JUMP Newsletter

ACT Plus Writing

MontCAS presents will offer an online class for educators on the ACT Plus Writing writing resources. The class will include examining and using ACT exemplars and rubrics and will provide opportunities for discussion and planning to prepare students for college and career ready writing.

• Graduate credit through MSU or Renewal units will be available.
• Information about the class will be posted soon.

1. Module 1-ACT Writing
   Handout: 2012-13 Module 1 ACT Writing
2. Module 2- ACT Writing
   Handout: 2012-13 Module 2 ACT Writing
3. Module 3 ACT Writing
   Handouts:
   2012-13 Module 3 ACT Writing
   Papers: A | B | C | D | E | F
   Prompt for Today’s Work
   Six Point Holistic Rubric
   

 

Formative Assessment (FAME)

Formative Assessment (FAME) is a class offered during the year by Office of Public Instruction for educators. Dr. Stevie Schmitz of Rocky Mountain College developed and conduct this class to focus on increasing understanding of formative assessment and help participants become skillful users of formative assessment in their classroom. Participant interaction occurs via weekly webinars and online Learning Community Discussions. This class can be taken for 3 graduate credits through Montana State University or 21 OPI Renewal Units or audit. It is also to educators wishing to retake the course to deepen their understanding of formative assessment or for those looking to learn about formative assessments for the first time.

MCCSM: Standards for Mathematical Practices

MCCS Standards for MathematicalPratices

The purpose of this course is to increase understanding of the Montana Common Core Standards for Mathematics and to help participants become skillful users of the Standards for Mathematical Practices in their classrooms. Participants will closely examine the mathematical practices. In addition to reviewing mathematical practices resources, participants will focus on how they are implemented effectively in the classroom.

Please visit the main Montana Common Core Standards and Assessments (MCCS) webpage
 for further information.

Teaching the Writing Strand of the MCCS

Transitions to the MT Common Core Standards and Assessments

The Teaching the Writing Strand of the MCCS A NEW class offered during the year by Office of Public Instruction for educators. The MCCSM: Standards for Mathematical Practices This class can be taken for 2 graduate credits for $135 or for 30 OPI Renewal Units for free or for audit.

It is offered to educators wishing to become more familiar with the new writing demands of the MCCS.

The purpose of this course is to increase understanding of the writing strand of the MCCS and to help participants integrate the MCCS writing standards into their classrooms.

Dr. Dana Haring, who has taught middle school writing for 19 years, is the facilitator of the course.

Participant interaction occurs via weekly lessons and online Learning Community Discussions.

Please visit the main Montana Common Core Standards and Assessments (MCCS) webpage
 for further information.

Aligning Individual Education Plans

This course introduces the concept of aligning IEPs for students with disabilities with the general education curriculum standards.   Using a series of 5 online modules as its basis, course participants will learn why this practice is growing nationally, and how standards-based IEPs serve as a mechanism to support access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities.  The general education curriculum, defined by content standards, is currently undergoing a shift as Montana prepares for the transition to the Common Core Standards. 

The course is taught online, in an asynchronous format.  Participant interaction will be structured through threaded discussions and other online interactive forums.

teaching Limited English Proficient students

The purpose of this course is to increase understanding of teaching Limited English Proficient students in Montana and to help participants come to a better understanding of the tools available through the WIDA Consortium.  WIDA is a consortium of 27 states working to advance academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators.

This course is designed to help teachers learn how to apply the WIDA/Montana English Language Development standards to their classroom instruction and how to implement new approaches for teaching Limited English Proficient students in Montana.  In addition, participants will review some of the research base on English language acquisition, will focus on the attributes of effective teaching and assessment of LEP students, and will learn ways to implement these strategies and techniques effectively in the classroom.