BUY YOUR POETRY SLAM TICKETS
You can use this QR code or link below to get your tickets for the Poetry Slam!!
Several schools have registered teams for the 2024 CCS District Poetry Slam which will happen on April 27th at Eastmoor Academy from 5-9pm!! Good Luck to all the schools, teams, coaches, and poets! See more about the Slam in Literacy Events section below.
RESOURCES FOR CELEBRATING POETRY
- Encourage everyone to attend the CCS District Poetry Slam on April 27th at Eastmoor Academy, 5pm ($5 admission)
- Filter your StudySync Library by Grade & Poetry to find poems to use in instruction. There are 136 middle school poems and 208 high school poems.
- Use your LitCharts A+ Subscription to delve deeply into some of their 965 poetry guides.
- See the links below for more ideas/lessons.
NCTE members receive 20% off Teach Living Poets
April 22–26, 2024 Earth Day and National Poetry Month Middle School Writing: Learn more
National Poetry Month Poster
Ideas to Celebrate Poetry in the Classroom
Dear Poet Project
Favorite Poem Project
Sign up for Poem-a-Day
Poem in Your Pocket Day (April 18th)
The Poetry Learning Lab from the Poetry Foundation
IEW's Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization Freebie
Is a Sentence a Poem? RWT Lesson
Poetry: Sound and Sense RWT Lesson
Identifying and Resisting Jim Crow with Words and Songs TeachRock Lesson
Celebrating Community with Art and Music TeachRock Lesson
The Music and Poetry Behind the Red Power Movement TeachRock Lesson
More TeachRock Lessons with Poetry TeachRock Lessons
May 1, 4:00 P.M. Close-Reading Phillis Wheatley with Poetry in America Join NCTE, in partnership with PBS’s Poetry in America, for an upcoming virtual event. In honor of National Poetry Month, Elisa New will host a webinar for K–12 English language arts educators.
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Attend this StudySync Webinar this month to get ideas for a mini-unit to use next month.
- Unit Creator: Create a Custom Unit with a focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in StudySync Register for Webinar Monday April 22, 2024, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
SCHOOLED ON POETRY EVENT
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024, 7:00 PM, Lincoln Theater
This collaboration between CAPA, Thurber House, ESCCO, the Poetry Foundation, the Columbus Foundation and poet-educator Peter Kahn is the culminating celebration of a year-long Spoken Word poetry project at Dublin Scioto, Grandview Heights, Independence, KIPP and Northland high schools. There will be intra-school group pieces and individual original poems by slam champs from each school. They will be joined by local poets Hanif Abdurraqib and Cynthia Amoah, and Chicago-based poet/musical artist, Christian “Rich Robbins” Robinson and National Book Award finalist Tim Seibles, from Virginia. The hope is to showcase the power of poetry to the Columbus community in a diverse way so that writers of all ages and backgrounds can see poetry as an accessible form of expression. Learn more and get tickets here: https://www.capa.com/events/detail/schooled-on-poetry-1.
JUSTWRITE OHIO APRIL POETRY CONTEST FOR GRADES 9-12
Genre: Poetry
Poetry Theme: Colors of Emotion
PROMPT: Poets should pick a color or a combination of colors to use as the central theme of their poem. The chosen colors should represent and enhance the emotions they want to convey. Participants should not only write a poem (no more than 10 stanzas) that speaks the theme of “Colors of Emotion,” but should also create an artistic representation to accompany it. The poem can be part of the artistic representation or it can accompany the artistic representation.
How to Enter: A student writes an original poem, no more than 10 stanzas in length, that matches the genre and prompt provided. PDFs of poems and entry forms must be emailed to contests@justwriteohio.org The contest deadline is 4-19-24 by 5 PM.
Winner: The writer of the winning entry will be awarded an Amazon Gift Card. There will be one 9-12th grade winning recipient. The winning entry will be posted to the JustWrite Ohio website. The teacher connected to the winning poem will receive a $50 discount on the Regional Registration fee for the 2024-25 tournament season.
SCHEDULE INFORMATION FOR APRIL 8TH PD DAY
Below is the schedule for the April 8th District PD Day. Here are links to the main Canvas page, the Secondary Curriculum Canvas page, and the Secondary English Breakout page from the District to see all options and get links for April 8th. Here is a Google Doc Schedule Page that condenses all of the Canvas pages for Secondary English & General Sessions: https://tinyurl.com/4-8Schedule.
OPENING SESSIONS
7:15-7:25 Teachers will check-in at a virtual meeting held by their building to ensure everyone knows where to access the PD sessions.
7:30-8:30 All Secondary Teachers (6 - 12) will attend a session on the Core Instructional Framework - Learning Assessments from Dr. Tonya Milligan, Ravin Pandey, Judy Wright, & Jesse Ireland. Participants will review the role of Learning Assessments in the Core Instructional Framework and understand the foundational concepts of contemporary assessment. Zoom Link; Session Slides
8:35-9:50 Teachers will choose one of these Learning Assessment Platform Breakout Sessions where they will experience how the platform is able to assist teachers with creating and delivering assessments that align with the Ohio Learning Standards.
- Jesse Ireland - Mastery Connect Zoom Link; Materials; Mastery Connect
- Anissa Holtsberry - OST Readiness Assessments Zoom Link; Materials
9:50-10:00 Teachers will get a preview of the content-specific and general choice session for the remainder of the day. Zoom Link for English 6-12
- Google Doc Page for English 6-12 Teachers w/Some General Sessions (https://tinyurl.com/4-8Schedule)
- Choice Session Canvas Page for English 6-12 Teachers w/Some General Sessions
CHOICE SESSIONS (for ENGLISH 6-12)
10:00 - 11:00 Literacy Chat #4 with Dr. Shannon Beach Zoom Link
This fourth literacy chat of the year will focus on Comprehension and Background Knowledge. Background knowledge becomes the velcro to which new learning attaches. This session will clarify prior knowledge from background knowledge and look at ways to support bolstering student funds of knowledge. (You did not need to attend the first three chats to be able to attend this one.)
10:00 - 11:00 StudySync Assessments with Anita Norris, McGraw Hill/StudySync Zoom LinkMeeting ID: 993 1622 7786; Passcode: 326313
Learn How to Customize and Create StudySync Assessments to Fit Your Classroom Needs
Session Resources (repeats at 12pm)
LUNCH 11:00-12:00
12:00 - 2:30 Planning & Collaboration for English 6-12 Teachers
This is planning and collaboration time to work on CIF Learning Assessments or planning via the Learning Design Tool that includes all parts of the CIF. You can choose to work independently or arrange to meet via Zoom with colleagues at your building or across buildings/contents. The Planning and Collaboration Folder can help guide your professional development in this self-directed session. The newest item included is McGraw Hill's Science of Literacy Hub.
