Study Island webinars

Your teachers can gain a better understanding of the basic features of Study Island through our free general training webinars. During these mini-sessions, our trainers will navigate through different facets of Study Island. Check out our calendar each month to see what new sessions we are offering.

Study Island’s calendar of webinars: www.studyisland.com/webinars/training

Please forward this on to your staff!

I hope this information is helpful. As always, please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Have a wonderful Holiday season!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel


Kathleen Bendernagel
Michigan Representative
STUDY ISLAND | Northstar Learning
800.419.3191 x7627
248.255.3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com

Free Fall Study Island Training Webinar Series

Gain a better understanding of the basic features of Study Island through our free online general training webinars.

During these mini sessions, our trainers will navigate through Study Island giving tips and best practices all in less than an hour of your day! Check out our calendar each month to see what new sessions we are offering!

October topics include:
*Going Coconuts for Stats
*Managing your Islanders (A guide to Class Manager)
*Back to School for Teachers
*Charting Your Course for Teachers
*Welcome to the Island for Study Island Administrators
*Wizards of the Island for District Level Administrators
*Benchmarking 101
**Two additional PARENT sessions designed to assist parents to help students of Study Island

For more information and to register, please visit: www.studyisland.com/webinars/training

As always, I can be reached at kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com or 800-419-3191 ext. 7627, with any questions or for further information.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island MI Rep

Coming soon to Study Island!

These new features, coming soon, will enhance the Study Island experience in every way!

Custom Assessment Builder
• Hand-pick questions from a custom question bank
• Diagnostically assess the progress of students on a regular basis
• Individualize instruction based on student’s needs


Professional Development Toolbox
• Just-in-time videos for teachers
• Based on universal standards and themes
• Paired with lesson plans and whiteboard animation
• State specific lesson plans

Enhanced Reporting
• User-driven aggregating to provide custom results at export
• Cube-like to enable custom pivoting of available data
• Better exported data integration with popular Student Reporting Systems


Please feel free to contact me by phone at 800-419-3191 ext. 7626 or email kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com with any questions or to set up a time to meet.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Welcome back to school from Study Island!

Please let me know how we can help you to best use your Study Island subscription.

I am always available to visit your school to show you what’s new or to refresh your teachers on using Study Island.

Feel free to contact me by phone at 800-419-3191 ext. 7626 or email kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com with any questions or to set up a time to meet.

I look forward to working with you and your staff!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Don't forget to send home your Study Island parent letter:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Parents,

Our school recently purchased a Study Island site license. Study Island is a leading provider of web-based standards based learning programs in Michigan. This means your child can continue benefiting from the Study Island program while at school and at home. Study Island can be used from any computer that has internet access, wherever you may be!

The enclosed sheet provides an overview of the program. We are excited about the gains your child will make this school year and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for students to retain skills mastered through out year. Please feel free to contact Study Island at 800-419-3191 or support@studyisland.com if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

The Staff of West Beverly

Study Island's New Features

Go Tigers!
Summer Greetings from Study Island! With the start of school around the corner, Study Island has made many enhancements to the program and many other exciting features will be added in the coming months.

Study Island updates will include:
• Custom assessment builder
• Text-to-speech for all grade levels
• Detailed lesson plans for teachers
• Exploratory topics for students who master standards (GLCE)
• New interactive games

Reminder we have also added:
• Programs for High School and grades K-1
• GED Preparation Program
• Clickers compatible - eInstruction, Turning Point, Promethean
• District Level reporting - This allows you see reports in all school across your district that use Study Island.
• Support - Check out the expanded help tab on your page for great implementation ideas and our new video training. Also, our Live Support continues as the fastest way to get an answer regarding Study Island

Please let me know how we can help you to best use your Study Island subscription. I am always available to visit your school to show you what’s new or to refresh your teachers on using Study Island.

Feel free to contact me by phone at 800-419-3191 ext. 7626 or email kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com with any questions or to set up a time to meet.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Summertime and Study Island

Many schools are looking at how they can use Study Island this summer. There are three popular models that schools and districts have utilized in the past, so I thought this might be of use as you think about how to implement Study Island this summer.

1. Integrating Study Island into the traditional summer school curriculum. If your school or district runs a summer school program, Study Island is a great fit. Quite often, teachers are teaching a subject that may be different from what they normally teach so Study Island can help them with standards they are not used to. The web-based format of Study Island means that students can login all summer to practice the topics that they need help in.

2. Open lab model. Maybe your school is not offering summer school, but there will be adults in the building for part of the summer. Keeping a lab open for drop in sessions is a nice way for parents and students to utilize the program if they do not have the Internet available at home.

3. Home use. Students who have access to the Internet at home can practice Study Island all summer long! Parents can login to see a math and reading report to identify which area their child needs the most assistance. The engaging game format is sure to keep students motivated throughout the summer.

