Zitzman 411: Game On
Week Of Jan. 28th
What's Happening This Week:
Tuesday: No PLCs. *Staff out for PDC Conference. Mrs. Day substitute principal.
Wednesday:
Thursday: Grade Window Opens.
Friday: Lego League Jr Club @ 7:45am.
PBL to try:
These exercises are inspired by the government shutdown. Not so much the politics of it all, but more the staring contest that is being held between the top members of our federal government. Therefore, it centers around the art of compromise. The exercise starts with students thinking about how compromise can help in small conflicts between individuals and groups at school... of course, the same skills that work here can work throughout life (even, one would assume, at the high levels of government).
Here's the link: http://pblproject.com/page.aspx?pageid=PBL-ww-Compromise
OR
(This is right up 4th Grades ally - MENLEY!) Or, if you'd like to get a bit more philosophical, I wrote an abstract question years ago for Forces & Motion, but it fits here. An abstract question doesn't have a simple answer, but forces students to think a bit deeper. This one asks what would happen "when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object". If a student can answer that, he or she might have the answer to the government shutdown!
Here's the link: https://app.pblproject.com/students/public?id=26612
Even though these seem like BIG questions...I truly believe that some of our smallest minds may come up with the simplest answers. These topics are meant to spark a passion or ignite creativity in our students while finding a connection with the 'real world'. I don't expect these to be put into lesson plans but maybe use as a resource in or 5-10 minute 'genius hour' or a casual conversation in a class meeting... I mean the idea of COMPROMISE could easily fall into a conversation around the 7 habits :)
LIM Weekly
Positive Points....
- Complete your 1 Zitzman Chief Leadership Award for the month of January. Remember these are students will be recognized at our Leadership Rally on February 6th.
- 489 contacts with parents this week through Dojo.
- 93% positive Dojo points this week.
- 17 families attended our first Literacy & Learning with Technology Event.
Counselor's Corner
4th week of month - 2nd, 3rd, & 5th
Beginning academic unit and continuing mindfulness/self-control
Possible Retention letters will be sent home on 1/31/19.
Attendance sign-ups will continue each morning.
Groups have begun - a schedule will be sent to you or placed in your mailbox this week if you have students in a group.
Please see me if you have any questions.
Library News
The upper grades are focusing on research skills, the resource we are currently using is World Book Online, this source can be accessed from Clever. 4th and 5th grade students are working on informational writing pieces about famous African Americans for Black History Month. These will be displayed for Writing On The Wall. 3rd grade students are being introduced to World Book, they are working with partners to research facts about famous African Americans.
KDG, 1st, and 2nd are working on finishing our Show Me Reader picture books, we are reading the *penultimate Show Me book, The Quickest Kid In Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller. In addition toQuickest Kid, the students have also enjoyed learning about famous African American jazz musicians in This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt. During checkout, students listen to soft jazz music.
Professional Development
If you are interested in meeting for additional collaboration for reading interventions and/or writer's workshop from 4-5 PM, please send me an email of the dates that interest you.
K-2 Writer's Workshop with Barb Savin
(first Tuesday of each month)
February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7
Grades 3-5 Writer's Workshop with Barb Savin
(second Tuesday of each month)
February 12, March 12, April 9
Reading Interventions with Tina Erickson and Barb Savin
(third Tuesday of each month)
January 22 - Bring current reading interventions and discuss next steps, February 19, March 19, April 16.