12:00-1:00 StudySync Assessments with Anita Norris, McGraw Hill/StudySync Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 975 0442 1320; Passcode: 222383
Learn How to Customize and Create StudySync Assessments to Fit Your Classroom Needs
Session Resources (repeated session)
1:00 - 1:30 StudySync Q & A with Anita Norris, McGraw Hill/StudySync Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 993 4788 9628; Passcode: 830804
This is a drop-in session to ask any StudySync questions. Session Resources
1:30-2:30 Canvas Q & A with Randy Nielsen, CCS Learning Tech Zoom Link
This is a drop-in session to ask any general or English-specific Canvas questions. (Pairing with StudySync, Blueprints, etc.) Session Resources
CHOICE SESSIONS (for VARIED SECONDARY TEACHERS)
10:00-11:00 The Blue Zones Approach to Well-being with Rachel Dosch, Ohio Health Zoom Link
The Blue Zones are five areas in the world where the populations live longer and remain active with greater vitality later in life. Tune in to learn where these zones are and what type of behaviors these populations partake in to live happier, healthier and longer lives. (repeats at 1pm)
LUNCH 11:00-12:00
12:00-1:10 Achieve3000 Career Center & April Contest, Romana Bertolotti, Achieve3000 Zoom Registration (coming soon) This session is for Grades 9-11 English, Social Studies, and Science Teachers to explore Acheive3000's Career Center. Supporting students in utilizing their literacy proficiency to pursue their career objectives can prove to be a highly effective source of motivation. Session Resources
12:00-1:10 Let the Kids Talk: Strategies for Fostering Academic Discourse and Classroom Discussion, Teacher Created Materials Zoom Link
In this session, learn how to facilitate academic discourse in all learning environments and create opportunities for students to think constructively, communicate effectively, and increase their academic proficiency.
12:00 - 1:10 Canvas Quizzes & Discussions with Alex Sergay, Learning Technology Zoom Link
Participants will learn how to create Canvas Quizzes & Discussions that can be used to formatively assess student learning. (repeats at 1:20pm)
1:00-2:00 The Blue Zones Approach to Well-being with Rachel Dosch, Ohio Health Zoom Link
The Blue Zones are five areas in the world where the populations live longer and remain active with greater vitality later in life. Tune in to learn where these zones are and what type of behaviors these populations partake in to live happier, healthier and longer lives. (repeated session)
1:20 - 2:30 Canvas Quizzes & Discussions with Alex Sergay, Learning Technology Zoom Link
Participants will learn how to create Canvas Quizzes & Discussions that can be used to formatively assess student learning. (repeated session)
1:30-2:30 Achieve3000 Q & A, Romana Bertolotti, Achieve3000 Zoom Link
This is a drop-in session to ask any Achieve3000 questions for Grades 9-11 English, Social Studies, and Science Teachers.
CLOSING SESSION
2:30-2:45 All teachers will use a google form provided by their building to check-out for the day in order to get CEUs.
2024 POETRY SLAM-APRIL 27TH AT EASTMOOR ACADEMY, 5PM
Middle School Poetry Slam Rules
1. Each middle school may bring a total of eight (8) poets.
2. Each middle school will have four slots or times to perform (four individual and/or group poems total).
3. The same rules apply as in the high school slam:
- No props, costumes, instruments, or music.
- There is a three minute time limit with a ten second grace period.
4. No poet may perform in more than two poems (for instance, a poet may perform one individual poem and one group poem, or in two group poems.
5. Group poems may not have more than six (6) poets on stage at once.
6. Poets may bring their typed poem up on stage (there will be a music stand).
7. Poems must be school appropriate.
High School Poetry Slam Rules
1. Each high school may bring a total of six (6) poets.
2. Each high school will have four individual slots or times to perform (four poems total—one per poet).
3. The same rules apply as in the middle school slam:
- No props, costumes, instruments, or music.
- There is a three minute time limit with a ten second grace period.
4. Poets may bring their typed poem up on stage (there will be a music stand).
5. Poems must be school appropriate.
Optional High School Group Poetry Rules
There will be an optional group poem competition for the high school slam. Group poems follow the same rules as above, but schools may only have up to six poets on stage. The high school group poems will be performed prior to intermission.
Judging
There are five judges who will score the poems on a scale of 0-10 (out to one decimal point). The scores are not shown to the audience (which is different than a traditional slam).
Trophies and Medals
“Sandy Cox” Memorial Trophy-Winning High School Team
CCS Middle School Trophy-Winning Middle School Team
Medals-Top Three Middle and High School Teams
Medals-Top Three Middle and High School Poets
Medals-Top High School Group Poem
CJIT 2024
The culminating celebration and awards ceremony for Columbus Journalists in Training was held on Saturday, March 16th at Dennison Edge for the 32 CCS Students who completed the program, which involved eight weeks of training and mentorship with central Ohio journalists from The Columbus Dispatch, the Society of Professional Journalists, NBC 4, USA Today Network Ohio, ForeFront Web, CityScene Media Group, Columbus Business First, Spectrum News1, WOSU, Ohio University, Ohio State University, and Dennison University. You can check out several photos from the CJIT program here and see the student list below for the participants and winners.
Diamanni Anderson-South High School
Oscar Ball-Whetstone High School BEST CREATIVE WRITING
Apshana Biswa-Columbus Alternative High School BEST INTERVIEW
Caylah Buggs-Columbus Online Academy 9-12
LeVar Davis-South High School
Sumayo Elmi-Centennial High School
Trinity Forbes-Columbus Online Academy 9-12 BEST RESEARCH
Livinia Greenwald-Centennial High School
Da'John Hales-Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School
Antanique Hawkins-Walnut Ridge High School BEST NEWS STORY
Brenda Hill-Columbus International High School
Ryan Holmes-Centennial High School
Zaida Jenkins-Whetstone High School BEST MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION
Mamie Joe-Northland High School
Daniel Jones-Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School BEST PODCAST PERSONALITY
Jaiya Kelley-Columbus Online Academy 9-12
Lia McMillan-Columbus Alternative High School
Tiffany Mcvay-Briggs High School
Ja’laura Morris-Northland High School
Abbey Murphy-Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School
Julianna Price-Northland High School
Sophie Reeder-Whetstone High School BEST WATCHDOG
Araceli Shingler-Columbus International High School BEST COVERAGE OF A DIFFICULT TOPIC
Saniyah Smith-Centennial High School
Truth Turner-East High School
Ryan Vorvornator-Columbus Alternative High School BEST FEATURE
Avery Watkins-Columbus Alternative High School BEST VIDEO
Joi White-Independence High School
KeMah'jae Williams-Linden-McKinley STEM 7-12
Kai Witherspoon-Centennial High School
Riyanna Woods-Columbus Alternative High School
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS, TEAMS, AND COACHES!!!
STATE TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS
The following students have qualified to compete in the Power of the Pen State Tournament on May 17th at Ashland University as a result of their efforts at the Regional Tournament held in Dublin on March 2nd.
