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.

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.

Progress Reports?

Teachers,

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

Progress Reports?  —

At Community Council meeting today there was a concern that was brought up and I want you to think about how we can address it. A parent wanted to know how we as a school can communicate with parents better the things we are doing at school and the progress their students are making. The suggestion was brought up to use powerschool and input all the tests and assignments we do. I mentioned that we are looking at progress in skills and not just numbers on a test. My philosophy in elementary school is that when we test we are not just looking at how many problems students are missing, but which problems they are missing and why they are missing them. So 7/10 does not always mean they are proficient because they earned the 70%, but that they master the 7 and now it is the 3 we need to look at to help in that area. Observations are also a little hard to input into Powerschool. Numbers do not always tell the full story. But the concern is a good one. How do we let parents know between SEP conferences how students are doing? If there is a concern with a specific concept that parents could help with at home, do they know what it is and how they can address it at home? There are some great things happening in our school in this area. What can you do as a teacher that does not take a lot of extra time, but will give the parents some information about how their student is doing, especially if they were told their student is struggling during an SEP? Communication is important. How do we keep the parents in the loop throughout the year? It does not have to be daily, or even weekly.  Talk about this in your teams and discuss some ideas.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” — George M. Adams

What I’m Watching —

YouTube Channels for Elementary Students

These are some good resources for math videos. I am not saying hand them over to your students and let them go, but there are some great videos here to show or to embed in Powerschool Learning. Make sure you watch them first if you use them with students.

Favorite Article This Week —

The Secret of Effective Feedback

This has an interesting thought about what we are expecting when we assign work. What we do with that work can turn it from an assessment of what the child can do to how we can help the student be a better learner. Interesting article. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Fourth grade teachers. for all you do. I appreciate the work you do in your PLC as you work through what is best for students. I appreciate the work Diana does with engagement, getting the students up and moving, discussion with each other, and being excited when you do it. I appreciate the hard work Kristen puts in as she works with her team to form a plan that will carry through the year. Changing what is needed as she learns what needs to be changed. And I appreciate the ideas and tenacity Derrell has to be a teacher everyday after deciding one day to see what this teaching thing is all about. Thank you for being a strong team. Thank you for being willing learners and amazing teachers. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

To Learn, or Not to Learn

Teachers,

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

To Learn, or Not to Learn? —

What does it mean to learn? Is that what we do in school? Do we teach learning or do we expect knowing? As I ponder this thought I think back to all the students that knew the answers right away in a lesson. Were they learning? I am not sure they were or did. If they knew it I went on to the next thing. So my next question is, how do we teach students to learn? Is this what we are supposed to be doing with our students, teaching them how to learn and helping them be life long learners? Ask yourself these questions(write them down) and then ask your students the same questions on a google form, or some other way. See if they are the same or if they are different. And then decide what do I do from there. Here is a short tutorial about how to create a google form and share it with your students. Google Form Tutorial

• What makes a good learner?
• What do good learners do when they get stuck?
• What do good learners do when they don't know what to do?
• What is learning? 

Quote I’m pondering —

“"The goal isn't to be fearless, the goal is to fear less." — Tim Ferriss

What I’m watching —

Green and Clean 

Stephen Covey tells a story of how he worked with his son to take care of the yard. Lesson in teaching from the author of “Seven Habits…”

Favorite Article This Week —

Why the 21st Century Classroom may remind you of Starbucks

The flexible seating idea has caught on in many classrooms this year. One thing that this article brings to mind is how engagement and procedures are more important in this type of classroom. Where there is more freedom there is more responsibility. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers and aides. The Dixie Sun Shiners Club time(trying out names to see how they roll off the fingers) has been an idea in the works and it can to be on Tuesday. As I walked around there was a little confusion with the switching (to be expected on the first day), but it was minimal. It was so smooth. The halls were quiet as students moved between classes. Thank you for taking on this next piece of learning that students want and need. Interventions looked good. The extension classes looked fun. I am excited to see how well it goes over the next few weeks as they settle in. I just want to say thank you fro all your work, for your helps nd for your ideas. You are so willing to do what you can to help your students. Thank you aides for taking a class and teaching something you are interested in. Thank you teachers for intervening with our students. I hope this time will be intentional and successful. Thank you for making the Dixie Club Time (here’s another name idea) work. Thank you for all you do for our students. 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.

