Some Heartland AEA leaders would like to recommend a book that has influencing some of their thinking – One Word That Will Change Your Life by Dan Britton. Five ebook copies are now available at through Heartland AEA’s Mackin VIA access at www.mackinvia.com. It’s a quick read with only 82 pages. Log in with your school’s online database username/password to access the book. If you do not know the login, ask your school librarian or contact the Heartland AEA Library at info@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 15799.
There are three other ebooks that may also be of interest:
• Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath
• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath
• Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath
For an iPAD
Here’s the one-time step to create a personal account to read any Mackin ebook on your iPad.
Go to www.mackinvia.com on your laptop or iPad
Log in with your school’s username and password
Click the Backpack and choose any of the four options
You’ll see the option to Register. Create your account.
Log out of Mackin VIA.
Go to your iPad. If you have the latest Mackin VIA app the office pushed out in the last few months, you’re all set. If not, you’ll need to download the app from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id558020762?mt=8
Once the app is loaded, start typing your school’s name and select it when it comes up.
Enter your personal username and password you created above.
Taking Notes
Now that you have created a personal account, your iPad (and laptop) will remember any underlines, highlights and annotations you add to the ebooks. Here’s a four-minute overview video.
If you have questions or would like to suggest other ebooks for purchase, please contact Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services, at sschrader@heartlandaea.org.
We
have fielded many questions on when registration will be open for the
2014 Our Kids Summer Institute. Well, wait no more! Click here to register for this year’s event happening June 24 and 25.
Participants
will have the opportunity to network with other educational
professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English
Language Learners throughout Iowa. It is important to note that if your
school had to write a CAP (Corrective Action Plan) you must attend with a
team from your district. Heartland AEA will provide a $200 stipend for
area school staff members who attend both days. Districts are encouraged
to send teams of classroom teachers, administrators and ESL teachers.
Registration is open for those districts that have chosen to meet Early Literacy Implementation (Iowa Code section 279.68) requirements using Iowa TIER and FAST. Training dates and locations have been established and registration links are available on the Department of Education ELI site. For additional guidance and information related to Iowa Code section 279.68, please see the those sections also available at the above link. Training registration is scheduled to close on May 2.
Beginning this fall, Iowa’s Adequate Yearly Progress alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities will be the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) English/language arts and math for grades 3-8, 10 & 11 and the Iowa Alternate Assessment Science (IAAS) for grades 5, 8, and 11.
The DLM assessment is supported by the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation, University of Kansas, and is a computer delivered, computer adapted assessment. DLM integrates student assistive technology and is a year long instructionally embedded assessment that includes a year-end summative assessment.
The IAAS (Iowa’s current science alternate assessment) will have no changes in assessment administration. Teacher training is required to administer both the DLM and IAAS assessments. District staff who manage and have oversight of the alternate assessment also will require training. The Significant Disabilities State Leadership Team is developing a fall statewide training plan.
The Iowa Department of Education will host a series of informational webinars in May that outline training content and requirements, roles and responsibilities of districts, including tech support, and DLM/Department supports. For more information, contact the Department’s Emily Thatcher at emily.thatcher@iowa.gov or (515) 281-3500.
Each year, the Iowa Character Awards are presented to Iowans who consistently demonstrate good character. Since 2005, more than 100 individuals and organizations from across the state have received an Iowa Character Award. Students, teachers, administrators can all be nominated. Click here for more information and the online nomination form.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Heartland AEA will be hosting an introductory workshop on professional learning communities on June 26. This workshop is hosted by Solution Tree and is an introduction to Professional Learning Communities. Developed by Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker and Rebecca DuFour, the Professional Learning Communities at Work process is increasingly recognized as the most powerful strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement. Click here for more information.
The April blog updates for AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online are now available. For real time updates, follow AEA PD Online on Twitter @aeapdonline or on your mobile device by accessing the app at myapp.is/aeapdonline.
