SLATE 2019

                                                                                 

SLATE is probably my favorite conference! The sessions are informative. The size is large enough to offer a good variety, yet not too big to feel overwhelming. The food and drinks are plenty. The price is affordable. The keynote speakers are inspiring. 

Opening Keynote: Tom Murray, Director of Innovation, Future Ready Schools

Opening Keynote: Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today

Having no historical precedent, the current speed of technological breakthroughs has led to the coming age of workplace automation, dramatically altering the world of work that our students will enter upon graduation. With the vast disparities of inequity that have existed for centuries, all that is known about how students learn, and the predictions regarding the world that our students will face tomorrow, utilizing a traditional, one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and learning is educational malpractice. Built upon the foundation of leadership and school culture, a redesigned learning experience fundamentally shifts the teaching and learning paradigm to one that is personal, while altering the use of authentic assessments, how technology is leveraged, the spaces in which the learning occurs, the way educators grow professionally, how schools collaborate with the community, and ultimately, the sustainability of the system as a whole.

In this session, ASCD best-selling author, Thomas C. Murray, will dissect these eight keys, which each serves as a puzzle piece for redesigning the learning experience, to unlock tomorrow’s schools so that today’s modern learners leave ready to create new industries, find new cures, and solve world problems. We must create tomorrow’s schools today and you are part of the solution. Check out Tom Murray’s SLATE Invite message by clicking here! 

General Keynote: Kristin Ziemke, Educator and Author

Amplify-Digital Pedagogy for Today and Tomorrow

Technology provides new and innovative ways for students to respond, interact and share as kids leverage digital tools to build understanding. Personalization and differentiation is built-in as multimodal response options make learning accessible and authentic as students create, collaborate and connect around curriculum that is rooted in thinking. But it’s not just the technology; it’s how we use it that really matters.

Rooted in best practice teaching, this session will guide you to change the conditions for learning and AMPLIFY instructional strategies that are research-based, teacher-tested and kid approved. Learn new and innovative practices you can try tomorrow to build readers, writers and thinkers.

Find out more about Kristin Ziemke by checking out this video!

Closing Keynote: John Spencer, Author

LAUNCH Into Design Thinking

Despite the myth of “digital natives,” most of my students have very little experience using technology as anything more than a consumer device. It doesn’t have to be this way. By using a design thinking framework, teachers can foster creative thinking in every content area.

I walk participants through the LAUNCH Cycle, offering practical tips and specific examples. Participants leave feeling inspired, challenged and empowered to create spaces where creativity thrives.

Rural Teachers Share Perspectives on STEM Education in Wisconsin

Rural Teachers & UW–Madison Education Researchers Share Perspectives on STEM Education in Wisconsin

Third annual Teacher Speakout! will feature 19 rural STEM educators from 18 school districts November 13, 2019   |   By Lynn Armitage

MADISON, WIS.—The Rural Education Research and Implementation Center (RERIC) will host 19 rural STEM educators from 18 school districts around Wisconsin for the third annual Teacher Speakout!, Friday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, 1025 West Johnson Street, 13th Floor; followed by field trips on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to noon starting at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

The goal of Teacher Speakout! is to bring the voices of rural teachers into a collaborative, public forum with researchers, legislators and rural school advocates.

“The event will bring the knowledge of our teacher partners directly to campus so our research is better informed and can respond most effectively on behalf of students in rural school districts in Wisconsin,” says WCER Director Robert Mathieu, who will deliver opening remarks. “We look forward to hearing from teachers about their successes and to learn more about how our researchers can help educators in small towns and rural schools.”

We encourage media to attend the main event, Panel Conversation with Teachers, on Friday, Nov. 15, from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. In collaboration with Discovery Outreach, the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers and PBS Wisconsin, rural STEM teachers from eight districts will discuss their experiences and exchange ideas about STEM education in rural Wisconsin with university faculty, researchers, policymakers and graduate students in education.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, teachers will meet at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery to embark on scientist-led field trips across campus, including stops at the School of Pharmacy to learn about nanotechnology and gene-mapping; and at the Gilroy Lab to discover the world of astrobotany.

The 19 STEM educators will be representing the following 18 school districts: Belleville, Cambria-Friesland, Cuba City, Edgar, Eleva-Strum, Elmwood, La Farge, Merrill, Mishicot, Monroe, Montello, New Holstein, North Crawford, Northwood, Pecatonica, Sauk Prairie, Three Lakes and Washington Island.

Legislators representing these districts have been invited to meet informally with the teachers at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, to discuss rural education over delicious Babcock ice cream.

WCER Director Bob Mathieu delivers opening remarks at the inaugural Teacher Speakout! event.

The Engineering Design Process: A Taco Party

Source: KQED QUEST

We LOVE the Design Process as it is a major component of our project-based learning PLTW curriculum.

Family Event!

A family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness at the Madison Mini Maker Faire this Sunday at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center from 10:00-4:00.

Look for Mrs. Xistris and Mrs. Ogodogu at our STEM booth spotlighting PLTW computer science, biomedical, and engineering pathways! Students in grades 4-6 are welcome to participate, too! Email Mrs. Xistris if you have any questions, or your child would like to help at our booth.

Just a few other things you will see at this family-friendly event include:

* Create your own LED light-up bracelet with designers from Delve.

* Wisconsin Science Museum shares about homegrown discoveries designed to inspire interest in science and engineering.

* Did you know bacteria can act like a flashlight?  Learn from UW’s Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department about how bacteria from the ocean make light.

* Channel your inner Frank Lloyd Wright and build a mini architectural model with the educators from Taliesin Preservation.

* Get your holiday shopping done at booths featuring unique plush toys, Harry Potter-inspired crafts, handwoven hats, and cool stuff for cats.

Girls Who Code Club 2019

Girls Who Code was founded by CEO Reshma Saujani with a single mission: to close the gender gap in technology. It is a nonprofit organization that aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science. The organization is not only working to close the gender employment difference in technology, as well as to change the image of what a programmer looks like. They are also building the largest pipeline of future female engineers in the United States.

Running a Girls Who Code club is an enrichment opportunity I have wanted to start in my school for a few years. Last year I applied to start a 6th-12th-grade club, but they were not taking new applicants due to the high demand. This year Girls Who Code offered the 3rd-5th grade after school club, which is so perfect since that is what I teach!

There was an overwhelmingly positive response from our families and more than 30 girls signed up for the club! In addition, we received a grant from the Awesome Education fund, a local family, allowing us to purchase three Sphero Robots!

I could not make this club happen without our district’s Library Media Specialist, Kiley Ogodogu! She is flexible with a true growth mindset and has a positive spin on everything the students do! I am lucky to work so closely with such a talented and kindhearted educator!

The girls were always focused, excited and on-task. It was a wonderful 6 weeks, and I am happy for the experience!

                                                Click here for a short video

PLTW with Andrew Sarbacker!

Welcome, Andy!

As I walked outside to get into my car to go to the school in the morning I was welcomed by a full moon setting to the west and the sun rising to the east! I knew it was going to be a good day, despite the bitter cold!

View to the west!

View to the east!


The district's curriculum director, Pam Emmerich, and I had planned a Project Lead the Way professional development for the elementary school staff on the morning of January 21. As a part of the presentation we invited Andy Sarbacker, PLTW Wisconsin Director of School Engagement, to speak with the staff about the amazing PLTW hands-on, engaging, collaborative, inquiry-based 21st century curriculum. Andy was informative and supportive. It was an inspirational day.

Hour of Code with Parents and Community Members

         

Belleville Public Library

                          

2018

It was so much fun creating with some of the Belleville community members and parents!