Monday Minutes
October 1, 2018
1. Extended planning for grade level teachers is Tuesday, October 2. Yay! We are looking forward to planning with you. Don't forget to send us your extended planning agenda so that we can be prepared for your meetings. The exit ticket is attached at the bottom of this newsletter. All teachers who are participating in extended planning need to complete the exit ticket.
2. Conferences are next week. We know that you have been hard at work preparing for them. Please let us know if you have concerns you want to talk through prior to your conferences.
3. Trade Learning Saturday is coming up on October 6. If you are looking for some PD to earn for your personal Trade Day, be sure to check this out. You should have already received information from our professional learning department. I have attached the Trade Learning Saturday schedule at the bottom of this newsletter.
4. Just a quick reminder that teaching and learning encompasses so many different aspects. Academic instruction plays a huge role in what we do, but it is certainly not all of the instruction that happens every day. The social and emotional part of teaching and learning is equally important to academics. Keep up the good work with your community circles! They are making a difference in the lives of your students. Remember that behavior needs to be taught and students need to be given time to learn your expectations. Don't assume that they always know they are doing wrong when they make a mistake. Take the time to educate them on your expectations in a loving and respectful way.
5. Just Because. We put a little something in your box just because. Just because we appreciate you. Just because you are awesome people and educators. Just because it's Monday. Thanks for all you do! Enjoy!
Instructional Minute
1. What is the purpose of the assessment?
2. What do we want students to show us they learned?
3. How do we want students to show us what they learned?
After you have worked through those questions, consider:
1. How much do I really need students to do so that I know what they learned? Are four questions enough to tell me what they know, or do I need to give a two page test? What kinds of questions will really tell me what they know?
There are so many ways to assess students. Which way will be the best for you to know what they have learned? More importantly, which way will be the best way for your students to show you what they have learned?
Here are some question stems from Lead4Ward to get you thinking about assessment:
http://lead4ward.com/docs/resources/instructional_tools/thinkitup.pdf
http://lead4ward.com/docs/thinking_stems_onepager.pdf
Also, 3-5 teachers, if you want to see how TEKS are assessed on STAAR, take a look at this Lead4Ward resource:
You can select your content area, grade level, TEKS, years of released tests, and BAM! You can see every question that addresses that TEK. A close examination of the language used to assess learning on STAAR can help you as a teacher determine the level of vocabulary you need to be using when questioning students in class.
Upcoming Events
October 2 - Extended Planning for teachers
October 3 - Team Leader Meeting
October 5 - Vision and Hearing (K, 1st, 3rd)
October 8 - No School
October 9 - Parent Teacher Conferences
October 10 - Staff Meeting
October 12 - End of 1st nine weeks
October 17 - Principal meeting (Bryan and Wendy out AM)
October 17 - Team Leader Meeting
October 19 - Report cards go home
October 22-26 - Red Ribbon Week
October 22 - Bryan and Wendy out for training, AM
October 23 - Picture retakes
October 26 - Red Ribbon Week Assembly (3-5 8:30-9:30, K-2 9:45-10:45)
October 26 - Trunk or Treat 6:00 PM