Hackberry Howl
Vol. 3 No. 30
LOVE-SERVE-CARE
PLC WEEK 1
On Monday we will be reviewing the Fundamental-5 and the following strategies: power zone, rigor, critical writing, hook, closure, etc.Jill and I will start using a feedback form when we are in your classroom. You might ask “Why??” One comment that we hear quite a bit is that we are in classrooms frequently but rarely are able to give feedback. This checklist will enable us to recognize the great teaching practices that you are using and will reinforce those positive attributes. In addition, we might be able to make a simple suggestion that will lead to further conversations about maximizing the potential in your classroom.
Feedback from the checklists will help us with summative conversations, and will give valuable information about the direction for your professional learning plan for next year. I anticipate many celebrations when all the great things that are happening in our classrooms are written down!
-SR
Our One Thing: Early Literacy
Shared Reading
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/shared_reading
Recommended by Darcie Brodsky & Ashley Measles
AVID-Strategy of the Week
Four Corners Vocabulary
One page per word divided into 4 sections: Word, Picture, Word in context, Definition. Task Procedure: 1. Divide learners into groups of four. If these are homogenous language proficiency level groupings, then organize the vocabulary in step 2 below to meet the needs of beginners, intermediates, advanced, and native speaker language proficiency levels, then arrange groups with half native speakers, half not. If there are far fewer non-native speakers, then sprinkle them around the groups so that a peer translator/bilingual paraprofessional can be with each learner, with first priority to beginners. 2. Give each group one numbered envelope with different key vocabulary/concepts, definitions, and pictures/clip art on separate pages. 3. Students spill the contents of the envelopes on the table and are instructed to match a definition to a concept/key vocabulary and a picture in order to sort out and organize three of the four quadrants of a 4-corners vocabulary card (or in above variation, translated concept, same concept in English, translation of definition). 4. Next, learners are asked to write a sentence that uses the concept/key vocabulary in context. If there are learners who cannot write, then include an envelop of simple sentences that are mixed. Learners have to find the relevant one. Or prepare on sentence cut up into words that has to be sorted. (It may be wise to model steps 2-4 before giving groups envelopes, so prepare an envelope for yourself.) 5. After that, learners paste the sections of their 4-corners vocabulary poster together (hand out chart paper for this). 6. After that, teams hang their posters in the corners of the room on adjacent walls for team inside-outside circle. 7. Each team is given 2 minutes to read their posters. If there were four learners in each group, then each reads a different corner of their posters. Time this with clapping. 8. Next, tell groups to write a new sentence using the concept/key vocabulary and add it to the poster. Encourage students to peer edit. (NOTE: After it has been peer edited, the teacher notes what is still in error and corrects it. Teaching what was not correctly peer edited comes at a later date). 9. After that, ask every other group to take their poster to another corner of the room and begin the process again. Groups have returned to the corners where they started the task. 10. The following day have pupils use their posters to play guessing games. Model this with the whole group before dividing the class into smaller groups of 8-10 players. 11. Fold all posters so that only the picture (or translation) of each concept is visible. One team of 4-5 players shows this to the opposing team of 4-5 players. They are given two minutes to produce the concept, definition, and a sentence using the concept. Each game has an egg timer. When time is up points are determined in each game by comparing work. Points are given as follows: finished all work on time – 10 pts; each correct item – 10 pts.
By Ruth Morales
Article of the Week
Bringing Social Studies to Life with PBL
Hackberry Happenings!
PLC SCHEDULE-WEEK 1
Monday, March 19
See SMORE sent from Richardson
ATTIRE: Jeans
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Tuesday, March 20
- Richardson out AM
- Relevance CIR Walks-Lead by Jill Whitehead
Attire: Professional Attire
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Wednesday, March 21
- CIR's @ Hackberry 8am-11am
- Lockdown Drill-1pm
Attire: Professional Attire
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Thursday, March 22
- Pecan Creek Visits Hackberry
- Report Cards Go Home
Attire: Professional Attire
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Friday, March 23
- Talent Show 5:30-7:00pm
Attire: Jeans & Spirit Shirt
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Howl Outs!