8TH GRADE
- Dominion's Jane Wootton-2nd Individual
- Indianola's Madeline Marsh-8th Individual & Best of Round
- Indianola's Darcy Hazzard
- Ridgeview's Samarah Beaty
- Ridgeview's Johnny Wulff-Best of Round
- World Language's Zakiya Obayuwana-8th Individual & Best of Round
Below is a chart showing all of the CCS students who competed at the district and region levels of Power of the Pen this year. Beside each name, it is noted if the student placed in the top 12 at each tournament and/or won Best of Round (BR) and Director's Choice (DC) awards. In addition,
Dublin's 8th Grade Team came in 4th place overall at the regional tournament and 2nd at districts. Also at the district tournament, CCS 7th grade teams took the top three places: 1st-Dominion, 2nd-Ridgeview, and 3rd-World Language.
STATE QUALIFIERS ANNOUNCED
On December 2nd, students from CAHS, Eastmoor Academy, Fort Hayes, Independence, and Northland competed in the first JustWrite Ohio Columbus City Regional Tournament. Students were challenged to respond to one poetry prompt prior to the competition and three creative writing prompts during the competition. Students were divided into two divisions: Division One (9-10th graders) and Division Two (11-12th graders). Students in Division One wrote in Narrative Nonfiction, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction genres. Students in Division Two wrote in Realistic Fiction, Classic Horror, and Science Fiction genres. On January 1st, all of the STATE TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS from the Columbus City Regional Tournament were announced. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE 16 STUDENTS WHO QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT!!
Division One
Caren Adjei, Independence (creative writing)
Niciya Austin, Fort Hayes (creative writing)
Amaya Brown, Fort Hayes (creative writing)
Ryder Caudill, Fort Hayes (poetry and creative writing)
Cadence Hensel, Fort Hayes (poetry and creative writing)
Jayah Hunt, Fort Hayes (poetry and creative writing)
Shyla Nutt, Fort Hayes (creative writing)
Division Two
Saja Al-Hashemi, CAHS (poetry and creative writing)
Akilah Bayless-Sizemore, Eastmoor Academy (creative writing)
Kim'Mya Byrd-Green, Eastmoor Academy (creative writing)
Houley Koundourou , CAHS (creative writing)
Sloan Mercerhill, Fort Hayes (creative writing)
Lucie Miller, Fort Hayes (poetry and creative writing)
Fennic Milner, CAHS (creative writing)
Brillyant Moore, Northland (poetry and creative writing)
Amaiya Moorer, Eastmoor Academy (creative writing)
The state competition will be held on May 9th at the University of Findlay.
SUMMER LITERACY INSTITUTE-ESC OF CENTRAL OHIO
Literacy lovers unite at our 2024 Summer Literacy Institute!
Join the ESC of Central Ohio as educational stakeholders unite for joyful conversation and learning on June 11th, 2024 at Grandview Heights Middle and High School. National experts and keynote speakers Zaretta Hammond and American Cartoonist Jamar Nicholas lead our collaborative learning on Cultivating a Love of Learning. Register here.
OHIOANA BOOK FESTIVAL
Ohioana is excited to announce the authors and illustrators for the 2024 Ohioana Book Festival, to be held Saturday, April 20, at Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library. With something for every reader of every age, it's a book lover's dream. Click here to see the complete list: https://www.ohioana.org/the-2024-ohioana-book-festival.../
CELEBRATE SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY
Who Said It: Taylor Swift or Shakespeare PBS Great Performances
Test your ability to identify if a line is from Shakespeare or Taylor Swift in this video from the National Theater.
Patricia Akhimie: The Goodness of the Night: Editing Othello
Saturday, April 27, 7 pm ET; Folger Theatre and streaming live on YouTube; Free, Registration required
The director of the Folger Institute explores the ways strategic editing choices, such as omission and correction, produce and perpetuate racial stereotypes in Shakespeare’s Othello. More
Shakespeare is for Students with IEPs and 504s
Wednesday, April 17, 8 pm ET; Live on Zoom | Free, Registration required
Learn why Shakespeare’s language is portal, not a barrier. Special education teacher and Teaching Shakespeare Institute alumna Roni DiGenno shares strategies for helping your students connect with Shakespeare and other complex texts. More
Shakespeare's Sisters
Renaissance scholar Ramie Targoff joins the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast to discuss her new book, Shakespeare’s Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance, a group biography of four women writers who were Shakespeare’s contemporaries. Listen to the Episode
"Murder most foul"
In response to a new show dramatizing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent hunt for John Wilkes Booth, Austin Tichenor explores the deep connections between Shakespeare, the president, and the actor who murdered him. Read the Blog Post
Titus Andronicus
A Shakespeare play so popular they also wrote a song. Now you can listen to the gory 1594 ballad The Lamentable and Tragicall History of Titus Andronicus. Read the Blog Post
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH THOREAU
“Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau” is a combination documentary and theatrical play set during the final two days Henry David Thoreau spent in his cabin before leaving Walden Pond. The documentary that bookends the film is a look at the life of Henry David Thoreau and filmed at Walden Pond at the actual cabin site in the woods. The Walden Play introduces audiences to the life and words of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The dialogue of Thoreau and Emerson are actual quotes taken from their literary work. Sit back and take a journey in time to the final two days Henry David Thoreau spent in his cabin before leaving Walden Pond. Find out more about the play and its resources here.
-WATCH, STREAM or PROJECT TO YOUR TV the entire 58 minute Award winning Walden Play with your students as shown on PBS stations nationwide.
-The script for Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau is FREE to all educators, community theaters and home school parents. The script also has LESSON PLANS for middle, high and college level classes.To receive the Script send an email to radio@woodsongs.com (include your name/school/city/state/country please).
BUCKEYE CHILDREN'S & TEENS BOOK AWARDS 2024 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
The Buckeyes are one of the few reader’s choice awards in which students get to nominate the titles as well as vote on the final winners. The only adults who may submit nominations or votes are teachers and librarians who are representing a group of students from their school or library. This allows the Buckeyes to be truly a student-chosen award in all aspects. Students can vote on their top choice in each grade-band category in September. So, encourage some summer reading:)
The 2024 nominees are:
For Grades 6-8
- Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle & Dave Valeza (Graphix, 2023)
- Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown (Scholastic Press, 2022)
- The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illus. by Brett Helquist (Random House Studio, 2023)
- Skyriders by Polly Holyoke (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023)
- Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023)
The Teen Buckeye Book Award nominees (for grades 9-12)
- Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards (Sourcebooks Fire, 2023)
- The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. by James Spooner (Harper, 2022)
- I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (Wednesday Books, 2022)
- Made of Stars by Jenna Voris (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023)
- One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus (Delacorte Press, 2023)
SUMMER POETRY TEACHERS INSTITUTE
The Poetry Foundation is holding its ninth annual Summer Poetry Teachers Institute in Chicago at DePaul University, July 22-26, 2024. This free, four-and-a-half-day event will include seminars, hands-on workshops, and small break-out sessions where attendees will craft poetry lesson/unit plans to bring back to their classrooms. They've created a learning community of educators from across the United States and beyond to study and discuss poetry with renowned practitioners and expert teachers. Attendees are responsible for their transportation, lodging, and some meals. To apply, please submit this application by April 21st. See this site for full information.