Important features of Study Island for summer use:

Online reporting makes it easy for teachers and administrators to login over the summer to see how students are doing. In September, teachers can run a report to access the results of their students’ summer use. The "Suggest Topics Report" allows teachers to see what areas their class needs the most help in!

Automatic remediation is a terrific feature that encourages student self-direction. Students can work on the building block topics provided by the program in order to get their skills to grade level.

Feel free to contact me if you would like additional information about Study Island.

Free Study Island training!

New Study Island customers - if you order Study Island before May 31, we will provide you with a free Study Island training session.

Study Island is an effective, cost-efficient program that is easy to use for students and teachers. Study Island is an easy way to implement a successful curriculum throughout summer.

Please contact me for today for further information or for a Study Island quote at your school. I can be reached by phone at 800-419-3191 ext. 7626 or email kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Study Island is perfect for summer!

Great for summer learning! Students can access Study Island all summer long to review and practice at any computer. Offering some incentive for them to do so, will help you help them review the GLCEs and help prevent summer learning loss.

Study Island’s Online GLCE Mastery Program:
• A simple tool that can make a huge impact on student achievement
• Aligned and specifically written to the Michigan Assessment Frameworks (GLCE)
• Offers terrific student data for teachers and administrators for identifying gaps and weaknesses BEFORE the test window
• Fully web-based, students can use the program not just at school, but at home or library as well - reinforcing the home-school connection

I can be reached at kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com or 800-419-3191 ext. 7627, with any questions or for further information.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

During the month of April, if you order a 2 year subscription of Study Island you get the 3rd year FREE!

During the month of April, if you order a 2 year subscription of Study Island you get the 3rd year FREE!

Here are 3 great reasons to consider using Study Island at your school:

1.) Will Study Island make a difference is students’ scores?

* Yes, in a 2007-2008 teacher survey of the over 17,000 schools using Study Island, 97.4% say Study Island helped increase their test scores


2.) Is Study Island cost effective?

* Yes, a current survey of Study Island teachers said 96.1% plan on renewing Study Island next school year, indicating the program is reasonably priced and cost effective.


3.) How easy is Study Island to use?

* Very, 94.0% of teachers using Study Island say their students enjoy it, so implementing Study Island into your curriculum will be met with enthusiasm from students

Study Island Summer Contest

What keeps students motivated over the summer? Competition!

Create a challenge for students to keep them using Study Island over the summer.

Just follow these easy steps for a successful Study Island summer:

1. Decide how you will measure Study Island success, ideas include:
 Total number of questions answered
 Number of Blue Ribbons
 Amount of time spent on the Island

2. Announce the contest before school is out for the summer

3. Send a letter home informing parents of the contest (also attached)

4. Message students in Study Island throughout the summer for added motivation

5. Announce the winners at the beginning of the school year and celebrate!
 Pizza Party
 Names on Study Island bulletin board
 Note in school newsletter
 Free homework pass


I hope this information is helpful. As always, please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Thank you,

Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island - MI Representative
800-419-3191 ext. 7627
248-255-3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com

Study Island this summer!

Study Island is the ideal program that will focus on GLCE review and remediation this summer. Starting Study Island this time of year is important to allow teachers and students to become comfortable with Study Island before summer.

Offering some incentive for them to use Study Island, will help you help them prevent summer learning loss while reviewing and practicing for the MEAP until they return to school. When students return to school in September, teachers will then have the data to assess each student.


Please let me know if you would like further Study Island summer ideas or would like to meet for a brief Study Island presentation at your school.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island - MI Representative
800-419-3191 ext. 7627
248-255-3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com
www.studyisland.com
http://studyislandmi.blogspot.com/

Study Island new program

Study Island's goal is – and always will be – to provide our customers with the best possible GLCE/HSCE standards-based online skills practice in Michigan.

We have added several new Study Island programs over the past year and I wanted to let you know about these:

• Technology – elementary and middle
• Health – elementary and middle
• Kindergarten
• 1st grade
• Algebra I and Algebra II
• MI HSCE programs – High School Math, E/LA, Science, Social Studies


Please let me know if you would like more information or pricing on any of these programs.

I am always available to visit your school to show you what is new or to refresh your teachers on using Study Island. Feel free to contact me at 800-419-3191, ext. 7627 or email kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com

I look forward to working with you and your staff!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Study Island's GED Prep Program - now available!

Click here to check out Study Island's new GED Prep Program!

Study Island GED is designed with you in mind. Study Island offers products for all five GED modules: Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Every GED practice question features a custom explanation that provides immediate feedback and instruction. Also, just like the actual GED Test, each practice question is tied to a specific cognitive level, which is labeled in the question’s explanation. This ensures that test-takers will be fully prepared for the test.

Study Island GED is fun and engaging because questions can be taken in a traditional test mode or an exciting game mode. Our Writing portion also offers the classic multiple choice format as well as additional writing prompts and a 4-point holistic scale for students and teachers to score writing.

