My Teacher Forever (revisited)

Teachers,

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

My Teacher Forever —

I was participating in a #youmatter chat on twitter and a comment came up that interested me. It was from Justine Tarte from St. Louis Missouri. He said "Highly effective teachers don't just have students for one year; they have students who view them as 'their' teacher for life...". I thought about this for a moment and it is true. The teachers I remember that I consider "my" teachers are the ones that really had an impact on me. Mrs. Durbin my kindergarten teacher took time with me and helped be start out to be a pretty good reader. My third grade teacher Mrs. Fanning really helped me understand math and we had some great waffle parties. Sixth grade was Mr. Neighbor and he pushed me to do better. I wasn't fond of him because he was mean, but he was "my" teacher because he pushed and I grew. I had others but the one teacher I call “my teacher” was Mr. Frieberg. High school music teacher. I had him for 3 years and my friends and I got to know him pretty well. He took time to explain life to us. He scolded us when we were making bad choices. He praised us when we were doing well. He took time to find out who we were and we found out who he was. He took time. I don't remember most of my teachers. I would have to look back to see what they even looked like. So who are "your" teachers? Who made an impact on you? And what are you doing to make an impact on your students so they will consider you "their" teacher after they leave? What a badge of love to get from a student. My teacher forever. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Feb. 3-7 - Family Life Week Mon. Feb 3 - Teacher Training Day, our at 1:15 - meet at Crimson View Elem. @ 2pm.  Wed. Feb 5 - Dudes and Donuts 8-9 am Thu. Feb 6 - AES Culture Night 5:30-7 Fri. Feb 7 - Divas and Donuts 8-9 am	Mon. Feb 10 - PTSA Mtg 12:15 pm Fri. Feb 14 - Science Fair Assemblies
Feb 17 - President’s Day Feb 24-28 SEP Week  Online Scheduler is up for you to make changes as needed. Feb 10 parents can start setting appointments.

Favorite Article This Week —

8 Leadership Lessons from a Symphony Conductor

My dad was a music teacher. I always loved watching him conduct his orchestras and bands. We are conductors in our classrooms. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you to our Chinese Language teachers. I am always amazed when I come into your rooms, or even just stand outside your rooms and see the work you do. All the activity and engagement students do in your rooms. I am amazed at how well students speak, read, and write in Chinese. I hear parents talk about how they love that their student speaks and writes so well. I then think about all the work you put into your lessons and activities to help your students learn. That you for all you do for the students. To give them this opportunity and help them know they can accomplish hard things. Thank you for making our school amazing because you are here. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

Bonus Video

“This is incredible. Time to take another vacation from my excuses…”

This man is Blind. Inspiration for the new year. Anything is possible for us and for all our students.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Ignorance Project (revisited)

Teachers,

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

Ignorance Project —

I watched a video this week from TED Talks. It talked about data and how we look at it. There was some great information that I think needs to be shared and discussed. Hans Rosling is a Data guy from Sweden and he talks about misconceptions we have as a society. Hans talks about how we as a population look at data and think things are getting worse. The kids are getting worse, or are they? He shares a couple graphs that show that the world is not getting worse, but it is getting better. It is all about how we look and think about our situations and the situations in our world. He discusses misconceptions society has and how we need to change how we look at things. In a nutshell the video taught me that I need to look at things more positively. The data does not show that things are getting worse. I constantly look at my situation I was in when I was younger and I have to remember that life is different now. There is so much more happening and we are so much further than I thought we would ever be. Life is better. We have so much more at our fingertips. Attitudes are better around the world. We are closer to every part of the world. We know so much more. Life is good. The bonus is that we are in the trenches making it better. You are a huge part of the progress happening in our world. Check out the video here TED: The Ignorance Project.