AEA PD Online
- Security Concerns
- Preparations for the 2014 Back-to-School Trainings
- Upcoming Courses: May 1-June 15, 2015
- External Partners
AEA K-12 Online
- Atomic Learning Launches Mobile Learning and Common Core Resources for Educators
- Iowa Teachers Uses Core Skills Mastery (CSM) with Students
Spring is trying to come around, and we sure hope it does soon for our upcoming Heartland AEA Track & Field days! Our field days (one in Carroll and one in Indianola) give K-12 students with special needs a chance to enjoy modified spring sports and activities in a least restrictive environment.
Below is more information about our field days. Please note that the Indianola location has been changed to the Indianola Middle School (usually it is at Simpson College).
Carroll-Heartland Track and Field Day
Date: May 7, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (arrive at 9:45 a.m.)
Location: Carroll High School Track Field
Simpson-Heartland Invitational Track and Field Day
Date: May 8, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (arrive at 9:45 a.m.)
Location: Indianola Middle School (403 South 15th Street)
*All parking will be on 15th St., on the south side of the school
Click here for more information about our annual modified physical education events.
For more information about our upcoming track days or adapted physical education services at Heartland AEA, contact Robin Olberding at rolberding@heartlandaea.org.
We sincerely thank the 1,696 individuals who took the time to complete the annual AEA Customer Satisfaction survey in Heartland AEA’s service area. The data collected from the survey will be used to evaluating our services. Please be sure to extend our sincere gratitude to your school staff who contributed their thoughts and input!
We have fielded many questions on when registration will be open for the 2014 Our Kids Summer Institute. Well, wait no more! Click here to register for this year’s event happening June 24 and 25.
Participants will have the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa. It is important to note that if your school had to write a CAP (Corrective Action Plan) you must attend with a team from your district. Heartland AEA will provide a $200 stipend for area school staff members who attend both days. Districts are encouraged to send teams of classroom teachers, administrators and ESL teachers.
Please forward the information below about the two Title I update webinars to your Title I contacts. The same information will be shared in both webinars, so there is no need to attend both. Questions can be emailed to carolyn.paulaitis@iowa.gov or susan.selby@iowa.gov at any time.
Time: May 6, 2014 10:00 AM [GMT-5:00]
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to start or join. https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/990507305
Or, go to https://IDOE.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 990 507 305
Join from dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 (415) 762-9988 or +1 (646) 568-7788
Meeting ID: 990 507 305
Participant ID: Shown after joining the meeting
International numbers available: https://IDOE.zoom.us/zoomconference
Join from a H.323/SIP room system:
Dial: 4.34.125.152 (US East) or 4.35.64.152 (US West)
Meeting ID: 990 507 305
***********************
Time: May 13, 2014 1:30 PM [GMT-5:00]
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to start or join. https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/191317765
Or, go to https://IDOE.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 191 317 765
Join from dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 (415) 762-9988 or +1 (646) 568-7788
Meeting ID: 191 317 765
Participant ID: Shown after joining the meeting
International numbers available: https://IDOE.zoom.us/zoomconference
Join from a H.323/SIP room system:
Dial: 4.34.125.152 (US East) or 4.35.64.152 (US West)
Meeting ID: 191 317 765
View the latest Impacting Lives update at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/ for stories about the many ways Iowa's AEAs are making a difference. The first two stories are from the Heartland AEA area.
In this issue:
- Parent & Principal Tweets Thank You Message for Son’s AEA Services
- Andrew’s Awakening: AEA/School Team Help Boy Learn Positive Communication
- Ray’s family finds hope through AEA staff
- Helping Children with Autism: Jaxon’s story
The Iowa Department of Education, in partnership with the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association, sill host a summer professional session for reading and gifted program teachers. The session, Differentiating Language Arts Standards for the K-12 Advanced Learner, will be facilitated by Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska on June 23 and 24, 2014 at the Ramada Tropics, Urbandale, IA
This professional development day is designed to provide an understanding of the Common Core Language Arts standards and provide practical application for Multi-Tiered System of Supports levels Tier 2 and Tier 3 for advanced learners. The professional development day will introduce and provide instructional strategies for Iowa teachers of gifted education and Iowa reading teachers to 1) explain the details of the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts, 2) detail the developmental stages and challenges inherent to instructing advanced learners and 3) provide concepts, lessons and strategies for providing quality language arts instruction for advanced learners.
