Top Story

• Resources for teaching about MLK Day, Obama's inauguration
  The writer of this blog post suggests activities and resources to teach students about Martin Luther King Jr., who is celebrated today, and the historic second inauguration of President Barack Obama, also happening today in Washington, D.C. The resources include a slide show of photographs from the Civil Rights Movement and a resource that allows readers to build their own inaugural address. The blog also includes links to resources that could be helpful as educators address the topics in the classroom. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/The Learning Network blog (1/21)     

• How students are remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.: In Florida, teachers are using a variety of activities and lesson plans to teach students about Martin Luther King Jr. One teacher had her third-grade students perform plays about black history and created a mural related to King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. One ninth-grade teacher said her students are participating in the American Bar Association Law Day Contest, which has the theme "Realizing the Dream: Equality for All" -- in recognition of the 150th year of the Emancipation Proclamation. Florida Today (Melbourne) (tiered subscription model) (1/19)     

	Math Tools in Action is an exciting new DVD series that shows teachers in grades 1-5 how to use anchor charts, journals, and manipulatives to deepen and improve math instruction. Each DVD chronicles a complete lesson in a real classroom, with expert commentary and teaching tips before and during the lesson. Click here to view clips and download the viewing guides!

Focus on Practice

• How to make writing a debate-friendly exercise
  While teachers and students can be hesitant to integrate debate into the writing process, Ashley Prophet, a graduate student, suggests a nontraditional approach that could alleviate fears over tedious debates and rowdy students. Prophet suggests a five-step process in which students seek critical reviews from their friends, adopt an approach in which students prosecute and defend their sentences, and finally use technology to publish their work. Edutopia.org/Ashley Prophet's blog (1/18)     

How to recharge learning recovery In learning recovery, a deeper leadership mindset can be the most critical tool of all. On May 16 at 2 p.m. ET, join educator Jonah Schenker for a SmartSummit on "Closing the gap: Better learning recovery through deeper leadership." Sign up now. ADVERTISEMENT

Schools Today

• Some schools removed from list of potential closures in Chicago
  Most high schools and high-performing schools have been removed from a list of 330 underused schools considered for closure in Chicago. That list is expected to be narrowed further on Feb. 13. However, officials say there could be some exceptions, such as high schools that require costly repairs or high-performing schools that could be moved to different buildings. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (1/19)     

• Other News

• Colo. schools work to eliminate achievement gap for Latino students
  Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.) (1/20)     

• Spellings urges Ind. to move forward with education reforms
  The Indianapolis Star (tiered subscription model) (1/18)     

Developing Leaders

• Conn. panel seeks to improve teacher preparation
  New teachers often say they feel under-prepared in classroom management skills, according to experts providing input to the Educator Preparation Advisory Council in Connecticut. The council -- a joint effort among state K-12 and higher-education officials -- is tasked with making recommendations on improving teacher preparation programs. Among the suggestions: having student teachers work with mentor teachers for an entire school year, starting on the first day, when classroom rules and routines are introduced. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (1/19)     

Policy News

• L.A. teacher evaluations to include students' test scores
  Members of United Teachers Los Angeles have approved a teacher-evaluation method based in part on students' test scores. However, the deal limits the use of controversial value-added data and instead will measure teachers' effectiveness based on raw state test scores, district assessments and high-school exit exams, as well as attendance, graduation, suspensions and course-completion rates. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (1/19)     

• Other News

• Legislation in Texas would ease testing requirements
  The Dallas Morning News (free content) (1/19)     

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Most Read by Educators

Top five news stories selected by Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Tools to improve the interactive whiteboard experience (District Administration magazine)

• What to ask before flipping instruction (T.H.E. Journal)

• Addressing myths that teachers encounter in the classroom (Education Week Teacher)

• Is there more to math than simply finding the answer? (Edutopia.org)

• Minn. school's team approach yields higher passing rate on state test (The Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minn.))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

NBPTS Update

• Deadlines extended for National Board candidates
  Several key deadlines in December and January have been adjusted to accommodate for My Profile testing and upgrades. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-22TEACH. We apologize for any inconveniences. Read on for the new dates.     

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SmartQuote

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." --Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president