Finding the Why

Teachers,

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

Finding the Why —

During the tech class we watched a Ted Talk by Simon Sinek about starting with Why to inspire others. So why do you teach? I know that you love teaching, I know that you love students and want to make their lives better. I know that you would do almost anything to help our students. So the question is how are we marketing our information to students so they are sold on our product. Our product is knowledge and problem-solving. Do we start with the why with students so they know why it is important for them to know the information we are giving to them? If you were the student, would you be sold on the information you are teaching? How do we get them hooked so they run into and not out of class each day? What is it that will make them want the information? It was a great thought provoking video for me.

Quote I’m pondering —

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." —Thomas S. Monson

What I’m watching —

The Power of Yet

Thinking about what Alma is teaching us this year with the Growth Mindset, I thought of this fun little video.

Favorite Article This Week —

Differentiation Is Just Too Difficult: Myth-Busting

I read through this and thought about how hard I thought differentiation would be when I started looking at implementing it. This article has some great ideas to think about. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you second grade. Thank you for your work with Mindset implementation. Hearing some of the stories you tell about how it is being used in your classes is great for the students. I also want to thank you for handing out the first few Principal 200 club. It is also great that you have started looking at how you can start CSIP. Thank you second grade for all your hard work. We appreciate what you do. Thank you.

PS —

The thank you point is getting harder to show just one team because all the amazing work that is going on in our school. Just know that we see what is happening at school. Thank you

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

Your Passion is Showing Through

Teachers,

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

Your Passion is Showing Through—

I am tired. If I am tired, I am sure you are also. All the work you put into your classrooms. All the work you put into your lessons. All your preparation. All you do for the students each day is amazing. Thank you for all your hard work. The scheduling this year has been a little different and I hope it is working well. As we go through the year, please let me know your thoughts on scheduling and how it is working. We want to make everything as smooth as possible for you and the students. It has been wonderful going to your PLC’s and hearing how everything is going. Kim mentioned that it has been a smooth first couple weeks. Your Passion is showing through. 

Monday is our first teacher training. We will be looking at information from last year and see where we need to concentrate this year. Jennifer Throndson will be coming to see what we find and how she can set up the Professional Development her and Sara Weibke will be providing this year. We will be talking a little Sage, Dibels and DRA. We will be starting at 12:30. We will be in the science lab.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Wild animals run from the dangers they actually see, and once they have escaped them worry no more. We however are tormented alike by what is past and what is to come. A number of our blessings do us harm, for memory brings back the agony of fear while foresight brings it on prematurely. No one confines his unhappiness to the present.” – Seneca

What I’m watching —

Kurt Vonnegut on the Shapes of Stories

I watched this video years ago and used it in my classroom as I read stories to my students. I found that it was a great way to show the rise and fall of a characters attitude, happiness, cause and effect of the story, and what leads up to and after a problem. 4 and half minutes of story graphing.  

Favorite Article This Week —

Why It’s Imperative Educators Resist The Lure Of The Single Story

This was a good article reminding me that we need to fight against assumptions about our students. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers. This new schedule is a new way of thinking. A new way of managing your schedule. You have each taken the schedule and idea and made it your own. Thank you for working with this idea. Thank you for working with it so it benefits the students. Thank you for making a change that is not comfortable. Thank you for your willingness to take a risk. Thank you for being a pirate. Thank you for all you do.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

And We Are Off

Teachers,

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

And We Are Off —

Our first week is almost over and we made it through. I have watched everyone as you power through our first 5 day week in years. It is so easy to start off with a 3 day week, but I have seen you push through this week and the students love being at our school. I have heard so many great things. So many students love the rotations in the upper grades. All I can say is that the students are relating to me the Passion you have in your classrooms. You are truly Pirates showing you are willing to take risks and travel to the ends of the earth for that which you value… Students. 

We will be starting Specials next week. You will need to be with your students to make sure they know how to get from one class to the next. I will open the training room for you to use if you want to meet there between your students rotating specials. Kim and I will come in and talk to your team about how you are doing and discuss interventions and extensions. I also wanted to remind you that we are starting Tech class next Tuesday. We can do hard things because we are Pirates! Arrrr.

We are off and running.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Being a reflective teacher could be your own best personal professional development." —Robert John Meehan

What I’m watching —

First Week of School Stress

Starting off with a short Gerry Brooks video. Enjoy.

Favorite Article This Week —

5 Questions to Ask Your Students To Start the School Year

A good article to start the year. Get students involved in their own learning. Get them thinking about their education. They might not have the answers right away, but it might get the seed planted.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all your preparations and work you put into your classrooms and curriculum. Thank you for building relationships with your students. Thank you for being the best teachers for the students at Dixie Sun. You deserve a huge thank you for all you do. Every one of you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

PBIS Review 2017

Welcome to a new year at Dixie Sun Elementary. This video is a review of the Five pats that help guide our behavior at Dixie Sun.

At Dixie Sun we are... Responsible and Respectful.
We will be... Resourceful and Safe.
Dixie Sun is... United.

Live by these principles and we will live a great life.