Iowa Core Literacy Resources Pages Now Available on Iowa Core Website

This week the Iowa Department of Education announced the launch of the Iowa Core Literacy Resources subject pages on IowaCore.gov under the Educator Resources tab. The Statewide Literacy Leadership Team, made up of members from AEAs, LEAs and Institutes of Higher Education, collaborated to select the content of these pages with resources in the areas of ELA/literacy instruction, assessment and professional development that support all students in meeting Iowa's academic expectations. Please share and promote this valuable resource!



Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Workshop, April 12

Heartland AEA will host a morning workshop on April 12, 2013 as an overview of the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum and accompanying Role Models Textbook.  This is a high-interest program that is used in 1,300 secondary schools nationwide, including 68 schools in Iowa.  This program has been implemented in a multitude of ways, including elective leadership classes, advisory approaches and as a full curriculum for English and/or reading writing recovery classes.  By the end of the 4 hour workshop, participants will have and educated understanding of how this program aligns with common core standards for English, prepares students for school and life and creates leaders and citizens for the next generation.
 
Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301

Register by June 3 for Heartland Summer Institute

Last week we sent a reminder about our Heartland Summer Institute being held June 13-15 at the FFA Center on the DMACC Campus and our new session for leadership teams on June 16 at the Johnston Regional Education Center. Please register by Friday, June 3 so that we may have an accurate number for the event. Educators may sign up for all sessions or choose those best meeting their needs. Food will be provided by Johnston Schools. Click here to see session descriptions. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog.

Time is Running Out to Register for Summer Institute

Don’t miss the opportunity for you and your teachers to participate in this year’s Heartland Summer Institute. Educators may sign up for all of the following sessions or choose those best meeting their needs. We are looking forward to hosting this event at the FFA Center on the DMACC Campus. It is a new facility that is very well suited to educator’s learning needs. Food will be provided by Johnston Schools. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog.

Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction
June 13, 2011 @ FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201
($10—materials, breaks, and lunch)

This session is intended for teachers and administrators who were unable to attend last summer. Participants will be provided with learning opportunities to gain deeper knowledge of the Characteristics of Effective Instruction. The session will be facilitated by Heartland’s Iowa Core Network members.

Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding
June 14–15, 2011 @ FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201
($20—materials, breaks, and lunch)

Featured speakers include: Jason Glass, Director of the Iowa Department of Education; Molly Boyle, Waukee Teacher and Iowa Teacher of the Year; Dr. Jean Donham, University of Northern Iowa; and Mary Schmidt, Gifted and Talented Consultant at Heartland AEA. The two-day session will focus how to teach the important concepts of the Iowa Core Curriculum, how to design meaningful tasks and how to engage students in higher order thinking. In addition to featured speakers, Heartland consultants will also support learning in specific content areas.

New to Summer Institute: Session for Administrators and Leadership Teams!

Collaborating to Lead the Iowa Core
June 16, 2011 @ Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201
($10—materials, breaks, and lunch)

This last day of the summer institute is designed for administrative teams and/or leadership teams. Dr. Troyce Fisher of SAI and the Wallace Foundation will be a featured speaker and facilitator. The focus of the session will be on the leadership that will be needed to implement instruction that leads to deep learning for students. Teams will have an opportunity to engage in conversation around the important drivers for system reform that result in improved learning for students. Learning opportunities will be designed to allow teams to reflect on how learning about the Iowa Core is connected at all levels of the system. Leadership needs at the district, building, learning team, and individual teacher level will be addressed.

Reminder: Iowa Core Summer Institute Registration

Remember to secure your spot at the 2011 Iowa Core Summer Institute! Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity numbers listed below.

Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201

Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201

Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201

There are no credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that districts can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact for Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.

Sign up now for the Iowa Core Summer Institute

Activity numbers are now ready for the 3 offerings in the Iowa Core Summer Institute. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity numbers listed below.

Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201

Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201

Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland Regional Education Center in Johnston (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201

There are not credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that district can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.

Iowa Core Teaching Videos Online

Help bring clarity to the Iowa Core by viewing any of the 44 short videos on collaboration, assessment, universal constructs, characteristics of effective instruction, teaching for understanding, rigorous and relevant instruction, math instruction, social studies instruction, etc. Just like YouTube, the videos are keyword searchable can be viewed full-screen. View the videos here.

Iowa Core Update: Leadership for the Iowa Core – Updated

October is fast approaching! Make sure to reserve your spot for Heartland AEA’s Leadership for the Iowa Core Year Three, Day 1 training. Click here to download an updated flyer of dates, times and locations for training. Please note that the Indianola location has been changed to Brenton Camp Lounge in the Student Center at Simpson College.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Linda Biermann Hoobin, Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Iowa Core, at lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14327.

Heartland AEA Support for the Iowa Core

In his letter to the field about NCLB and the Iowa Core, Kevin Fangman, Interim Director of the Department of Education, described professional development for the Iowa Core that will offered through AEAs. (At the time of this publication, we anticipated this letter would be sent on Friday, September 10.)

Click here to find a summary of the services that are available to support the Iowa Core through Heartland AEA. This document includes more than the professional development described in the letter. Services Heartland provides to support the core are listed in three categories.

1) Support for the continuous improvement process to plan and implement the Iowa Core
2) Professional Learning
3) Resources

The person to contact is identified as well as the Heartland staff members who may be providing the services. Please do not hesitate to contact your Partnership Director if you are in need of support for implementation of your Iowa Core plan.

Iowa Core Update: Leadership for the Iowa Core

Iowa Core training is just around the corner. Click here for a flyer that contains the registration information for Leadership for the Iowa Core, Year Three, Day One. The Iowa Core team looks forward to our continued partnership with you and your leadership team.

November Iowa Core Curriculum Update

Registration information for Day Two and for Day Three Leadership Training is now posted on the Heartland AEA Web site. On the right side of the home page, click on Heartland’s Iowa Core link. Scroll to the bottom of that page and click on Year 2-Days 2 and 3 Registration Flyer. Registration is a must to ensure space and materials for each participant. Each session requires registration.

Other news: The PowerPoint presentation from October’s training is available on the Web site under Year Two Resources by Topic. The team has addressed over 100 questions in a question and answer document that is also found on the Heartland Web site.

For questions or further information, contact Linda Biermann Hoobin, Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Iowa Core Curriculum, at lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us.