“Learn to listen and listen to learn.”
– Tom Izzo

This year we prepare for a myriad of changes.

I’m continuing with this series of blog posts descriptions of services, subscriptions, tools, programs, aids, SUPPORTS for learning that we are putting into place intentionally and deliberately to support teachers and students. Thanks to Dr. Jeff Zoul, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, as well as members of the DPS109 Leadership team, as well as iCoaches and teacher leaders, we have a PLAN to help teachers SUCCEED as they Engage, Inspire & Empower!

These tools are being shared in no particular order – the point/aim/goal is to share, celebrate, communicate, and publicize the many leaders and the many tools that will enable others to act – challenge the process, inspire a shared vision – and support improved teaching and learning! While company information and logos are shared it is not our intention to use this as “advertising” – we are simply sharing with whom we are partnering to support our mission. The name(s) of the people leading these services is provided – feel free to contact them with any questions or comments about the tools.

In some of the blog posts I will post multiple tools since some of the companies with whom we partner are sharing multiple tools. Many of these web based subscriptions will allow for 24/7 – school/home access! The possibilities are endless for our learning as we truly become a COMMUNITY of learners.

The content/subscription descriptions come directly from the company websites; and/or are heavily influencing the descriptions listed – website links to the source are listed in each section and sub-section.

(Kristen Paul and Chelsea Gray) Edmentum: Study Island:

This is a Standards mastery and test preparation program built specifically from state and Common Core standards for use with students in grades 3-8. Study Island includes Interactive lessons and activities that reinforce and reward learning achievement. Real-time progress monitoring that identifies student strengths and weaknesses. Study Island is ideal for self-paced, individualized learning or teacher-led, whole-class instruction. Teachers can easily guide students through the program, communicate expectations, and create class assignments. Students can work through questions using a standard test format, an interactive game format, printable worksheets, or a classroom response system.

http://www.studyisland.com/

(Svetlana Sutic) Edmentum: Reading Eggs/Reading Eggspress:

Reading Eggs is a comprehensive, online supplemental literacy programs for pre-K through 2nd grade readers. Grounded in extensive educational research, the programs build on and reinforce the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The Reading Eggs lessons provide plenty of practice in developing key reading skills and the interactive activities can be repeated as often as needed. Teachers can easily access resources like teaching notes, student worksheets, spelling worksheets, grammar demos, and big books for interactive whiteboards. The bright graphics and repetition work well with a wide range of students, and the songs and fun activities make Reading Eggs a rewarding activity, where students experience success as they learn to read.

Reading Eggspress builds on students’’ love of reading and develops reading comprehension skills for 2nd through 6th grade students. Reading Eggspress motivates and engages students with a wide range of learning resources, lessons, motivational games, e-books, and rewards. Students can take a diagnostic placement test to ensure they are working at a level that matches their reading ability, or teachers can move students to an appropriate level.

http://readingeggs.com/

(Rachel Aspinall) Edmentum: PLATO World Language Courses:

Help your students become proficient and fluent in the language of their choice, preparing them for professional success and personal fulfillment. Plato Courseware’s World Languages library features 14 semesters of highly interactive, graphically rich mobile-friendly language curriculum to prepare your students for success in the 21st Century World. Reinforce language learning with game-based practice, available on our World Language Mobile apps. These supplemental activities improve your students’ listening and reading, helping them associate the content in meaningful ways, and incorporate vocabulary and other language structures.

http://www.edmentum.com/products-services/plato-courseware