VOCABULARY PLAYBOOK INSTITUTE
The Vocabulary Playbook Virtual Institute is just around the corner! There is still time to save your spot for this incredible event if you act now and register today.
DATE April 22, 2024
TIME 11:00AM - 6:45PM
LOCATION Zoom
REGISTRATION PRICING $299 per person
CCS DYSLEXIA TRAINING FOR 6TH GRADE ENGLISH TEACHERS
If you are a 6th Grade English teacher who was unable to attend either the HB436 Dyslexia PD at Fort Hayes during the January 16th PD Day or the February 27th pull-out PD training at Southland Center, you should have received an email with a digital folder link to the training slides and documents. Please peruse these to garner the information. If you have any questions after looking over the materials, you can attend the final Open Office Session listed below to get them answered.
Open Office Hours for HB436 6th Grade Questions
April 11th 7am-8:30am
MCGRAW HILL INTRODUCES SCIENCE OF LITERACY HUB
Achievement for Every Student, Resources for Every Educator
The Science of Literacy Hub, McGraw Hill’s exciting new literacy resource, is filled with the latest information about the Science of Reading, the Science of Writing, and Knowledge Building, all in one convenient location. At the Science of Literacy Hub, you’ll discover valuable professional resources designed to support you in your classroom and help all your students achieve today and succeed every day.
The Science of Literacy Hub will be continuously updated to bring you the latest information about the Science of Reading, the Science of Writing, and Knowledge Building. Read insightful articles, watch thought-provoking videos, and learn from helpful blogs, all available for free and on-demand!
ESC PD OFFERINGS
Grading for Equity Book Study Next Session: Apr. 12
This book study will leverage resources and scenarios from the book "Grading for Equity” by Joe Feldman to analyze common contemporary grading practices to shape an equitable grading philosophy that supports mastery learning.
EL Chats Apr. 23
The EL chats are open Zoom sessions where you can ask questions pertaining to English Learners. The meetings will be hosted by an EL Administrator and an EL Coach.
Literacy Chats: The Science of Reading in Middle and High School Next Chat: Apr. 23
Let's continue to explore what the science of reading looks like for adolescents. With the recent launch of the ReadOhio Initiative, what better time to join in conversation with colleagues to discuss the science of reading. Much discussion has circled around the younger grades when the term science of reading is mentioned, but what does this actually look like in the middle or high school grades in all content areas? Join Adolescent Literacy Consultant Dr. Shannon Beach for a collaborative one-hour virtual conversation as she continues to work through Scarborough's Rope this spring.
Book Chat: What the Science of Reading Says about Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge Next Session: Apr. 30
Please join the ESC of Central Ohio's Foundational Literacy Specialist Amy Urban, for a 5-week book chat around Jennifer Jump and Robin D. Johnson's book, What the Science of Reading Says about Reading Comprehension and Content Knowledge. We know what The Science of Reading research says about how our students learn to read, but what does that look like in the classroom? How can we take research and turn it into action?
Asynchronous Book Study - "Punished for Dreaming" By Dr. Bettina Love Starting May 20
In her groundbreaking new book award-winning educator Dr. Bettina Love serves up a blistering account of four decades of educational reform through the lens of people who lived it. In Punished for Dreaming (2023), Dr. Love examines the legacy of educational inequity ushered in by decades-old discriminatory policy-making. She explores how specific policies have exacerbated various forms of structural oppression that disproportionately harm Black children, and create the conditions for contemporary book bans and opposition to diversity, equity & inclusion work. Join K-12 educators interested in understanding how this historical context shapes the current educational landscape in this asynchronous book study, which will conclude with a keynote and exclusive conversation with Dr. Love herself!
STANDARDS INSTITUTE OPPORTUNITIES
Educators will leave Standards Institute with:
- A shared understanding and language for fostering grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful — GLEAM™ — instruction.
- The mindsets, planning, skills, tools, and actions to deliver GLEAM instruction.
- A personalized action plan with context-specific opportunities to ensure GLEAM instruction.
- A national community of equity champions committed to growth and change.
Register for Standards Institute today!
Standards Institute, Denver, CO June 10–13, 2024 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
Standards Institute, Washington, DC July 15–18, 2024 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
UPDATES FROM ODEW
SCIENCE OF READING PD REQUIREMENT UPDATE
Under Section 265.330(A)(2) of House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, districts and schools shall require all teachers and administrators to complete a course provided by the Department not later than June 30, 2025, except that any teacher or administrator who has previously completed similar training, as determined by the Department, shall not be required to complete the course.
-The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has made available multiple professional development courses to meet the requirements in state law. Multiple course pathways, based on educators’ primary role, grade band served, and previously completed trainings, have been designed to fit individual educator needs.There are two pathways for Secondary English teachers and one for Secondary Content teachers currently open.
- Pathway C: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading, Grades 6-12 Course (Ready NOW)
- Pathway D: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Course, Grades 6-12 [Abbreviated version for teachers who completed prior coursework (e.g. Dyslexia Modules)]
- Pathway E: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Course, Grades 6-12 Content Areas Course
-Under state law, stipends are available for the coursework. ODEW aims to provide additional information on the distribution of available funds to districts and schools in the next few months.
- $1,200 for each of the following:
- An English language arts teacher of grades six through twelve;
- An intervention specialist, English learner teacher, reading specialist, or instructional coach who serves any of grades pre-kindergarten through twelve.
- $400 for each teacher who teaches a subject area other than English language arts in grades six through twelve.
NOTE: THE CCS LITERACY DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ODEW TO FIGURE OUT CCS-SPECIFICS FOR THE SCIENCE OF READING PD REQUIREMENT BASED ON THE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT BELOW. YOU MAY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE CCS-SPECIFIC INFORMATION IS RELEASED TO DO THE PD JUST SO YOU HAVE ALL PERTINENT PATHWAY AND PAYMENT INFORMATION FOR CCS EDUCATORS:)
-A guidance document for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s science of reading professional development requirements under House Bill 33 is available now.
DYSLEXIA COURSEWORK UPDATE (Secondary)
Ohio's Introduction to Dyslexia, Grade 4-12 Course is now available through the Learning Management System. (Instructions for Accessing the Introduction to Dyslexia Course, Grade 4-12)
AI READINESS
Guidance and Resources to Advance AI Readiness in Ohio Schools toolkit is a practical guide for developing policies and recommendations to help prepare all Ohio students for jobs in an increasingly AI-driven world.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Register for the 11th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit
Teaching English in Taiwan Program applications due by April 22
OHIO TEACHER LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Registration open for 2024 Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit
Educators are invited to attend the 2024 Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit to participate in professional learning on the innovative work to develop teacher leaders. The summit takes place in Columbus on June 5. Summit attendees will share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges around teacher leadership implementation. It offers an opportunity for participants to become engaged in a statewide network of teacher leaders and administrators to promote and strengthen teacher leadership.
Registration is free, and attendees will receive contact hour certificates.
Register using this form.