Quote I’m pondering —

“To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, ‘If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.’”— Anthony de Mello

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Jan 27 - Community Council 12 pm Tue. Jan 28 - 5th grade to Lava Ridge Wed. Jan 29 - English teacher DLI Training grades 4-5 Wed. Jan 29 - English teacher DLI Training grades 1-3	Feb. 3-7 - Family Life Week Mon. Feb 3 - Teacher Training Day, our at 1:15 - meet at Crimson View Elem. @ 2pm.  Thu. Feb 6 - AES Culture Night 5:30-7

Favorite Article This Week —

100 Percent is Overrated

I revisited this article last weekend. It reminded me not to call students smart and why. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Jen, Jo, Julie, Stacie, and Alma. It is tough to have the same sounds, letters, stories, and answers read to you a hundred times. I appreciate your help with Acadience. Getting every student possible tested. I know it is time consuming and monotonous, but with each child there is a smile and a cheerfulness to help them feel comfortable as they sound out letters, read and summarize. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your work. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Friendship

Teachers,

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

Friendship —

My son has been talking to me about how he has not had many close friends in his time in school. We have this conversation every year when things get a little tough at school and he says he doesn’t have anyone that will help him with school or just to hang out with. Of course family doesn’t count in his mind. I understand. I’ve been in that position at that age. But I read something that I thought was profound and gave it to him. We discussed it and I hope it helps him feel more comfortable about how to make sure he is being the friend and the friends will be there, and are there if he just stops to see them. Here is the passage I read.

“The dynamic of friendship is almost always underestimated as a constant force in human life: a diminishing circle of friends is the first terrible diagnostic of a life in deep trouble: of overwork, of too much emphasis on a professional identity, of forgetting who will be there when our armored personalities run into the inevitable natural disasters and vulnerabilities found in even the most average existence.

[...]

But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self; the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”
— David Whyte

This is a hard concept for young people to understand. This is what we need to keep teaching students, to believe in those around us, to see the essence of those we call friends. See them for who they can be and forgive the mistakes they make. To make sure those around us are seen, truly seen. Friendship is important. Our journey is impossible to accomplish alone. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Your kids don’t really listen to a word you say, but they pay a great deal of attention to how you are living your life. And if there’s a discrepancy between what you’re telling them and how you’re living your own life, you lose your audience.” — Tom Waits

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Dec. 9 - Teacher Training Afternoon Wed. Dec. 11 - TAT Kinder Thu. Dec. 12 - Choir Concert Fri Dec. 13 Choir Christmas Assembly 9:30	Tue. Dec. 17 - Acadience Training Paras 9-12 Wed. Dec. 18 - Intervention Meetings Thu. Dec. 19 - Paraprofessional Training 9-12
Dec 21-Jan 3 - Christmas Vacation Jan 15 - Acadience Testing All Day

Favorite Article This Week —

Subtract

This is an article that I have needed for a while. Priorities. What is important. Being purposeful. So much in such a short article. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Sparks and Kim and everyone that makes the holidays special. All the activities and fun that happens just brightens each day. Thank you for spending time to make sure everyone is included and for just giving everyone a way to have fun at a job that can be stressful at times. Thank you for bringing the fun. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Ignorance Project

Teachers,

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

Ignorance Project —

I watched a video this week from TED Talks. It talked about data and how we look at it. There was some great information that I think needs to be shared and discussed. Hans Rosling is a Data guy from Sweden and he talks about misconceptions we have as a society. Hans talks about how we as a population look at data and think things are getting worse. The kids are getting worse, or are they? He shares a couple of graphs that show that the world is not getting worse, but it is getting better. It is all about how we look and think about our situations and the situations in our world. He discusses misconceptions society has and how we need to change how we look at things. In a nutshell, the video taught me that I need to look at things more positively. The data does not show that things are getting worse. I constantly look at my situation I was in when I was younger and I have to remember that life is different now. There is so much more happening and we are so much further than I thought we would ever be. Life is better. We have so much more at our fingertips. Attitudes are better around the world. We are closer to every part of the world. We know so much more. Life is good. The bonus is that we are in the trenches making it better. You are a huge part of the progress happening in our world. Check out the 20-minute video at TED: The Ignorance Project.

