Points of Pride
October 27, 2017
Instructional Focus:
Who wants a class of students that are better at reading, writing and math? In order for our students to learn, they have to be able to access the learning through the academic vocabulary. If a student does not understand the word/term or what's being asked of them, they are not going to be able to produce what we are asking. Educational researcher, Robert Marzano says that "the more expansive our vocabularies, the more background knowledge we possess, and the more background knowledge we possess, the more we are able to learn," (2004). Educational researcher, John Hattie, states that building academic vocabulary is the 17th best influence on learning (ahead of things like homework, study skills, peer tutoring, and even class size).
Harvey Silver and Robert Marzano say that in order for students to understand and remember a word they have to "Crack the C.O.D.E." To complete the acronym, students need to do the following:
- Connect with the word: students need to build a connection so they are able to recall
- Organize: students need to understand how this word relates to others
- Deep-Process: increased rigor will allow for a deeper, better understanding
- Exercise: meaningful review and practice activities ensure it goes into long term memory
If we want students to remember a word, we need to do ALL four. If you Google "Vocabulary CODE" you will get hundreds of activities to help build your students' vocabulary.
For example:
- https://raiderwritingcenter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/vocabulary-code-matrix.pdf
- http://vocabularyscode.weebly.com/
- http://www.dayofreading.org/DOR09HO/SpaniakVocabCode.pdf
Try an activity that is new to you this week. Take a picture of a student sample and send it to me via text or email. Next Friday I will randomly select a teacher for a pair of two movie passes. That's right, date night on me (baby sitting services not included).
Silly String Battle....
PTSO will give each teacher a list of who can participate. This is scheduled for Friday, November 3. We will do an "all call" at 2:35 for students to meet on the field. The "battle" will start around 2:45.
Game Truck....
November Team Meetings
We will be introducing teams to the Digital Data Walls that I created during Fall Break. I will be teaching what they are used for, how we can improve intervention, and what data is being collected.
Last Call for Retention...
Student Council Meetings....
Right now they are doing many "emergency meetings." I have told Chris to not do this anymore.
Teachers please help them out by planning in advance any/all requests from Student Council.
Intervention Team Changes....
We feel that you should not always have to fill out a huge packet to request help for a kiddo. Our goal is to have something new to begin after the Winter Break.
Gilbert Mayor Visit....
Our Student Council ladies will be giving her a tour of the school, and talking to her about the challenges of being a female leader (we will see if they allow me to attend :)
New Staff Member....
We have hired Jen Vetter (Darlene's student teacher) to start this classroom in the coming weeks. Make sure to congratulate her as you see her around campus.
Be Kind Project....
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Introducing....
We have decided to move away from the Giving Tree. This year we will be introducing "Holiday Links." Stay tuned for more information (can you believe there are only nine more Fridays until Christmas?).
Teacher To Do List:
- Sign up for PD Cafe courses
- Fill in MOY ATI students in need of small group testing
- Provide Robert the names of any student you are considering retention
- Keep being awesome!