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21st CENTURY LEARNING
Terri McCaughan
Executive Director
Curriculum & Development
(757) 283-7850 x.10229
21st Century in Action!
Check out these smart examples of 21st century learning and leading in NNPS:
Brian Nichols, Hidenwood Elementary School Principal, ASCD’s 2010 Outstanding Young Educator
Congratulations to Brian Nichols, who along with Michael Powell of Patuxent Elementary School in Prince George’s County Public Schools, Md., for winning the ASCD’s 2010 Outstanding Young Educator Award. At the awards ceremony, ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter said the winners share a common goal: "Brian and Michael both strive to not only provide their students with top-notch academic programs, but also prepare them to become caring, successful, active citizens who contribute to their communities." Read more...
Brian Nichols, Google Student and Guest Author
Brian has been accepted to attend the 1st ever Google Academy for Educational Leaders which will be held next month in San Antonio, Texas. Only 50 people from across the country were selected to attend. View this video that he submitted as part of the application process.
Brian also wrote a blog about "Managing an Overcrowded Curriculum" for Edutopia.
Reginald Hicks, Social Studies Teacher at Warwick High School, Author of
HIDDEN IN THE SHADOW OF TRUTH
Hidden in the Shadow of Truth was written to answer one question: Why do so many of our black boys choose failure, criminality, prison, and death? Mr. Hicks proceeds to answer this question by showing that too many of our black male children are the products of a uniquely destructive socialization process precipitated by the four basic agencies of socialization: family, school system, peer group, and mass media. Hidden in the Shadow of Truth has already received "Editor's Choice" and "Rising Star" distinctions from his publishing company. The book will be released later this month.
Mike Bonfiglio, Principal, Point Option, Newly Named National Director,
The Center for Teacher Effectiveness (CTE)
The Center for Teacher Effectiveness is the leading provider of teacher training and staff development for teachers in the U.S. and Canada. CTE teaches innovative, highly effective strategies on classroom and school-wide management and discipline. CTE gives you the solution to effective classroom discipline so that you can have more Time To Teach!
A PRINCIPAL’S GUIDE TO LITERACY INSTRUCTION
Carol S. Beers, James W. Beers and Jeffrey O. Smith, Authors
Terri McCaughan, Instructional Supervisor, Elementary Reading, Contributing Author/Resource
Lori Wall, Instructional Specialist, Elementary Reading, Contributing Author/Resource
This book presents a clear roadmap for creating and sustaining a balanced literacy program. The authors illustrate the critical importance of skilled leadership for building a culture of collaboration that supports a literacy-rich environment. Principals and other administrators who seek to implement positive change in a school will find this to be a thought-provoking read. It is a practical, theory-based guide that features a wealth of ideas and exemplary resources. NNPS is represented on pages 140-147; 169-70; 175.
Newport News is also highlighted in the February/March 2010 issue of Reading Today, a publication that is distributed internationally through the International Reading Association.
WHERE IS YOUR HOMEWORK?
Sabrina Boone McMahan, Greenwood Elementary School Teacher, Author
"Where is your homework?" It's a question asked by both teachers and parents in classrooms and kitchens around the world. Some of the answers are clever, some are cute, and some are just excuses. This collection of excuses given to me throughout my teaching career will bring laughter to all who read it.
Students this book is not a textbook of reasons for you to use when asked "Where is your homework?" Read it, laugh, and then go do your homework!
May 2009
From the Daily Press
Heritage High students give homework blog high marks
South Morrison Elementary
South Morrison Elementary School
has been featured in Link Lines, the electronic newsletter of the Virginia Department of Education's Training & Technical Assistance Center at The College of William and Mary. Included in the newsletter are two podcast interviews with
South Morrison
principal
Betsy Clary discussing improvements at her school and an article about
making South Morrison's cafeteria a calmer place. Go to the podcast page or view the full newsletter.
