Putting Data On The Why Axis

 Teachers,

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

Putting Data On The Why Axis —

Data Meetings are great, but I am seeing that we might not need them every week. As teams we need to look at Common Assessments and make sure everyone is on the same page with lessons. After Annette came and I debriefed with her she loved that she was able to meet with each teacher and talk about the good things they were doing in their classes. I proposed an idea to Kim about meeting with teachers on data day for 3 of the weeks a month and then have a monthly data day to discuss assessments, Team data, WIN time needs and changes, and work with Common Assessments.

The way it would work is I would meet with 2 teachers each week for about 15-20 minutes and discuss what is working and what challenges you might have. If you would like me to come in and take some data for you we will discuss what data I take and discuss next steps after takin gate data. I would meet with EYE teachers each week for the three weeks and veteran teachers once a month, unless you want to meet more.

During Thursday data time please use this time to meet with your team members and discuss lessons and assessments that are coming up. There will be one team member missing for 20 minutes, but you can use this time effectively to plan together and prepare for upcoming lessons and assessments. We will work out a schedule this coming week. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Quote I’m pondering —

“To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.” ― James P. Carse

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Oct. 5 - Teacher Training Day Early Out 1:15 Mon. Oct. 5 - No Specials Tue. Oct 6 - PD during Specials Wed. Oct 7 - TAT 3rd Grade 8:00am Wed. Oct 7 - PTA Walk to School Day	Wed. Oct 14 - TAT 2nd Grade 8:00am Thu.-Fri. Oct. 15-16: Fall Break (No School)
October 30: Halloween Parade

What I’m Learning about Google Chrome This Week —

Master Chrome OS With These Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts

I love shortcuts on my computer. I use them all the time. Here are a few that might help you as you work your way through using Chromebooks with your students. One that I don’t tell students about but use often is Ctrl+Shift+T. This will reopen the last tab that was closed on Google Chrome. Not sure if a student just closed a tab they should not have been looking at? Ctrl+Shift+T them! You can also Ctrl+Shift+T multiple times to see more that were closed!

Video I am Watching This Week—

Student For A Day

What would it be like to be a student in our class for a day? What would we learn? Would it be what we think it would be like? A couple high school teachers found out. What would this look like in elementary school?

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.

Principal’s 200 Club

Teachers,

Here is another weekly dose of “5-Point Friday.”

Principal’s 200 Club —

I have appreciated the teachers that are sending down the cards already for the Principal’s 200 Club. The reason we give out principal’s 200 Cards is to encourage students to be Respectful, Responsible, Resourceful, Safe, and Unified. When students show one of these qualities, make a big deal about it and give them a card. Write a small blurb about how great they are on the bottom and send them to the office. Resourceful is a great one to use when students make a mistake and then find a way to correct it. One thing we do not want is for all the cards to come down at once. It should be student specific, not done as a class. I will put 2 in your box each week, please send two students down each week. If you have questions, please ask. Make it a habit to catch students that need redirection when they deserve a card. We will Rise!

Quote I’m pondering —

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” - Lao Tzu

What I’m watching —

Grit: The power of passion and perseverance by Angela Duckworth

I love Ted Talks and this is one I have watched over and over. It is about 6 minutes about her research on perseverance. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success. Enjoy.

Favorite Chrome App This Week —

Google Keep 

This is an app I use everyday to track my notes and lists. It is an app you can download on any smartphone. Once you sign in you can get your notes on any device you sign into. It is Kim’s new favorite app.

A Big Thank You —

Kindergarten started without a hitch this week. Thank you Kindergarten for your preparations and hard work to get the students comfortable with being in a new place. thank you for taking care of our little ones. This is where they get their love for education from. Everything I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten. Everything else build on that beginning. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Remember Monday is an early out day. We will meet at 1:30 for learning and growing. Have a wonderful day.