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.

Missed Opportunities

Teachers,

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

Missed Opportunities  —

I have done a little teaching in a couple classrooms over the last couple of weeks and I recorded myself. It is hard to watch myself teach and look at all the missed opportunities. Annette Brinkman taught about missed opportunities in the classroom and how they can help us see the things we could be doing in our classroom to help students. A couple of the missed opportunities I saw in my recordings were stating and restating the Objective in my lessons. I did it in one, but not in another. I also need to Keep checking on each student to see their successes and where they need help. The little things in our lessons can turn into missed opportunities for students to learn and succeed. I have handed out a couple cell phone tripods to record yourselves teach. If you have not done so, please do and take a few minutes and set it up. No one else needs to see it. If you have questions about a missed opportunity in your video, ask Alma, myself, or Kim. We are always willing to coach and help you improve. If you would like to use a tripod to record yourself with your phone, ask and I will loan you one. Recording yourself should be used as an opportunity to see what you are doing and to find those misses opportunities that will help you be the best teacher you can be. You are an amazing family of teachers in an amazing school with the best students. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Behavior change is the only real apology.” – Mel Robbins

What I am Watching —

LEARN HOW TO FOLD A WORLD-RECORD-SETTING PAPER AIRPLANE

Just in case you wanted to know. A pretty cool math measurement experiment.

Favorite Article This Week —

We Must Maslow Before We Bloom

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Bloom's Taxonomy are important in education. Maslow must come first so we can Bloom.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you did at Literacy Night for parents and students. As I walk around I was able to see the parent lessons going well and the fun activities for students were fun. Thank you for taking the time and teaching the parents that came to the literacy night. Thank you for taking the time to help with parents. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

Teachers,

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

How Long Until I Am Finished Teaching?  —

This is a hard time of year. We are starting into testing for the older grades and the students are getting antsy because of the warm weather. Do not give up on the students. Do not let them get to you. They need everything we can give them. In my first year of teaching I learned that we stop teaching students once the end of year test is given and start doing activities to make it until the end of the year. They did not tell me this specifically, but through conversations, I learned this. So my first year went in that way. End of year testing, then activities. It was when I sat down with my principal a couple years later that we started to discuss the end of the year. So when is the last day we stop teaching students? Are there days we should not teach students and just put on a movie or take up a day by just having an activity or game day? We should be teaching every day when the students. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, there should be learning going on. We can’t give up the precious time we have with our students. We give tests all year long. We have the expectation that they will take the tests and that they will see the results so we all know what we need to work on next. The end of the year should be the same. Give the data to the students when we have it and show them what they need to work on. We have so much to get through. Use the time we have throughout the year until the last day we can teach and provide learning activities for students. I understand the last week of school is tough. Provide learning activities that students can learn from. Putting them on a computer at letting them go is not learning. Accountability should be held for each activity.

Quote I’m pondering —

When You allow the environment to control your psychology, you are not going to win.” – Tony Robbins

What I am ReWatching —

Simon Sinek - Start With Why

I taught a little this week in one of the classrooms and the one thing I could have done a lot better was to start with the why. Why do students need this? And it needs to be a great answer, not something they do not really believe they need.

Favorite Article This Week —

Research shows detrimental effects of laptop use in classrooms

How do we use our laptops in the classroom? This is an interesting article about things we need to be careful of. Tech is great, but not the end-all-be-all.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Jana, for all you do. Every Club day, Jana waits at the end of the hall to make sure her students are with her and ready to go before she takes them out to the Library. Every club day she stands at the corner and reminds students to walk and helps them if they need help. Every day Jana walks around the Big Toy on the playground during lunch to make sure all students are safe. Everyday Jana takes care of the library and makes sure everything is running as smoothly as it can. Thank you, Jana, for all you do for our students. Thank you, Jana, for all you do for the school. Thank you for all you do Thank you.

