Mississippi Bend AEA Media Montage

The pandemic has been difficult for many but has especially taken a toll on our elderly. Looking for a way to build empathy and have a talking point around the 75th anniversary of the World War II ending? Encourage students and families to compose letters to World War II Veterans. Addresses are on the images above.

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have created an extensive, easy-to-use resource to help students and educators understand copyright laws and the associated rights and responsibilities as users of copyrighted information.

Two versions of Copyright BriefNotes are available to support students and teachers in virtual and physical classrooms. You are welcome to link to your school website or LMS.

A new version of Copyright BriefNotes for Students has been updated for 2021 and is available in a Flipbook and PDF versions.

Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Teachers includes the same content from the student version plus information that helps address copyright questions related to online and virtual learning environments, digital content, copyright permissions, and more. Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Teachers also is available in Flipbook and PDF versions.

Additionally, this year the AEAs have created a Copyright Decision Tree poster. This poster features a QR code to the flipbook version of Copyright BriefNotes for Students.

What we say and how we say it MATTER

We all want our students to feel safe, collaborate well with others, feel ownership for their learning, and be joyfully engaged in their work. Nevertheless, many teachers end up using language patterns that undermine these goals. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?

• We want students to take responsibility for their learning, yet we use language that implies teacher ownership.
• We want to build positive relationships with students, yet we use sarcasm when we get frustrated.
• We want students to think learning is fun, yet we sometimes make comments that suggest the opposite.
• We want students to exhibit good behavior because it's the right thing to do, yet we rely on threats and bribes, which implies students don’t naturally want to be good.

What teachers say to students—when they praise or discipline, give directions or ask questions, and introduce concepts or share stories—affects student learning and behavior. A slight change in intonation can also dramatically change how language feels for students. In What We Say and How We Say It Matter, Mike Anderson digs into the nuances of language in the classroom. This book's many examples will help teachers examine their language habits and intentionally improve their classroom practice so their language matches and supports their goals.

Pear Deck introduces Shared Teacher Dashboard feature

Pear Deck unveils this new feature that enables teachers using Pear Deck Premium to share Session controls and valuable student insight with other designated educators, including student teachers, special educators, co-teachers, or even substitutes. With a real-time view of individual student work and the ability to guide and provide direct feedback, educators teaching together can better support the diverse needs of learners everywhere!

Click this link to learn more!

Check out these great resources below!

Election 2020

The election presents a unique opportunity to help students experience powerful learning moments about democracy, history, civics — and most importantly, understand their role in it all. Pear Deck has compiled a collection of free resources from trusted content providers to pair with Pear Deck to promote understanding, critical thinking, and participation in the democratic process.

PBS NewsHour Extra + Pear Deck
Pear Deck has teamed up with PBS NewsHour Extra to bring you free, ready-to-teach lessons on the events affecting our world today. Each week, you’ll find a Deck made for middle school and high school learners on a current-events topic, complete with thought-provoking interactive questions and embedded videos from reliable sources.

Make sure you don't miss a thing! Click here to sign up for Pear Mail.

Mississippi Bend AEA is offering Pear Deck as a new resource to area schools for free this 20-21 year! You already have access! Click here for information on how to get started!

Teacher Librarians have always been busy wearing many hats and impacting achievement in a myriad of ways. Assisting families, students, and staff with technology support and best practices may have increased. As we work through this unique period in education, breath and know your support may look different but is valued! If you are feeling overwhelmed and searching for new ideas in a constantly changing environment, use the AASL School Librarian Role in a Pandemic chart to guide your thinking. It is broken into 5 roles and 3 learning settings. It will likely reinforce what you have been doing and provide insight for additional ideas. As always, reach out if I can be of any help.

Green Screen Kit

Why use a Green Screen in Your Online Classroom?

