Thursday Thriller
November 21, 2019

Congrats again to Amy K for receiving the Golden Onion Award! 

A few  projects from Stacy's classroom.

6th grade ballers! 

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1. The last couple of days we have had some vaping incidents.  It is critical that we are in the hallway, having students stay seated until the bell rings (as some reported they were vaping waiting by the door for class to end) and when outside either for PE or lunch recess. By our Board Policies and Procedures we don't suspend necessarily but we did put a student in ISS. We consulted with local police. With all that being said, we need to continue to be vigilante while coaching students "see something say something." 

2.  Thank you to the kitchen staff for the yummy Thanksgiving dinner today!  So many students told me, "This is the best!  Did you see all this?" :D

3.   Carina and I would like to set up 10-15 min conversations with each of you before winter break.  It's up to you who you want to meet with.  You can meet with us both or individually.  Please email us directly to set up a time.  The purpose of the meting is to touch base as to how the year has gone.  What is going well, what could we change for the second half of the year and/or any feedback for us. This is not mandatory by any means.  However, your feedback is appreciated. 

4.  Staff meeting Tuesday the 26th at 8:00 on Agnes' room

5.   DISREGARD the DATES. 

6.  There will not be a Thursday Thriller next week. :)  Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving and your break!!!

SOMETHING to PONDER

Setting high academic expectations.  "One consistent finding of academic research is that high expectations among teachers are the most reliable driver of high achievement among students, even students who do not have a history of strong achievement" -Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 2.-0
One of the first steps is to turn "I don't know" into success by ensuring that students who won't try or can't answer practice getting it right. No Opt Out can help ensure that all students, especially reluctant ones, take responsibility for learning.  No Opt Out honors and validates students who do know the answer by allowing them to help their peers in a positive and public way.

Here are a couple of clips of No Opt Out. https://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/see-aidan-thomas-no-opt/
https://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/samara-levy-cold-call-no-opt-retrieval-practice/

As you can see, I am a fan of TLC.  I have found success in their strategies not only in the book but also the video clips.  If you are interested in a Teach Like a Champion book, come see me. :)

Thursday, November 14, 2019

A few pictures from this week.

This one of Jayce and Ryan is probably my favorite.  When not in lunch detention, they like to eat in the conference room.  They were working on science.  Paper babies?  You have to ask Sue :D

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Gladys, our kitchen manager, let me know that if you need plastic spoon, knives, forks she has to charge for them.  Not her rule just what she has to do.  We have tons of plastic utensils, come ask. :D

2.  I want 'ink' on the calendar activity day.  I have Friday, Jan 31st from 1:00-3:00 slated as the time.  In running this by the GC team, we collectively agree to include all students BECAUSE we want students to get a taste of what activity day is so that when we do it again, with parameters around who can participate they may be more motivated.   Staff does not have to plan anything.  Kanet Turner is going to organize it and have parents run it.  The caveat to this is we would like your participation if you so desire.  Possibly in the 3 on 3 bball tournament or on a team for laser tag (there might be some criteria for being on a team like no failing classes, the GPA of your team has to be 3.0 and above)

  

The over arching goal is fun for students AND a way to build relationships with students outside of the classroom.  Stacy Just said she would have her art room open, Beth would like to do the selfie booth other ideas?  I will work with Kanet to plan this event.  If there are major concerns or oversights on my part, please come talk with me as  I am open to ideas and suggestions.

3.  Curtains for the stage are being ordered.    We are going with all black as it is a better background for performances

4.  Circling back to posted 'I can statements.." Posting the lesson's target is not for admin to see.  This is so students know what they are learning.  Throughout the lesson is when it is assessed.  Students should know what they are learning AND how they are being assessed.   Questions students should be able to answer, "What are you learning today?  How will the teacher know you learned it?  Showing your work, thumbs up, practice problems, etc."  Clear is kind.  Let's be crystal clear with students so they know how to reach the goal you have set.  They will rise to the occasion. :D

5.  Thank you to Mike, Shannon and Charlie for their work on Classroom Preparedness.  I do believe this will be a game changer for all!

6.  Sherry will be around 7th period to deliver report cards tomorrow

7.  Thank you for being diligent about attendance!  This helps Ashley a great deal!

SOMETHING to PONDER

One last segment on 'pacing.'  Here are the final three activities to use to 'change up' the format or the feeling of fast of you lesson. 

Have you given thought to your lessons?  Your pacing?  When you taught a great lesson and students were with you the whole time what did you do to create this awesome learning environment?

In conjunction with pacing, I found this article from Jennifer Gonzalez, a former middle school teacher. Classroom management is never perfect!  Have you ever thought all your systems, procedures were in place and it still wasn't working?   Here are some things to think about and ponder.

FUNNY

Thursday Thriller
November 7, 2018

I'm reminded each time after our Wednesday collaboration how invested and passionate you are about your content, teaching and working with your colleagues.   My goal is to support, guide and gently nudge you into the uncomfortable zone; if we are always comfortable we won't move forward.   Discussions and questions are welcome because this is how we clarify not only the 'why' but the how and what.  Keep working hard!  It is paying off!  THANK YOU for WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY!!!

A few highlights from this past week.  :D

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Budget -if you are needing classrooms supplies we ask that you use your $125.00 first.  Once that is depleted we can find other funding to support what your classroom needs.

2.  Here is a great website to check out for texts for ELA, Science and Social Studies.  I know you probably have ample resources.  If I see something in a classroom that may be beneficial to others, I like to share.

3.  A quick reminder on discipline.  If you send a student out for a classroom exclusion, that triggers an automatic lunch detention.   When you communicate with parents, please don't assign more discipline.  Assigning additional discipline comes from Carina and/or me. We are always open to hear why you think more discipline should be given to the student.  If you think more than a lunch detention is deserved then it is probably a referral not a classroom exclusion.  Please don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions.

4.  Activity day has come up multiple times by students and parents.  Attached is a quick brainstorming of an idea for a SEMESTER activity day.  As noted, nothing is set in stone.  These are suggestions to get the ball rolling.

5.  Wednesday the 13th grade confirmations need to be sent/turned in to Sherry.

6.  In my Coffee with the Principal sessions, parents had some good questions.  They asked how to access tutoring for their children and in the tutoring sessions will the tutors be able to help with content specific homework.  I explained to parents the before and after school help we offer.  I then said if their child has a specific content question, they should email the teacher.  Some of you have answered email in the evening and told students to come in the morning to the classroom.  Students would not necessarily have a pass so they would just need to talk to the adult on supervision so they could go to the classroom.
I reassured parents that teachers are more than willing to help students in the morning; students just need to ask.

7.  Yesterday's collaboration made me reflect on this poster:

The work you are doing is intentional and sets the course for measurable student outcomes.

SOMETHING to PONDER

In continuing the discussion on pacing (creating a "fast" or "slow" moment in a lesson by shifting activity types or formats), here are five activity types.  I won't throw all five at you at once. Rather here are the first two to think over. 

If you are into listening to educational podcasts, I listened to this one this morning.  A few things from it resonated with me:

"Rigor is not about the top step; it's next step."

"You have two choices with rigor:  1.  Vigorous learning or 2. Rigormortus.  Rigor should not just mean "work, work, work..." How do students reach levels of proficiency in learning?"

Little Funny
Beating the November Blues