Surfing

Teachers,

Sorry, I thought this went out Thursday Night. Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Surfing—

We were sitting on the beach watching the birds and the waves roll in and out. Then I started watching the surfers. It was about 4:30 when they started making their way to the waves. It looked like some high school students, some college students, and a few that had their brothers or dads drive them. What I noticed is how they grouped up and worked with each other as they each took turns catching their waves. There was a respect and a way of sharing the waves as they worked on their craft. When two would go at the same time, one would bow out and wait for another wave. They took turns. The younger took almost twice as many as the older surfers. Was that on purpose or were they just taking every chance they could and the older surfers let them at it. As I sat there I thought about how learning would be if students used this same kind of idea. Helping each other. Cooperating with each other. Letting those that need a little extra help get the extra help or helping them out to bring them up to the level of everyone else. How can we teach students about how the group together can move further than one on their own. The ideas and support can bring everyone to the level they need to be and they will learn more about how the world should work than trying to do it on their own. We should not work alone. The ideas we can put together as a team or group will take us further than we could ever do by ourselves.

Quote I’m pondering —

Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea. -- Mikhail Lermontov

What’s Happening This Week —

Mon., Sept. 23 - Short Day. Out at 12:15. Training Day.

Mon., Sept. 23 - Start with Hello Week

Wed., Oct. 3 - Picture Day

Wed., Oct. 3 - Storytelling Festival - Please promote this.

October - Fall Break, Dance Festival, Halloween

Favorite App This Week —

Bouncy Balls

This was something I was looking at to curb sound in the lunchroom. It is an app that listens to sound and the balls bounce. If you use something like this, use it sparingly. The sound sensitivity can be changed. It was just fun to play with.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all your preparations and work you put into literacy night. The karaoke was a big hit. The parents I talked with enjoyed the presentations by the teachers and felt what they were shown could be used at home to help their students. We appreciate the time you put in for our students. Nights like literacy night are so important for us to get to know and help our parents. I appreciate what you put together to help the ones that came. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

What did I learn this week?

Teachers,

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

What did I learn this week?  —

This is a question everyone should ask. What did I learn this week? If we haven’t learned something, we need to start learning something each week, or each day. This week I learned that instead of just having a student apologize when they hurt someone, but to do a little extra for that person can make a big difference than I ever thought it would. I also learned that when a student starts to add compliments as their punishment, they realize they can make others happy, and they are a little happier. I have seen student smile more than I have all year when they tell me the compliments they give each day. I learned that giving students technology an not having a purpose and an accountability piece to the tech activity gives stuns a license to either do nothing or do something they would rather do on the computer. I learned that Phonemic Awareness and Phonics can determine if s student will read well in third grade. I also learned that reading comprehension is not base on answering questions, but how students use strategies like Monitoring their own comprehension, generating questions, using mental imagery, summarizing, using graphic organizers, and answering questions as they read. If students use these strategies and understand the words they are reading using PA, Phonics, background knowledge, and vocabulary, they will comprehend text. That was just a piece of what I learned, and I want to know more about each of these things. What I you learn this week?

Quote I’m pondering —

“It is better to know how to learn than to know.”  — Dr. Seuss

What I am Watching —

60-Second Strategy: 7-Minute Writes

I used to see 5-minute writing in some classrooms where the students wrote for 5 minutes and did not stop. It was not graded, it was just for students to write. This is better. 

Favorite Article(s) This Week —

The Gap Between The Science On Kids And Reading, And How It Is Taught

An interesting article about how important phonics and phonemic awareness is for reading. Interesting thoughts.

Reading Rockets - Reading resources for teaching reading. You may need to dig, but there is a lot here.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, teachers, for all your hard work with the students. We were at this Literacy Academy and as we went over all our Dibels data and Core Phonics data, we found the improvement in the scores to be amazing. The work you are doing with the students is showing. I know that many of you have mentioned that you are seeing the difference in your classrooms. It is wonderful how you will take a learning strategy and implement it because you know it will help students. When Jennifer an Sara bring us strategies and show us how it will make our students successful, I love that we see them being used in your classrooms. It is also great to see in these meetings we go to that we are going things in our school that research is telling Gus we should be doing. That is all because of you. You are where the rubber hits the road. Your classrooms are where the learning and success happens. Thank you for all you do for students. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

Student Education Planning

Teachers,

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

Student Education Planning  —

Meeting with parents to discuss how students are doing should be an amazing time for everyone. Providing parents with great things that their students are doing and showing their progress helps students and parents see what is happening at school and with their education. There has  to be good in every parent meeting. That being said, parents also want to know if there are issues they need to address to help their child be the best they can be. Showing parents data will help them understand what their student is working on and where they should end up. They also need to know what we are doing to help their student improve with their academics and behaviors. One thing we need to be careful about is holding back with parents. If there is something the student needs or needs to change, parents want to know. We do not need to be mean, but parents do not like to be surprised when they are told great things about their student and soon after the meeting the student is not doing so well. Show them the data, tell them what we are doing to help their student, and let them know what they can do. Be specific with what parents need to do. Some parents don’t know how to help their child run at home and might need to be shown. Make these meetings as positive as possible. And always end on a good note. This is one of 3-4 times some parents are in our school and we want them to know their student matters to us. They also need to know we are doing everything possible to make their student the best learner and the best person ever. That is all we parents want. To know that our children are progressing and will make it in the world.

