Roberts Middle School
Aviator Agenda: February 15-19
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A MASTER TEACHER?
At Roberts, what makes a master teacher different from the average teacher? Do they have more skills or expertise? Are their circumstances perfect? Are they endowed with exceptional natural talents? The answer is that none of these things by themselves can create a master teacher. Studies show again and again that the difference is a growth mindset. Here’s an example from the world of baseball…
Nearly forty years later, when Hank Aaron was about to break Babe Ruth’s record, author Og Mandino called the office of the Atlanta Braves and asked, “I know that Hank has 710 home runs, and needs only five more to break Ruth’s record, but I was wondering–how many lifetime strike-outs does he have?” The answer was 1,262 strike-outs. Imagine that! He was the best of the best, and still struck out almost twice as many times as he hit a home run. He believed that every strike meant that he was one step closer to a home run, exemplifying the idea of trial and error. Hank Aaron said, "failure is a part of success."
Here at Roberts, the only true failure is if you don’t try. The difference between a master teacher and the average teacher is that the master teacher keeps trying when the average teacher settles. Master teachers are continually asking for feedback. Please don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of missing opportunities in teaching when you don’t even try.
This week continue to invest in small group instruction. I realize it is always going to be a work in progress, but small group is where the magic happens. Constantly check for understanding by having all students write their answers down. Finally, our students need us to be prepared and focused on true intervention each and every day for Destination Time. Since 5th graders are taking their Mock Test this week, we can wear jeans with a Roberts shirt this Wednesday and Thursday. I have the best staff in the world and I am always proud of you.
Jorly
WHY PAY ATTENTION IN SCHOOL?
NEED SOME COMEDY RELIEF? BRIAN REGAN
February 15-19 FOCUSED WALKTHROUGHS: SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION
3 QUESTIONS THAT WILL GUIDE YOU
- It starts with us, the teacher led group in the blended model. We need to make sure that we are increasing the rigor of instruction in our small group.
What does increasing rigor look like.
- This means providing our students more of a challenging and meaningful learning environment. We want to create a small group environment where students are thinking critically and actively employing problem solving skills. We need to allow our students the opportunity to struggle in their learning.
How do you support this necessary struggle to take your student further than ever?
- This can only happen if we preplan our questions. At times, we let our students off the hook by supplying the answer too quickly. One of the tools we can implement within our small groups is to check for understanding. Understanding is best gauged through a written answer. Written responses give teachers an objective framework for understanding when to move on and when to reteach.
What will we be looking for:
- Give students the opportunity to struggle
- Preplan questions and sentence stems
- Check for understanding through writing
THE BEST VALENTINE’S DAY MESSAGE FROM OUR STUDENTS
FLIGHT ITINERARY: February 15-19
MONDAY: Presidents' Day (Jeans and Robert Shirt or Jeans and Nice Dress Shirt)
- District Wide Staff Development: History, Math, Reading, and Science
- 1:00 - 3:00 TELPAS Monitored Calibration
- 3:00 - 4:00 Faculty Meeting
TUESDAY
- Due: STAAR Shirt Orders and Money
- 10:15-11:13 5th Grade Science PLC
- 10:15-11:13 6th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 12:53-1:51 5th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 12:53-2:53 6th Grade Science PLC
- 1:55-2:53 6th Grade Reading PLC
- 1:55-2:53 5th Grade Math PLC
- 2:57-3:55 6th Grade Math PLC
- Math Academy
- Melissa Cummings’ Baby Shower
WEDNESDAY
- Math Mock STAAR: 5th Grade
THURSDAY
- Reading Mock STAAR: 5th Grade
FRIDAY (Now every Friday you can wear jeans with a Robert shirt or a college shirt)
- Hoops for Heart 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
- 2:57-3:55 5th Grade Reading PLC