Instruction and assessment workshop
The annual Scott Trimble Workshop on Instruction and Assessment, titled “Keeping Kentucky’s Vision: Success for Every Student” and presented by the Kentucky Association for Assessment Coordinators (KAAC), will be Oct. 27-28 in Louisville. There will a three-hour pre-workshop session as an opportunity to expand the workshop experience.
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities conference
The National Network for Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities semi-annual Business Meeting and Professional Development Conference will be held Aug. 7-8, in Alexandria, Va. For more information, contact Karen McCuiston at (270) 809-5091
Science Teachers conference
The Kentucky Science Teachers Conference and Professional Development in Lexington will be held Nov. 6-8. The theme is “Science for the Future,” and the strands are technology, literacy and content. Education Commissioner Jon E. Draud will be the keynote speaker on Nov. 7. That same day, a Green and Healthy Schools strand will be present all day. There will be over 100 sessions for K-college levels and all content areas. For more information, contact Sherry Fox at (502) 267-5078.
Major Gang Task Force conference
The annual national Major Gang Task Force Conference, set for Sept. 23-26 in Louisville, is an essential way for any organization to obtain new information regarding gang activities in the United States. The event will be hosted by the Kentucky Department of Corrections. For more information, contact Debbie Kays or Meredith Sanford.
The Invertebrate Olympics
Next Level Teaching will be holding a training opportunity titled "The Invertebrate Olympics" in Louisville on Aug. 6 and in Cincinnati on Aug. 7. This one-day training equips grades 3-8 teachers with tools to transform their rigorous curriculum into a relevant, highly engaging, authentic learning opportunity by taking advantage of the excitement generated by the Summer Olympic Games.
KSBA board creates lecture to honor late director
When the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) annual conference opens next Jan. 30, a special lecture series focusing on school safety will be launched in the memory of Joe England, the Harrison County Board of Education and KSBA Board of Directors member who passed away earlier this year. More information will be available at a later date.
Talent Development and Gifted Studies
Northern Kentucky University has established a new program to help gifted and talented students, called Talent Development and Gifted Studies. It will offer a high-quality gifted and talented education program that focuses on talent identification, talent development, research and advocacy. These high-quality opportunities for gifted and talented students in grades K-8 will offer a broad range of enrichment courses to qualified students. For more information, contact Dr. Kimberly Code at (859) 572-6685 or Dr. Kevin Besnoy at (859) 572-1509.
Teaching about climate change
Teaching about Climate Change is a workshop designed for teachers and nonformal educators in grades 4-12 and from across disciplines. The workshop will be held at the Toyota Visitor Center in Georgetown on July 10 from 9-3. It is sponsored by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education and co-sponsored by the Kentucky Division of Air Quality, the Kentucky Environmental Education Council and Toyota Motor Company of America.
SNAP training
The Kentucky Center for Mathematics invites kindergarten and 1st grade teachers to Kentucky's first SNAP training, a classroom product of Math Recovery. SNAP is a two-day, research-based, professional development opportunity that allows teachers to grow in pedagogical content knowledge of number while using an individualized assessment tool for determining student need in the various aspects of number. Teachers compile individual student data to establish a class profile which typically reveals a range of readiness and can be used to inform instruction within the core math program.
Lesson Study Summer Institute
The 2008 Lesson Study Summer Institute will be held at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., July 14-17 and Dec. 10. Teachers engage in lesson study to systematically examine instructional methods, content, curriculum and student learning/understanding in order to improve classroom teaching and learning and achieve their educational goals.
Kentucky Dance Festival
The fourth annual Kentucky Dance Festival will be Aug. 30 in Bowling Green at Western Kentucky University. Professional development for teachers in theatre and dance will be facilitated by two Master Teaching Artists from the Kentucky Arts Council Roster of Artists.
