Tiger Beat
Acton Weekly Update 9/21/18
FTCSC Hedgehog Focus
The Hedgehog Concept is based on an ancient Greek parable that states, "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ... Hedgehogs, however, simplify the world and focus on a single, overarching vision, which they then achieve.
Curriculum and Instruction
- With the implementation of our Daily 5 and CFA's as we do walk-through's the following items are things that I'm looking for as I walk around classrooms: Stamina Charts, I-Charts, ABC Tracing Cards- Kindergarten, Essential Questions, Individual Student Book Sets.
Below is the link to the power point that Toni and Lynlie shared with each building at the end of May. All curriculum maps/ pacing guides are in the google team drive:
k-2 pacing/planning guides
3-5 pacing/planning guides
Nothing has been removed from the T-drive, but all updates will be
on the google team drive. We are not updating anything on the T-drive.
Literacy Framework Roadshow Presentation
On TUESDAY September 25th, Nadine will be here during our collaboration time to go over the Google Classroom Features. She will then be meeting with each grade level of teachers for one hour throughout the day. Please review the schedule and coverage below and plan accordingly. Thanks
September 25th Google Classroom Features
7:45-8:35 Collaboration Meeting- Certified Staff with Nadine
TimeTeamTeacher/ CoverageTeacher/ CoverageTeacher/ Coverage
9:00-10;00KindergartenFroning/CalvertEmerine/StevensMcMaster/Sutton
10:00-11:00FirstGilkerson/CalvertElliott/StevensMiller/Sutton
11:00-12:00SecondKrug/CalvertParsons/StevensBrooks/Sutton
12:15-1:15FifthNeifert/ CalvertLeal/ StevensScott/Sutton
1:15-1:45Lunch
1:45-2:45ThirdMilholland/CalvertSimmons/StevensJewell/Sutton
2:45-3:45FourthBeechler/CalvertReynolds/StevensRigsby/Sutton
All Lunch Duties will be covered by: Waskom, RA, Matters, SpEd IA's , Adams
Coach's Corner
The first new strategy for this week is the need to provide multiple exposures. Hattie says that students must be given time to practice the things they've learned to do. The big piece of information on this comes from Marzano. His research shows that acquisition doubled when explicit instruction occurred each time a skill was taught. This means a lot for us when we break down a standard into its individual skills. Teaching and reteaching these learning progressions will help students be able to apply the grander standard in the future.
The second strategy for this week is for us to get our students to apply their knowledge. Seems like a no-brainer, however, the key is this: research shows there is a large impact on student learning when they use their newly learned material to solve problems. Be careful though, Hattie has shown that using a problem to stimulate discovery has a negative effect.
Counseling Corner
Thank you for introducing parts of the Brain Smart Start at Acton.
The expectation is to fully switch from Morning Meeting to Brain Smart Start by the end of October. The entire routine should be less than 10 minutes. I have added approx. times.
The 4 Components to start adding:
1. Incorporate a daily opening Unite song or chant (resources coming soon) (2 min.)
2. Incorporate the 4 Calming strategies and have the poster displayed in your calm down area.
(1 minute)
Post a Morning Greeting poster outside your door (One that works for you or I can provide one like the picture below).
3. Incorporate a daily Connect activity (Many of the ideas in your Morning Meeting books are Connect ideas). (3-5 min.)
4. Incorporate a daily Commitment (Below is an example from Mrs. Brook's room she used all week). I would start with the commitment of keeping the school safe for the first week you introduce it. (1 min.)
The counselors are in the process of compiling lists of ideas for each component.
I will also share more ideas at morning PDs.
Please see me with any questions. I wish you well.
PBIS
Weekly PBIS Focus Expectations:
Sept. 24th Week 9 Friendship Week/ Bullying
Housekeeping
This week we began our PD on Diversity Awareness. All Certified Staff watched the video on Tuesday and most classified watched on Wednesday. If you were not available to watch the video, please follow the link below and log in using the safe schools log in you were provided by HR at the beginning of the school year.
Go to:
Extra Training
Human Resources
Diversity Awareness: Staff to Staff
Parent Teacher Conferences Coming Soon!
October 10th 3:30-7:00pm
October 11th 4:00-7:30pm
Getting Started:
Go to www.PTCFast.com
School Name Acton Elementary School
Ticket # 1314GB
Passcode C3ND4B
Semester Fall 2018
Please refer to previous email for explicit directions.
Please have all first quarter grades posted by October 5th at noon. Send Sarah and I an email that your TEAM is complete and we will print report cards for you.
FTCSC 18/19 Technology Goals
1. By October 12, 2018, all elementary teachers will create a Google Classroom. Teachers will send their classroom code to their administrator.
2. By February 1, 2019, general education teachers will use Google Classroom in any subject 1x/week. By February 1, 2019, related arts teachers, resource teachers, and EL teachers will use Google Classroom 1x/month.
Please send me the access code to your Google Classroom in the link below.
Click on the link "Google Classroom" Link below
Ohana Calandar
Monday 9/24/18
9/24-9/28*Anti Bullying week -DATE CHANGE
9/24- Art To Remember Begins
9/24 Dr. Stevenson Building Walk Through
9/24/18 Miracle Mile for 5th grade @5:00
9/25/18 Nadine Tech Training- coverage provided (See schedule sent out via email)
9/25/18 Chicago's Pizza Red Line Fundraiser Night
- 9/26/18 CFA Cohort #2 Work Day with Larry Ainsworth
Thursday 9/27/18
9/27/18 PBIS Team Meeting
9/27/18 FC Homecoming Parade
Friday 9/28/18
- 9/28/18 Waterford Training (info- coming soon)
Coming Up Before You Know It:
10/1/18 Q1 Grading Window Opens
10/2/18 PTO Meeting @6:30
10/3/18 Emergency Drills @10:00 AM
10/5/18 End of Quarter 1
10/5/18 Vision Screenings
10/8/18 PBIS Assembly @3:00
10/10/18 Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:00
10/10/18 Chick Fil A Fundraiser Day
10/11/18 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:30
10/12/18 Q1 Grading Window Closes
10/15/18 Fall Break
During Fall Break the Terrazzo floors will be under construction- maintained and cleaned by a contractor. Some areas of the building may have to be off limits.