READING STRATEGIES PD FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Reading Strategies: Essential Research-Based Instruction for Every Classroom
Presented by Jennifer Serravallo and Colleagues-Grade Level: K-8
May 1, 2024, 10:00 AM-4:00 PMET
Virtual Full-Day-Price: $159 per participant
Drawing from the newly-released The Reading Strategies Book 2.0, a research-packed (700+ citations to the science of reading) revised and reimagined update to The New York Times’ bestselling resource, this workshop will help you use strategies effectively in your instruction—no matter what approach to literacy you use, or the grade level, developmental levels, or ages of the students you teach.
Participants will:
- Develop an understanding of research base for reading strategies, goal-directed instruction, and for each reading goal.
- Learn practical strategies for assessing and evaluating reading.
- Craft strategies and feedback prompts and learn to match them to student goals.
SOME NEWER ARTICLES
Encouraging Secondary Students to Read (new)
The Importance of Knowledge Building in Literacy: A Conversation with Dr. Doug Fisher
How to Move from Main Idea to Background Knowledge
Lines on the Court, Lines in the Poem: Poetry Analysis and March Madness
What Can Teachers Subtract From Their Workloads?
Should we grade students on the individual reading standards?
Shakespeare's House: A Window Onto His Life and Legacy
Does the science of reading include middle school?
How Can We Take Advantage of the Reading-Writing Relationship?
How an AI-Powered Tool Accelerated Student Writing
Protocols That Get All Students Talking in Class Discussions
21 Reading & Writing Interventions for Your MTSS
30 MTSS Intervention Strategies for Your School Support Team
Overview Video
- This ENGLISH 6-12 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW VIDEO gives you an overview for Secondary English Curriculum.
Curriculum Maps & Folders
Every District English course has a Curriculum Map with a Scope and Sequence detailing a pathway through the course using adopted resources, and each course has a Course Folder with standard, novel, language, and strategy resources. You can find the Curriculum Maps and Course Folders in the places listed below.
1-Linked in these Google Docs:
2-On the English 6-12 Webpage: Use the Curriculum/Instructional Resources Quick Links on the ELA 6-12 Webpage for easy navigation to English Curriculum Maps and Folders.
NOTE: The ELA 6-12 Webpage Quick Links offer much more than the Google Doc with Links for your curriculum needs. They offer teaching strategies, guiding docs, and help with standards, testing, and more. To access many curricular and district items, you must be logged into Google using your CCS credentials and not a personal account.
Secondary Literacy Plan
- The CCS Secondary Literacy Plan provides teaching strategies/PD (how to teach) that can be used with the texts/lessons from your adopted resources (what to teach) to address these components of the plan: Academic Language, Reading Comprehension, Writing Competency, and Classroom Discussion. It is rooted in Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement and guided by the Adolescent Simple View of Reading. The plan spans from intermediate literacy that crosses curricular areas to disciplinary literacy that reflects the demands of specific disciplines while allowing for individualized intensive interventions, as needed. Inherent in the plan is that students are reading, writing, and discussing every day in classrooms.
- CCS Secondary Literacy Plan Info Page
Course Descriptions and Adopted Curriculum Resources Lists
- Course Resource Spreadsheet with Visuals
- CCS Adopted, Supplemental, and Intervention Resources List
- Course Descriptions Quick Link
Adopted and Intervention Resources
The TIER 1 Instructional Resources
StudySync: English 6-12, Alternate English courses, and some Electives
- StudySync Info Page (access, tutorials, trainings, and more)
- StudySync Webinars (register for live Webinars)
Bedford Texts/Launchpad: Honors and AP English
- Bedford/Launchpad Info Page (access, tutorials, trainings, and more)
- Some Elective Courses will have single resource adoptions.
The TIER II/Tier III Intervention Resources and Courses
Resources
- iReady Pathways (6-8) These are below grade level and based upon BOY and MOY. They should not be used for Core instruction.
- Progress to Success (9-12) You can request copies by emailing Carla Mae Phillips.
- Achieve3000 (9-11) Achieve3000 Quick Link
Courses
- Core Enrichment (6-8) This course can be used for Tiers II/III Intervention.
- College/Career Ready Literacy (6-12) This course can be used for Tiers II/III Intervention.
- OST Test Prep-English (9-12) This course uses Springboard's Reading and Writing Workshop books. You can request copies by emailing Carla Mae Phillips.
Supplemental Resource
TeachingBooks is the site where the lists of novels available for teacher use from the warehouse, the curriculum office, in StudySync, and in Course Folders, are found.
- TeachingBooks Info Page (access, tutorials, trainings, and more)
- Accessing Novels (Digital and Hard Copy)
Canvas Integration
If you teach English 6-12 or an alternate English credit-bearing course (e.g. Humanities English 9 or 10, Humanities Language Arts 8, Major British Writers Seminar, African American Literature, Women's Literature, Shakespeare's Literature, etc.), you will need to pair your Canvas courses with your StudySync courses. This will give you access to the Curriculum Map divided into Modules and allow for StudySync to sync assignments and grades. Use the orientation video and document below to learn how to integrate Canvas and StudySync.
ACHIEVE3000 HELP SESSIONS/NEWSLETTER
Attend an Achieve3000 Learning Session
- For teachers: Click here to sign-up for Drop-In Office Hours (15-minute Zoom sessions)!
From April 9, 2024 to May 10, 2024, read at least eight (8) articles in Achieve3000 Literacy and complete the Respond section (multiple-choice activity) with a first-try score of 75% or higher. Winners can win a pizza party and a trophy!
Here’s how it works:
-Students should complete eight or more lessons/articles between April 8, 2024, and May 8, 2024, with a first-try activity score of 75%.
-One class for each grade (three total) with the highest number of activities at 75% or higher will be the winners.
-Winners will get a pizza party to celebrate and encourage students to accelerate learning through Acheive3000 Literacy.
-Top 3 Schools with the highest number of activities at 75% or higher will get the Achieve3000 trophies.
Winners will be notified at the end of the contest period.
The CCS 2023 OST Report with Recommended Actions is available on the English 6-12 Webpage at the Standardized Testing Quick Link. Take a look at it to see how the district is performing on the ELA 6-8 & 10 Tests. Here are a few overall data points.
- When comparing the 2023 data to pre-pandemic numbers, it should be noted that students taking the ELA 7 & 8 tests matched or exceeded the 2018-19 proficiency results (7th-36%; 8th-30%) with the ELA 8 scores being the highest recorded on the OST at that grade level, and the students taking the ELA 10 test were only 1% behind the scores in 2018-19. This growth is exciting, but still does not mean our students are college and career ready. The writing scores for both the argument and information essays are bleak. Out of a possible 10 points on the essays, our students are averaging 3.45 points on both their Argument and Informational compositions.
- While the state scores in Grades 6-8 & 10 average at 59% proficiency, CCS averages at 30% (up slightly from 28% in 2022). This means that an average of 70% of our students at all grade levels (6th-75%, 7th-64%, 8th-70%, 10th-71%) are scoring at the Limited & Basic levels and only 9-13% of students (6th-13%, 7th-18%, 8th-10%, 10th-9%) are scoring Advanced or Accelerated.