Teen finance summer camp
The Kentucky Council on Economic Education is hosting the Financial Fitness Summer Camp for Teens (grades 8-12) July 28-Aug.1 at Northern Kentucky University. Teens will learn valuable life skills to make them financially fit for life. The event includes hands-on activities and speakers, and students will learn how to develop good everyday decision-making skills, manage money, use credit wisely, and save and invest for the future.
Water quality workshop
A workshop for K-12 teachers to learn about water and its value will be held July 30 in Frankfort. This workshop looks at the human side of water quality: the history, economics, politics and geography of how water is used as a vital resource. It is sponsored by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) and the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). To register or for more information, contact Jane Eller at (502) 564-5937.
KYSPRA PD conference
The annual Kentucky School Public Relations Association fall conference is set for Nov. 20-21 in Lexington. Among the working sessions for the conference will be: public relations tips from the pros, to what degree is your PR a success and how to deal with angry people.
Summer opportunity for minority students
Western Kentucky University is hosting a Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (SCATS). Scholarships are available for Kentucky students who come from an underrepresented population in the STEM fields.
KASC annual conference
The Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC) will host its annual conference Sept. 29-30 in Louisville. Education Commissioner Jon E. Draud will deliver the keynote speech, and KDE Associate Commissioner Ken Draut will offer assessment updates on CATS and NCLB. The conference is approved for EILA credit. For more information, contact KASC at (859) 238-2188.
Mickelson Teachers Academy
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy will be held in July 2009. Teachers will spend five days at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J., deepening their understanding of mathematics and science content, building expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry, and using links between mathematics and science that support student learning and understanding in the classroom. Applications are due by Oct. 31.
Summer math, science PD offerings
The Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform (PIMSER) P-12 Math and Science Outreach unit at the University of Kentucky is registering for summer workshops and academic year 2008-09 programs. A list of offerings, more information and links to registration on a recently-launched Web site are available online. Locations for the sessions range from Madisonville to eastern Kentucky.
Middle School Association
The Kentucky Middle School Association (KMSA) annual conference will be held Sept. 21-23 in Louisville. Keynote speaker will be Sharon Faber, and there also will be sessions by the 2008 Schools to Watch, content area strands and more than 30 exhibitors.
Check the KDE Professional Development Bulletin Board for additional opportunities.
Educators Wanted, Call for Proposals and Presenters
Davidson Institute seeks achievers
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development is seeking 2009 Davidson Fellows, an honor accompanied by a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship in recognition of a significant piece of work in science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy or “Outside the Box.” Applicants can’t turn 18 before Oct. 1, 2009. Application deadline is March 4, 2009. Applicants must submit an original piece of work recognized by experts in the field as significant, and it must have the potential to make a positive contribution to society.
Mathematics teachers needed for study
Kentucky mathematics teachers in grades 5-7 can earn $200 for participating in a federally funded research study for LessonLab, a Pearson Education company. Teachers will need to allow LessonLab to videotape one fraction lesson on either ratios/proportions or variables/expression/equations. For more information, contact Frank Sotelo at (310) 664-2347.
KCSS accepting proposal submissions
The Kentucky Council for the Social Studies (KCSS) is now accepting proposal submissions for the KCSS Conference Sept. 23-24, in Louisville. The theme of the conference is “Leadership and Advocacy for Social Studies Education.” KCSS is seeking proposals for sessions focused on effective strategies, content and pedagogy covering all grade levels and all of the subdomains of social studies. For more information, contact Mark Kopp and (502) 564-9848.
Grants, awards and contests
The Kentucky Historical Society has grants available for field trips and projects in the classroom for K-12 public or private schools. Heritage Education and Lincoln Heritage Education Grants are available. The first deadline for both upcoming grants is Sept. 30. For more information, contact Kate Hesseldenz at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4477.