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

Oops, Your Reflection is Showing

Teachers,

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

Oops, Your Reflection is Showing  —

One of the other topics Trisha talked about in our training was reflection in the classroom. One suggestion she gave to us is to have teachers reflect own their individual classroom engagement. What is the best way to do this? Video. Don’t freak out. Let me explain. She mentioned that each of the teachers in our present day has a video camera with them every day. It is your phone. All teachers need to do is set it up and video them teaching. No one else in the world needs to see it. No one else needs to hear it. But just watching ourselves will not give us the information we need to make us better teachers. We need to watch with intent to learn. No one else needs to see it…ever. So this is my suggestion. I purchased some wonderful tripods that hold phones. I also have a paper that goes with the tripod for reflection on the video. All a teacher needs to do is set it up in a corner of the room to video the class during a whole group lesson. I would even suggest putting gate camera in a couple different places over a couple days to get good data to reflect on. Then the teacher watched 15 minutes of the video (or a couple videos) and collect information on the paper. Look for opportunities to respond for students. The teacher asks questions and  during the reflection tallies each time a student responds. If the whole class responds with whiteboards or thumbs or chorally, a C is entered for whole class. Then the teacher looks for positive or corrective interactions. Positive interactions are comments or actions with students that are doing what they need to be doing. Corrective interactions are getting students back on task with a positive or firm correction. The last is how many distractions are there that take the instruction off course. From this information collected, a teacher can reflect on how students are reacting and acting when the teacher is teaching. If coaching is needed or wanted, the teacher contacts Alma, Glen, or Kim and we support, offer strategies or resources, and coach the teacher to increase student success in the classroom. This is an optional strategy to help teachers see what we just can’t always see. If the teacher is perfect, this will only show that in the video. If they are not, it gives them an opportunity to get better at teaching and increasing the success in the classroom. I thought back at how many times I had myself videotaped and the reflection process I went through with my coach. This is an opportunity to collect data on how students work in the classroom. If you are interested, please let me know and without question I will hand a tripod and reflection paper to you and will even take a few minutes to explain the paper to you. Make peace with reflection.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Whatever you’re doing, don’t give a voice to things you’re not able to change.” – Vince Vaughn

What I’m Watching —

This Is Water

This video was shown to the Tech Endorsement class on Tuesday by Tony. David Foster Wallace gave a commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. These are a few excerpts from it.

Favorite Article This Week —

Teaching Adding Decimals:What If You Gave The Answer First

A blog article about teaching decimals with an interesting idea that goes against how we were taught to teach. How do we scaffold to help students understand. This is a lesson that provides the scaffolding to get students thinking.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Kindergarten for all the opportunities you take to learn more. Thank you for being positive about teaching when you have half the time to teach your students. Only being able to teach each class twice a week is not an easy prospect when you have so many Standards to teach. Thank you for taking the time and asking the hard questions to make sure you understand what is expected. Thank you for taking care of our little ones and creating a great introduction to Dual Immersion learning at our school. Thank you for your time and efforts. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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.

Happy Holidays

Teachers,

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

Happy Holidays  —

Have a wonderful couple weeks of time with your family. It has been a busy year so far. The wonderful thing is that I am seeing changes in students and from what many of you are saying, the changes are starting to pay off. I get a snippet from students during lunch about what they are learning and many of the answers they give are positive. Students love you. You are all amazing teachers. Have a wonderful break. You deserve it.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Don't try to be perfect; Just be an excellent example of a human being.”

— Anthony Robbins

What I’m Watching —

Howe to Make Learning a Game

The author of “Ditch that Textbook” is having a free summit for educators. This is one of the online presentations. The Summit goes all this week and is available online until the 31st. Just thought I would offer a little online PD for you, if you want to do a little learning during your break. 

Favorite Article This Week —

Eating an Elephant

One bite at a time. A few words from Dave Burgess about eating an elephant.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you have done this year. There has been a few changes that have been hard to adjust to and the testing we have done has given us a lot of data to look at. You have taken these changes and made them work. You are amazing teachers. You deserve all the thanks I can give. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

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

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.

Your Passion is Showing Through

Teachers,

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

Your Passion is Showing Through—

I am tired. If I am tired, I am sure you are also. All the work you put into your classrooms. All the work you put into your lessons. All your preparation. All you do for the students each day is amazing. Thank you for all your hard work. The scheduling this year has been a little different and I hope it is working well. As we go through the year, please let me know your thoughts on scheduling and how it is working. We want to make everything as smooth as possible for you and the students. It has been wonderful going to your PLC’s and hearing how everything is going. Kim mentioned that it has been a smooth first couple weeks. Your Passion is showing through. 

Monday is our first teacher training. We will be looking at information from last year and see where we need to concentrate this year. Jennifer Throndson will be coming to see what we find and how she can set up the Professional Development her and Sara Weibke will be providing this year. We will be talking a little Sage, Dibels and DRA. We will be starting at 12:30. We will be in the science lab.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Wild animals run from the dangers they actually see, and once they have escaped them worry no more. We however are tormented alike by what is past and what is to come. A number of our blessings do us harm, for memory brings back the agony of fear while foresight brings it on prematurely. No one confines his unhappiness to the present.” – Seneca

What I’m watching —

Kurt Vonnegut on the Shapes of Stories

I watched this video years ago and used it in my classroom as I read stories to my students. I found that it was a great way to show the rise and fall of a characters attitude, happiness, cause and effect of the story, and what leads up to and after a problem. 4 and half minutes of story graphing.  

