Stakeholder Input

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Stakeholder Input—

Stakeholder input is always interesting to gather. Everyone wants a say and they all deserve to be given a chance to say what they feel. Sometime we don’t know how someone is feeling unless we ask and give them a chance to share, especially when it is anonymous. I remember having students reflect on their school year and having some of the most interesting comments about what they thought was the best and what was the worst. Most of the worst comment had to do with being disciplined or having to accept consequences for their actions. Being in trouble does not feel good. But the comments that they felt they were not listened to, or that they felt picked on were heartbreaking for me. I heard about a team that surveyed their students often asking how things were going throughout the year to make sure they were not missing something. They also asked parents the same questions about their students. The team always had the students complete their surveys anonymously and as a whole grade level so they got group information. This did not single out one teacher, but made it a team effort. The hardest thing for me was hearing that I was terrible and they hated the class. That only happened once in a while, but it was hard to hear. But if we dismissed the comments we do not like we are not being fair to that student. Each student has a right to their opinion. The only way we get better is to understand from those we work with what we need to change and how we can make it better. Not everyone will get what they want. We need to keep to the plan we have and be true to our personal goals,  ideals, programs, and what we know is right. But if we truly reflect on what we are doing and look at the input from those around us, we can be the best we can truly be. I appreciate your comments on my survey. It helps me see what I need to refine to do a better job.

Quote I’m pondering —

“I can’t tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” ― Ed Sheeran

What I’m watching —

Believe in Your Maths Potential – Set Yourself Free

This is my favorite Maths teacher. Jo Boaler is a leader in the math revolution going on. Not much of a revolution of math, but a revolution of learning and teaching math. Believe in your math potential.

Favorite Article This Week —

Science Says Kids Learn Better When Their Teachers Do This

What is something we can do in our classrooms that only takes five minutes each hour? Oh, and many of you do it already. That's right, read the short article.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Dave. You seem to be in the middle of everything helping out and making sure students and parents and whoever is in the right places and getting the best experience possible. You are also the one that is first to either volunteer or be nominated, without complaining, to wear a costume, ride a bike, or do whatever is needed. Thank you for sharing your talents with the students and all of us. Thank you for all you do for our school. Thank you for your personality. Thank you for all you do for students. You make life at Dixie Sun a fun life. Thank you. 

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Especially all you did for the dance festival. All the work you put into the dances for your students. It is these activities students will be talking about for years. It has been an amazing year. The Dancing was so much fun. Thank you all for your hard work. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.

Building Suns

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Building Suns —

I was at Death Valley NP during Spring Break and it was hot! 101˚ to be exact. On weekend nights the rangers do talks about the park and on Friday they did a Star Walk. It was amazing. I saw amazing constellations and bright stars. One of the rangers started talking about the Orion Nebula. To find the Orion Nebula you find Orion’s belt, three starts in a row in the Western Sky, and right below the belt is a haze and that is the Orion Nebula. He told us that a nebula is where stars are made. Nebulae are made out of interstellar gas and dust and as it comes together it compacts and bang, a star is made. So when I heard this I started thinking about what teachers do. You take all this knowledge, information, behavior modification, life skills, and fun and  start to build people our of our little ones. As they gather all this learning for you, Bang, they turn into little stars. And since our sun is a star, you are creating Dixie Suns. We are the Dixie Sun Nebula taking knowledge and creating little stars. As we get close to SAGE testing, we will see how well our stars are doing. How much knowledge they are retaining. We do need to remember that tests do not make stars, the learning does. Keep providing strong Tier 1 teaching and they will become the suns we know they can become. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“It always seems impossible until it's done." — Nelson Madella

What I’m watching —

My Journey to yo-yo Mastery

This yo-yo champion talks about finding his life’s passion. His story in the beginning is worth listening to, but the yo-yo work he does is pretty amazing also. one to show your class about how to take your passion and make it a job.

Favorite Article This Week —

When Mindfulness Feels Like a Necessity

Starting out each day with a little mindfulness activity could make a difference in the school day. This article is written by a secondary school teacher, but is there a way to make it happen in an elementary school class? 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Karla. You have really stepped up into the leadership position in Fifth Grade. You really make sure things get done. An the coaching you are doing for Derrell has been very helpful to him. He mentions it all the time. He also mentions how much Teryn has helped him get right into the lessons and make his class work. Thank you Karla. Thank you for all you do.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Enjoy another wonderful weekend.

On My Way to Death Valley

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

On My Way to Death Valley —

I hope you have taken time to do something for yourself. You deserve it. I hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to finishing it strong through the weekend. I am heading to Death Valley where it will be 95˚ during the day. But the wild flowers should be great. Lowest point in North America. Salt formations all over the place. Sand Dunes used in Star Wars. Did I mention it will be 95˚? I can’t wait. Really, I love it. I hope you have had a great week.

