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DECEMBER 2013
November, 2013

Instructional Insight
Mike Mattos Comes to Otsegos Auditorium for County-Wide Presentation January 29, 2014
Many teachers and administrators in our district have had the opportunity to see

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher. ~ Japanese Proverb is one

and hear Mike Mattos speak. Allegan County is bringing him back to the county
for the third time. This year all Otsego teachers will have the opportunity to hear the nationally recognized speaker as his visit lines up with a professional development day planned for the district. Check out this linka two-minute video that is an interview with Mattos describing the PLC/RtI connection, http://www.youtube.com/v/K2clk3JT1Cg

Secondary Early Release Dates for 2013-14: January 22, 2014 February 26, 2014 March 26, 2014

The 4 Cs Some guiding questions Mattos asks that we can ask ourselves before the PD experience are:

Collective Responsibility Do we believe all students can learn at high levels? Concentrated Instruction Have we clearly defined the essential learning outcomes that our students must master for success in the next course or grade level? Convergent Assessment Do we use common assessments that measure student mastery of each essential standard? Do we compare results to identify the most effective teaching strategies? Certain Access Can we ensure that every student who needs additional time and support receives help, regardless of what teacher(s) they have? A big thank you to the following teachers for helping on our district-wide data dialogue team. The team will

meet again on December 12th.

Kelly Henry Mary Reitenour Lance McKinney Brandy Goodwin Justin Scott Lori Smalldon Michael Miller Kim Seger Aimee Beehler Nicole Knight-Lucas

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DECEMBER 2013

Instructional Insight
20 OPS Teachers Attend Linda Jordan Training for Support in Articulating the CCSS and Preparing Students for the Next Generation of Assessments.
Vertical ELA & Math Members are attending a four day series on creating high level thinking/high relevance performance tasks as well as applying neuroscience to classroom practices. These "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin teachers will likely bring these new strategies back with them to share with all. They are: Sheryl Cramer, Kristin Vanwyk, Gina Watson, Nicole Knight-Lucas, Mary Megan Heinz, Katie Hughes, Michelle Holmes, Aubrey Richie, Susan Kloster-Larkey, Kim Winchel, Shannon TerMeer, Brandy Goodwin, Martha Roelofs, Beth Zartman, Christy Drumm, Josh Modert, Bruce Esterline, Nancy Gaines, and Chris Strayer

Secondary Science Teachers Attend Van Andel for Training

Matt Eldred, Diane Hitchcock, Michael Kuiper, Kelly Henry, Dave Noyes, Peter Burrill, and Kristin

Math MAISA Update

Jason Gauthier- Allegan County Math consultant is working with OPS to develop entire MAISA units. Jason will work with Heather, Melissa, and teachers who volunteered through the Math survey across grade levels developing units around specific trajectories. The fraction trajectory will be tackled first. This idea specifically shows up in units in grades 3-6. The development team will start with 3rd grade building off of ground work laid in early elementary and work upward from there. Please stay tuned for the work to be distributed to teachers as it is released. We anticipate having the fraction units completely developed by mid February and then will proceed with work on the Geometry Trajectories in all grades. We will also aim to tackle the trajectory of Algebra with the Middle School as well.

Alkire are attending a four day training on a scientific inquiry model called QPOE2. It stands for Question, Prediction, Observation, Explanation and Evaluation. It is a framework for scientific investigation and dis-

courseThis teaching model can aid in

teaching students how to think like real-world scientists emphasizing how to use Claims, Evidence and Reasoning which is a great connection to skill sets within the CCSS.