There are some obvious reasons for using a green screen in an online classroom:

• It makes you look professional
• You can use a variety of background images to elicit discussion and check comprehension
• You can use your green screen with apps such as ManyCam to create more interaction in the classroom
• You can change up your virtual background without redecorating your actual work space

And some not-so-obvious advantages:

• Your students can’t see your furniture, clothes, or personal items (or mess) in your home
• Your family members or roommates can walk around the home without having to duck and crawl behind you while you teach online
• You can travel or work from almost any location without your students knowing where you are

Kit includes

• (1) x BACKDROP STAND
• (3) x BACKGOUND (white, black, green)
• (4) x CLAMPS
• (1) x CARRY BAG

6 Exercises to Get to Know Your Students Better—and Increase Their Engagement
Celebrating your middle and high school students' unique identities can bolster connections and improve performance in school. Click here to read the article.

Future of Education Technology Conference

January 26-29, 2021 Register here!

Engage with thousands of your peers online during the Future of Education Technology® Conference 2021. Known as the leading professional development event for educators and school technology professionals for over 40 years, this virtual experience will be unlike any other. During the 4-day online conference, you’ll be able to connect directly — and easily — with leading ed tech experts and solution providers as well as the entire FETC community from the comfort and safety of your desk. FETC is excited to introduce two new, powerful keynotes for the 41st Future of Education Technology® Conference.

Friday, January 29 | 11 a.m.

What is YOUR District's Cybersecurity Story?

Lenny Schad Chief Information & Innovation Officer, District Administration Magazine

Friday, January 29 | 4:45 p.m.
An Aligned System to Increase Student Achievement at Scale

Dr. Peter Gorman Superintendent in Residence, District Administration®

TeachingBooks.net

Energize literacy instruction with digital resources from TeachingBooks that connect readers to titles. These 20-minute webinars showcase strategies and integration ideas. Select the title of the webinar for more information and to register. Watch for reminders prior to the webinar and a recording afterward.

• Ideas from The TeachingBooks Blog - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 2CT

• Discover TeachingBooks! - Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 2CT
• Fresh Ideas Ready-to-Use from TeachingBooks - Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 2CT
• Literacy Inspiration for STEAM lessons with TeachingBooks - Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 2CT
• Reflect on Cultural Representation with Literature - Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 2CT

For more information check out Mississippi Bend AEA Current Course Offerings.

There are a variety of courses offered virtually throughout the entire state. Login to the AEA PD Registration site to meet your license renewal and professional development needs. For employment related training visit AEA PD Learning Online. Your login information is the same for both sites. If you don't remember your password, click Forgot Password at the bottom of the page. Having trouble with your username? It may be your personal email, not your school email.

A few upcoming courses are below!

• Virtual ATOM 2020- Assistive Technology Virtual Learning Opportunites
• Personalized Pathways to Enhance Teaching and Learning
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• K-5 Mathematics Classrooms: Building A Culture That Works
  
• Paraeducator Generalist Certification Courses
• Substitute Authorization
• Social Media- (One License Renewal Credit)
  
• Be Here Now: Mindfulness Practices for Teachers & Students Webinar Series
  

For more questions, please contact: staffdevelopment@aea9.k12.ia.us.

BOEE Quarterly Newsletter

Our second media academy is in the books, and we can't wait to see you next time! We still have 2 more dates. I will be reaching out to participants about your goal and how I can support. Please ponder the question, what is the value of diverse reading?

Save the Dates! View the agenda!
February 4th, April 6th

Login to my google classroom for access to materials even if you are unable to make the meetings. You must use your school email. My class code is dt773ut.

DECEMBER

• Advent – begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (November 27-December 3) and ends on Christmas Day (December 25).

• December 1- Rosa Parks Day

• December 2- Special Education Day

• December 7- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

• December 11- First day of Hanukkah

• December 13- National Guard Birthday

• December 15- Bill of Rights Day

• December 17- Wright Brothers Day

• December 24- Christmas Eve

• December 25- Christmas Day

• December 26- Kwanzaa Begins

• December 31- New Year’s Eve

Please email or call us at 563-344-6459 anytime for appointments, assistance with usernames/passwords or any other support you need!

Check out all our services here! We are here to support you!

Email: hwhitman@mbaea.org
Website: https://www.mbaea.org/
Location: 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, IA, USA
Phone: 563-344-6526
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missbend9/
Twitter: @MBAEA

The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender identity, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, socioeconomic status, or disability in its educational programs, services or employment practices. Inquiries concerning this statement should be addressed to Kim Hofmann, Equity Coordinator, at 563-344-6415.