Tiger Beat
Acton Weekly Update 12/7/18
FTCSC Hedgehog Focus
The Hedgehog Concept is based on an ancient Greek parable that states, "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ... Hedgehogs, however, simplify the world and focus on a single, overarching vision, which they then achieve.
Coach's Corner
Do you believe the idea that when teachers stop learning, so do their students? I recently read an article titled Escape from the Zero-Learning Zone by Instructional Coach expert Jim Knight. The ideas in this article reminded me that when I was a classroom, I either had a year I was happy with or a year I wanted back to try again. The years I was happy with were the years I was actively searching, reading, and learning about our practice. The years I wanted back, were the years I just did what I always had done and didn't pour my whole heart into it. I realized by the end that I lived in the Zone of Zero-Learning for a long time. More importantly, I realized I was at my best when I was out of it.
So what is the Zone of Zero-Learning?
We enter the Zone of Zero-Learning when we purposely, or accidentally, act in ways that block our own learning. For example, we might dismiss feedback from our principal, coach or colleague, adopt an idea that will isolate us from a new idea, blame others and make excuses that shift responsibility away from us, turn down an opportunity to work with a coach, or let our shyness win by not using video recording to evaluate our own effectiveness.
Here are a few ways we fall into the Zone of Zero-Learning. Next week, we will find out how to climb out.
Blindspots. We often miss the chance to learn because we do not see that we need to learn. We can’t see ourselves truly objectively. We’ve all had kids who think they have a correct answer because they came up with an answer. We are the same way.
We don't think the learning is worth it. Two factors need to be in place for us to grow and change. First, we need to believe we can do what we are considering. Second, we need to believe that what we are considering is worth the effort.
Identity. Our deepest learning experiences usually challenge us to re-think the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. I can’t teach kindergarten. I taught third grade for eleven years...that’s who I am. I can only teach the upper elementary grades. I’ve created for myself an identity that says I can’t teach anyone under third grade.
Hope (or, more precisely, its absence). To have hope we need goals, pictures of a bright and successful future. We also need to have a belief that we have control over our lives and that we can meet our goals, called agency. We also need to have multiple ways of getting to the goal. If we are missing any of those three, we’d rather not try and become stagnant.
Fear. We might be afraid that we are going to embarrass ourselves or fail.
Curricular Updates
AIRWAYS: We are 100% COMPLETE
THANK YOU to all grade 3, 4, and 5 teachers, along with Sped and ENL for those grade levels in regards to their work on Airways. This test is proving very difficult for many of our kids, and the patience and perseverance the teachers are showing is the saving grace. We continue to know that this experience will greatly help our students when it comes time to ILearn this year.
Now is the time to jot down your notes about the Airways and approximate times for the kids and who is finishing when, behaviors exhibited, etc, so we can brainstorm as we create groups for ILEARN this spring.
CFA Q3 Planning Grades 3-5
1:45-3:30 PM each day
We will meet in the LGI Room
December 10th- 5th Grade
Teacher/IA Coverage
Leal/Stevens
Neifert/Calvert
Scott/Sutton
December 11th-3rd Grade
Teacher/IA Coverage
Jewell/Sutton
Simmons/Calvert
Milholland/Stevens
December 13th- 4th Grade
Teacher/IA Coverage
Reynolds/Sutton
Rigsby/Stevenson
Beechler/Calvert
Conscious Discipline Video
Help has been found with all of the families that have been referred. If you know of any other families that need assistance.
Please let me know if there is anyone that you think does not have a Winter Coat. I have some in the closet and donors lined up that would like to assist.
PBIS
Housekeeping
Monday- 9:00 Evacuation Drill
Wednesday- Classified Staff-Classified staff can report at 8:30 instead of 8:00. Instead we ask that you come early NEXT week on 12/18 for the WHOLE STAFF Breakfast in the LGI Room.
Recess
According to the handbook, the following is stated:
"If the wind chill is below 0 degrees, students will remain inside for recess. Please dress your child in appropriate clothing for cold weather, ie. hat, gloves, and coats."
Ohana Calendar
Monday 12/10/18-BLING IN THE HOLIDAYS
5th Grade Team Collaboration PM/LGI Room
Grading Window Opens
Collaboration- PBIS
Jacks Donuts Fundraiser!
3rd Grade Team Collaboration PM/ LGI Room
- Collaboration- eLearning
- classified staff can report at 8:30 instead of 8:00. Instead we ask that you come early NEXT week on 12/18 for the WHOLE STAFF Breakfast in the LGI Room.
Thursday 12/13/18 UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER
Dr. Stevenson Building Walk Through 10:30 AM
4th Grade Team Collaboration PM/ LGI Room
Friday 12/14/18-FLANNEL FRIDAY
Monday 12/17/18 Cookie Exchange in the Lounge
Tuesday 12/18/18-STAFF BREAKFAST
- All Staff Breakfast- LGI 7:45 AM
- 2:00 PBIS Assembly/ Sing A Long
- 3:00 Winter Parties
Wednesday 12/19/18
- Teacher Work Day
- Grades Posted- WINDOW CLOSES AT NOON!
Coming Soon:
December:
10 Evacuation Drill
11 Jacks Donuts fundraiser
17 School Board Meeting
18 End of semester
18 PBIS Convo
18 Winter Celebrations
18 End of period grades posted
18 Last student day
19 Teacher record day
20-1/2/19 Winter Break