- The percentage scored on single Reading questions on the OST ranged from 13% to 73% and averaged 46% for Literary Text and 40% for Informational Text on Released Questions.
- The weakest area in the writing section of the 2023 OST for all grade levels was EVIDENCE/ ELABORATION (worth 4 points on both the Argument and Informational Essay Rubrics).
STUDYSYNC WEBINARS
APRIL
Tuesday April 9, 2024
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Spark & Improve Collaborative Conversations in your StudySync Classroom Register Now
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Basic Training: The Reading Routine - Reading & Rigor in StudySync Register Now
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Assessments: How to Create Reports and Respond to Data in StudySync Register Now
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Explore the Power of WritePrecise Register Now
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Basic Training: Create and Grade Assignments Register Now
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Word Study Lessons Register Now
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Unit Creator: Create a Custom Unit with a focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Register Now
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Basic Training: How to Navigate Your New StudySync Account Register Now
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Pairing Literature with Blasts Register Now
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Fluency Units & Lessons Register Now
STUDYSYNC COACHES' COMMUNITY
COACHING SUPPORT
Register for live webinar sessions with your dedicated StudySync implementation specialists:
- The Coaching Cycle on 5/28 & 6/20
- Resources for Professional Development on 5/30
- How Admin Can Use StudySync on 6/4
REVISIT THE PANEL DISCUSSION
Listen to this month's Coach Community panel discussion recording and review the Continuum of Implementation that was shared during the session. Provide your session feedback here. Watch the Recording
MAKING ASSESSMENTS MANAGEABLE
Guide teachers with Dr. Catlin Tucker's tips that recommend balancing teacher scoring of student work with having students self-assess their own work. Try Catlin's Strategies
DRIVE INTENTIONAL ASSESSMENT
Learn Dr. Catlin Tucker's tips for supporting teachers' efforts in assessing with intention and data-driven instruction. Watch Video
THE COACHING BASICS COURSE
Whether you’re new to the Coach Community or you want to dive deeper into StudySync's customized coaching resources, complete the Coaching Basics Course in the Help Center. Learn More
CONDUCTING IMPACTFUL STUDENT CONFERENCES
Guide teachers with Dr. Catlin Tucker's tips for student-led conferences using her 4 Ps conferencing framework. Try Catlin's Strategies
OHIO LITERACY ACADEMY ON DEMAND
Literacy Academy on Demand from the Ohio Department of Education offers easily accessible professional learning about literacy for grades K-12. In each short course, educators will find:
- A short video from a nationally recognized expert on literacy instruction;
- Resources and tools to use in the classroom, coaching sessions or team meetings;
- Reflection questions to help review current practices and implement new learning; and
- Additional resource recommendations to expand educator learning.
Courses should take 30-60 minutes to complete. Users can take one or two courses to learn about a specific topic or multiple courses to get a more comprehensive understanding of literacy instruction and concepts.
Grades 6-12 Courses: All educators in middle and high school, including content area teachers, can play a significant role in improving students' reading, writing and communication. These courses can benefit teachers, coaches, directors and administrators who support classroom instruction, and any educator who wants to learn more about adolescent literacy.
TEACHINGBOOKS WEBINARS
Discover the newest updates and features on TeachingBooks that support your work to excite and empower each reader. Register
RECORDED STUDYSYNC PD & ARTICLES
StudySync for New Users (1:58:28)
- Target Audience: English 6-12 Teachers who are new to StudySync (Adopted Resource)
The Reading Routine: Reading and Rigor in StudySync (54:50) Passcode: +p5mbg.M
- Target Audience: English 6-12 Teachers
From Tweets to Tomes: How Students Write in StudySync (60:00)
- Session Resources: Extended Writing Project; Data-driven Decision Making + EWP; Conducting Impactful Student Conferences; Student Generated Questions; Metacognitive Skill Building; Ongoing Self-Assessment Document; Tips for writing every day
- Target Audience: English 6-12 Teachers
Spark Collaborative Conversations Using StudySync (61:00)
- Slides Link and Resources: Slide Deck; StudySync TV; SyncTV 2 Column Chart
- Target Audience: English 6-12 Teachers
Scaffolding in StudySync (63:36) Passcode: kE#d9G6J
- Target Audience: English 6-12 Teachers
STUDYSYNC ARTICLES/RESOURCES
2023 StudySync Library Additions
STUDYSYNC'S STUDENT HELP CENTER
Mid-Year Reflection Coaches' Tool
StudySync Continuum of Practice
Spotlight Skills in a Workshop Model
Getting Started with Foundational Skills
Digital Literacy Units: Watch this video to learn how to deliver these mini-units.
StudySync Supports the Science of Reading Video
Exploring the Role of StudySync Vocabulary in the Science of Reading
Blast + Texts Pairings: Thrilling Tales
Close Reading: StudySync's Routine
Writing Every Day with StudySync: 3 Tips for the New School Year,
Interpreting StudySync in the Classroom
About the AI Series AI Literacy Lessons and ELA Blasts are coming soon, and will explore its history and explain what it means for your classroom.
Visit the StudySync Blog for articles on curriculum resources, program authors' tips, StudySync's pedagogy, and more.
DON'T LET LITERATURE BE ECLIPSED! (Advice from Shanahan on Literacy Blog)
In case there is a push for only teaching informational texts to build knowledge in your classrooms, here is some advice from Timothy Shanahan on why is it important to still include literature in addition to informational texts. There are the obvious literary payoffs in terms of literary interpretation skills, appreciation of artistry, development of imagination, and language and communication abilities. Literature can be an important source of knowledge. For instance:
1. Cultural understanding: It can provide a window into the beliefs and practices of different cultures. We can use literature to develop insights about the cultural experiences of different groups. Think here about stories like: Last Stop on Market Street (Matt de la Peña), Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters (John Steptoe), The Silence Seeker (Ben Morley), or Grandfather’s Journey (Allen Say). These kinds of stories promote empathy and cultural understanding and can familiarize and sensitize students to various information about different cultural heritages.
2. Historical and social context: Literature can offer insights into historical and social contexts, too, familiarizing kids with political and social issues of different time periods and the forces that shape societies. Books like Number the Stars; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; and Esperanza Rising fit the bill if you want to introduce the Holocaust, resistance movements, or the Great Depression. Go, social studies!
3. Human relations: Literature provides opportunities for readers to think about how we get along with each other – concepts like loyalty, competitiveness, loneliness, respect, compassion, bullying, empathy, and forgiveness are central to books like Wonder (R. J. Palacio), Each Kindness (Jacqueline Woodson), and The Hundred Dresses (Eleanor Estes).
4. Identity and personal development: Literature considers personal growth and self-reflection, and involves readers in identifying with characters, grappling with moral dilemmas, and exploring existential questions. For this purpose, books like Oh, the Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss), The Little Engine that Could (Watty Piper), The Dot (Peter H. Reynolds), and the Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein) can be used to study resilience, self-confidence, perseverance, generosity, and sacrifice.
