Saturday Scoop
For Information and Inspiration
This is from before the break. We will get the new one out next week.
Our Collective Work
Consistent Curriculum Implementation In All Classrooms
Meaningful Feedback to Students and Teachers
Social Emotional Learning
Weekly Message
I hope your break left you rested and relaxed. I know that I had a great time just hanging out at home with my kids. Connor came home from college and we all did a 1000 piece puzzle together. What a weird, but meditative way to spend 3 days! I was impressed with myself because generally I'm the type of person who can't sit still, but we actually persevered until we finished. I hope that whatever you got up to over the break, it recharged your batteries.
Because I can't sit still, I spent a lot of time walking my dog and listening to podcasts about reorganizing and refreshing your space in the new year. Some of the best tips I got were:
- simplify and minimize: if you haven't used it all year, you don't need it
- when you're creating a filing system, make the broadest categories possible then throw things in the files with newest items in front.
- create an end of day routine that includes clearing up your space. Set a timer for five minutes and stop when it's done. You'll be surprised how much these small investments repeated over time will make you more productive.
I hope these tips can help you too as you head back in January.
Finally, many of you know that Erica and Nate will begin their student teaching following the break. You will see Erica around the building as she will be working in Amy Bartizal's classroom. Nate will be gone doing a PE rotation at Brown Middle School, but then he will return and work with Mary Towell. I know you will help them grow professionally and give them ideas as they take on these new roles in the building. We will shortly welcome some new members of the staff who will be replacing them. I was lucky enough to conduct interviews over the break and I hope to be able to announce our new staff members soon.
Warm regards,
Jennifer
Math Lesson Study Round 2
- Gus will be here to do round 2 of our math PD on January 14th and 15th. This time middle school will not do a lesson study. Instead, they are working to get a site visit for you to see a workshop in action at another school. I will keep you updated as that goes forward. For K-5, here is the schedule for the day. Can you please check it over to make sure that:
- the times work for your schedule (I'm not missing plan time or lunch for example)
- the classrooms are ok (I changed from last lesson study)
- please note that all pre- and post- lesson debriefs will take place in the empty portable
Sub Release Time
- plan your next unit with read alouds and anchor charts
- look over the progressions and develop a plan for moving up readers
- develop a conferring toolkit
- Amy will have tons of ideas and can tailor the day to your needs!
Once you have met with Amy, please fill in this google doc. I will pop in to visit your teams on their scheduled day so that I can learn alongside you.
School-wide Expectations Refresher
- locations: restroom, cafeteria, recess, etc.
- processes and procedures in the classroom
- interpersonal skills like sharing, being a friend, etc.
Reach out to Juliet if you'd like help thinking about processes and procedures that might be helpful in the classroom or SEL lessons that might help as students transition back to school.
As I was thinking about this article, I remembered a really helpful resource, PBIS World, that can help you troubleshoot when students are exhibiting specific behaviors. It has charts, data collection tools and other helpful resources organized by behavior type. Take some time to check it out!
Action Items All in One Place
- plan a sub release time with Amy Tipelin and fill in this google doc
- prepare sub plans for our next math lesson study. Here's the schedule