Informational Background
Forest Park Elementary School is part of the Half Hollow Hills Central School District,
located in Dix Hills, New York, an affluent suburban community on Long Island,
approximately 50 miles east of New York City.
The school serves students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade as well as a Universal
Pre-Kindergarten program run by an outside agency. There are approximately 500
students and 100 staff members; teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, clerical,
custodial and kitchen aides. Forest Park is an all-inclusive building, including regular,
special and gifted education students. We have two classes for students on the autism
spectrum, two co-teacher integrated classes and one self-contained special education
class. All other classes include regular, special and gifted education students. For our
gifted students, the building houses the district-wide gifted program; this is a pullout
program, which is geared to meet these student’s special needs. We have a building-wide
enrichment program, and a large support staff who provide reading and math
remediation, resource room services, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy.
All teachers are involved in the district’s Response to Intervention program, and all
teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students within their class.
Approximately eight years ago, we adopted the Professional Learning Community model.
As a school, we redesigned our mission and vision statements and grade/support-level
and vertical articulation teams were established. A school-wide collaborative was also
established to act as a think tank for the school, whose charge is to review, pilot and
implement all school-wide, district-wide and state education department mandates before
they are presented to the entire school. Teams have common preparation periods and, in
addition, have a mandatory once-a-week meeting period and additionally, are provided
with a double preparation period monthly. Teachers collaborate on lesson and unit
planning, designing assessments, reviewing formative and summative assessment data,
developing methods to assist struggling students and use multiple data sources to drive
instruction.
As principal, part of my responsibilities includes providing professional development
opportunities for my staff, which primarily focuses around district and state initiatives
and/or mandates. In addition, I also try to offer staff information that they feel they need
to improve their practice. The district allows its principals the ability to present
professional development in methods that work best in each of its schools. Presented
below is an expanded version of my professional development model for the upcoming
school year, 2013/2014, and separately, is a memorandum I plan on forwarding to staff.
References
Ash, P. B., & D’Auria, J. (2013). Blueprint for a learning system: Create one larger, more
flexible team that encourages collaboration in all directions. JSD, 34(3), 42-46.
Bambino, D. (2002). Critical friends. Educational Leadership, 25(6), p25-27.
Cheetham, G., & Chivers, G. (2001). How professionals learn in practice: An
investigation of informal learning amongst people in working professions. Journal
of European Industrial Training, 25(5), 248-292. Retrieved from ProQuest
Dobrovolny, J. (2006). How adults learn from self-paced, technology-based corporate
training: New focus for learners, new focus for designers. Distance Education,
27(2), 155-170. Retrieved from ProQuest
Drago-Severson, E. (2008). 4 practices serve as pillars for adult learning. Journal of Staff
Development, 29(4), 60-63.
Drago-Severson, E. (2011). How adults learn forms the foundation of the learning
design standard. JSD, 32(5), 10-12. Retrieved from ProQuest
DuFour, R. (2004). What is a “professional learning community”?, Educational
Leadership,61(8), 6-11.
DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work: Best
practices for enhancing student achievement. Bloomington, IN: National
Educational Service.
Eaker, R., DuFour, R., & DuFour, R. (2002). Getting started: Reculturing schools to
become professional learning communities. Bloomington, IN: National
Educational Service.
Joyce, B., & Calhoun, E. (2010). Models of professional development: A celebration of
educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Kay, E. (2006). Do they make a difference? A review of research on the impact of critical
friends groups. Paper presented at the National School Reform Faculty Research
Forum
Penuel, W. R., Fishman, B. T., Yamaguchi, R., & Gallagher, L. P. (2007). What makes
professional development effective? Strategies that foster curriculum
implementation. American Educational Research Journal, 44(4), 921-958.
Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/30069418
Semadeni, J. H. (2009). Taking charge of professional development: A practical model
for your school. Alexandria, VA:ASCD.
Online Professional Development Plan
(will be placed on Edmodo closer to begin date)
SESSION 1
Welcome to Common Core PD. Please make sure to "Join" the group following the
directions linked below. Remember, you will need the Group Code (TBA) to gain access.
In addition, review the Code of Conduct, Student Guide and How to Send A Post, also
available below. All that you need is a computer; you can log on anywhere. Go to
http://www.edmodo.com; enter the email address and password that you created when
you "joined."
