What’cha Doing This Summer?

Teachers,

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

What’cha Doing This Summer? —

When Kim pitched to me the idea of starting a book study of Harry Wong and Annette Brinkman this summer, I thought it was a great idea. Having a group of educators get together and discuss, model, and learn together about how we can help students better is always a great plan. If you have a chance, come and enjoy the great discussions we will have. We will post the days on the DSES Staff Information Calendar on your Google Calendar.

I also want to mention Twitter again. After you sign up for Twitter take a minute and search for some hashtags. Read or participate in a couple chats during the summer. They are about an hour long, but you don’t have to participate or even be there when it happens. You can read any chat that happened by searching the hashtag and reading through the tweets. The #tlap and read some of the tweets that are there. If you search for the #tlap hashtag on Monday nights at 7pm. you can read or participate as creative teachers from around the country discuss topics about improving professional practice. Another chat is #edchat that you can search or read and participate on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. If you are also interested in learning more about using tech in the classroom and how other educators use tech in their classes, Mondays at 6pm is #edtechchat. My favorite chat is one that I just found called #EduGladiators on Saturday mornings at 9:30am. Spend the hour or a few minutes reading some of the tweets and learn see what is happening around the country in education. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Don’t buy complexity; the simpler you make your training, the better the results become.”

– Ryan Flaherty

What I’m watching —

Year End Gifts

I have to get in at least one more Gerry Brooks video before the end of the year.

Favorite Article This Week —

Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn

Just in case you hear me talking to myself you will know why.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Teachers. We have finished up SAGE and the scores look good. The scores are better than last year and the students are improving. This is all in part of every grade in the school. The 3rd grade scores reflect everything that has been done with the students from Preschool to 3rd grade. The scores in 4th and 5th grade show the work done with each student from time they started at our school until they test. Overall the scores have made good improvement. I can’t wait to see  the final scores after all is said and done. Thank you teachers for all you do with the students. Thank you specialists, paras, and aides. You are also a huge part in each student making improvements each and every year. Thank you everyone for all you do. Thank you.

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

Why do You Do This?

Teachers,

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

Why do You Do This? —

We are close to being done. This 5-Point Friday has been something I have wanted to do for a while. I based it on a 5 Bullet Friday that Tim Ferris does every week. His is more about items and ideas he uses to hope people be better, but I wanted to do something that forced me to learn something new every week. This email is more for me to write about my thoughts and hare the articles, videos, and a few ideas and share them with you. I feel that I need to model the learning I want teachers and students to do. If I am an Instructional leader and I expect those around me to learn, I had better model that by learning and sharing my learning with those around me. It has forced me to read more, keep my eyes open for things that would help you as well as me, and hopefully somewhere in these emails there will be something you can use in your classroom or just cause you to reflect about teaching. Some Thursdays I have not wanted to write, but I felt I needed to whether anyone reads it or not. If you would like to look back at some of these 5- Point Friday’s I keep them on a blog (5pointfriday.blogspot.com) to make sure I don’t double up on anything. I learned that I needed to do this early on when I did just that. If you are interested in blogging, let me know and I will help you get started.

Quote I’m pondering —

“If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better." —Adm. William McRaven

What I’m reflecting on —

The Common Application Announces 2017-2018 Essay Prompts

When I started reading these prompts, they really demanded some serious reflection. They also sound similar to interview questions I have heard 

Favorite Article This Week —

Don't Quit: 5 Strategies for Recovering After Your Worst Day Teaching

I’ve had more than my share of these days in my career. Breathing and taking a little time to get a little perspective kept me in the game. What is it that gets you back into the game?

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Kirby. Thank you for all the work you do behind the scenes that keeps our school shiny and in great working order. Thank you for all your work you do with students during lunch, opening rolled tacos, rolling tacos, opening milk and creamies, and keeping our lunchroom clean and orderly. We appreciate all you do. We understand it is not an easy job cleaning up the various things that you clean up. We just appreciate all you do just because you know it needs to be done. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a great Cinco de Mayo and a wonderful weekend.