We are heading into the last few months and the students can feel the change in the weather and the end of the year coming. As long as we can keep them focused and learning we will do well. This might mean to add in a little extra movement during the day. Find a Go Noodle movement video and let them move a little. Remember to review the rules in your class and if you feel you want to watch a few videos to remind the students of our school PBIS rules, GO for it. We have a video for Responsible, Respectful, Resourceful, and Safe.  Here is the link to watch them all. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMicLepdb-nJbD1-b_FbkZA. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea. ” —Isak Dinesen

Favorite Website This Week —

My Fridge Food

Have you ever looked in your fridge and wondered, “What do i make with this?” On this website you enter what you have in your fridge and it gives you recipes to make. Interesting recipes. Lots of fun. 

Second Favorite Website This Week —

Do Nothing for 2 Minutes

This is just a reminder that we all need to take a couple minutes and just reflect, or just step away. Use this here and there to just take a moment. Let the waves wash over you and recharge. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you do. You deserve the breaks you get because of all the work you do at school. I hope you know how much we are thankful for you. If I don't say it enough, I should. You deserve it. You matter to these students. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Good Job

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Good Job —

I hear this sometimes and I wonder, what does that mean? I find myself saying that also and I wonder, what did I mean? Was I not paying attention enough to add more detail to my compliment? I need to do better at being more specific in my compliments. What specifically did I enjoy about what someone did? What specifically do I like about the thing this person is doing? Specific feedback gives more depth to the compliment and provides something for the complimentee(I know, not a word) to enjoy about what they did. So I need to create an instant rubric in my head for everything I see people do so I know what to compliment them on... no that is not correct, I just need to pay attention and see what is happening. I need to not look at situations as a judgment call, but as enjoyment. Complimenting others with a blanket "good job" give nothing specific for them to celebrate. It just leaves them wondering wheat part was good and what part needed improvement. I can do better. I need to do better. Those around me deserve better compliments. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." — Abraham Lincoln

What I’m watching —

Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children

This video tells about the difference parents can make by just talking to their children. The research is astounding. The difference between a child that is talked to when they are young compared to a child that is not makes a huge difference in literacy. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Vocabulary: The Missing Link Between Reading and Literacy

I read this article and thought you should read it also. Here are a couple questions to think about when you read this. Why might vocabulary be the missing link between phonics and comprehension? What implications for instruction does this article present? How will this affect the way you teach vocabulary?

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Jaime. Hearing you tell about how you try to help students be a part of music even when they do not want to be a part of the dancing is wonderful. Every student has a notch somewhere and you are helping them find their place in music class. Thank you.

Thank you third grade for helping Kristen A. get climatized to our school. Coming in this time of year is always interesting, which Derrell has found, but she has done well.Thank you for getting her up to speed and keeping the focus on the students. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Reporting our Findings

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Reporting our Findings—

I appreciate your help with the PD for next year. I think you have some great ideas on what you want and we will do what we can to set these trainings up so you can get the best professional development possible. We are talking with a couple trainers from the State office that will come down and teach you more about phonics (lower grades) and writing (upper grades). These are the two we are starting to set up right now. The next question I have is if we have PD come more than once, how often would you like them to coms to you have enough time to implement and write down questions before we have them come again? 6 weeks? 8 weeks? We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Send me an email and let me know. 

We are looking at this information and looking for the best options for training we can find. We have some amazing people within our district that we will use. We will get more information on what specifically we can do as we get closer to next year with those persons. There were also some other great suggestions that we will look for next year also. Thank you for your help with guiding our PD.

Quote I’m pondering —

“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” 

― Archilochus

What I’m watching —

NCAA Softball Player Carried by Opponents After Injury

This is what teamwork and Sportsmanship is all about. How does this relate to us with our students? With our fellow teachers? With our parents?

Favorite Article This Week —

Transforming School from Performance to Learning

I have talked to you about growth mindset before and one of the speakers at the Title 1 Conference spoke about it. This is an article he wrote about growth mindset in schools. Love the learning zone vs. performance zone comparison. What can we do to make outle classrooms a learning zone?

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Ines. I don't think I can say thank you enough for all you have to deal with. You are the one everyone sees first in he school. You know everyone in the school. You deal with my translating issues. Ines we would be lost without you. Thank you for all you do. And thank you for keeping our school organized with inventory. It is coming up and I know you are gearing up for it. We all appreciate your work, even if I had to give up Coke for, what is it now? Oh ya, 44 days. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.