Quote I’m pondering —

'As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.'" — Marianne Williamson

What I am Watching —

Easy DIY projects for kid engineers

These are some pretty amazing projects and ideas for extensions or even problem solving.

Another Favorite Article This Week —

Always Err on the Side of Positive

The power of being positive is always in our best interest.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Heather for all you do. Tis the season for IEP’s and it is hard for you to get them all scheduled when there are so many that need to be scheduled. For being a first year resource teacher, you are doing an amazing job. There is so much that needs to be done in your job and you have shown that you will do most anything to help students and be flexible for teachers. We appreciate your hard work. 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. Have a wonderful weekend.

Build Your Structure

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

Build Your Structure  —

I learned a lot about what Classroom Management was at the training a couple weeks ago. The trainer Trish let us know that we need to start with the teaching. I talked about teaching a few weeks ago. Teaching students how to behave in the classroom. Procedures and expectations in the classroom. The next piece was structure. Trish described structure as the way we arrange our classroom and activities to help students with behavior. There are a few points that she made about structure I wan to share.

• Why ever irritates you, make a change.  It will not get better unless you change it.
• More teacher involvement to be successful. Keep practicing and training.
• Physical, Procedural, scheduling. How can these things have a positive effect on student behavior. 
• Don’t give students down time.

As we set up the rooms we need to keep a eye on where are the places that students have the most behavior problems. Are there specific times they act out? What change can be made to help students. How can we arrange the room to make sure students are successful?

One of the things she really hit us with that was the myths we believe about students that we need to stop believing.

• Myth: Students are old enough to behave.
• Myth: Kids are fine if they know the expectations.
• Myth: Students should be able to figure it.
• Myth: If they haven’t gotten it by now…
• Myth: I shouldn’t have to repeat myself.

Remember the lesson about how long it takes for the brain to fully form. If the brain is not fully formed, can we expect a child(or 24 year old) to "get it" the first time? We are helping students form and grow. Within the teaching and structure it is important to remember everything should have important interactions with students. Positive interactions. Positive interactions are reinforcing the actions we want. Review the structure of the classroom and see how it works with the students. Sit in their chairs. Move where they move. See if any changes need to be made to accommodate their needs. Structure the room for the students to learn in. It was a great learning experience for me. Next on the list will be Observing student behavior in the classroom. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“The problem is not to find the answer, it's to face the answer.”

- Terence McKenna

What I am Watching —

60 second strategy: TUMS at the Door

A follow up on meeting students at the door. This can be a little much, but it is effective. Fist bumps and high 5’s.

Another Favorite Article This Week —

Teen’s surprising ‘worst day ever’ poem goes viral

How we look at things can decide how we act on things. I love this poem. One day top to bottom. Most days, bottom to top.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers for taking a student (or more) under your wing to get to know a student that can be a challenge for you. This is not an easy task, especially in the beginning. It has been a wonderful experience for Kim to come into your PLC’s and hear how you will take these students and build a relationship of caring and learning for everyone. Thank you for stepping out and taking the challenge. The students you have picked will be better for it and you will see the change they will make over the next month. It just takes a little love and caring. Kim and I talk about the changes we have seen in the few students we see each morning before school. The relationships we have built and the sides of them we never saw before. Thank you for all you do for students. Thank you.

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

Assessing the Learning

Teachers,

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

Assessing the Learning  —

I was reading a blog and I read a thought about assessments. If we give an assessment and we don’t do anything with it to help the learning, whey did we give the assessment? Assessments should be used to guide what we teach and how we teach it. Small assessments can be used to see if students are understanding what is being taught in the moment. Larger Assessments can be used to guide the instruction for the unit. My question is this. Do we only give the larger tests at the end of the unit when we are finished with the unit, or do we give it in the middle to see what they know and what we still need to teach? All tests should be formative. Dibels is formative. We can use SAGE as a formative test as we use last years data to guide our instruction the following year. Assessments do not need to be 25+ questions. There just needs to be enough questions to help us understand if they understand it. How are you assessing students, and what are you using those assessments for?

Quote I’m pondering —

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” — Philo

Favorite Infographic This Week —

27 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US

America speaks so differently. It is interesting what people call a role poly around the US.