Beulah howls to Karla for being superwoman!
Beulah howls to Cruz for always stepping in whenever I need help!!
Beulah howls to Flores and Wells for ALWAYS being so flexible with our classes
Beulah howls to 2nd Grade team for sharing your hallway and materials with my class on Thursday
Beulah howls to Sawhney for your sweet words!
Beulah howls to my amazing 4th grade team!! You guys are THE BEST!
Beulah howls to Richardson for all that you do!
Beulah howls to Ana for covering my class Friday morning!
Beulah howls to Jill for your constant support!
Brodsky howls to Northcutt for helping me out with technology issues. Thank you so much for saving the day!
Brodsky howls to the 2nd-5th grade teachers for being flexible and allowing your students to take part in finishing their interview project together.
Brodsky howls to kinder and first for productive planning days.
Brodsky howls to Jill for organizing smooth Science benchmarks :)
Vergara gives A BIG Thank You to Mrs. Head for sending me pictures for the yearbook. You ROCK
Vergara gives Shout out to Mrs. Moya and Mrs. Granados for Rocking the Telpas
Morales sends a huge howl to our DL team.
Morales howls our principals and Karla for the fajitas!
Morales howls Hill for helping me with our STAAR stations!
Morales howls our custodial staff for their hard work day in and day out.
Morales howls Sylvia for always staying late to help. Also, for going above and beyond when we can’t contact a parent.
Morales howls Nurse Lay for eveything that she does.
Morales howls Granados and Moya for all their patience during TELPAS :) Gracias!
Julie howls out to Pam for planning a great C-USA field trip experience for our 4th and 5th graders.
Julie howls out to Jill for being a wonderful partner for the morning announcements.
Head howls to Measels and Beerley for always helping out in my class, with whatever the kids need.
Head howls to Measels for helping me with my new class schedule.
Head howls to the third grade team for working so hard and being so intentional in LE3 groups.
Head howls to the staff for always being so helpful and loving.
Moya Howls to every TEACHER that have done TELPAS writing and the 1st round of online testing.
Moya howls to Mrs. Granados, You are amazing!!!
Moya howls to Mrs. Vergara for all your help on testing.
Please let your ELL students that this howl is for them! they have been trying their best, been very respectful between each other and teachers during testing, keep going like that, we just have one more week to go!!!
Moya howls everyone that participate on the D.L. meeting everyone look very professional and did great presentations.
Torrence howls out to Stoney and Stephanie Mitchell for their patience in helping me with MSB and ARD paperwork!! I don't know how you both do it for so many students!!
Martin Howls to Ms. Branch, office, and every other teacher that has helped keep my son in line! It definitely takes a village!
Martin Howls to Beerley, Brinlee, and Measles for coming in happy every day to work with my babies! You are doing such a great job with them.
Martin Howls to My team for simply being awesome!
Lackey howls to Anderson for organizing a fun field trip for our 4th and 5th graders!
Lackey howls to Robinson, Whitehead, and Richardson for 5th grade behavior support!
Lackey howls to Karla for helping with choir/recorder/choir t-shirt payments! I know it's been a lot- you rock!
Lackey howls to Flores for letting me tag along with your class on Wednesday! You have a fun group.
Rogers howls to Ritter and Sandoval for making a great team during the Dual Language parent meeting!
Rogers howls to the 4th grade team-I hope you have a fantastic and well-deserved Spring Break!
Freer howls out to Anderson for putting together the 4th and 5th grade field trip to the C-USA basketball game!
Karla sends a howl to all involved with the Dual Language meeting on Wednesday. You all did a great job.
Karla sends a howl to Sylvia for ensuring the office is packed up for the new improvements coming soon!
Karla sends a howl to everyone for your flexibility on picture day!
Flores howls to Lackey for being the best helper on the field trip.
Flores howls to Wells and Mathews for being themselves!
Flores howls to Sandoval and Rogers because I am just so excited about our Writing plans!
Flores howls to Sylvia for all you do with coordinating subs and still greeting everyone with a smile that walks though our door.