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.

Annette Is Coming! Annette Is Coming!

 Teachers,

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

Annette Is Coming! Annette Is Coming! —

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be days with Annette Brinkman. Monday and Tuesday will be observations. Annette, Kim, ad I will be coming to your classroom and takin data for you to look at. It will be about your students ad not about you. From that data Annette will have  20 minute Debriefing sessions on Wednesday where she will coach you through the data. That is a great time to ask questions. Annette and you will work on a goal to work on over the next month or two. This is partly for Kim and I as she models coaching to help us as we work on coaching this year. So we will be looking at what we will be doing on the coaching end as we meet with her at the end of each day. We are all learning from her. 

Note: The District Foundation Golf Tournament was Friday. Start looking at what you would like to write a grant for from the foundation. It is usually a great for $500 or less. Everyone should write one. They usually fill most of those that ask.

2nd Note: My son did his DSU education observation with a student I had in 4th Grade. Can you say gut punch? Any have a wheelchair?

Quote I’m pondering —

“It is amateurs who have one big bright beautiful idea that they can never abandon. Professionals know that they have to produce theory after theory before they are likely to hit the jackpot.” ― Francis Crick

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Monday Sept.28 - Show PTA Reflections Video from email on 24th. Mon. Sept. 28-29 - Annette Brinkman observations Tues. Sept. 29 - K-1 Annette PD 1-3:30 Wed. Sept. 30 - Observation Debriefing	Mon. Oct. 5 - Teacher Training Day Early Out 1:15
October 15-16: Fall Break

What I’m Learning about Google Slides This Week —

Game Changer – Add a Feedback Slide

I did not know that using Google Slides would have so much more impact than just a Goole Doc. Imagine using video on an assignment page. Wow! And to assign a specific slide to s specific student? Wow! Wow!

What Math Strategies I’m Learning about This Week—

Splat!

An interactive number sense strategy that can be used on a computer or on paper. Students might like the computer one.

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

My Mission Call

Teachers,

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

My Mission Call—

Baruti Kafele (@PrincipalKafele), an education author, asked some important questions that I want to share with you. I find these to be questions I need to think about as a learning coach. 

• “What do you do that demands school-wide excellence?”
• "What is my purpose for being in this school and does it drive what I do and say?”
• "What is my educator mission? What is the thing that I want to accomplish and will stop at nothing to get it done?”
• “ Do I treat my teaching/leadership as a job or a mission?”
• “Am I being intentional?”

These are tough questions to answer. This takes a lot of thought and reflection. Some of our students have more on their plates than we will ever understand. Education takes a back seat to their issues at times. Relationships with students are important. They need to know they matter. That is my mission. That is what I want to improve on and make sure students understand. They matter. You matter. You are an important part of our school. This is also my mission. To help you be the best teacher you can be. Coach’s are not always the best at what they coach, but they try to get the best out of each person they coach. So what are your answers to these questions? I am still working on my answers. When I find them I am sure they will evolve and change. Reflection on them will take time. So what is your mission? 

Quote I’m pondering —

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace. -- Anonymous

What’s Happening —

Mon. May 13 - No Kinder Tues. May 14 - No Kinder Tues. May 14 - Strong Man Assembly 2:30 Wed., May 15 - No Kinder Wed., May 15 - Fifth Grade Program 1:30 Thu., May 16 - No Kinder Fri., May 17 - No Kinder May 23 - Last Day of School	Mon. May 20 - Last PE Day All Classes Go to PE time Tues. May 21 - Kickball Game 9:30 Tues. May 21 - Orchestra Assembly 2:30 Wed., May 22 - Meet Teachers 9:30 Wed., May 22 - Meet Teachers K-1 11:45 Wed., May 22 - Early Out 1:15 Thu. May 23 - Last Day of School  Thu. May 23 - Awards Assembly 9:30 Thu. May 23 - No Kinder Thu. May 23 - School out at 12:00
May 13-May 17 - Lunch Workers: Cox and 2 from Bringhurst/Seegmiller	May 20 - Lunch Workers: Beraz and 2 from Sparks/Paxman

Favorite Video This Week —

Don’t Give Up On Me

Thank like Andy Grammar, especially when he sings with elementary school students.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you have done. With all the craziness at the end of the year, I just appreciate you for the understanding as we finish this year and plan for next year. I also appreciate all your patience with your coworkers and students. How we go out at the end is the memory students will remember. I appreciate all you have done and are doing. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. 1 1/2 week.