April 2019
The Professional Development & Resource Center (PD&RC) Pride is a monthly email communication celebrating the work facilitated by BT BOCES PD&RC to advance teaching and learning. This will also be an opportunity to highlight resources available for loan as well as upcoming regional events. We hope you find this communication helpful and welcome your feedback.  
Kathleen Odean: The Best Young Adult Books of 2018
On April 11th, over 30 librarians, teachers, and literacy coaches gathered to learn all about the best new books of 2018. Kathleen Odean , author, speaker, book reviewer, and former Newbery/Caldecott Award committee member, presented an extensive overview of acclaimed young adult literature published in 2018.

In addition to sharing recommended books, Kathleen included curricular connections and innovative ways to promote reading among students. Kathleen’s presentation has become an annual tradition in our region; many attendees expressed that they look forward to it every year.

Thank you to Chenango Valley for hosting this event!
Regional Global History & Geography Community Continues Charting the Course for Social Studies 9/10
Twenty one teachers, instructing and supporting the two year NYS Global History and Geography Course, met for the second time this year on March 28th in the studio at WSKG.  As the afternoon began, teachers reflected on their current implementation of the Social Studies Practices and the NYS K-12 Social Studies Framework. Using the School Reform Initiative Success Protocol, teachers met with colleagues from other districts to share evidence of student successes in taking on the Practices. Time was given for asking questions about lesson design, delivery and student engagement. The groups then gave a brief summary of the sharing and findings in each of their respective conversations.

The feedback obtained from participants details that they strongly value and appreciate these cross district conversations and the teaching and resources provided by co-facilitators Pat Walsh, Nikki Laura and Alicia Sherman. In keeping with this “habere et dispertire” (to have and to share) philosophy, two of the participants, Laura Retzlaff and Jody Butts from Susquehanna Valley, addressed the group. Jody shared her work with the NYS League of Women Voters Civic Education Project. The LWV developed this project because of the need to provide lesson plans and resources to teachers about NYS Government. The work is aligned with the NYS Framework and Practices and action is a focus. The LWV wants students to think about how they can make a difference in their community. The LWV work is ongoing. Currently there are seven specific lesson plans on topics such as : the Public Policy Process in New York State and Voting in New York State.

Laura Retzlaff, President of the New York State Council for the Social Studies and member of the NYSED Content Advisory Panel for Social Studies discussed the progress being made by the panel with respect to plans for a future Seal of Civic Literacy. While this is still a few years down the road, significant conversations are happening as to how students in Grade 12 could have this seal affixed to their diplomas and how school districts are promoting active citizenship and civic responsibility. One of the ongoing outcomes for the Social Studies Communities of Practice is the promotion of teacher leadership in the social studies and the contributions of Jody and Laura were certainly exemplary of this.

The group will meet for their final time this school year on May 6th at WSKG on Gates Road where the work will continue as educators think and plan to engage students in social studies and prepare them for the next generation of NYS Social Studies Regents Examinations.
Rubik's Cube Kits
Can you do the cube?
 
We are excited to announce that we have recently added 3 different Rubik’s Cube education kits to our collection – 2x2 24 Cube Kit , 3x3 24 Cube Kit and a 3x3 100 Cube Mosaic Set
 
Each kit comes with cubes, solution guides and a USB drive with a collection of lessons aligned to the Common Core standards. A unique opportunity, students of all ages and learning styles will be motivated to ‘unlock the secret’ of the cube.
 
The people at ‘You Can do the Rubik’s Cube’ have compiled a vast collection of online resources for you to use. The Rubik’s Cube Units and Lessons page can be searched by grade level, subject, concepts and cube type. Printable downloads, including solution guides, mosaic templates and certificates can be found here .
 
Perfect for you library or makerspace, our Mosaic Set allows your students to use 49-100 cubes to create a picture of Mona Lisa, Nelson Mandela, Starry Night and more.   Click here to see the different mosaic patterns available. For those of you up to the task, you can even create your own mosaic using a FREE online program !
 
The kits have been added to our media library catalog and are available for you to borrow. Click here to reserve them today.
 
As always, please contact Kristina Garcia at kgarcia@btboces.org if you need assistance ordering any of our Media Library Resources. 
Arts-In-Education provides cooperative performance scheduling of professional artists in the areas of dance, media arts, music, theater and the visual arts for component school districts. Performances occur in participating schools or at a performing arts center. Residencies in the arts are an integral part of this service and can be custom designed to fit district curriculum needs. All performances serve to enhance the regular curriculum and to integrate the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts.
Grades 5-12

Considered a master of American roots music, Scott Ainslie brings a wealth of personal and musical history to the stage. With engaging stories he provides historical context for a repertoire of Delta Blues and ragtime guitar, gospel, and music of the banjo and fiddle traditions of the Southern Appalachians. 

Scott offers the following in-district events: 

Across the Color Line: African South Program: touring the music of the American South where European and African musical traditions cross-pollinated to make powerful hybrids


Before Rock ‘N Roll Concert: leading the audience back in time to the rhythms and music that influenced the rise of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Introduction to work and slave songs, spirituals, Delta and Ragtime Blues using guitars and African-derived American instruments are included.


Blues & Music History Workshop: teaching the African roots of American music and culture, with workshops in blues/slide guitar, blues roots of rock and roll, and music theory/history for students. 



Meets NYS Arts Standard:
Music: Creating, Connecting, Responding
Grades PreK - 12

 Along with singing and playing his conga drums to a variety of Afro-Latin rhythms, Jorge also gives his audience an opportunity to experience percussion by playing and dancing with him. The students will experience fun through rhythms and songs and will learn about the African and Latin American cultures that created these instrument, rhythms, and their accompanying dances.  

Jorge's repertoire includes the following in-district events:










Meets NYS Arts Standard:
Music and Dance: Creating, Performing, Connecting, Responding
For more information,
please select  links  above, view the Arts-In-Education website  HERE ,
or contact Kathy Harasta at  kharasta@btboces.org .
  Learn ~ Collaborate ~ Explore ~ Register Today!
Looking for more Professional Development opportunities?
Check out the PD&RC calendar here !