Quote I’m pondering —

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.” —Jesse Jackson 

What’s Happening —

*Mon., Apr. 15 - TAT with 2nd grade 8:00 *Monday Dress up day- Chick Day *Tuesday Dress up day- Bunny Day *Wed., Apr. 17 - Faculty Meeting w/Tami Curtis 8:00 am *Wednesday Dress up day- Egg Day *Wed., Apr. 17 - Fire Drill 2:15 pm *Thursday Dress up day- Pastel Day *Sat., Apr. 20-First day of National Park Week-Free Entrance *April 19-22 - Easter Break *April 15-18 - Lunch Workers: Cox

*Tues. April 23 - Character Ed/Steam - PLC Making Class Lists *Tues. April 24 - Character Ed/Steam - PLC Making Class Lists *Fri., Apr. 26 - No Fit Walk *Fri., Apr. 26 - Field Day 1st-2nd grades *Fri., Apr. 26 - Last School Store 10:00am *April 15-18 - Lunch Workers: Beraz and 2 from Sparks/Paxman

Favorite Article This Week —

Perfect Can Paralyze You

Progress, not perfection. That is what we are looking for, or should be, in ourselves and others. I love the last paragraph.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Lunch PD group this last week. What a great discussion we had about vocabulary and what great things are happening in the classrooms and for discussing new ideas to use in the classroom. What an amazing opportunity Susan and Lesa have out together to have wonderful discussions. And discuss we did. I appreciate the thought that went into the articles and for coming prepared with what you learned and questions you had. The one constant that we have in education is that there is not enough time to get everything in. I sure appreciate all the time and effort you put into your students. Thank you for a wonderful discussion. Thank you for all you do for the students. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Positivity

Teachers,

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

Positivity—

We are at the point in the year when students feel cooped up inside because of the cold weather, rain, possible snow, and “Dinner and a Movie” time during lunch. It is important to take an extra 5 seconds and breathe before ‘working’ with a student that has made a poor choice. Right now is the time to build up relationships and let students know that we care. With the varied situations students come to us we need to give them someone to trust. We don’t have to be their best friends and we definitely need to help them do their work and hold them to assignments the best we can. How we talk to students needs to be firm, but positive. The tone of the voice can get in the way of the message that is said. Finding a solution and teaching two to be appropriate in situations where students are making poor decisions need to be the norm. Not just getting rid of a behavior, but teaching how to replace the behavior with a positive one. I catch myself not making a good decision when talking with students and I have to back off and come back to them with a better plan of action. They are learning. They are young. In some cases they are unlearning what they have been taught since birth. It will take time. Being positive about and with all students will make a difference in their lives. We may never see it, or we may have a student tell us 10 years down the road that we made a difference in their lives in that one year they were with us. It only takes the one to make that comment and it makes it worth it. For every one that makes the comment, there are 100’s more that think it and live the lessons we teach. 

Quote I’m pondering —

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. -- Oprah Winfrey

What’s Happening This Week —

Tues., Jan. 29 - Jennifer Throndsen Observation Day

Wed., Jan. 30 - Jennifer Throndsen Training Day

Sat., Feb. 2 - EdCamp at Tonaquint Intermediate School 8am-3pm. Show up and learn. No cost. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Ryan Speedo Green: From juvenile delinquency to opera stardom

All it takes is a little love and a reminder that we should not let a bad moment in time define who we are or define the students we work with.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Fourth Grade, for all you have done with your students. They have shown great growth this year and are moving and grooving with the programs you have put together. We have seen a change in their attitudes and behavior and it makes a huge difference in the lunchroom, on the fields, and with their academics. You are making a difference in their lives. Thank you for all your planning and work together. We appreciate all you do for the students and for the school. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Here We Go, Rock and Roll

Teachers,

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

Here We Go, Rock and Roll—

Friday is here and we all made it. Congratulations. Now comes the part we got into this business for, teaching, learning, and growth. What a great first week with the students. The students are ready to go. I can see it in their eyes.  

We will be starting Specials next week. You will need to stay with your students until they are in class with the specialist. Review with them how to act in the halls. Kim and I will come in and talk to your team about how you are doing and discuss interventions, Dibels/IDEL, and Lexia/iReady. It has been a great week. Enjoy your weekend.

Here we go.

Quote I’m pondering —

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
— Henry David Thoreau

What’s Happening This Week —

Monday, Aug. 20 - Kindergarten School Starts 7:55am

Tuesday, August 21 - Specials Start. Review the schedule, please.

Wednesday, August 22 - Hearing Screenings

Monday, August 27 - First PLC Training day. Students out at 12:15.