Next Steps

Teachers,

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

Next Steps —

We are coming to the end of testing for the 3-5 grades. We have started looking at a few things we are going to do next year and how we will make it better than this year. We have set up the schedule with Jennifer and Sara for our Literacy training next year (It should be on your google calendar under DSES Staff Information). We are also working on the Tech endorsement at our school on Tuesday’s (As soon as I get the schedule it will be on the DSES Staff Information calendar) with elective classes starting this summer. Annette will visit us at the beginning of the year to get us started off on the right foot. 3-5 will be trying out a schedule that will move students around and  hopefully help every student be successful while adding in a little more science and social studies. Fifth Grade will be trying the schedule out in the final weeks of this year. It sounds like we will be doing a lot of learning next year. We will be starting a Dad’s program, called Watch Dogs, next year to see if we can get some dad’s into the school. All Grade Levels have been working on refining their GVC’s and Learning Targets to keep the rigor in the learning expectations and to help guide our teaching. We will do our best to help support and build on the successes we have had this year. One of the thing I have learned this year, and the list is long, is that the Dixie Sun teaches and staff are always willing to learn and grow. You are amazing. With the plans we have talked about and that you have had a hand in, through the surveys, we will bring you much of what you have asked for to help you grow professionally. We don’t want to overburden you, but bring you the training that you will use and implement as you teach next year. Please let us know how you are doing with the trainings. We want to make sure we can support you.

Quote I’m pondering —

“One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, right here, right now, in this single, solitary, monumental moment in your life– is to decide, without apology, to commit to the journey, and not to the outcome."— Joyce DiDonato

What I’m Still watching —

Decorah Eagles

The eggs have hatched. The babies are grey and not the eye candy you would think. But they are cute and it is so interesting watching them over time. Each bird has their own personality. Amazing wildlife up close. Another few weeks and they will be flying. 

Favorite Book This Week —

Teach Like A Pirate

Arrr. This book is about engagement, teacher passion, and unleashing your creativity as a teacher. Great read. Great ideas. Borrow my copy if you want.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Shelly. The Color Run was a success. Thank you for planning it all out and making sure everything was organized so it would run smoothly. It was well thought out and the students had a blast. AS I walked around the track during lunch one student walking with me told me over and over that it was he greatest night of her life. She could not say enough good about it. She never wanted it to end. Thank you for all you do for the school. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you.

I also wanted to thank everyone that helped with the color run. We use most of the color and it was fantastic. Thank you for your dedication to the students. thank you for all you do throughout the year to give our students the best opportunities to come together as a community and as a school. Thank you.

And one more Thank you for our Administrative Assistants. You deserved all that you got this week. Every letter, every gift, every bonus meal, every thank you. You deserve it all. Thank you Anita and Inez. You two are amazing. Thank you for all you do.

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

Building Student Understanding

Teachers,

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

Building Student Understanding —

I have learned so much from Bob Sonju in the last couple weeks. Bob mentioned that bas loved working with all the grade levels as you worked on your GVC's. I don't think we can ever be reminded of the PLC questions enough. 

• What do we expect our students to learn?
• How will we know they are learning?
• How will we respond when they don't learn it?
• How will we respond if they already know it?

Using these questions we set our GVC and Learning targets. Once we have the what we want them to learn we set up our program and find our tools that help us teach so we can move to the next question. To find out if they learned what we wanted them to learn and to see if we taught it well we assess the students. From that data we look at who did not get it, who did get it, and what we going to do next. The hardest part of the assessment is looking at our teaching practices as a team and finding out if there is something else we can change or tweak to improve our lessons. When we answer these questions we find our next steps and get to work. The work Bob did with us is the first step in this process. This is the first step in know what we want our students to understand. And that is our calling as teachers. To help every student, no matter their circumstance, no matter their behavior, no matter their attitude, is to give them the opportunity to learn and understand.

Quote I’m pondering —

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

― Eleanor Roosevelt

What I’m watching —

Critique and Feedback - The Story of Austin's Butterfly

Irene Sent this to me and I loved the way Ron Berger helps students understand how to give critique a paper and how Austin used the feedback to improve the butterfly picture. Great lesson. Thanks Irene.

Favorite Article This Week —

State Assessment Time...

Another Lex Prin video. Need I say more? Thank you Jennifer for reminding me to look at this. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you fifth grade, Diana, Kristen, Cynthia, and Jennifer for all your hard work Thursday. You really took what Bob was teaching and dug in deep within the standards and came up with some great questions and discussions to help push yourselves. Thank you for working hard. Thank you for working together. Thank you for all you do for the students. Thank you. 

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