Friday Focus - March 22, 2013

• I really need to praise the group of teachers that worked on Tuesday with our visitors from Talent Development and Strategic Achievement.  Tuesday was an extremely productive day as we discussed the current level of our PLCs and our understanding of the Common Core State Standards.  I believe that we all gained insight into how we can shape the direction of each of our PLCs going forward.  Thank you to Mrs. Sterrenberg, Mrs. Nocera, Ms. O'Hara, Ms. Fonda, Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. Barclay, Mrs. Lavere, and Mrs. Chelton for their participation.  Our visitors left extremely impressed with our progress so far this year, especially our effort in utilizing collaborative grouping as a school-wide strategy.
• Please be aware that we will be conducting snapshot and informal observations the week we return, beginning on that Tuesday.  Remember that we need 45 data marks on each teacher.  


Article of the Week - Read to see what one school district did to digitally convert their schools.  Laptop Success Story  The superintendent of that district made a great comment about teachers as learners - “Competency is evolutional,” Mark Edwards says. “Our best teachers five years ago wouldn’t be in our top 70 percent now if they didn’t grow.”


Quote of the Week - This is related to Mark Edwards' statement in the above paragraph.  "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." - Dewey.  I share this quote so that you will reflect on the direction that we need to take with the Common Core State Standards.  It is not going to be OK to teach the way that we have done in the past.  We have to rethink what we do with the standards always in mind.



Quote of the Week (part deux) - "Practice loving everything and everybody all the time, but only hang in places and with people who lift you up." - Russell Simmons.  This is my philosophy.  Love everyone, but avoid negativity in your personal life.  Spend time next week with those that are positive and only bring happiness and love into your life.  


Quote of the Week (part trois) - "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." - Ovid.  Enjoy your Spring Break!

Friday Focus - March 15, 2013

• Child Study is on Monday.
• Birthday Table and Super Citizens' Ceremony on Tuesday.
• Outback Family Night is next Wednesday.
• Next Thursday is an Early Release Day.  We have PLCs that afternoon.  We will meet in the Media Center at 1:00 for an overview and then you will split up into your PLCs for the second hour.
• Next Friday is a Planning Day.

Quote of the Week - "Every time we praise at least two people feel better, and one of them is us." - Todd Whitaker.  Take a moment and praise someone today and see how you feel.

Video of the Week - This is great as it shows a teacher recording herself teaching as a means of supporting her self-reflection.  I believe that this should become a big part of how each teacher focuses on her/his individual growth.  Let me know what you think.  Improve Teaching with Video

Friday Focus - March 8, 2013

• We have a faculty meeting on Monday afternoon.  There are several items to discuss and we will also be conducting a collaborative activity looking at our vision and mission.
• Data chats continue next week - Day 2 on Tuesday, Day 3 on Thursday, and Day 4 on Friday.
• Team Leader Day is on Wednesday.
• There will be a group here next Thursday and Friday in the Media Center to conduct vision, hearing and BMI for K, 1 and 3.  Dr. Lewis will send a schedule out.
• Bingo Night is next Friday.

Quote of the Week - "It's like an extra recess but with academics." - a student in Ms. Curtis' classroom.  Ms. Curtis attempted a new strategy this week in her classroom where she had the students moving about the classroom determining whether certain weather conditions were weathering, erosion or deposition.  I will not do the strategy justice in this space, but be certain that her students were extremely engaged and invested in their learning.  My favorite part is when she asked the class what they thought about the strategy.  The students were very honest and loved the way they were learning.  Way to go Ms. Curtis!

Second Quote of the Week - "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." - Author Unknown

Friday Focus - March 1, 2013

• Data chats will begin next Friday and continue the following week.  Please bring your completed data forms.   Please also be prepared to speak about the standards that you have recently addressed.  We are attempting to help you recognize that you must have knowledge of the standards as we move forward.
• A few items on safety: please be at your doors greeting students at 7:55 each morning; students should never be sent to the field/playground to recover lost items - items will be returned to the front office at the end of each day; and remember to have your doors locked at all times!
• SAC and PTA meetings are next Thursday evening.
• As we continue to practice collaborative grouping as a strategy, I feel that it is important to recognize teachers who have successfully attempted and/or utilized this strategy.  Dr. Lewis and I visited Mrs. Nocera's classroom this past week.  It was truly a pleasure to witness her students working in groups as they utilized text to determine problem and solution.  Mrs. Nocera is very comfortable moving about the classroom discussing each group's progress, providing support and clarifying information to the class.  We were also lucky enough to visit Mr. Burns' class where he was using collaborative grouping to have students complete a review packet.  Mr. Burns is extremely adept at incorporating all levels of students in his activities, completing respecting each one.

 Quote of the Week - "Negative attitudes are a sort of poison." - Fran Tarkenton.  Even consuming it in moderation can be hazardous to your health.

Article of the Week - The fifth grade PLC asked me what I thought was the difference between collaborative and cooperative grouping.  Here are two short articles where the authors attempt to define each and explain the differences - Collaborative vs. Cooperative and A Definition of Collaborative vs. Cooperative Learning  What do you think?

One last thought that I absolutely love -