Favorite Video This Week —

Forget the pecking order at work

Working together is an important thing. We all need to get better at this. Here are some great ideas.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you everyone for a great week. From the specialists that help in the morning outside to the teachers that have the students moving and grooving, to the office staff that keeps this school running. Thank you for all the work you put in. I know there have been many hours in and outside of the school that have been put in to ensure our students get the best. 

And a special thank you to Kirby for all the work he puts in the make sure we have the best looking school and for keeping our old school safe and in working order. I don’t think he gets enough credit for the way this building runs, but it can run smoothly because of his work here.  Thank you Kirby for all you do. Thank you everyone for your love of students. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Control

Teachers,

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

Control  —

At our Behavior Management training this week I read a saying that reminded me of what we need to remember as teachers. Pat Cross said, “If it weren’t for students impeding our progress in our race to the end of the term, we could certainly be sure of covering the material. The question, however, is not whether we, as teachers, can get t the end of the text of the end of the term, but whether our students are with us on that journey.” We control what happens in our classrooms. We control the environment and how engaging our lessons are. We control how we act and react to what students do each do. We control how we perceive the actions of others. We control us. We cannot control students. We do not control student behavior. If we try to we will end up in a  fight-or-flight situation for the student and the teacher. When a student misbehaves, we need to remember it is not a threat to us. We need to address the situation with the student and move on. We need to remember to answer the question, What is best for the student? Forcing the student to do something is trying to control them. We need to find a way to change their behavior by thinking it as a puzzle that needs to be solved, but not a threat to be removed. One of the reasons Kim challenged each of us to take on a child in our class is to alleviate some of these behavior issues. If we build a relationship with our students they will work with us. If we demand and control, they will end up worse then they already are. Let’s make their days better for being here. If we create excitement for them being here, they will do more of what we ask. Thank you for all you do. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What I am Watching —

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

This is a great video explaining what these are. We all need a Growth Mindset. It makes life less stressful.

Favorite Article This Week —

Fair Isn’t Always Equal – 3 Grading Malpractices

Grading is always a tough thing to do. That was the first major conundrum I ran into my first year of teaching. I am not a fan of grading elementary students. Labels an wait until high school.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers and staff that helped during the Open House. We are in need of students at our school and We sure appreciate taking some time to walk around with the few parents that did come and help show off how wonderful our school is. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule and help promote our school. We appreciate your dedication and help. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

Safety Checkup

Teachers,

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

Safety Checkup —

Another school tragedy happened this week and our hearts go out to the families, students, and school staff of the high school in Florida. Every time I hear of something terrible happens to a student or teacher, I feel for those that are involved. They are a part of us. They are a part of what we do every day even though they are not a part of our school. Whenever something happens at a school I always thing about how we can make our school a little safer. I think about how important the little things we do that keep our students safe. Monitoring students before school as we are on duty. I wonder if we need to do the same thing after school as students head home. Keeping our outside doors locked and making sure our inside doors can be locked quickly in an emergency. Keeping track of students so we know where they are at all times. Having a teacher in each area of the playground during recess duty. It is a great time to talk, but keeping track of students helps keep them safe. Lunch duty teachers and aides keep track of students in many different areas, especially at the playground area. That is an area that we wish we had a gate to minimize people coming through or playing during lunch and recess, but being a city park also has made it hard to get something to close off that side of the grounds. So we have someone there to monitor students and others that might show up. Fire drills are important to get students an d teachers ready if there is an emergency. Even though it is a drill, students need to understand that in an emergency they need to be able to hear the teacher so they can hear instructions. Moving students in an organized manner helps keep track of who is there and who is not. Safety is so important. A student on the news made the comment that it should not have ever happened in their school, but it did. The little things we practice and keep up on are the little things that will keep us safe. Even though they seem to be an annoyance, they keep us safe. This is why we practice a reunification drill each year. We still have things we need to work on. Students are worth our time and efforts to keep them safe. They need to know they are safe. Thank you for all you do to help them feel loved and safe.

Quote I’m pondering —

Want to be great? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. 