Favorite Article This Week —

Why It’s Imperative Educators Resist The Lure Of The Single Story

This was a good article reminding me that we need to fight against assumptions about our students. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers. This new schedule is a new way of thinking. A new way of managing your schedule. You have each taken the schedule and idea and made it your own. Thank you for working with this idea. Thank you for working with it so it benefits the students. Thank you for making a change that is not comfortable. Thank you for your willingness to take a risk. Thank you for being a pirate. Thank you for all you do.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

What’cha Doing This Summer?

Teachers,

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

What’cha Doing This Summer? —

When Kim pitched to me the idea of starting a book study of Harry Wong and Annette Brinkman this summer, I thought it was a great idea. Having a group of educators get together and discuss, model, and learn together about how we can help students better is always a great plan. If you have a chance, come and enjoy the great discussions we will have. We will post the days on the DSES Staff Information Calendar on your Google Calendar.

I also want to mention Twitter again. After you sign up for Twitter take a minute and search for some hashtags. Read or participate in a couple chats during the summer. They are about an hour long, but you don’t have to participate or even be there when it happens. You can read any chat that happened by searching the hashtag and reading through the tweets. The #tlap and read some of the tweets that are there. If you search for the #tlap hashtag on Monday nights at 7pm. you can read or participate as creative teachers from around the country discuss topics about improving professional practice. Another chat is #edchat that you can search or read and participate on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. If you are also interested in learning more about using tech in the classroom and how other educators use tech in their classes, Mondays at 6pm is #edtechchat. My favorite chat is one that I just found called #EduGladiators on Saturday mornings at 9:30am. Spend the hour or a few minutes reading some of the tweets and learn see what is happening around the country in education. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Don’t buy complexity; the simpler you make your training, the better the results become.”

– Ryan Flaherty

What I’m watching —

Year End Gifts

I have to get in at least one more Gerry Brooks video before the end of the year.

Favorite Article This Week —

Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn

Just in case you hear me talking to myself you will know why.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Teachers. We have finished up SAGE and the scores look good. The scores are better than last year and the students are improving. This is all in part of every grade in the school. The 3rd grade scores reflect everything that has been done with the students from Preschool to 3rd grade. The scores in 4th and 5th grade show the work done with each student from time they started at our school until they test. Overall the scores have made good improvement. I can’t wait to see  the final scores after all is said and done. Thank you teachers for all you do with the students. Thank you specialists, paras, and aides. You are also a huge part in each student making improvements each and every year. Thank you everyone for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have 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.

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.

Stakeholder Input

Teachers,

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

Stakeholder Input—

Stakeholder input is always interesting to gather. Everyone wants a say and they all deserve to be given a chance to say what they feel. Sometime we don’t know how someone is feeling unless we ask and give them a chance to share, especially when it is anonymous. I remember having students reflect on their school year and having some of the most interesting comments about what they thought was the best and what was the worst. Most of the worst comment had to do with being disciplined or having to accept consequences for their actions. Being in trouble does not feel good. But the comments that they felt they were not listened to, or that they felt picked on were heartbreaking for me. I heard about a team that surveyed their students often asking how things were going throughout the year to make sure they were not missing something. They also asked parents the same questions about their students. The team always had the students complete their surveys anonymously and as a whole grade level so they got group information. This did not single out one teacher, but made it a team effort. The hardest thing for me was hearing that I was terrible and they hated the class. That only happened once in a while, but it was hard to hear. But if we dismissed the comments we do not like we are not being fair to that student. Each student has a right to their opinion. The only way we get better is to understand from those we work with what we need to change and how we can make it better. Not everyone will get what they want. We need to keep to the plan we have and be true to our personal goals,  ideals, programs, and what we know is right. But if we truly reflect on what we are doing and look at the input from those around us, we can be the best we can truly be. I appreciate your comments on my survey. It helps me see what I need to refine to do a better job.

Quote I’m pondering —

“I can’t tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” ― Ed Sheeran

What I’m watching —

Believe in Your Maths Potential – Set Yourself Free

This is my favorite Maths teacher. Jo Boaler is a leader in the math revolution going on. Not much of a revolution of math, but a revolution of learning and teaching math. Believe in your math potential.

