Category: Instruction

Annotating a text: close reading with a pen

Annotation is the act of marking a text with words, symbols, illustrations, or other meaningful notes. Annotating a text supports close reading practices, helps a student engage with a text, and provides teachers with an efficient form of formative assessment. Annotation is more than just taking notes; it is a way to record a conversation with the author, characters, or the text itself. Marks and annotations made within the body of a reading create a reference point for a reader when rereading. Annotations also create a road map to support comprehension and analysis during reading.

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Maine DOE seeks reviewers for 21st CCLC grant competition

The Maine DOE is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read, assess and score competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.  This federally-funded grant program provides opportunities for schools and communities to develop “community learning centers” that serve children and youth during out-of-school time. Maine currently has 37 grant recipients operating 64 individual centers in communities across the state.  The Department anticipates receiving applications for new, expansion, and continuation awards as a result of this competition.

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Nature based education summer institute

The University of Maine at Farmington is excited to announce registration is open for a first-of-a-kind Nature Based Education Summer Institute June 24 and 25, 2016.  The institute is designed for pre-service and experienced educators to gather and learn about the benefits and best practices of connecting children to nature.  The workshops will be interactive and held outdoors.

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Outstanding educators sought for Maine talent pool

The Maine DOE is seeking recommendations through April 28 for the 2016 Maine Educator Talent Pool. These distinguished educators may be considered for membership on local and state advisory boards and task forces, as well as be candidates for special recognition through the Department.

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Dream with us following the Move the Needle Summit

Over 25 educators including County and State Teachers of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educators, six middle school students, a handful of Thomas College education students, and more joined the Maine Department of Education, Educate Maine and Thomas College for last week’s Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit.

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Programming for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia

Although dyslexia is not itself a category of disability under the federal IDEA or Maine’s special education regulations (MUSER), the definition of the disability category Specific Learning Disability (at both the federal and state level) expressly references dyslexia as one example of a disorder in psychological processing involved in understanding or using language which can be the basis for special education eligibility under that category.

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