Licensing to Sylvan Dell Publishing
Sylvan Dell Publishing is offering grants for a free, one-year site license, providing unlimited access to all 35 Sylvan Dell e-books. The license can be used on all school computers and may be placed on secure school Web sites, enabling students and their families to log in and access eBooks from homes. With each book comes free online educational material available for cross-curricular learning. Click here to view a list of available books. Grants will be awarded to one elementary school per district.
Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative grants
The Kentucky Girls STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Collaborative, a statewide initiative to encourage girls to pursue careers in those fields, is currently offering mini-grants of up to $1,000. Teachers, community groups and other organizations committed to collaborating, informing and motivating girls are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is July 31. For more information, contact Nancy C. Martin at (502) 852-5226.
Conservation art and writing contest
The Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and Kentucky Farm Bureau will be hosting the annual Writing and Jim Claypool Conservation Art contests. Information has been placed on the two Web sites, which also provide a teacher’s guide, contest entry form and principal and district report forms. This year’s theme is “Working Trees: Kentucky’s Renewable Future.” The writing contest is for students in grades 6-12 and the art contest for students in grades 1-5. For more information, go to www.conservation.ky.gov or www.kyfb.com.
2008-09 juried art exhibition
Crayola is sponsoring an online art exhibit for students in grades K-6. Each visual art image will be accompanied by children’s written statements expressing the dreams, thoughts and feelings that inspired their work. This year’s theme, “Green – Earth’s Favorite Color,” asks children to express how they are and can be a hero for the planet. The exhibit will be supported by lesson plan ideas. Educators and parents are asked to upload children’s art to the Crayola Online Gallery by Nov. 1. Cash prizes will be awarded in addition to publication in the book.
Future City competition
Middle school students across the state can compete in the Kentucky Future City ’09 competition, sponsored by the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. Future City encourages interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on applications. This year’s topic focuses on water use, challenging students to create self-sufficient water systems for the homes in their future cities. Registration deadline is Oct. 15. For more information, contact Diana Anderson at (606) 337-4386.
Grant Opportunity at the KASC Conference
Three DREAM grants will be awarded to educators who can take something from the 2008 Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC) Conference, develop it for classroom implementation and then share their project at the 2009 KASC conference (which they will attend as guests). The grants are $250 each and will be awarded to selected applicants from KASC member schools who attend the Sept. 29-30 conference. For more information, contact Lisa Stone at (859) 238-2188.
Internet Youth Safety Award
The Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) and the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS) are accepting nominations for the inaugural Internet Youth Safety Empowerment Award, in conjunction with the 14th annual Safe Schools, Successful Students conference, Oct. 6-7, in Louisville. The award is open to Kentucky public elementary, middle and high school students and their related Internet safety programs. Nominations are due by July 31.
Educational Opportunities
The Ugly Duckling Story
Lexington Children’s Theatre will stage the seventh annual Summer Family Musical “Honk! The Ugly Duckling Story” July 31-Aug. 3 in Lexington. There will be evening performances the first two nights, and the final two days will feature two performances per day. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or at the box office. For more information, call (859) 254-4546, ext. 247.
Education Outreach performances
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre’s Education Outreach Performances for the fall will feature the following productions in Horse Cave:
· "Abraham Lincoln," Aug. 22-Nov. 1
· "To Kill a Mockingbird," Oct. 3-Nov. 15
· "Amadeus," Oct. 24–Nov. 15
· "King Lear," Nov. 21–Dec. 4
For more information, contact Kentucky Repertory Theatre at (800) 342-2177.
'With Malice Toward None’
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave is booking sites for its nationwide tour of "With Malice Toward None," a multimedia production highlighting Lincoln's speeches, letters and dramatic episodes set in Civil War times. School and districts with auditorium space to stage the production or access to a local performing arts center can book a performance between Feb. 10 and March 22, 2009, at a discounted rate. For more information, contact (800) 342-2177.