Favorite Article This Week —

Science Says Kids Learn Better When Their Teachers Do This

What is something we can do in our classrooms that only takes five minutes each hour? Oh, and many of you do it already. That's right, read the short article.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Dave. You seem to be in the middle of everything helping out and making sure students and parents and whoever is in the right places and getting the best experience possible. You are also the one that is first to either volunteer or be nominated, without complaining, to wear a costume, ride a bike, or do whatever is needed. Thank you for sharing your talents with the students and all of us. Thank you for all you do for our school. Thank you for your personality. Thank you for all you do for students. You make life at Dixie Sun a fun life. Thank you. 

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Especially all you did for the dance festival. All the work you put into the dances for your students. It is these activities students will be talking about for years. It has been an amazing year. The Dancing was so much fun. Thank you all for your hard work. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.

It’s a New Year

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

It’s a New Year —
Each day brings many opportunities for us to see what we need to do to be a better person. We should be encouraging ourselves and others to be better. Becoming a better person is what making resolutions is all about. What can we do to better those around us and ourselves? Traditionally we put together a few resolutions to get the year started off right and within a few days or weeks or even months, the resolution becomes part of the history of our lives. Something we look back upon that just brings us to the realization that we are who we are and there is no changing our habits and patterns.

We just need to set goals that will help us in our lives. Resolutions get broken. Goals are achieved. We need to set goals. We all have a few goals that we want to help us do better in our daily life whether it be exercise, eat better, stop a bad habit, or start a good habit.

I listened to Hyrum Smith, of Franklin planners, a few years ago give a talk about how to manage finances. He pulled out picture of what he called the spending matrix. He also uses it for time management. He told me he uses it for many decisions he makes. I have started doing the same with many of my decisions.

Draw four boxes on your paper. Label above the two top boxes, Urgent and Not Urgent. Next to the left side of the boxes label them Important and Not Important.
Urgent/Important= Crisis, deadlines, pressing problems=Needs.
Not Urgent/Important=Prevention, Values, planning relationships=Needs.
Urgent/Not Important=Meetings, activities, some pressing matters=Have to do.
Not Urgent/Not Important=Trivial, Time Wasters, “Escape” activities=Wants.

We will work from left to right, top to bottom and write in all the resolutions on your list into the proper boxes. What have you written in what boxes? Are there things that you think are urgent to change or improve?

Life gets itself made up one way or another. We should set goals that will help our lives get made up the way we want it to be, not to have it made up for us. I will encourage you to use the matrix if defining the urgent/important things in your life. Concentrate on the top two boxes. Those are the most important resolutions. Place your creation somewhere you will see it. most of all, write some goals.




Quote I’m pondering —
“What people need to keep their morale up to par is the ability to throw away their dime store glasses and begin looking through life with the long lenses of eternity. We need to acquire the power to live beyond the “terminals of the day’s happenings” and in the words of Emerson, “to hear what the centuries say, not merely the days and the hours.”
― John Miller

What I’m watching —
Mapping out the Shape of a Story
Graphing out a story based on what you are learning in class. Fun. Exciting. Mathematical. Amazing. Try it.

Favorite Article This Week —
So You want to do Mystery Skype
Mystery Skype is a lot of fun. If you just want to do it with Kim or I am sure we can work it out. There are a lot of classrooms and people around the globe that will do it also. I love technology.

A Big Thank You —
Thank you Kim. I have learned a lot about being an administrator, but especially being an administrator of a school that in not your run-of-the-mill-traditional-classroom school. Dual Immersion is tough. It has schedules that can be nightmares for administration, and two different language and need to be one for team teachers. I have learned about budgets and meetings, and working with parents and families, and taking care of families in need, and so much more. Thank you for taking me in and letting me learn. I love being here. Thank you Kim. Thank you for working with me. Thank you.

I appreciate every one of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful New Year.

PBIS Being Resourceful Video

This is our third installment this year of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Video series for Dixie Sun. In this video we discuss Being Resourceful and how it can help us at school. Being resourceful can be difficult to explain. We discuss Mindset in this video. A few things we discuss are;

• Being Resourceful is to find a different way to do something challenging
• New ways to solve problems
• Change the way you think about things
• Brains are made up of Neurons
• Learning grows our brains
• When you make mistakes and learn from it your brain grows
• Mindset research
• Challenge yourself
• Push through problems
• You can do anything you put your mind to

In the Beginning

Teachers,
Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday, even though it is a long weekend

In the Beginning —
I remember my first year as a teacher and it was crazy. I was finishing my student teaching at Woodward 6th Grade center and I got a call from Mr. Fawson, the principal at Santa Clara Elementary. He wanted me to take a position in Fourth Grade at his school because a teacher quit the day before. It was Friday. School started on Monday (we were on year-round tracks). He worked it out with HR and SUU to finish my student teaching with him for a week.

