Cool Cats Update
Sunset Valley Elementary
October 31, 2016
Bobcat Gatherings & Committee Meetings
11/3 - Bobcat Gathering - Analyzing Student Work
11/7 - CEIC meeting at 4:00 pm
11/10 - Bobcat Gathering - GT Overview & Differentiation Strategies
11/15 - PTA Executive Board meeting @ 5:30 pm
11/17 - Bobcat Gathering
The Principal's Den- from One Cool Cat to Another
Is it really November? CRAZY but true! Let's celebrate the eleventh month by having some EXTRA JEAN DAYS!!!! Feel free to wear jeans on the following days!
November 1 & 2
November 7
November 9
November 14 - Jeans (Red, White & Blue)
November 15 - 18 Yes....that's a full week of jeans. :)
We have had so many fun and exciting events these past couple of weeks. Our assemblies, pep rallys, PTA celebrations & special treats have all been so much fun for our students. We were scheduled to have our extra planning & the Bobcat Bucks party this coming week but many teachers have asked for that time back with their students in the classroom. So, at this time we are going to cancel the extra planning and reschedule the Bobcat Bucks party so that everyone has the extra time with students in the classroom.
Cory will be on campus on November 3rd at our around 9:30 am. He and I will be in and out of classrooms. My focus when we are in your rooms will be in the following areas:
- What is the level of teachers’ preparedness?
- Are students listening or doing?
- Are teachers actively monitoring student performance?
- Are teachers teaching from their desk or with students?
- Are teachers making the most out of every minute they have with the kids?
Please review the hallway expectations with your students. We love it when see our ALL students following these expectations anytime they are in the hallways.
- P - Triple S Line
- R - Stop at intersections/Walk to the right on the white
- I - Get to destination promptly/One stair step at a time/Hand on hand rail
- D - Voice level 0-1
- E - Encourage safety with hands and feet
Analyzing Student Work Protocol
We have not had any time to discuss your common assessments together. I have a protocol that I would like us to follow beginning immediately that will help guide you with your instruction. This protocol can be used with grade level common assignments, the performance tasks, and common assessments. The basic directions for Analyzing Student Work (ASW) is as follows:
SELECT & DESCRIBE
- Select your assessment or assignment to analyze
- Grade or score your assessment/assignment
- What are the criteria you are looking for?
- Or, what does the rubric look like?
DESCRIBE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT & SORT
- Sort all assignments into the four levels based on your criteria. (Note, this may be different than the actual letter grade/score, dependent on how you set it up).
- Select representative samples (one sample assessment/assignment that best represents that level)
DESCRIBE THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH LEVEL & IDENTIFY AND/OR CLARIFY LEARNING NEEDS
- Identify learning needs for each level and describe
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
- Determine what differentiation strategies (remediation and enrichment) need to occur for each group of students at each level.
On Thursday, November 3 at our Bobcat Gathering I want you to bring a set of GRADED papers to the meeting. As a team, you can choose the subject you want to focus on. For K-4 teachers, it will be best to bring the same assignment or assessment. You will need to know in advance what TEKS the assignment/assessment covers as well. I have attached a copy of the ASW protocol as well as an example of one to email that has this newsletter link. Fine Arts teachers, you will each choose one grade level to work with.
Common Assessments
We have district common assessments that are to be given in 2nd – 6th grade this 6 weeks. Here are the details:
What is being tested?
- 2nd Math (this is read aloud to students for 2nd and 3rd 6 weeks)
- 3rd Math
- 4th Revising/Editing and Reading
- 5th Science, Social Studies (1 - 7th grade Math ordered)
- 6th Reading
- Tests are 10-18 questions
Testing booklets – These are already printed and I will have them ready to go for you.
Answer documents – I will print these and have them ready for you. Teachers will scan them into Aware (I’ll help you set this up)
Grades – Yes, these are going to be a summative assessment grade
Accommodations – follow 504/IEP testing accommodations in classroom. No small groups will be pulled
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
October Dates to Remember
October 31 - Storybook Character Parade- dress up as your favorite storybook character. (No scary costumes or masks, please)
October 31 - November 4 - Mock Election
November Dates to Remember
- 11/1 - PTA Meeting 5:30 pm
- 11/3 - Cory Wilson will visit - walkthroughs
- 11/8 - ELECTION DAY
- 11/9 - Watch Dog Dad Kick-off @ 6:00 pm
- 11/9 - Principles in Action book study @ 3:30 (if interested, sign up in Eduphoria)
11/10 - End of 2nd 6 weeks
11/10 - Spelling Bee Qualifying Round
11/11 - District PD Day (no school for students)
11/14 - Veteran's Day assembly @ 8:15 am
11/14 - Keller ISD Community Ambassador's Program @ 6:00 pm
11/17-11/8 - Vision & Hearing Screening for Kinder, 1st, 3rd, 5th & any new KISD students
11/18 - 2nd six weeks PRIDE Rally
11/21 - 11/25 - Thanksgiving Break
November 11 PD - planning ahead
K-4 teachers, you will have most of the day to plan together with your team. 5-6 teachers, you will be able to plan with other content teachers from other campuses. You will have to sign in at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day so you will not have the option to return to Sunset Valley.
You are scheduled to be in a unit overview until 10:00 am. You will have an hour lunch from 11:30 - 12:30 and then you will plan for the rest of the day.
"Principles in Action" Book Study
Please let me know if you have signed up for this course.
Keller ISD principals began a book study this week. We are reading the book, "Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success to All" NCTM has undertaken a major initiative to define and describe the principles and actions, including specific teaching practices, that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students. Our learning coach, Ashlee Smith, has offered to facilitate a book study with all of us too! Anyone is welcome to participate! We are planning to meet four times to discuss the book and share ideas. If you are interested, please sign up in Eduphoria on the following dates:
Nov. 9 - Course ID 27936
Jan. 11 - Course ID 27937
Mar. 1 - Course ID 27938
May 3 - Course ID 27939
We will also be reflecting on our new learning through Twitter and/or Google.
Where in the World are Anna & Kristen?
- Anna will be off campus on Monday, Oct. 31 for ICLE
- Kristen will be off campus on November 1-2 for CPI training.
- Anna will be off on Friday, Nov. 4th
- Kristen will be at a Principal's meeting on Nov. 9th
- Anna will be off campus on Nov 10-11 for CPI training
- Kristen will be off on Friday, Nov 18 to watch Nic in a state qualifying swim meet