Sipley School Weekly Howl
Monday, April 11, 2016
“Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth.”
PARCC Is Here
The test times are as follows:
Monday, April 11 - 4th and 6th grades will take ELA unit 1 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 12 - 3rd and 5th grades will take ELA unit 1at 8:30
Tuesday, April 12 - 4th grade will take ELA unit 2 at 8:30
Wednesday, April 13 - 5th grade will take ELA unit 2 at 8:30
Thursday, April 14 - 3rd and 6th grades will take ELA unit 2 at 8:30
Friday, April 15 - 4th and 5th grades will take ELA unit 3 at 8:30
Monday, April 18 - 6th grade will take ELA unit 3 at 8:30
Monday, April 18 - 4th grade will take Math unit 1 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 19 - 3rd grade will take ELA unit 3 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 19 - 5th grade will take Math unit 1 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 19 - 4th grade will take Math unit 2 at 8:30
Wednesday, April 20 - 5th grade will take Math unit 2 at 8:30
Thursday, April 21 - 3rd and 6th grades will take Math unit 1 at 8:30
Friday, April 22 - 4th and 5th grades will take Math unit 3 at 8:30
Monday, April 25 - 6th grade will take Math unit 2 at 8:30
Monday, April 25 - 4th grade will take Math unit 4 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 26 - 3rd grade will take Math unit 2 at 8:30
Tuesday, April 26 - 5th grade will take Math unit 4 at 8:30
Wednesday, April 27 - 3rd grade will take Math unit 3 at 8:30
Thursday, April 28 - 3rd grade will take Math unit 4 at 8:30
Thursday, April 28 - 6th grade will take Math unit 3 at 8:30
Good luck to our students and teacher! BIG Thanks to Nicole and Cyndi for preparing us for the PARCC!
Early Morning Meetings
I want to thank everyone for indulging me in our 8:00 - 8:05 meetings. The meetings will become a staple of ours.
I think there is something special about coming together as a team for a brief moment prior to letting our children into the school. It allows us to start the day on a positive note and to acquire information needed for the day. Best of all, through our connection, we have less mass e-mail being sent.
I'm In/You're Out
I love spending time in your classes! I didn't realize how much I have missed connecting with the students in the ways that are unique to the profession. I am jealous of the joys that teachers have connecting with our wonderful students. I find myself going home and sharing many positive highlights of my day filled with unique stories. None better than Danny referring to me as Dr. Seuss (will 100% seriousness).
At the same time, I am hearing many positive things that teachers are observing as they go out and visit others. Our school is filled with exemplary teachers and there is a lot to learn from one another!
Reader's Workshop
Over Spring Break, I read one of Calkins books - A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop. Prior to this reading, I struggled with the minilesson of the workshop model and a desire to build mastery centered on the strategy showcased during the minilesson. After reading the book, I drew a parallel between a minilesson or read aloud and a YouTube clip. We watch a quick YouTube clip for information and then we take that information and use it in ways that we deem helpful to us.
The workshop model draws from some explicit instruction for which readers and writers can use and include in their repertoire as developing readers and writers, similar to me watching a YouTube video for the purpose of knowledge building. A main component of the workshop model is time spent reading and writing! Watch this video that Lucy Calkins captures so well.
A Glance at the Week Ahead
Wednesday - Grades are due by 8:00 a.m. - Remember, per central office - if your grades are not in on time, you will not get your report cards until Monday
Wednesday - 6th Grade PLC - 8:25 - 9:15
Wednesday - 3rd Grade PLC - 9:20 - 10:10
Wednesday - 4th Grade PLC - 10:15 - 11:05
Wednesday - 1st Grade PLC - 2:05 - 2:55
Wednesday - Kdg. PLC - 3:00 - 3:30
Thursday - 5th Grade PLC - 8:25 - 9:15
Thursday - 2nd Grade PLC - 1:15 - 2:05
Friday - Report Cards Go Home
Friday - STP Mommy/Son Night