Registration opens Monday, April 14, 2014 at 8:00 a.m.
June 23 and June 24 are identical agendas. A participant is permitted to register for one day only.
To register for Monday, June 23, 2014 use the following URL:
Monday, June 23
https://www.educateiowa.gov/event/differentiating-language-arts-standards-k-12-advanced-learner-june-23-2014
To register for Tuesday, June 24, 2014 use the following URL:
Tuesday, June 24
https://www.educateiowa.gov/event/differentiating-language-arts-standards-k-12-advanced-learner-june-24-2014
There is no cost to participants, and lunch is provided. There is no credit option, as the meeting time does not meet credit option requirements.
Please distribute as appropriate to teachers of gifted programming and teachers of reading programs.
Click here for more information on different methods of delivery for our Title I —face-to-face and webinar. The intention is to offer a choice for participants to accommodate their preferred mode of delivery.
The Education Administration Program at Iowa State University is pleased to announce they are accepting applications for upcoming cohort groups for both their Principal and Superintendent Licensure programs. Attached please find two one-page flyers regarding the formation of these cohorts beginning in May and August 2014 for the PreLEAD Program for Principal Licensure, and in June 2014 for the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Program for Superintendent Licensure.
A new PreLEAD cohort will begin in Fort Dodge this May. An information meeting will be held at Iowa Central Community College in the Bioscience & Health Science Building (Room 111) on April 23 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (campus map: http://www.iowacentral.edu/security/maps.asp).
Another new PreLEAD cohort will begin in the Des Moines area in August. Teachers who are interested in applying to either of these cohorts, can do so by contacting Dr. Joanne Marshall, Program Coordinator at edadm@iastate.edu.
A new superintendent/AEA Administrator licensure cohort will begin June 16-20, at a location to be determined. For those wishing to apply for this cohort, please contact Dr. Jan Beatty at jan1@iastate.edu or Dr. Greg Robinson at gregr@iastate.edu. They would enjoy talking with you or coming out and answering questions if a group is interested. If you know of someone in your school and/or district who might be interested, please share this information as cohorts are filling now!
The Education Administration Program at Iowa State University is also pleased to announce the additional hires of three tenure track faculty positions. Joining the program this fall will be Dr. Douglas M. Wieczorek from Syracuse University; Dr. Jason D. Salisbury, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Dr. Daniel D. Spikes from The University of Texas at Austin. The ISU Educational Administration Program wishes to thank those who gave of their time in helping make these selections, whether it was through their participation or simply providing comment on what the needs are of future school leaders.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by
Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the
information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its
educational value.
The department of computer science at the University of Northern Iowa is pleased to announce it's fifth year of participation in Google's CS4HS program which has the goal of training K-12 teachers OF ALL DISCIPLINES in ways to incorporate computer science in to their classrooms.
http://www.cs.uni.edu/~schafer/outreach/cs4hs2014/
This year they will be teaching two summer content courses and one fall implementation course. Each of these tracks will be taught via online materials including instructional videos, guided "laboratory" activities, and programming assignments. Course facilitators will be available via email and online video chat during the duration of the courses to help with activities and answer questions. Each track will consist of several modules of instruction and require approximately 20 hours to complete. Course requirements may be met based on each participant's schedule but must be completed during the two weeks that track is being offered.
Introduction to Programming with Scratch
(Available online between June 16 - 27, 2014)
Scratch is a free, online, graphical programming language/learning environment that allows students to learn about computer programming and computational thinking without worrying about complicated syntax. It was created by the Lifelong Kindergarden Lab at the MIT Media Lab and is designed for students aged 8-18 but is used by programmers of a variety of age and experience levels. This workshop is appropriate for teachers of all disciplines who teach 4-12th grade. Participants will learn how to use Scratch for interactive art, animated storytelling, and game development. Previous programming experience is not a requirement for this course.