This is an online course in response to the feedback you provided on the survey you took
in the spring. Although you will work at your own pace, I have included "due dates" and
the length of viewing time for all of the links that are attached to each session. If a
posting is requested with an assignment, please make sure that it is available on the due
date, and that your final assignment is submitted by December 1, 2013. Since part of this
course is review, for those sessions feel free to select those readings/videos that you feel
meet your needs. You can work alone, with your grade-level collaborative team, in your
vertical articulation groups or with a group of your own design however you must work
with your grade-level collaboration group on the discussions or write-ups that follow
each session. I am asking you to discuss how the materials presented in each online
session impact our mission and vision as a school and how you think your grade will be
able to implement these changes into your lesson planning.
To the left of the search bar at the top of the window you will find four icons (Home,
Planner, Progress and Apps). If you click on Planner you will see all of the assignments
due. Click on Apps for additional resources to help you with your planning.
I hope you find this course valuable, and that it accommodates your busy lifestyle.
Again, thanks for joining!

Edmodo Help Center - How to Have Users Join Your Group |
help.edmodo.com

Edmodo Help Center - How to Instruct your Students to Post |
help.edmodo.com
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student_guide.pdf
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codeofconduct.doc
SESSION 2
Common Core Overview
In this session, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Common Core Learning
Standards. You will be provided with information about their creation, what brought
about their development, and you will also gain better insight into their intended purpose.
First go to the Common Core website for a historical perspective.
Then, proceed to engageny.org, the New York State Education Department website.
Please review the following videos,...
-Justification of the Standards by Ken Slentz (page 2)
-Quick Explanation of the Shifts by Kate Gerson (page 3)
-Overview and Six Common Core Shifts PD- Skills Strand (page 9)
-Overview and Six Common Core Shifts PD-Listening and Learning Strand (page 9)
-Overview and Six Common Core Shifts PD- Teacher Interviews (page 9)
-Aligning Curriculum Materials with the Common Core (page 9)
-Common Core in ELA/Literacy: An Overview (page 6)
-Common Core in Mathematics: An Overview (page 7)
When you completed viewing these videos, please post your team reaction providing
supporting evidence.
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Home | EngageNY
engageny.org

Common Core State Standards Initiative | Home
corestandards.org
SESSION 3
ELA/Literacy and the Common Core
In this session you will explore the shifts in ELA/Literacy and how they impact learning.
Once again, you will go to the engageny.org website and view several videos on the
topic.
Once logged onto engageny.org, please view the following videos...
-Common Core in ELA/Literacy: Getting Started (page 7)
-Common Core in ELA/Literature: Shifts 1-6 (all on page 8)
1. PK-5 Balancing Informational Text and Literacy
2. 6-12 Building Knowledge in the Disciplines
3. Staircase of Complexity
4. Text-based Answers
5. Writing from Sources
6. Academic Vocabulary
-Ways to Build Content (page 1)
-The Role of Guided Reading in Common Core-Aligned Instruction (page 1)
-Why Merging the Common Core State Standards into Existing Literacy Practice in
the Earliest Grades Is Important (page 3)
-A Protocol for Citing Evidence from Informational Text from Expeditionary Learning
(page 3)
-Close Reading Strategies with Informational Text by Expeditionary Learning (page 3)
-Preparing for Close Reading with Students (page 8)
-Three Tools to Advance Your Literacy Work (page 9)
-Making the Most of Listening and Learning Workshop: Ruby Bridges Read A Loud
(page 9)
Viewing time for Session 2 is approximately 3 hours 10 minutes
Post ten to twenty ideas you came away with after viewing this material.
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Home | EngageNY
engageny.org
SESSION 4
Mathematics and the Common Core
In this session you will explore the Common Core impact upon mathematics instruction.
Once again you will visit the engageny.org website and view several videos on the topic.
-Common Core in Mathematics: Getting Started (page 7)
-Common Core in Mathematics: Shift 1: Focus (page 6)
-Common Core in Mathematics: Shifts 2-6 (page 5)
-NTI November 2012: Rigor Breakdown: Counting Exercise K-1 (page 5)
As a note: our district's math program, enVisions, is already aligned to the Common Core
and although not scripted, the lessons are for the most part, directly out of the teacher's
manual.