5. Literary touchstones: Think of all the allusions to children’s books that come up in daily language such as “down a rabbit hole”, “your nose is growing”, “he cried wolf”, an “ugly duckling”, and “beauty and the beast”. Knowing such touchstones and usages and from whence they come is valuable content with a literary provenance.
HOLOCAUST EDUCATION SUMMER WORKSHOP
Join Echoes & Reflections for a free two-day seminar hosted by Congregation Beth Tikvah and Jewish Columbus to support your classroom instruction on the Holocaust. Earn a certificate for 1.2 CEUs, come away with ready made lesson plans and resource materials for use in classrooms, and network with fellow teachers. Lunch is provided. REGISTER/LEARN MORE HERE.
EDUCATOR AGENDA
June 4th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Foundations of Holocaust Education: Focus on PreWar Jewish life
June 4th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Women in Resistance
June 5th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | It Starts with Words: Teaching the Holocaust to combat Hate.
June 5th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Antisemitism: Understanding and Countering Hatred today
BIAS AND ANTISEMITISM SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL LEADERS/ADMINISTRATORS
There will be a FREE one-day seminar for school district leaders, school administrators, school counselors, and DEI professionals focused on Understanding and Responding to Antisemitism on Thursday, June 6th from 9:30am-3:30pm. The seminar is sponsored by Congregation Beth Tikvah, Jewish Columbus, and the Jewish Community Relations Council and will take place at Congregation Beth Tikvah at 6121 Olentangy River Road in Worthington. The seminar will focus on identifying signs of antisemitism, hear local stories of bias, and learn best practices to respond. Free lunch and CEU's available. Register Here: https://bit.ly/rdytorespnd. See flyer here.
UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS
- Poet Joy Sullivan Wednesday, April 10th, 7pm
Join lauded poet, Joy Sullivan, at Gramercy Books for her vivid and inspiring Instructions for Traveling West, a poetry collection about what’s possible when we heed our instincts and honor our intuition, allowing ourselves to strike out for new territories of love, pleasure, and peace. Sullivan will be in conversation with fellow poet Maggie Smith for this special National Poetry Month program. Registration is on Eventbrite. The purchase of Instructions for Traveling West waives the $5 registration fee. Register Now!
- Ohio Author Douglas Westerbeke Tuesday, April 30th, 7pm
2024 CARNEGIE AUTHOR SERIES ANNOUNCED
The Columbsu Metropolitan Library announced their 2024 Carnegie Author Series. Join them for talks with engaging national authors, free and open to all.
- April 7, 2pm: Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame
- May 19, 2pm: Lisa Scottoline The Truth about the Devlins
- September 8, 2pm Abby Jimenez Just for the Summer
- October 6, 2pm: Stephen Graham Jones The Angel of Indian Lake
- December 8, 2pm: Dr. Matthew Desmond Poverty, By America
Register and Check Out More Info Here: https://ow.ly/psBe50QpeN6.
ONE-DAY SEMINAR: USING AI TOOLS TO INCREASE ELA LEARNING
Using AI Tools to Increase ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS Learning and Enhance Teacher Productivity (Grades 6-12), Presented by Angela Stockman Live Online Event
April 29 – 10 AM or May 10 – 9 AM
- How to make best use of AI technologies to enhance student engagement and learning in secondary English/Language Arts (ELA)
- Pitfalls to avoid and solutions to ethical concerns with the use of AI-powered tools and resources in the ELA classroom
- Receive an extensive digital resource handbook packed with practical ideas, strategies, and tools specifically designed to help you increase your ELA students’ learning and enhance your own productivity … Receive special online access to Angela’s Google Drive full of additional AI resources for ELA
Expedite Your Registration: Use PRIORITY ID CODE: 932972 when you register online at https://www.ber.org/.
AMLE 2024 CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Time is of the essence! AMLE is calling on our members to lend their voices, expertise, and innovative ideas to AMLE24 by submitting a presentation proposal. This conference is a critical platform for educators to exchange effective strategies, research, and practices in middle level education. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, your experiences and insights are invaluable to our community.
The deadline for submission is fast approaching, so don't delay! Visit this website for submission guidelines and further details. The deadline is one week away – Friday, April 19th. Your innovative contributions could shape the future of middle level education.
OHIO WRITERS' CONFERENCE 2024
Learn more or Register for the Ohio Writers' Association Conference happening on May 4th at the OSU Fawcett Center HERE. Presenters and Keynotes include Danika Bloom, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, and Danielle D. Smith.
LITERACY LIT EXPLOSION CONFERENCES
2024 Literacy Lit Education Explosion Conference (Face to Face or Virtual Register Now)
Theme: Discovering Our Future of Education Through the Lenses of Artificial Intelligence and Its Potential Impact On Education and The Wider World
Topics At A Glance ... And Much More
Grade-Specific Content
Science of Reading
Meaningful Progress Monitoring
Student Accountability
High Impact Writing, Reading, & Math Strategies
Increasing Student Engagement
Digital literacy and computational thinking
Ethics and responsible AI use
Collaboration and creativity in the age of AI
Informational Literacy
Critical Information Literacy
Financial Literacy
Emerging Bilingual/Multilingual
Family Engagement & Support
Guidance/Challenging Behaviors
Literacy and Language Acquisition
Teaching & Instructional Practices
Social and Emotional Learning
And Much More......
Visit the National Literacy Institute site to find the Literacy Lit dates/times/prices for each conference.
ONLINE PD FOR DYSLEXIA, LITERACY, AND SECONDARY ENGLISH
The Bureau of Education & Research has On-Demand Online PD courses just for Secondary E/LA educators, each led by a veteran instructor. BER has a variety of courses including vocabulary, writing, and more! Here is their newest one:
- Dyslexia: Best Strategies to Increase Student Success (Grades 6-12) View Course
For a limited time, pick from any of their over 100 courses and receive a special discount for each additional course you buy. Use the special discount codes below at check-out to receive the discount. BER Online PD Courses are video-based, on-demand & offer CEUs.
DISCOUNT CODES View All Courses
2 Courses MY2HD2 $10 off each course
3 Courses MY3HD3 $15 off each course
4 Courses MY4HD4 $20 off each course
5 Courses MY5HD5 $25 off each course
FOLGER BOOK CLUB
The East Indian
Thursday, May 2, 6:30 pm ET; Free, Live on Zoom
Registration opens April 9 for our May session. In Brinda Charry's novel, Tony is kidnapped and indentured on a tobacco plantation in the early days of the English colonization of Virginia. More
STUDYSYNC'S 11TH ANNUAL MEDIA CONTEST
Get ready for StudySync's Student Media Contest. To enter, students can record and submit their own StudySyncTV video, podcast episode, preview video, concept definition video, novel poster, short graphic novel, or DailySync lesson about their favorite book outside the StudySync library. The grand prize for the top entry will be a $500 Amazon gift card (awarded to the submitting teacher) for classroom materials and a classroom Zoom chat with StudySync CEO Robert Romano. A $100 Amazon gift card will also be awarded to the submitting teacher for top middle and high school entries in each category listed below! Teachers have until May 1st, 2024, to send in submissions on behalf of their students, along with parent/guardian permission, and submit via this Google form.. Winners will be notified via email by Wednesday, May 15th. Be sure to email any questions to MySyncTV@studysync.com. They can't wait to see your submissions!
