Specials are Coming, Specials are Coming

Teachers,

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

Specials are Coming, Specials are Coming —

We are close to starting specials in the afternoon. This will be a learning experience for all of us. Please be patient as we get this started. We have 3 classes your grade levels will be going to. We understand there are 4 and 5 classes in each grade level. Please put your classes into 3 groups. Please review how to act in the specials classes. We would like you to walk your class to the first special and help them get situated in the class before going to your team meeting. Please pick them up at the end of Specials so you can take them back for the ending bell. Kim and Glen will meet with you at the first Team meeting each month. We will be starting Specials after Labor Day.

We will also start interventions right after Labor Day. During the team data meetings, we will get the students grouped according to their needs and start working on lessons for the students. If you have questions or concerns, please let me or Kim know. We want this to be as successful for the students and teachers as possible. 

Quote I’m pondering —

"HOW we praise students can have a big impact on their mindset and achievement. Praise the effort." - Jo Boaler

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Tues. Aug. 27 - Acadience testing (All day) Wed. Aug. 28 - Team Data 9-5th, 10-3rd, 11-1st Wed. Aug. 28 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Thu. Aug. 29 - Team Data 9-2nd, 10-K, 11-4th Thu. Aug. 29 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Fri. Aug. 30 - PTA Room Mom Meeting 1:00	Mon. Sep 2 - Labor Day (No School) Tue. Sep. 3 - Afternoon Specials Start T-4th, W-2nd, Th-5th
Mon. Sep. 9 - First teachers training ½ day. School out at 1:15. We will have a guest presenter and then work on Professional Growth Plans.

Favorite Article This Week —

An Updated Guide To Questioning In The Classroom

Here is an article to help with questioning in the classroom. I really like the cube. You will need to adjust for your grade level.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, kindergarten teachers. What a week as you started your classes after getting them into the right places. We get the bus riders back to their parents and you have been amazing with the students. We appreciate your patience as we get help for you with your big classes. This will be an amazingly successful year. Thank you for the time you take with your students. Thank you for the love you give them as they start their first full ½ day in school. Thank you, kindergarten teachers, for all you do for your students. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Thank you

Teachers,

Here is your last dose of “5-Point Friday this school year.

Thank you —

All I want to do is say thank you. I appreciate all that you have done. Each one of you has done amazing things with students this year. Our school is better because you were here. Just know that all you do is noticed. I hope to express more of what I see next year so you know you are appreciated. I see it, but I don’t always say it. Thank you.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much. You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts, worrying about your pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what’s happening here, and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based in either love or fear. So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it." — Jim Carrey 

What’s Happening

What I’m watching —

How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over

This is really a motivational video. Doesn’t sound like it, but Mel will tell you some things to give yourself a little more confidence. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Questions to Ask Yourself as the School Year Winds Down

Another reflection article that has 5 questions to ask as we wind it down. 

A Big Bonus Thank You —

Since this is the last 5-Point of this school year, I want to say thank you for teaching me so much these last couple of months. I have much to learn. I appreciate all you have taught me. Thank you.

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

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.

Priorities

Teachers,

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

Priorities  —

My son came to me yesterday and showed me that he is getting an amazing award from his high school. He treated it as something that was not important. He is being awarded something that not many students get. Then in the same conversation, he talks about things that seem so important to him, but in a month will not make any difference to him because he is graduating. As I talked with him about these two different things I am reminded that as we go through the next month wrapping up our year, getting all the teaching and learning in that we can, we need to remember what our priorities are in teaching. Our question should be, “What is best for the student”. In each situation, we need to decide if what we are saying or doing will help this child grow and be positive for them. Students are doing out of the ordinary things during this time of sunshine and realization that the end of the year is near. Make your learning interactive and activity based. Less computer time and more activity, move around time, and learning activities will help students keep focused. There will be paper-pencil work to do. There will be teacher talk time. Mix it up a bit. Take an extra breath when your student that has done the same thing all year and it still gets on your nerves when they do it. It will be worth it to them and to you. The priority is the student. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Life is like a straw, only you can make it suck.” – Travis Wood

What I am Watching —

The Amazing Race - Educator’s Version...

Gerry Brooks video. Need I say more?

Favorite Article This Week —

Google Forms Basics

Here are 7 steps to getting a google form made and out to your students. Any student can use them. It is all in how you put it together.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all your hard work with the dance. Jamie you need a big thank you for all you did for the dance festival. All the planning, all the work you did getting the school dance put together, all the posters, and just putting it all together. Thank you for all your hard work with music this year. Music is such an important part of the school. The arts give our students opportunities that help with academics. Jamie, Thank you. Teachers thank you for all your work getting ready for the festival. 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.

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.

And We Are Off

Teachers,

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

And We Are Off —

Our first week is almost over and we made it through. I have watched everyone as you power through our first 5 day week in years. It is so easy to start off with a 3 day week, but I have seen you push through this week and the students love being at our school. I have heard so many great things. So many students love the rotations in the upper grades. All I can say is that the students are relating to me the Passion you have in your classrooms. You are truly Pirates showing you are willing to take risks and travel to the ends of the earth for that which you value… Students. 

We will be starting Specials next week. You will need to be with your students to make sure they know how to get from one class to the next. I will open the training room for you to use if you want to meet there between your students rotating specials. Kim and I will come in and talk to your team about how you are doing and discuss interventions and extensions. I also wanted to remind you that we are starting Tech class next Tuesday. We can do hard things because we are Pirates! Arrrr.

We are off and running.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Being a reflective teacher could be your own best personal professional development." —Robert John Meehan

What I’m watching —

First Week of School Stress

Starting off with a short Gerry Brooks video. Enjoy.

Favorite Article This Week —

5 Questions to Ask Your Students To Start the School Year

A good article to start the year. Get students involved in their own learning. Get them thinking about their education. They might not have the answers right away, but it might get the seed planted.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all your preparations and work you put into your classrooms and curriculum. Thank you for building relationships with your students. Thank you for being the best teachers for the students at Dixie Sun. You deserve a huge thank you for all you do. Every one of you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

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.

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.