The Coach's Corner
Updates & Friendly Reminders
For All That You Do, For All That You Are...Thank you!
This-n-That
Google Classroom
In the next few weeks, the "Train the Trainers" group that is working with 5 Star will be giving you some information on Google Classrooms. I am SO excited about this! I cannot wait for them to share what they've learned with you! Once they do, I will be adding you to my Google Classroom so that we can do some of our PD online. After reading through your feedback from grade level meetings and the MSV training, I LOVE the idea of being able to differentiate our PD so that we do not have to pull you out of your classrooms! Your time is so very valuable, and I want to respect it. On the other hand, professional development for teachers is super important. I think Google Classroom is a great compromise, and I think you will too! Look for an invite to my Google Classroom for your school coming soon!Curriculum Maps
It is of the utmost importance that we are sticking closely to our FCSC curriculum maps as we plan our instruction. In order for us to maintain as much consistency as we can for our very transient students, we need to make sure we are teaching our "Pink" critical content standards where we have them placed in the 4 quarters of our maps. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make a copy of your map and write in the dates you are teaching the standards in the margins. Just a suggestion!
Things I look at/for during a lesson:
- Clear, narrow focus- Repeatedly stated and checked for understanding
- Closure- Bring the lesson back around at the end to make sure that the teaching point was met.
- Frequent checks for understanding
- Time on-task for students & teacher
- Transition times
Balanced Literacy
Reading Workshop
1. Guided Reading groups are fluid, students should not be placed in one group at the beginning of the year and left there all year.
2. Teachers are expected to meet with all students in their classes. This includes Sp.Ed. and RtI students.
3. Running records are to be done 2x/month on all students who are below grade level.
4. We are to be using our curriculum maps and our data to drive instruction. It is critical that we stick to the curriculum maps so that our extremely transient students don't miss important content.
Writing Workshop
1. 6 Traits bulletin boards should be up and running. Remember, in order for them to be authentic students need to add to them as you do your lessons. See below for some great examples.
2. Be sure that "Grammar/English" concepts/skills are being taught within the context of writing workshop and not in isolation.
3. Teachers should be meeting with small groups or conferencing with individual students one the mini-lesson has been taught.
Word Study
Richard Allington, a Professor of Reading at The University of Tennessee says that, "We want to make sure that readers are engaged in lots of high-success reading and that we support them by modeling and demonstrating how good readers think while they read. This includes how they pay attention to words, how they think about pronunciation, and how they notice those little things writers do that tickle us."
Coming soon...Look for a Google Classroom practice session for reflecting on our Word Study practices!
Until then, here is a link to a website I think you might find interesting!
http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/2013/11/meaningful-word-studythanks-to.html
GO Math!
Remember, our job is to make sure our students are confident and successful. I believe that the best way for us to ensure our students' success is to make sure we are being extremely intentional with our planning. GO Math has A LOT of resources! We need to remember to narrow our focus and use those resources to the fullest. Here are just a few recommendations based on what I have seen.
1. Be sure to use the "Show what you know" at the beginning of each chapter. This is a like a road map to what your students know. What a great "cheat sheet" to have as a teacher so I can tailor my instruction to meet the needs of my students.
2. Be sure to track your Quick Checks. Everyday Math gave us the checklist for the RSA's. GO Math doesn't give us that, but that doesn't mean that it isn't important to track those Quick Checks. If we are tracking what our students are struggling with in each lesson, we will know what to reteach when we get to the end.
3. Technology...best friend or worst enemy? Like everything else, it has everything to do with your point of view. If you know me, you know I dearly love technology! BUT...it is not there to take our place as teachers.
Grade Level Meetings
October 25th- 6th Grade
October 27th- 5th Grade
November 3rd- 3rd Grade
November 9th- 4th Grade