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8/13/2019 FINAL Tolnai Newsletter Dec 2013.pdf
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By Cate Tolnai
Recently, I watched a video about
data-driven instruction in my
preparation for this months tech-
nology tool. I was struck by the
idea that because of technology,
we can no longer focus only onthe art and delivery of instruc-
tion. With the addition of data
and assessments that generate
reports in real time, we are ex-
pected to interweave this scien-
tific information with the art of
our instruction. We have access
to assessment data that can tell us
exactly what skills need attention.
Its exciting and intimidating all
at once!
So the question becomes, How
do I use data to inform my next
steps in the classroom? Id like to
say this is the easy part, but seeing
as I spent 10 years grappling with
this problem myself, I don't have
the magic formula that, if fol-
lowed, will result in the ideal
lesson plan.
Instead, I learned to keep my
lesson objective in mind and use
the data to make my life easier
rather than more complicated.
If I focused too much on the
science, I lost the art. So I made
sure to hold on to the following
thoughts, and I encourage you to
do the same.
* Teach. Remember, you are the
leader in your classroomnot the
data. You know your students
and your objectives. Dont doubt
yourself.
* Use the data to group your
students. Once you decide what
you are teaching, lean on the
data to arrange the learning
teams and build specific support
for them.
* Choose one or two reports that
work for you and commit to
learning them. Dont expect to
become a data-expert overnight.
In the end, remember that there
is balance in teaching. Its not an
option to avoid the data and
science anymore. Instead, it is
time to embrace it and see how it
can infuse the excellent learningalready taking place. Be brave!
Blending the Art and Science of Teaching
Tools of the Month
for January:
I couldnt pack all of the
Renaissance Learning train-
ing into one month, so we get
to spend another month
uncovering the support availa-
ble online. In addition to
Renaissance Learning, we will
use Internet4Classrooms to
fill our toolboxes with CCSS
goodness!
L O O M I S U N I O N S C H O O L D I S T R I C T
December 2013
Volume 1, Issue 5
EdTech UpdatesOngoing Instructional Technology Support
Upcoming Technology
Trainings This Month
While being a short instruction-
al month, we all know that
December is best suited for
flexibility and is a natural time
to review content previously
covered. Join me on the follow-
ing dates to uncover some of the
powerful tools within the
Renaissance Learning Suite. I
hope to see you there!
Renaissance Learning Record
Book and Core Progress
Learning Progressions
Dec. 10 (34 pm)
Dec. 12 (3:154:15 pm)
If you cant make thesedates, drop in from 3:00-4:30pm at the DistrictTraining Center onDecember 17. Ill be there!
Which Renaissance
Learning tools are
easiest for you to
start working with?
Student Diagnostic Report:
* Good For: Getting a snapshot
of the students skills in all read-
ing or math standards
* Next step: Start to build your
general intervention groups and
quickly see what type of support
is needed for the students.
Instructional Planning
Student Report:
* Good for: Identifying actual
standards/skills that the studentneeds to work on
* Next step: Use the Core Pro-
gress Learning Progressions for
lesson ideas focused on those
needed skills and offer that sup-
port during RtI.
Manage Groups:
* Good for: Setting up your
groups after analyzing the RenLearn test data
* Next step : View the small
group progress in Record
Book and View Suggested
Skills for that small group.
Notice similar needs within that
group.
Get a Head Start on January Training!
Check outwww.internet4classrooms.comto see a huge collection of sup-
plemental resources organized by grade levels, content areas, and Common
Core strands. Save the dates for hands-on training of this site and more:
January 15 (3-4pm) andJanuary 16 (7-8am and 3:15-4:15pm).
Join our Facebook Family! Check out the great resources!www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDeducators/ www.LUSDeducators.org
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/http://www.internet4classrooms.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDEducators/http://www.lusdeducators.org/http://www.lusdeducators.org/https://www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDEducators/http://www.internet4classrooms.com/Recommended