• Practice 24/7, Web-based GED instruction

• Log on via the Internet anytime, anywhere

• Covers all topics tested on the 5-part GED test

• Increase understanding through assessment questions, immediate feedback, and automated instruction

• Choose from multiple learning modes, including interactive games,to master GED test topics

• Earn blue ribbons as each topic is mastered to ensure success onthe actual GED test

• Keep track of progress via detailed, real-time reports

Please contact me for more information and to set up a time to learn more about Study Island.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel

Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island - MI Representative
800-419-3191 ext. 7627
248-255-3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com
www.studyisland.com
http://studyislandmi.blogspot.com

Study Island and MEAP Scores

Now is the perfect time to discuss the “What next?” after receiving your school’s MEAP scores. Study Island can be used for review, practice and assessment of all GLCEs that are taught everyday in the classroom. Study Island can be used right along with daily lesson plans in the classroom, computer lab, before/after school and even at home. Check out: www.studyisland.com

Reminder: 6-months free! Your new subscription will be extended through July 1, 2010 when we receive your PO before February 28. That will cover this school year, next summer and the entire ‘09-‘10 school year. A huge cost-savings!

Please let me know if would like to set up a time or would like further Study Island information.

Thank you,
Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island - MI Representative
800-419-3191 ext. 7627
248-255-3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com
www.studyisland.com
http://studyislandmi.blogspot.com

School uses Study Island to meet AYP

TECUMSEH, Mich. -

Tecumseh Middle School is one of 25 Michigan schools recognized for improving Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) scores.

This is a significant achievement for the school’s students and staff, middle school counselor Mary Tommelein told the Tecumseh Board of Education at the Dec. 15 meeting.

TMS was placed on the list of schools not making AYP in 2003 by the Michigan State Department of Education due to a subgroup of students not performing at a proficient level, Tommelein explained. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

The building was taken off the list after the test results for the 2006-07 academic year were known. Middle school principal Rick Hilderley told the board that the hard work of Tommelein, the middle school faculty, counselors and students paid off.

Removal from the AYP list is not an easy process, Tommelein and Hilderley said. A school must improve scores for two consecutive years and develop a rigorous two-year school improvement plan.

The staff at TMS worked within their teams and at grade levels to examine data and make necessary changes to curriculum, Tommelein said. The teams at TMS designed motivational programs to help increase student proficiency, such as Study Island and assemblies where student success is recognized and celebrated.

“We have some awesome teachers who have done the work and analyzed data to see where improvements can be made,”Tommelein said. “They really have modified what they taught. Study Island has been a major part of the improvements.”

Study Island is a resource for students needing help on specific subjects. Teachers and other students are available to help, Tommelein explained.

In Michigan, AYP measures year-to-year student achievement on the MEAP for elementary and middle schools, or the Michigan Merit Examination for high schools. Other indicators, such as the number of students who participate in the assessments and graduation rate for high schools, are also considered in the calculation.

Superintendent of Michigan Schools Mike Flanagan and Deputy Superintendent Sally Vaughn presented Hilderley with a Certificate of Achievement in November.

Implementation Solutions - Enrichment

> Adjust Student Difficulty- Increase the passing parameters for students who need an extra challenge. Teachers can now set student passing parameters if the school admin allows it from the admin page. Once the admin allows it, teachers will be able to click on the Adjust Student Difficult” button at the top of the School Stats page and adjust levels for individual students.

> Work Above Grade Level- If a student masters their own grade level’s program, try having them work at the next grade level up. All students should have access to the programs that have been purchased by the school unless they have been restricted or blocked by an admin or teacher. Simply have the student click on the higher grade level to begin studying at a level above. (Make sure it is ok with the grade level teachers above you first!)

> Peer Tutoring- Create Study Island “peer tutors”. Have students who finish early or master concepts quickly help teach the students who are struggling.

> Student Authors- Challenge students to write their own word problems and then add them into Study Island as Custom Material. Students will love taking ownership of their learning and creating questions takes them to a higher level of Bloom’s thinking. Challenge another class to solve your questions or project the Custom Material for all to see and have the “writer” teach his or her problem to the class!

> Extra Computer Time- Provide extra computer time on Study Island as a privilege for students who have finished their work early or consistently return homework on time.

Enrichment

> Study Buddies- Have students work with a younger “buddy class” to learn how to use Study Island. As the year goes on, have your class meet with the buddy class to play games or study together in the computer lab.

> Guest Teachers- Put students in teams. Create an assignment for each team to work on solving. Create a printable worksheet for the team to use. Also create overheads of that worksheet. The team will become the “experts” on that particular topic, thinking of ways they can teach and explain it to the other part of the class. Each week, have a “Guest Teacher Spotlight”. Reserve 20-30 minutes for teams to present their topic to the class using the overheads. They could create skits, songs, contests, etc to help teach the topic to the other students.