Email: jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2577
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 380-997-0466
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools/

(Don't miss the opportunity to sign up for this PD. Check out course #45928 in the PDS for December 13th from 4:00-6:00 virtually.)

The goal of phenomenon-based learning is to prepare learners to solve problems in real life.

Instead of passively learning abstract or disconnected concepts, phenomenon-based learning presents real life problems and asks learners to actively discover the knowledge and skills required to solve them.

This fits in very well with the 5E Model of Instruction. The phenomenon should be your first E, engage. The 2nd E, explore, is a great opportunity for students to begin working through ideas surrounding this phenomenon.

With the phenomena-based instructional approach, students engage in learning that has more context to real life issues, apply knowledge and skills from different subjects, and develop important skills like communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork.

Steps to get started:

1. Choose a phenomena from the real world; the topic should have a global context and be related to real life issues or events.

2. Develop an inquiry question around this topic that begins with either a “how”, “why” or “what if?”

3. Identify and teach the basic concepts that pertain to the phenomenon; what skills or knowledge will they need to solve the problem?

4. Ensure that there is an open structure of time for learners to engage in the necessary research and problem solving.

5. Facilitate the process by setting up a framework that will help guide students through the process and develop their own way of solving the problem.

When considering the cognitive demands of the science standards, this is a great way to ensure that the students are experiencing learning at higher cognitive demands. HELP IS ON THE WAY! Just as November was a month concentrating on the 5E Model of Instruction, December will be the month for phenomena-based learning. Again, I will be presenting a VIRTUAL PD on the topic on Tuesday, December 13th, from 4:00-6:00. Sign up in the PDS for course #45928. In addition, if you would like for me to come to your school and present to your teachers on the topic (allow for 2 hours), just contact me. Once the month is over, as is the case with the 5E Model of Instruction, an on-demand presentation will be available in our

On-Demand PDs folder

Great site for some phenomena and lessons: https://sos.noaa.gov/education/phenomenon-based-learning/

The National Academy of Engineering:

The National Academy of Engineering's annual EngineerGirl essay contest for students in elementary, middle, and high school is now underway. Winners can receive up to $500. Submissions are due February 1, 2023. The prompt is essentially: Write a piece that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

Full details, including specifications for the various grade bands, can be found at HERE.

Captial University:

Capital University in Columbus, Ohio is hosting the 60th Ohio Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) on Friday, March 3, 2023. We invite all interested science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) high school students (Grades 9-12), who are conducting original research, to join us in a state-wide and national competition that recognizes and awards students for their research efforts.

At the Ohio Regional JSHS event, students will compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their research before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Winning projects will receive college scholarships that are jointly sponsored by the United States Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Five Ohio high school students will advance to the national JSHS competition held later in the spring of 2023 where they will present their research to judges and students from the other 47 regional competitions. Additional scholarship and awards are available at each level.

For more information and to register for the JSHS Symposium, please visit https://www.capital.edu/jshs/. Registration closes on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 5 p.m.

NSTA:

Winter 2022 District Dispatch

November 10, 2022; February 9, 2023; and March 9, 2023 | Virtual Network • Online

Learn, Share, Collaborate: Ohio Grade Band Meetings

January 30–31, 2023 | STEM Scholars & Achievements • Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio

2023 SECO SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

February 12–14, 2023 | Conference • Marriott East-Indianapolis

HASTI/ICTM Conference

March 3–4, 2023 | Education Development • Lansing Center and Radisson Lansing Hotel, Michigan

MSTA Conference

Environmental Teachers: National Geographic Slingshot Challenge:

Amplify your student’s voice and make a difference for the planet. Encourage your students to join the Slingshot Challenge today! With their ideas, we can create a better world for everyone.

Through the Slingshot Challenge, your students are helping National Geographic aim for a better tomorrow. By empowering young changemakers to come up with practical solutions to the issues facing our planet, we can educate and inspire a new generation of earth defenders.

