South Middle School
Superintendent's Report for October 2015
21st Century Learning and Digital Leadership: A Call to Action at South Middle School!
We've recently launched a soft rollout of student cell phone use not only in learning spaces, but in the halls and cafeteria and will compliment this with increased Digital Citizenship expectations. Additionally, we're in year one of our new STEM Robotics curriculum in Ryan Beavers room, launched our first Lego League Competition Club and Coding Club, and our Librarian's Integrated Tech class has employed some Coding content in their curriculum in addition to personalized learning on Blackboard. The Maker's Space is being revamped currently and thanks to our grant, we are ordering our first 3D Printer! Our next steps will be continuing the focus on quality, personalized learning, and building capacity in project based learning and self-directed learning across content areas.
21st Century Inquiry Skills at Work
Our Lego Wall is Up and Running!
Collaborative Technology Use
Guided Studies Revamp
"Breaking" the Factory Model
Seventh grade has been watching, and is interested in pieces of their model and initiated a meeting with me last week to discuss implementation at their level! 6th and 7th grade teachers are now parroting my phrase of "getting off the conveyor belt" or "factory model" and integrating core contents and shutting down the bell which isolates content area classes. This is exciting progress. I've offered professional development time for planning of interdisciplinary units as we move forward. Anita is being utilized to also support coteaching.
We will continue to celebrate successes as we work through opportunities for improvement each day at SMS!