—Augustine

What I am Watching —

10 ways to have a better conversation

I love TED talk. Conversation skills are important for students to learn. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Tom Brady Summed Up His Super Bowl Loss With One Word. You Should Steal It

This is a word we should teach more to our students. I should also live it more in my own life.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Julie and Sandy for all you do. I know you two are taking a class and Julie comes in to teach Kim and I about the new things she is learning. She has also taught us a few things about letter sounds and a better way of teaching spelling. We will have Julie talk about it in a rotation during our PLC Monday training. I know there are many of you taking classes and learning new things you are implementing in your classroom. We love when you are learning new things. Julie we appreciate your excitement in telling us what you are learning. Thank you for sharing. Thank you.

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

Reflecting on the First Half

Teachers,

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

Reflecting on the First Half —

I’ve been watching a little football and I always wonder what the coaches say in the locker room at half time. It is half-time for us. Here are a few reflection questions to think about as we move into the next half of the year.

• In what area(s) do I wish I could better reach my students?
• Do I need to recalibrate my perspective on outside forces that I can’t directly control?
• Do I give my students the opportunity for frequent and authentic reflection?
• Is learning confined within the walls of our classroom?
• Am I doing all the “heavy lifting?”

Quote I’m pondering —

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

–Helen Keller

What I’m Watching —

Chromebook Crashcourse

This video is only up until December 31. There is also a way to win a Chromebook at the end of watching this hour PD session about Chromebooks. I learned that by Clicking CTRL+Shift+T will bring back a closed tab…so when students try to click off a tab they don’t want me to see, I can click that keystrokes and see what the last tab they closed was. I don’t use this often, but there are a few that I have talked with that I will check on. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Rediscovering Your Fulfillment as a Teacher

Sometimes we get into a bit of a funk and need a little pick me up. This is a good article to help get the focus back.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you do. It is a pleasure working with all of you. Thank you.

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

The River’s Song Is Sweet

Teachers,

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

The River’s Song Is Sweet  —

Sometimes life can be tough. There is so much that happens around us and too us that it makes it hard to focus on the thing in front of us. Something happens at home with s child or a member of the family. Sometimes it happens to us when we have a set back or something presents itself that is hard to get around or get away from. It happens. We are all human and life happens. It happens to all of us. So how to we handle situations that happen and take our focus away from our daily schedule? I heard a saying once, “The river’s song would not be so sweet without the rocks.” What are our expectations of others when problems happen. How do we help them? How do we help our littles ones in our class each day that have life happen to them on a daily basis? Sometime life can be tough. I think the answer to this is to know that we are loved by those around us. To know that someone or many someones are around us and make the difference in our lives so we know that we have somewhere to feel safe and know that there are people that will keep us going with the things that should and do matter in our lives. Our students have these things happen and we need to know that they need a soft place to land at our school. It’s funny, but sometimes, as a teacher, I did not think about students when they left the classroom. It was just like the student that sees us in the grocery store and does not realize we do not live in the school or that we could show up somewhere else besides school. Our student’s songs are sweet and we need to keep them sweet, with or without the rocks. And just know that you are all an important part of our school. You are important to everyone at our school. Everyone needs a soft place to land, and I hope you feel that our school is one of those places also. You make everything happen at our school.  You help create and maintain the culture we have here. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Life is not designed to make things easy for us, but present challenges that help us grow.”
– Terry Laughlin

What I’m Watching —

A Study on Praise and Mindsets

Just a reminder about how we praise and what our personal mindset is can determine what and how we learn.  

Favorite Article This Week —

How to Take Risks In A System Not Built For It (What Teachers Can Learn From Elon Musk)

Interesting idea from an amazing thinker. How do we teach our students to take risks  hat will further their opportunities in life? How does this relate to education?

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Preschool. Thank you for starting our little ones off on the right foot and having them know which foot it is and what letters spell the word foot. I was able to sit in on a parent meeting tonight and be able to watch to amazing interaction and love you have for the students and parents. Thank you for taking the time to teach the parents and students. Thank you Preschool for preparing students for success. Thank you.

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

Good Intentions

Teachers,

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

Good Intentions —

As I sat in the Principal’s Literacy class today, the presenter said something that really struck a chord with me. She said that everything we do in our schools needs to be intentional. We are given children for 6.5 hours and we need to use every moment to help them succeed. If we are not intentional with our instruction, our lessons, and our attitude, it is not helping students. Every lesson should be planned out ahead of time with objectives, structure, and sequence to maximize the learning with each student. Students deserve to more than best intentions from teachers, the deserve to have teachers that are intentional in their teaching. I found that interesting and true. We have very little time in our day. Everything we do with students should be intentional to help them succeed in learning.