CONTEST CATEGORIES AND DETAILS
StudySyncTV
Student-created StudySyncTV episodes are the “most popular” of our annual contest. Students can collaborate to produce a 5-minute-or-less StudySyncTV-style or SkillsTV-style episode for any text or skill in the StudySync Library that currently does not include a video. Students should use only original images, artwork, music, and content and check the StudySync Library to ensure their choice does NOT already have a StudySyncTV video.
Podcast
Develop and record an original podcast about any text in the StudySync Library. Students can offer their perspectives on a theme or pertinent topic surrounding the text. Have your students listen to the podcasts embedded in some of our Blasts for inspiration, or even have them listen to one of their choice from Apple or Spotify! Have students take notes about what makes a good podcast to help them plan and script their own. Students should use only original images, artwork, music, and/or content.
Preview Video
Produce a video mirroring the Preview videos in StudySync's Intro tab of a text. Students can highlight details about the title’s time period and theme. Please select a novel or text in the StudySync Library that does NOT currently have a Preview video or choose a favorite novel that is not yet in the StudySync Library and develop an audio-visual representation of what is typically found on a book's jacket. Create an introduction that entices fellow students to read the selection. Students should use only original images, artwork, music, and content.
Concept Definition Video
Produce a video mirroring the Concept Definition or SkillsTV videos! While it is ok to submit a concept definition that is already in the StudySync program, please advise students to rewrite their own script and new conversation between students. Students should use only original images, artwork, music, and content. To get started, download a Concept Definition sample script!
Novel Poster
Students develop a digital poster image from an original photo, digital image, or artwork as a backdrop clearly identifying the author and title of the book, for one of their favorite titles from the StudySync Library. Students should use only original images, artwork, and content.
Graphic Novel
Let your writing shine! Students can create a graphic novel based on a favorite title of theirs that isn’t part of the StudySync Library. Text and imagery should be original and concise as well as 10 pages or less in length. Students' words should be their own! Students should use only original images, artwork, and content.
Daily Sync
Learn, create, and connect with your own Daily Sync lesson! Imagine you're a teacher preparing a lesson for your students using a favorite title in the StudySync Library. Students should use only original images, artwork, music, and/or content.
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED
- If you’re considering having students enter the contest, take a look at last year’s winners to get an idea of what they will need to produce.
- Assign the MyStudySyncTV Unit using the Contests filter in the Units tab within the StudySync Library. The MyStudySyncTV Unit engages students in the reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills that are necessary to develop a multimedia project. Completion of the MyStudySyncTV Unit or assignments are NOT required to enter the contest.
- Have students watch several StudySync® TV, SkillsTV, and Preview videos in the Library to provide students with a framework for the project. Also, using the Blasts filter feature, locate podcasts in the Blasts Library by selecting Blasts with ‘audio’ to provide a model for podcast entries.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Submissions are limited to five (5) entries per category per teacher. Consider having students peer review videos, podcasts, and posters to select the five (5) per category to be submitted. A parent or guardian permission slip must be included for each student participating. Submit each entry via this Google form by 5pm PST on May 1st, 2024. Email any questions to MySyncTV@studysync.com.
MICROFICTION CHALLENGE 2024
The 100-word Microfiction Challenge 2024 kicks off on April 19th, and registration is now open! The 5th annual competition will challenge writers worldwide to create very short stories based on genre, action, and word assignments in 24 hours. Feedback from the judges is provided for every submission, writers retain all the rights to the stories they create, and there are thousands in cash prizes for the winners. Learn more, register, and read previous winning stories at https://www.nycmidnight.com/100. Good luck, writers!
OSU SUMMER EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOR 7TH-11TH GRADERS
The Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences is launching a precollege program for middle and high school students this summer. The Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration Program is a one-week non-residential academic enrichment program for middle (current 7-8 graders) and high school (current 9-11) students. In-person classes meet from 9am to 4pm each day and are taught by Ohio State faculty, staff and graduate students. Summer Exploration is offered in three, one-week sessions in June 2024. Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. For complete details on our 2024 program, please visit https://artsandsciences.osu.edu/arts-and-sciences-summer-exploration-program. See flyer here.
YOUNG WRITERS' STUDIO SPRING SEMESTER
"DON'T GET IT RIGHT, JUST GET IT WRITTEN." - JAMES THURBER
Every other week, local teens gather to write, create, and explore ways to get their stories on paper. Whether it's a passion, or just a hobby, any student in grades 9-12 is invited to gather for an opportunity to spend time with others who also like to write. Sessions take place on select Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm. Young Writers' Studio is held at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave, and simultaneously Zoomed for virtual participants. Each session is $17, or $150 for the season, and can be paid in advance by registering online. There are also have a limited number of scholarships available for students who would like to attend. For more information or to inquire about a scholarship, please email Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org.
Tuesday, April 2nd from 6:30–8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, April 16th from 6:30–8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, April 30th from 6:30–8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, May 14th from 6:30–8:30 pm ET
O’CONNOR INSTITUTE AMBASSADORS CIVICS & DEBATE CLUB
Calling all high-school-age leaders! Want to impress colleges, sharpen your leadership talents, connect with other driven students from around the country, enhance your civics knowledge and civil discourse skills, and debate the most important civics topics facing our communities and nation?
Look no further: The O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club is for you.
- Compete for a $5,000 college scholarship
- Hone your speech and debate skills
- Deepen your understanding of civics and how American government works
- Get involved and make a difference in your community
- Engage in online civics-related discussion and debate students from across the country
- Earn a cord for graduation
And . . . it’s totally free!
The O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club is a free, online program for 9th through 12th-grade students presented by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy. O’Connor Institute Ambassadors promotes the O’Connor Institute’s three pillars: civil discourse, civics education, and civic engagement. Learn More: https://oconnorinstitute.org/ambassadors/
Benefits of being an Ambassador:
- Ambassadors allows students to demonstrate to colleges their commitment to self-improvement, extracurricular learning, and civic mindedness
- Seniors can compete for a $5,000 college scholarship
- Seniors can earn an Ambassador high-school graduation cord
- Ambassadors facilitates productive online discussion and debate between student leaders from around the country
- Students gain the opportunity to build their civics knowledge and related skills
To be an Ambassador, students:
- Create Your Account Here! (DEADLINE APRIL 27)
- Participate in monthly online Ambassador civics and debate club meetings
- Volunteer for at least ten hours each school year for a nonprofit organization in their community
Carla Mae Phillips
Southland Center, Suite 125
Previous Newsletters are available on the CCS ELA 6-12 Webpage.
Email: cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/English6-12
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, 43207, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0463