a privilege to serve this population and has developed the following principles to guide her staff:

            • It’s not personal. “Children do not sit at home and plan how to make a teacher’s life miserable, or how to interrupt classroom instruction,” says Stewman. She quotes professor Russell Barkley: “The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways.”

            • Seek first to understand. There’s a reason behind every action students take, says Stewman. It’s up to teachers to be expert diagnosticians.

            • Rigor, relevance, and relationships! These are especially important for children living in poverty.

            • Go the extra mile. “Dealing with children with so many needs not only takes time,” says Stewman, “it also takes heart… Often, teachers do not see the change or the fruits of their labor for many years, even if their interventions and time have been extremely beneficial to a student.”

            • Celebrate successes. Because gains are sometimes painfully slow, it’s important to share good news. “The success a second-grade student experiences is a true reflection of the work of the kindergarten teacher, first-grade teacher, and all the support staff who have also worked with this child and his or her family,” says Stewman.

            • Have a common purpose. The school’s vision and mission should be known by all stakeholders, as well as where the school stands with respect to its goals.

            • Work collaboratively. Stewman says that grade-level PLC meetings have been an invaluable part of the school’s work, as have cross-grade conversations.

            • Provide tailored professional development. She and her staff have found Eric Jensen’s books on teaching children in poverty especially helpful.

            These beliefs and a lot of hard work have produced solid results: the school is in its third year since Stewman opened it in 2011, and students are scoring in the 80^th percentile in reading and math and making steady progress.

“Open Doors for Students in Poverty” by Regina Stewman in Principal, March/April 2014 (Vol. 93, #4, p. 18-21), www.naesp.org; Stewman can be reached at rstewman@sdale.org.

This article summary is from issue 531 of the Marshall Memo, a terrific resource for educators!  For more information about the Marshall Memo, see: http://www.marshallmemo.com/

VT Teachers - Make Sure Your Voices are Heard

Testing Talk (testingtalk.org) is a new site designed to collect information and observations from teachers all over the US, concerning their experiences in giving or piloting Common Core aligned tests (in our case, SBAC).  The site is endorsed by a committee of thoughtful nationally-known educators, including Richard Allington, Lucy Calkins, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Grant Wiggins, and Jay McTighe, to name just a few.  As noted on the site's home page: "The world needs to hear your stories, insights, and suggestions."  Right now, you can write comments on the site concerning your experiences with SBAC.  Soon a survey will also be available on the site.  Please seize this great opportunity.  Results will be available on line, by state.