Participating in the challenge is simple. Encourage your students to:

1. Sign up for the Slingshot Challenge to receive resources and next steps
2. Submit a one-minute video outlining an innovative solution to a current environmental issue that they’re passionate about by February 24, 2023

Winning videos will be selected by a panel of judges to receive cash prizes—up to $10,000—as well as an invitation to the iconic National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C.
Join the Slingshot Challenge

Grants:

Developing a Competitive Application for Shell Teaching Awards

Shell is offering two awards for K–12 classroom teachers: the Shell Science Teaching Award, which has a $10,000 prize, and the Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award, which has an $1,800 prize. Both awards include funding to attend NSTA’s National Conference in Atlanta in 2023. For details visit NSTA Shell Awards or learn more in this web seminar recording.

Empowering Education Free SEL Webinars:

-Mindful Movement for Youth

Mindful movement increases body awareness and self-regulation for kids (and grown-ups!). Come to this interactive workshop to learn mindful movement techniques you can bring to your classroom. Be ready to move!

December 6, 2022,

6-7:30 PM ET

-Trauma-Informed Teaching: Part I

With almost half the nation’s children experiencing one or more serious traumas before the age of 18, it is more important than ever that schools use trauma-informed practices. This introductory training will introduce concepts and definitions of trauma-informed teaching.

January 31, 2023,

6-7:30 PM ET

-Trauma-Informed Teaching: Part II

Part II of the Trauma-Informed Teaching Training builds on the definition of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Together, we will take a deep dive into the needs of students who have experienced trauma and offer specific trauma-informed teaching interventions.

February 16, 2023,

6-7:30 PM ET

-Restorative Practices

This training defines the theory of Restorative Practice and gives you practical tools to use in the classroom. We’ll cover community-building and relationship-strengthening techniques that help teachers productively respond to conflict.

April 18, 2023,

6-7:30 PM ET

-How Can My School Pay For SEL?

If you don’t know where to turn for SEL best practices, curriculum, resources, and funding, we're here to help. Come to our special workshop for tips on how to get funds for your SEL program.

May 9, 2023,
6-7:30 PM ET

See embedded link below for information and to register:

Please see the most up to date Ask an Expert calendar (attached above). A few reminders:

1. Please see the most up to date Ask an Expert calendar (attached above). A few reminders:

2. Ed Tech: This group specializes in troubleshooting technical issues, not necessarily content issues. EPGTech epgtech@mheducation.com Phone: 800-437-3715

3. Self Help Website: Home (force.com)

Savvas Users:

Here are the dates you can call into Savvas for office hours with any questions you might have about navigating the platform. We are trying these bimonthly office hours to see if it fits your needs. If it does not appear to be a need for you, then we will scale it back to once a month:

Dec 1

8:30-10:30

Join Zoom Meeting

savvas.zoom.us/j/86703806806

ID: 86703806806

Join by phone

(US) +1 877-853-5247

Dec 1

Join Zoom Meeting

https://savvas.zoom.us/j/2923928760

Meeting ID: 292 392 8760

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,2923928760# US

The next date will be December 9th. Read the weekly updates for the links.

Ohio Ed Updates:

2022-2023 Meetups Launched to Focus on Support for New Science Educators

The first convening of the 2022-2023 Science Meetups commenced on October 18, 2022. This series is designed to provide resources for new educators of science and their supporters as they implement the Ohio Learning Standards for Science.

Meetups occur on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. except for December, which will occur on December 13, 2022.

Meetup topics are listed below. Registration is still available for remaining sessions

December 13, 2022 - The Power of Student Discourse

January 17, 2023 - Instructional Frameworks

February 21, 2023 - Assessing for Understanding

March 21, 2023 - What about NGSS?

April 18, 2023 - Looking Ahead – Planning for Next Year

Ditch that Textbook:

-20 Ideas for Exit Tickets in the Classroom: https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-ideas-for-digital-exit-tickets-and-some-analog-ones-too

-5 Easy Gamified Activities You Can Assign in Google Classroom Tomorrow: https://ditchthattextbook.com/gamified-genially

-Templates for any occasion: https://ditchthattextbook.com/resources/templates/

Population Education:

World Population: 8,000,000,000

November 15, 2022

Today is the Day of 8 Billion! Check out these ready-to-go activities and materials to mark this unique population milestone in your classroom.

