Today starts our 2 week break from school. I am glad to have this time to rest and to reflect. I am thankful for the time to reflect on what we have accomplished so far this year and what we have to look forward to complete this year. As a school we have done quite a lot. We have shown great growth in math, been recognized as a Signature School, incorporated what we have learned from Marzano's, completed a very thorough school improvement plan, and grown more as a staff and as a team. When I look at where we started and where we are now- I am very proud of all of you for stepping up and taking on whatever challenge comes your way. We have two classes that are inclusive shelterd instruction. We have a grade level that is team teaching- reading and math. We have classes where teachers are experimenting with all the technology we have in our building. Good things are happening in all classrooms and students are being successful.
We still have a ways to go but I think we are on the right path and we have momentum helping us along. We need to continue incorporating what we learn in Marzano's and from the Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol. These strategies are good for student learning and we need to keep our focus on getting our students to grow as much as we can. I have enjoyed seeing what you do with these strategies in your class. You are doing really good stuff.
Enjoy your break and we'll see you soon!
Trish
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Books are here for book study and Feedback- What do you think?
The Daniel Pink books are here. If you want to buy your book- it is $10.20 payable to South Fork ES. See Delaine if you want to buy it. Otherwise, it will be processed through the library and you will have to check yours out. We will start the study in January. You can read it before hand. There is a lot to take in and it may help you to understand it better- if you read it more than once.
Today, three grade levels had their beginning staff development on Setting Objectives and Giving Feedback. We did not have a lot of time to discuss the feedback piece so I thought we could have it here. Those that did not have your learning team meeting today will have it on the 18th. Feel free to jump in the discussion...
1. What was one idea about setting objectives or giving feedback that really jumped out at you?
2. How can you incorporate that idea in your classroom? Was it something that you would want to incorporate?
3. Feedback to your students...how have you done it in the past? How will you do it now? Share an example?
4. Share how feedback you have received- either as a student yourself or as a teacher- has motivated you? How has it motivated your students?
Thank you to those who met today. I think we had some great discussions and wonderful examples. I look forward to meeting with the other three groups next Thursday. I am also anxious to read your responses from this- as that is my feedback.
Today, three grade levels had their beginning staff development on Setting Objectives and Giving Feedback. We did not have a lot of time to discuss the feedback piece so I thought we could have it here. Those that did not have your learning team meeting today will have it on the 18th. Feel free to jump in the discussion...
1. What was one idea about setting objectives or giving feedback that really jumped out at you?
2. How can you incorporate that idea in your classroom? Was it something that you would want to incorporate?
3. Feedback to your students...how have you done it in the past? How will you do it now? Share an example?
4. Share how feedback you have received- either as a student yourself or as a teacher- has motivated you? How has it motivated your students?
Thank you to those who met today. I think we had some great discussions and wonderful examples. I look forward to meeting with the other three groups next Thursday. I am also anxious to read your responses from this- as that is my feedback.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Online Movie Resource
In one of our Marzano sessions, we learned about the website "brainpop" where you can view some free movies. There is a related site, http://www.brainpopjr.com/, which is geared more toward K-3. I am currently signed up for a 5-day trial of brainpop (all related sites are included), and I love it! I have shown movies about "Parts of a Whole," "Converting Decimals to Fractions," "Cesar Chavez," and "Science Fair Projects," and the students have been very engaged.
The science project movie would be helpful for all of our students in grades 3-5 who are required to do a project. It tells about asking questions about the world around us and finding a topic of interest. It also walks students through the scientific process. There is another movie about the scientific proccess that I have not previewed yet. Each movie has accompanying activities, including online journal writing, games, things to talk about, book lists, online graphic organizers, things to draw, etc. I highly recommend checking it out! Try one of the free movies or sign up for your own 5-day trial...If there is enough interest, maybe we could talk about a school subscription... How's that money tree coming along?!
The science project movie would be helpful for all of our students in grades 3-5 who are required to do a project. It tells about asking questions about the world around us and finding a topic of interest. It also walks students through the scientific process. There is another movie about the scientific proccess that I have not previewed yet. Each movie has accompanying activities, including online journal writing, games, things to talk about, book lists, online graphic organizers, things to draw, etc. I highly recommend checking it out! Try one of the free movies or sign up for your own 5-day trial...If there is enough interest, maybe we could talk about a school subscription... How's that money tree coming along?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)