National Board Certification

Here is a list of books that may be helpful to you while pursuing National Board Certification.

1. So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?: A Handbook of Teacher Tips for Successfully Completing the NBPTS Certification -- by Jerry L. Parks

2. The National Board Certification Workbook, Second Edition: How to Develop Your Portfolio and Prepare for the Assessment Exams -- by Adrienne Mack-Kirschner

3. Navigating the National Board Certification Process: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Teachers -- by Martha H. Hopkins

4. The Teacher's Guide to National Board Certification: Unpacking the Standards -- by Adrienne Mack-Kirschner

5. The National Board Certification Handbook: Support & Stories from Teachers & Candidates -- by Diane M. Barone

6.

Yes, I thought it was better to show student completed work.But I think you can show blank sheets.

Here are a couple things I did:

Make sure you close your blinds to block the outside light. The light from outside will make your video turn dark.
If you are using group work...I told my students to speak up when I come to your group...whisper when I leave your group. That way, you only pick up the voices of the group you are recording. I (or my videographer) would use a thumbs up or thumbs down signal to encourage students to speak up or whisper.Good Luck!
:)bamagirl:)

Good for you! Surveys to show impact on student learning! You're right on target!

I was not going to use a communication log, but became insecure when push came to shove. So I included one in the same accomplishment where I used my website. I added the log to show another way to show how communication enhanced and made an impact on student learning. HOwever, you are right. I know many who achieved and did not include a Communication log. Submit your strongest evidence -

If I remember we had to show ourselves a learners, leaders,collaborators, our work with family and community etc. I even recall a part of the entry as needing to show an ongoing community project. Is that a part of entry 4 for you?

As an organizational strategy for E4, I listed each area (Family and Community, Leader, Learner, Collaborator, Community etc.) I needed to cover and then listed all the various things that would show me as accomplished under each one. I then chose the ones which I could provide evidence of student impact . Choose the strongest accomplishments.

Since there quite a few of us who are trying for National Board Certification this school year. I thought it would be a great idea to have a thread which will provide us with tips to do at the Beginning of the Year to start us all off on the right track.

Here are some tips I found as I was doing my research:

~ Issue out Student Release Forms right at the beginning of the year along with all the other forms that you issue out (ex. Syllabus, Classroom Expectations, Internet Usage Policy Forms, etc.)
~ Start your communication log with parents. And, be sure to log in ALL types of interactions you have with parents.
~Be sure to save a copy of all forms, letters, etc. that you send out to parents. And, vice versa, save the letters that you receive from parents. You'll never know when you'll need them!

Please add on to the list. Right now, these are some things that I am starting to do, but I would love to read other tips and tricks ;-)

Plot out the ideas you may want to use for each portfolio entry, remembering that each entry must come from a different unit.

Set aside a notebook or file folders for each entry and as you collect letters, evidence, etc. file them away immediately for future use.

Begin writing down accomplishments you can use for entry 4 and revise through the year.

Keep a copy of the standards with you and refer back to them often to be sure you are aligning your teaching with them.

These are some things I have done over the summer....

I went through the NB process last year, so I'll try to help in any way I can. It sounds like you already have a great start. Here are a few things I can think of:

Remember to save email correspondence with parents...both ones you send and receive.
If possible, find a mentor in your school or district. My district has a group of NB certified teachers that met with us to provide help. They proofread our entries and made suggestions that made my entries much stronger. This was extremely helpful!!!
If you haven't already, read and study the standards.
I suggest reading all the requirements for each entry before you begin. This will give you an overall "picture" of the portfolio and each entry. Make notes/highlight ideas as you read the entry requirements.
Go ahead and start video recording in your classroom. This will get the students accustomed to being on camera, and you may see some things you want to change when you do the real recordings. This will allow you to experiment with the lighting and sound...I learned to close my classroom blinds because the video went dark when it filmed toward the windows. It also allowed me to teach my students to speak up when the camera was on them and whisper if it wasn't.
Be organized!Good luck!
:pbamagirl:p

I began the process in the 2004-2005 schol year. During the summer I started to collect my professional development materials. When school began I was ready to begin video taping science. Next I tackled SS and finally writing. I submitted in March and tested in May. Unfortunately, I missed passing by 12 points! UGH!
I redid the professional part and retested in 2 areas in 05-06. I passed the second time.
It seems to be the average in my area to take 2 years to complete the process. Fortunately you can bank your points and only redo the parts that you feel you need to.
I did not see much of my husband or children during the initial process. I spent many nights and much money at Barnes and Noble with a friend. Most weekends were consumed with it.
The assessment has 6 parts. You do not know the questions ahead of time but you do know the subject areas. Information is available on the website that gives you ideas of what may be in each section. In addition, they give you a rubric for how they will score it.
I would suggest not taking the assessments until you have completed the portfolio. To prepare, I would get textbooks in Science and SS for the grade levels in your cert. area to brush up on things. My first assessment in SS blew me away. I had no idea that they were talking about.
You will not receive your scores until November. Usually it is the Friday before Thanksgiving.
If you would like to look at any of my entries, please email me and I will send you a copy.
Michele

As I am starting on my NBCT adventure, I am always looking for anything to help me.

I recently attended a NBCT writing workshop. We each were given the TakeOne Activity Book. It is very helpful. ETS is the company the prints the book. I am not sure how much it costs, but I think it is well worth the money.

It includes the following things:
1.Overview of NBCT Standards
2. Learning Goals
3. What is coherent instruction?
4. Writing about Teaching
5. Enhancing instructional decision making
Plus much more.

This book is filled with exercises to make your NBCT expericence easier.

Here are a few other tips for you. I attended a summer NBCT retreat and it has helped me a lot.

1. Make sure you know the Big Ideas for science. I believe there are also some for math.
2. Have someone read your writing. This way you can get a clear idea if you are answering the questions.
3. When you are answering in the questions for an entry, you might want to write the question and then answer it underneath. Type the question in red and the answer in black. When your done, you can put it into paragraph form.
4. Video tape your class a few times before you film your lesson. That way you tell if you can hear your students. It will also help the students get used to the camera.
5. Send home student permission slips for videoing home at the beginning of the year. That way you can start videoing as soon as possible.

I hope that you have a good principal who is willing to aid you in any was possible. Are there any teachers in your school or district that have been through the NBCT process? They would be good people to talk with. You might even want to check with your local university and see if they have any support groups or ways to help you. I am working with my local university. We have a profession NBCT group. There are NBCT teachers, teachers waiting for certification, teachers starting NBCT, and pre-candidates. We meet monthly and have a summer and winter retreat.

a good format to use is make a template on your computer in word in which you list all of the questions and then type in and save what you write as you write it.....you need to answer the questions that they ask in writing your entry.....and address the standards as you are writing - the book by Jerry L. Parks that I recommended on another thread has three lists of buzzwords......hope that helps.