Resources
‘The Financial Psychology of Worry and Women’
Victor Ricciardi, assistant professor of finance at Kentucky State University has a working paper on negative emotion, gender, learning and money management titled "The Financial Psychology of Worry and Women." Ricciardi’s paper makes a connection to the learning and behavioral process. The abstract of the paper is available by clicking here, and a pdf file can be downloaded as well.
Book Savvy digital environment
Book Savvy, LLC has created a highly secured digital environment that aims to cut the cost of textbooks in half. For more information or to schedule a demonstration with Book Savvy, contact Byron Johnson at (312) 810-9991.
Science Literacy maps
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is preparing to launch online, interactive versions of the Atlas of Science Literacy maps.
Online college information search tool
CampusCompare offers a new way of tackling the college search and selection process. It takes all the information out there, abridges it and adds the comments and thoughts of students who have experienced the college first-hand, allowing college-bound students to get opinions on schools. This free and interactive online resource and social networking community helps college-bound students find the right school for them with up-to-date college information and reviews from students and alumni on the most important topics.
National Academies booklet on climate change
The National Academies has released their 2008 edition of a booklet entitled Understanding and Responding to Climate Change. This booklet presents recommendations from the National Academies’ expert reports on climate change in an easy-to-read format. In its third edition, the booklet includes an expanded section on impacts and updated figures and graphics. For more information, contact the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate at (202) 334-3512. The booklet can be accessed free through the Web link and downloaded as a pdf file.
Online magazine for teachers
Ohio State University and the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) have launched an online magazine for teachers in the early grades. The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded publication, “Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears” is designed to help teachers develop knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctica and to use best practices to integrate science and literacy instruction around polar themes. Click here for more information.
'Google Earth Lessons'
"Google Earth Lessons" is a free public resource by teachers to give other educators tools and ideas for using the free Google Earth software in their classrooms. A section called "Google Earth How-tos" gives educators the basic skills needed for the software, and a discussion section includes threads for exchanging ideas on a variety of topics.
Agriculture Science Kit
Teachers can purchase kits to conduct experiments, investigations and activities in their classrooms offered in the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom’s Mobile Science Activity Center. All activities are targeted for 4th and 5th grades and have been aligned to Kentucky’s Core Content for Assessment. One kit can be used for classroom demonstrations. The other kit includes enough materials for 30 students to participate in activities. More information and kit prices are online.
Kentucky land-use planning maps for teachers
New geology maps are available for all Kentucky counties from the Kentucky Geological Survey to help students and the general public better understand the geology of where they live and how the rocks that form the land may affect human activities. County maps have been generalized, illustrated and supplemented with text to explain geologic issues in each county. For more information, contact Dan Carey at (859) 257-5500, ext. 157.
Mobile Science Activity Center
Visits from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Mobile Science Activity Center are being scheduled for the 2008-09 school year. The center is geared toward students in grades 3-5 but has activities for grades K-6. It is a 44-foot long trailer with 10 workstations for a classroom of students to conduct activities and investigations related to agriculture and the environment. For more information, contact John Parrish at (270) 339-4502 or Rayetta Boone at (502) 564-4696.
KET EncycloMedia
This Internet-based comprehensive learning service is free to Kentucky public schools. It is the result of a partnership between Kentucky Educational Television and the Kentucky Department of Education. It offers teachers and students more than 4,000 videos, 40,000 video clips and thousands of digital images, all searchable by keyword, content area, grade level and Kentucky academic standards.
Kentucky Teacher
The Kentucky Department of Education keeps people informed about the good things happening in Kentucky schools through its professional development publication, "Kentucky Teacher."
Online KDE Bookstore
Buying publications, compact discs and videotapes about the state's education system has been made simpler by the opening of the Online KDE Bookstore.
For Parents
The Kentucky Department of Education has a Web site, "For Parents," that gives parents of Kentucky schoolchildren one-stop access to education information, resources and "ParentInfo" e-mail updates.
Scholarship information
Find helpful scholarship information and tips to avoid scholarship scams.