So I went to Santa Clara to start putting together my class and a plan for the next week. I spent Friday night, All Saturday, and part of Sunday night decorating and planning out my first week. I went to a couple of teachers to ask for help and they kinda brushed me off. One handed my some spelling words and told me where I could find the math books. Other than that, I had what I had put together in my student teaching in sixth grade and fifth grade. I read through the core I had from one of the classes I took and put together some get-to-know-you activities, some fun activities with social studies, I found a book I loved reading so I could read to the students, put together a few days worth of math lessons from the books I had, and planned a couple writing activities to start a little journaling. That would get me to Wednesday. 

The first day went well after Mr. Fawson explained what was happening with the retiring teacher and I taking his place. The week went well… until a teacher needed to take my spot because a school in town did not have the numbers and needed to go to another school. So by Friday I was finished with my student teaching, but I was out. That was tough on me and my students. I still see some of them and they remember our one week together. So I went home and on Monday started applying in other parts of the state.

On the Friday of the second week I got a call from Mr. Wilkey, principal at Dixie Downs. A fourth grade teacher decided after three weeks of teaching and three weeks off, that she did not want to come back and had found another job up north. So I met with Mr. Wilkey on Friday afternoon and school started on Monday (year-round tracks). So I started putting together my class and a plan for the next week. I spent Friday night, All Saturday, and part of Sunday night decorating and planning out my first week. I went to a couple of teachers to ask for help and they told me not to mess with the things in their room and showed me the cabinet I had to store everything I owned in. I was the roving teacher. So I read through the core again and put together some get-to-know-you activities, more fun activities with social studies, I found that book I loved reading so I could read to the students, put together a few days worth of math lessons, and planned a couple writing activities to start a little journaling. That would get me to Wednesday. Needless to say it went well. I must have broke the mold or was so terrible that Mr. Wilkey left to become the elementary superintendent before the year was over. I had the class that was a councilors bread and butter. 

It seemed every week Mr. Wilkey or Mr. Carr would come see me about someone else in my class that needed a little extra or had a special situation I needed to be aware of. This happened the whole year, or at least until Mr. Wilkey left. I have to say that I see some of those students now and I love talking with them. They remember me and we talk about some of the things we did. I felt I was making everything up on the fly. I had little help from my team, but I loved spending time with my class. We put together centers so I could meet with a small groups of students because their needs were so great. I found my calling. Teaching. It is the greatest feeling gin the world to know that we are helping and guiding amazing minds through this life. As I ponder my first year, I remember how hard it was for me and yet how wonder it was. What was your first year like? Some of you are in the middle of your first year, this too shall pass and I hope you love every moment of it. Cherish the times with your students. You are the one that they will be talking about for years.

Quote I’m pondering —
Another Calvin and Hobbes cartoon because it is Calvin and Hobbes. Do you need another reason?
http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1990/06/10

What I’m watching —
Midieval Help Desk
This one show that we have always needed help with something. Enjoy.

Favorite Website This Week —
I have a couple fun science learning sites this week. I understand there is not a lot of time, and that Shelly does a great job, but some of these are interesting when you are discussing topics you are reading about in your informational text. hint.fm/wind Wind map is fun to see wind direction, speed, and where the storms might be. earthquake.usgs.gov USGS is always a fun one for earthquakes. It shows where, depth, and how big. Learning about sharks? ocearch.com This site tracks sharks and their swimming areas. I am a sucker for science websites. So interesting for any age.

A Big Thank You —
Thank you for all you do. I appreciate Elizabeth and Paul for sending classroom responsibility information from the video. I will be using it in our next video installment. I truly love working with all of you. I love coming to work everyday to see what is next and to see our wonderful students. I appreciate all of you. You make me want to come to work. Yes, I might come around and make a video about this. Have you done your video yet from last weeks 5-points?

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

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

PBIS Responsibility Video

This our first installment this year of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Video series for Dixie Sun. In this video We discuss Being Responsible and how it can help us at school. A few things we discuss are;

• Being to school on time
• Right Place, Right Time
• Wear your Uniform each day
• Look Good in your uniform
• Get your work done in class, on time
• Grow your brain