🌍 Population Clock

Only have a minute to spare? Watch the population clock roll on past 8 billion in real time. A teacher favorite!

👀 How Big Is a Billion?

Share our population riddles (6-12) or fun word problems (4-7) to help students appreciate the magnitude of 8 billion people. Eye-opening for all ages!

🎥 Student Video Contest

Through the World of 8 Billion video contest, students grades 6-12 connect population to pressing global challenges and offer their idea for a sustainable solution. What does it mean to have a world of 8 billion people?

National Eat a Red Apple Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-eat-a-red-apple-day-december-1/

Rosa Parks Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/rosa-parks-day-december-1/

December 2:

National Mutt Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-mutt-day-july-31-and-december-2/

Special Education Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-special-education-day-december-2/

December 4:

National Cookie Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-cookie-day-december-4/

December 5:

National Sacher Torte Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-sacher-torte-day-december-5/

December 6:

National Miners Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-miners-day-december-6/

National Microwave Oven Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-microwave-oven-day-december-6/

December 7:

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-pearl-harbor-remembrance-day-december-7/

December 8:

National Brownie Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-brownie-day-december-8/

December 10:

Human Rights Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/human-rights-day-december-10/

Nobel Prize Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/nobel-prize-day-december-10/

December 11:

National App Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-app-day-december-11/

December 13:

National Cocoa Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-cocoa-day-december-13/

December 15:

Bill of Rights Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/bill-of-rights-day-december-15/

December 16:

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-chocolate-covered-anything-day-december-16/

December 17:

National Maple Syrup Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-maple-syrup-day-december-17/

December 19:

National Hard Candy Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-hard-candy-day-december-19/

National Oatmeal Muffin Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-oatmeal-muffin-day-december-19/

December 21:

National Crossword Puzzle Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/crossword-puzzle-day-december-21/

National Homeless Persons Remembrance Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-homeless-persons-remembrance-day-first-day-of-winter/

Want more? Check out this website:

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/december/

Edutopia:

-How to Help Readers Grapple with Challenging Texts: https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-to-help-readers-grapple-with-challenging-texts

-High Teacher Expectations Boost Long-Term Student Outcomes: https://tinyurl.com/bdd2j5m6

-Students Say Depression/Anxiety Are Holding Them Back: https://tinyurl.com/292bufu8

-Video Games Could Actually Be Good for Kids' Brains: https://tinyurl.com/5czaxnwz

-Expert Tips for Tackling Student Absences during Fall and Winter: https://tinyurl.com/bddmu2yz

-The Learning Recovery Strategy Districts are Overlooking: https://tinyurl.com/cxxkm8h6

-Later School Start Times Can Benefit Teachers, Too: https://tinyurl.com/4v4sf4sk

NSTA:

-What Does the Metaverse Mean for Education: While the term has become the latest buzzword in education circles, what it means for teaching and learning largely remains to be seen. Read More

Ted Talks:

-Whispering Is Scarier

-4 Things All Great Listeners Know

-POV Falling in Class

-The Slow Walk to the Nurses Office

-Teachers Be Like

https://sites.google.com/columbus.k12.oh.us/sprucerun/home

Spruce Run Nature Center November/December newsletter: https://www.smore.com/cxmg8

Check out the flyers below for the December and January open houses. December's is coming up THIS SATURDAY, December 3rd...don't miss it...we had a great time at the last two!

24 MS Winter Activities/Labs: https://www.weareteachers.com/winter-science/

Holiday HS Chemistry: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/holiday-chemistry.html

HS Physics Winter Sports and Snow:

https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/winter-sports.html

MS Project Learning Tree Winter Experiments:

https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/winter-experiments-activities

Brian Morton, Director of Secondary Curriculum

Sonja Dill, Secondary Curriculum Supervisor

Laura Schnebelen, K-5 Coordinator, lschnebe@columbus.k12.oh.us

Jennifer Nord, 6-12 Science Coordinator, jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us

Heather Allen, K-12 Spruce Run Coordinator, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us