Riverside Elementary
On Saturday, May 16, Shannon Panko, principal of Riverside Elementary, was honored as WHRO's Technology Administrator of the Year during the Great Computer Challenge at Old Dominion University. This award honors school administrators that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the use of technology in schools to improve teaching and learning. Congratulations to Shannon on this most deserved recognition which further demonstrates the commitment of NNPS to 21st century learning and leading!
Passage Middle School
Passage Middle School’s ITC, Maggie Knight, created a link on the school’s website where students could blog about their teachers in honor of appreciation week!
Take a look at what our students have to say: http://passageeducatorappreciation.edublogs.org/
April 2009
Elementary school principal Brian Nichols (with Kathryn Morgan, Interventionist, Sanford Elementary School) has made a contribution to the literary world this month. Check out what this smart NNPS’ leader/writer has to say:
Brian Nichols, co-Author of a chapter from the IRA Book:
Literacy Tutoring That Works:
A Look at Successful In-School, After-School, and Summer Programs
Janet C. Richards and Cynthia A. Lassonde, editors
Chapter 5
Literacy Partners Program: In-School Tutoring in a School–University Partnership
Kelly B. Cartwright, Donna S. Savage, Kathryn D.S. Morgan, Brian J. Nichols
March 2009
Crittenden Middle School
Crittenden now has four teachers teaching blended hybrid classes using Desire 2 Learn! The three seventh grade teachers (2 English, 1 Social Studies and 1 Special Ed.) started using D2L just a couple of weeks ago. They each have at least one unit in D2L. Their students now have 24-hour access to all of their work as well as the capability to contact their teacher practically 24/7.
From the Daily Press
Newport News high-tech classrooms feature smart boards, clickers and collaboration
Huntington’s initiation of “Bring Your Technology Gadgets to School Day” was overwhelmingly successful for students and teachers alike. Let’s face it, our world today is full of technology gadgets. Everything from remote controls to cell phones to hand-held game devices (and more) pops up in television, newspaper, and Internet ads everyday. Since our students all welcome and use these devices with ease, sometimes adults are left wondering what each device does. We find ourselves trying to catch up to what our kids already know.
At Huntington, Inauguration Day 2009 was instrumental in two ways. First, we witnessed the induction of this nations’ 44th President. Also, the day was set aside for students to bring whatever technology gadgets they had to class. The idea is they would demonstrate the device and, with teacher-lead discussions, discuss ways in which the technology could be used as part of future lesson plans and class activities. Students brought in cell phones, MP3 players, hand-held game devices, Xbox and PlayStation game systems, and digital cameras. Teachers seized this opportunity to strengthen students' interpersonal skills in a variety of ways:
- Cooperation – students who had identical devices worked together to demonstrate how they use the devices within their homes or among their peers.
- Collaboration – students demonstrated how different devices could be used interchangeably to interact with the World Wide Web.
- Oral presentations – teachers facilitated students presentations to strengthen their individual confidence with public speaking.
- Communication – students demonstrated how easy these devices are to use thereby showcasing their skills at translating technical terms into everyday language.
So, you may be wondering, what can these devices do? Well, did you know:
- PlayStations can play DVD’s as well as game CD’s?
- Cell phones can access the Internet, make calls, take pictures, record videos, send and receive messages?
- MP3 players can download music files? (PLEASE do not download illegal copies!)
- iPods can transfer music between the device itself and a computer? iPods are also capable functioning as a video recorder!
- Both the Xbox and the PlayStation can perform wireless functions and allow users to play against players from anywhere in the world?
The list of things these devices perform continues to grow and grow! As newer models are provided by manufacturers, so does the list of features continue to evolve!
Providing an environment in which students can showcase their creativity and spontaneity as well as demonstrate the interpersonal skills mentioned above empowers students with the confidence and practical experiences they will need in the 21st Century. This was our first attempt at bringing outside technology into the classroom and, by all accounts, it was educational, informative and provided practical experiences as well. As the Principal of Huntington is often heard saying, ”It’s a beautiful thing!"