Favorite Article This Week —

From “Data Driven” to “Evidence Informed”

A thought about assessments and how to look at the data we gather from them. What do we do with the data we gather? 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Kathy for taking on the Lego League and giving a hand full of students a way to explore and grow. They are excited and have taken coding to a new level at Dixie Sun. Thank you for the extra hours. Thank you for the help and kindness you have given the students. Do well on Saturday. I am excited for the future of this program and what our students at Dixie Sun will do. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

It’s the Hap, Happiest Time of The Year

Teachers,

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

It’s the Hap, Happiest Time of The Year  —

Seriously? The kids are wired, the air is freezing, and the stores are crammed with crazed shoppers. Yes it is the happiest time of the year. This is the time of year when the students are going crazy because art is close to Christmas, and the change in the weather. Weather has an effect on everyone. With the change in the weather comes children getting sick and that changes a child’s (and adult’s) attitude quickly. Everyone gets out of sorts this time of year. The key is to remember we as adults have the same things happen to us and we need to remember that can change how we act and react to normal situations. Take a step back and remind yourself that they are children. You might have to tell yourself that over and over again. A few more educational activities are great this time of year. They will come back after the break the same child, but more ready to learn. We can do this. It is only a couple of weeks until the break. Hold on. Keep it together so the students know that you still love them. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong, because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.”

—George Washington Carver

What I’m Watching —

Don't Eat The Marshmallow!

A quick lesson on how to be successful in life, using a marshmallow.

Favorite Article This Week —

100 Blocks a Day

Nothing like our day laid out into 100 blocks. A little math. A lot of thought. Something to think about, track, or make it an activity for you or your students. Graphing, adding, multiplying, dividing, changing, growing, or do nothing. whatever you want it to be.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Amanda for putting together and coordinating the Warm the Soles night. The happiness as students opened their packages from America First Credit Union was priceless. I saw fist pumping, jumping for joy, smiles, laughter, and parents just happy their kids have shoes this time of year. Some of the shoes they took off have been ready for the garbage for months. Thank you for setting that up. Thank you to the teachers that were there to support and help that night. I know everyone is not able to be there, but I hope you are able to help when these activities come up. The students love to show off to their teachers their new kicks every year. Thank you Amanda and everyone that helped that night. Thank you for all you do. 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.

What Truly Matters

Teachers,

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

What Truly Matters —

SAGE testing has started and we are looking through the scores and they come in and are seeing some great things and some areas we wished were better. So what do we do with these scores? What do we do with any scores w get from our testing? What truly matters in our classrooms and what we do here at Dixie Sun? Is the test the end-all, be-all? No, student learning is what truly matters. Bob told us something during the K-2 training about assessment that stuck with me. 

1. Assessments determine who is proficient. 
2. Assessments show us who needs additional support to get the skill assessed. 
3. 3. Assessments determine which teaching practices get the best results.

The last one is a tough one. But it is also the one that helps students and teachers grow. Which teaching practice got the results we wanted and how to we take that practice from one or more teachers and have it work in other classrooms? If we keep doing the same thing and we are not getting the results, we need to look at our practice and change it a little. What truly matters is what is best for the students in our classroom. How do we improve learning in our classrooms? Assessments help us find out what is needed for students and what is best practice in our classrooms. It is not used for teacher evaluation. There are too many variables in that equation. How we use the data we gather from assessments is what truly matters. What will we do with what we know to help students learn and grow.

Quote I’m pondering —

“The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving." —Gloria Steinem

What I’m watching —

Wait, What? (And other big questions)

Bob Sonju shared a piece of this video with K-2 during their team meetings this week. At least read the short article. It is an amazing video if you want to watch the whole commencement speech.

Favorite Article This Week —

The Pale Blue Dot

Bob also shared an article thing K-2 that talks about how we should think about how we should think in our lives. Read it. Ponder it. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Kindergarten, First, and Second grade. Watching you work in the meeting with Bob was amazing. i can see how your work will benefit the students and how your expectations will take our students to the next level. I loved watching the collaboration, the discussion, and the exchanging of ideas that made the curriculum more understandable for you and it will be more understandable for your students. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for taking the time to learn. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

PBIS Unity Video

This our last installment this year of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Video series for Dixie Sun. In this video We discuss Unity and how being united as a school helps us to be a strong school. A few things we discuss are;

• United States is united as a people even thought we don't think the same way or do the same things.
• To show unity we;
• Look for ways to help others
• Do an act of kindness every day
• Give everyone the benefit of the doubt
• Be positive
• Share what you know with others
• Music shows unity by all instruments working together to form one piece of music.
• Dancing is a motivator and when all else fails we need to dance.
• Be happy in our school, in our community, in our state, in the United States.
• No student left behind.

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