Programming with AppInventor for Android
(Available online between July 21 - August 1, 2014)
AppInventor is a free cloud-based programming environment which allows users to develop applications for the Android operating system right from a web browser. Students use drag-and-drop objects to create apps while being exposed to a wide range of computing concepts in a way that is motivational and fun. Participants will learn how to setup and program with AppInventor, how to access and use your mobile device's sensors and how to deploy programmed apps. This workshop is appropriate for teachers of grades 6-12. Previous programming experience is beneficial but not required. Access to an entry-level Android tablet or smartphone (cost~$50) or better is also recommended, but not required.
Classroom Implementation Project
(Fall, 2014)
Participants who complete a summer track (or have participated in a prior offering of CS4HS at UNI) are eligible to participate in an additional implementation course offered during the fall semester. Participants will use the material learned in their summer course to develop and use a set of in-class activities for at least one of the classes they teach in their home district during the fall of 2014. In addition to the implementation project requirements, participants will be placed in a small cadre with fellow course participants. Cadre members will share drafts of their lesson plans with each other and participate in two online video conferences to discuss and critique these materials. Participant will have flexibility to incorporate their projects based on their individual classrooms. However, all requirements will be completed by the end of the fall semester (December 12, 2014).
Cost
Students may enroll in any of the three courses described above in two different modes:
Audit - Students who take the course in audit mode are taking the course for personal interest only. Students have full access to all materials and assistance from the course materials but will not receive formal credit for the course. Students who enroll in audit mode may take the course completely free of charge. Letters of completion are available.
Graduate Workshop Credit - Students who take the course in this mode will receive one hour of graduate workshop credit for each course through Continuing and Distance Education at the University of Northern Iowa. This credit should be appropriate for pay scale advancement and license renewal requirements in the state of Iowa. Participants from other states should check with their local agencies to confirm that the credit is transferable. The cost is $75 per course/credit.
For more information about any of these programs contact UNI's CS4HS coordinator Dr. Ben Schafer at schafer@cs.uni.edu or (319) 273-2187.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Could it already be time
to start preparing for next school year?! Yes, it is! Quality and
affordable student planners are available for your school through
Heartland AEA’s Creative Services. Planners can help some students feel
more engaged and aware of school events, activities and projects.
Basic
planners will have a plastic cover and coil binding and will contain
intro pages, planner pages, note pages and different calendars. The
planners include a full-year calendar to accommodate extended year
schedules.
Three sizes are available:
• 5.5” x 8.5”
• 8.5” x 11”
• 7” x 11” *New size this year!
Choose
your preferred cover, intro pages, planner pages, note pages and
calendars from our set styles for basic planners (see Planner Guide).
Optional pages can be added for an additional fee (student handbook,
activities calendars, etc.). Order quantities must be a minimum of 50
planners.
Standard Planner Prices
• 5.5” x 8.5” - $1.50 per planner
• 8.5” x 11” - $2.60 per planner
• 7" x 11" - $2.90 per planner
Click here for the Planner Guide (shows options for covers, intro pages, calendar pages, etc.) and here
for the Planner Order Form. Please have your planner orders placed by
May 15, 2014 and approved by June 2, 2014 so they will be ready for the
beginning of the school year.
For more information or to ask about personalizing your school's planners, contact our Creative Services at creativeservices@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368.
Click here for more information about receiving an ESL endorsement through a Drake/Heartland
AEA partnership. Interested educators are invited to an informational meeting on April 10 from
4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus.
Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your
professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.
If you have not ordered your I-ELDA materials, now is the time. The deadline for returning the
materials for scoring to Iowa Testing Programs is May 1, 2014.
Click here to download the April 2014 issue of the School Leader Update from
the Iowa Department of Education. In this month’s issue, Director Brad Buck
explains the state’s emphasis on third-grade literacy, while Attorney Nicole
Proesch gives us a primer on seasonal issues (and alliteration). And Policy
Liaison Mike Cormack shows he has a song in his heart as the Legislature
moves toward wrapping up business.