Quote I’m pondering —

"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it’s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.” 

–Ender Wiggin in Enders Game

What I’m Watching —

Kindergarten Assessments at the Beginning of the Year- thank you Politicians....

The fun we have with computers and kindergarten students. I understand that some of the older grades have issues like this also. Enjoy.

Favorite Article This Week —

 Stop telling kids you’re bad at math. You are spreading math anxiety ‘like a virus.’

One of the things adults need to understand is that sometimes we help children with their anxiety and fears. This also goes for more than math.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Heather for all you do. You have come to our wonderful school with high expectations and an amazing attitude and have picked up the job and ran with it. Everything we have asked of you, you have done. You have cared for the students. You have taken it upon yourself to be out at lunch recess with stickers so you can learn student names. You have done amazing and we just want to thank you for all you do for our school and for the students. Thank you for being with us. Thank you.

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

Time to Recharge

Teachers,

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

Time to Recharge  —

We do have many breaks as we go through the school year, but as a teacher it was always great to use it as a time to recharge. I hope that you are doing something fun and taking time to be with your loved ones, or at least talk with them. Get your mind off school for a little bit so when you come back you are fully charged and ready to go. Balance is always a difficult thing to maintain and manage as a teacher. There is so much to do and yet we need time to get our balance of home and school into focus. Have a wonderful weekend and we will see you Monday morning!

Quote I’m pondering —

“The only true voyage would be not to travel through a hundred different lands with the same pair of eyes, but to see the same land through a hundred different pairs of eyes.” 

–Marcel Proust

What I’m Reading —

Stop Stealing Dreams

This is a book in PDF form. It is a manifesto from Seth Godin about school. If you are looking to be a pirate and want a different look at different thoughts about teaching. This is a good start. Pick a few headings and read a little. Maybe you agree, maybe you don't. It has some interesting thoughts here. Seth wrote the book “Purple Cow” which is an interesting book about how to stand out from everyone and be remarkable.

Favorite Article This Week —

The Power of the Positive Office Referral

As we start using our new Check-In-Check-Out System in the office, I thought this might be a great article to keep in mind when and why you send students to the office.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you do. There is so much going on in our school and I see everyone working hard to help their students improve and be successful. I talk with students as they walk around the track and I always ask how school is going for them and what they are learning. I don’t any students tell me they hate school and are not learning anything. They love school and they love their teachers. They love you. Thank you for making them feel loved. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful 4 day weekend.

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.

PBIS Safety Video

This our fourth installment this year of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Video series for Dixie Sun. In this video we discuss being safe at school. Safety at school is very important so students feel safe and secure at school. A few things we discuss are;

• Everybody needs to be happy.
• Don't wrestle at school
• No hitting
• No Play Fighting
• No Kissing
• No pushing and Kicking others
• No tackling
• Wait your turn on the slides
• Play fighting
• Do not call names cause we want others to feel happy
• Everyone wants to feel safe
• Emotions
• Emotions mean you are being moved
• Vocabulary lesson (emovere)
• Tell people how you feel
• I feel  ____ when you _____. Next time will you please _____. Thank you.
• You need to mean it when you are sorry. 
• I am sorry. I  _____. I was wrong because ______. The next time I will _____. Please forgive me.
• Everyone has a right to feel safe.

PBIS Being Respectful Video

This our next installment this year of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Video series for Dixie Sun. In this video we discuss Being Respectful. We talk about how to be respectful at school. There is also a music video with a song written by Jay Porter that gives students a way to tell others to stop bugging them. A few things we discuss are;

• Make our school look good by keeping our school clean
• Show respect for all adults
• Show respect to Safety Patrol
• How to tell others to stop bugging you
• Tell others to stop! I don't like that
• Walk away if telling the, stop doesn't work
• Tell a teacher if they do not stop
• Stop! I don't like that Music Video
• Respect yourself
• Positive Attitude
• Tell yourself you can do hard things