Viewing time is approximately one hour five minutes.
When complete, write a paragraph reaction.
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Home | EngageNY
engageny.org
SESSION 5
Examining Lesson Plans
Below you will find a list of websites for you to visit as you begin to explore various
lesson plans that follow the Common Core format. As you continue working with the
Common Core Learning Standards, you will be called upon to create lessons that are in
sync with these new requirements.
When revisiting the engageny.org website, visit the menu on the left under the heading
Common Core Curriculum and Assessment. View all of the links but especially the
Toolkit.
Viewing times will vary based upon your interest.
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Home | EngageNY
engageny.org
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Espresso Elementary
espressoeducation.com
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Lesson Plans & Worksheets for School Teachers | Lesson Planet
lessonplanet.com
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CorePlanner | Common Core Standards | Lesson Planning | Teaching Software
coreplanner.com
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Common Core Standards in Action
literacyta.com
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Common Core - CCSS-Based Curriculum Maps
commoncore.org
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Edutopia
edutopia.org
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Burkins and Yarnis
burkinsandyaris.com
SESSION 6
Creating Your Own Lesson
For this assignment, you will create your own ELA/Literacy lesson plan formatted to the
Common Core Learning Standards. Use the websites in the previous session to help you.
Please email your completed lesson to me at [email protected]. Please make sure I
have your correct email address so I can send you your certificate of completion.
SESSION 7
Course Evaluation Form (to be prepared prior to set=up)
10 questions
Thank you for taking this online professional development course. I hope it fulfilled your
expectations and that you feel better prepared to meet the challenges presented by the
Common Core Learning Standards.
Inquiry by Design Agenda Topics
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Common Core Connection
At a Glance
 Module session being studied with students
 Guiding Questions
 Lesson Format
 Standard being addressed
Introduction of “Difficulty” Chart
Making Sense Chart
Why Guiding Questions
Interpreting Author’s Message
Wrapping Up the Module
Junior Great Books Agenda Topics
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Core Sequence
Blended Core Sequence
What is Shared Inquiry?
The Leader's Role in Shared Inquiry Discussion
Shared Inquiry in Your Classroom?
Core Review: Shared Inquiry Discussions
Core Review: Great Books in your Classroom
Inquiry Reading: A Basic Introduction to Inquiry in the Content Areas
Using Shared Inquiry with Nonfiction
Subsequent Visits to Individual Teachers and Teams
(Addressed at the discretion of the Leader and Teacher)
Reading Comprehension Strategies
The Power of Students' Questions
The Reading-Writing Connection
Assessing Student Progress
Asking Questions: Going Deeper
Modeling Shared Inquiry Discussion with Students
Interpretive Thinking for K–2
Shared Inquiry Discussion Across the Curriculum Inquiry Reading in the Content Areas Shared Inquiry and Novels Shared Inquiry and Poetry Shared Inquiry and Drama Shared Inquiry with Primary Sources and Other Nonfiction Shared Inquiry and Current Events Shared Inquiry and Film Shared Inquiry and Art Peer Coaching and Mentoring
Tuesday, November 5, 2013-Morning Session
Inquiry by Design and Junior Great Books follow-up topics:
Review of process
Questions
Concerns
Demonstrations
Tuesday, November 5, 2013-Afternoon Session:
Web 2.0 Topics/Demonstration
Diigo- online research, note taking and annotation tool.
English Language Arts Standards.
Collaborize Classroom-supports teaching argument writing.
English Language Arts Standards.
Google “Advanced Search”-helps teach students how to refine online searches.
English Language Arts Standards.
Study Blue-allows students to create flashcards and take notes.
English Language Arts Standards.
Google Docs and Forms-Allows student groups to share their documents with each other.
English Language Arts Standards.
Survey Monkey-enables students to create survey tools. Math Standards.
Creately-make, share and collaborate with diagrams and infographics. Math Standards.
Gliffy-Teach geometry as you design floor plans. Math Standards.
YouTube.com/Teachers-enhances classroom lessons.
Math/English Language Arts Standards.
Khan Academy-video tutorials, great for providing explanations of math concepts.
Math Standards.