Really Busy... 10/18/2011
 
The Curriculum Office has been extremely busy with the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.  There are many initiatives taking place around the school district including a new K-5 math program called Everyday Mathematics, Lucy Calkins writing in grades 3-6, a new electronic grade book for elementary teachers, piloting of core reading programs K-5, RtI initiatives at each of the buildings, district-wide anti-bullying task force, etc.

Despite two reduced positions in the Curriculum Office, we would like to remind faculty members, students, parents, and other community members that our office is here to support the learning and teaching that occurs throughout Mason Public Schools.  Please feel free to contact any of the Curriculum Office personnel if you have a questions
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We have posted a new Fractions/Decimals Skills Packet on the website.  If you are looking for additional practice or hints for your 4th-7th grade student, please click on the link below...
http://masoncurriculum.weebly.com/summer-skills-packets1.html
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While some teachers have already used the district's iPods with their students, we anticipate a dramatic increase in their use around the district thanks to our new WiFi system that was installed during the first two weeks of January.  Teachers that are unfamiliar with the mobile learning devices have been invited to attend professional development before and after school this week to learn more about how to integrate them into their instruction.

Here are some interesting articles regarding mobile learning devices and technology...enjoy!

Going Mobile Blog
Five K-12 Technology Trends for 2011
Mobile Learning @ the Tipping Point
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Fantastic idea for writing on a daily basis...paint chip colors are used to inspire short daily writing pieces.  Teachers have altered this assignment for boys by replacing the paint chips with team logos/nicknames. This concept is very interesting and could peak your students' interest in daily writing.


100 Colors, 100 Writings, 100 Days
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At last night's school board meeting, the purchase and installation of wireless internet access or WiFi in all buildings was approved.  Installation will occur during winter break and students and teachers will have internet access anywhere in the buildings sometime in January.  This is a huge step in creating a 21st Century learning environment for our students and teachers.  Thanks to all the people that worked on making this a reality for our students.
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We have recently added a tutor directory to our home tab.  This tutor directory provides the names and contact information of teachers and community members that are available to provide tutoring for your child.

Mason Public Schools does not endorse any of these tutors and MPS has not performed background checks on the tutors unless they are Mason Public Schools employees.  If you are interested in tutoring, please contact the tutor and ask for references.
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The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has been a cradle of enlightenment thinking and a force for social progress.  They tout their approach as being "multi-disciplinary, politically independent and combines cutting edge research and policy development with practical action."

RSA Animate videos on various topics in education and other podcasts are available directly from the website...www.thersa.org  

I have included a link to a video about paradigm shifts in American Public Education below...enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
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The brochures have arrived with information regarding the GATE Saturday School.  The brochures can be found at the elementary schools and at the Middle School.  Saturday School is for students in grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 who have potential in the visual or performing arts, science and technology, as well as students who have outstanding academic abilities.  Classes are held Saturday mornings from 9:00am-12:00pm at LCC East, 2827 Eyde Parkway, East Lansing.  Classes start on October 23, 2010 and end on November 20, 2010.  Tuition costs range fromBrochures  $119.00 to $129.00.  Applications and a Recommendation Form for the classroom teacher must be submitted to Lansing Community College by October 10, 2010.  Please contact your child's school to obtain a brochure.  You can also access information by visiting the Lansing Community College website.  Additional applications can be found at  www.lcc.edu/ece/youth_programs/gate/fall2010_application.doc.   
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Please remember to celebrate Constitution Day by learning more about the US Constitution.  There are lesson ideas at the bottom of the Social Studies tab from the Center for Civic Education.  


Mr. Guysky also shared this quiz from the National Constitution Center...http://constitutioncenter.org/naturalization-test/
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The classroom inventory lists now have their own page, arranged by grade level.  If you hover over the home tab on our website you will notice the new arrangement.  We hope that this change will make navigating our website even easier than before.


Also, please note that we will be updating many of our pages now that the school year has started.  Please refer parents and students to our website when appropriate.  For example, NUMATS (Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search) has been updated for the 2010-2011 school year on the enrichment tab of our website.
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