PATRIOT POST
October 2, 2017 Volume III. Issue XIV.
We had an awesome Town Hall Meeting! Kudos to Mrs. Lewis for orchestrating this wonderful event.
Mr. Davenport is working to build conceptual understanding with his fifth graders during the math block.
Our second grade teachers make science hands-on and engaging for our students!
GMAS Boot Camp October 24th: Email Shepard to join the committee!
Professional Development Rubric
AVID Focus of the Month: Organization
Our AVID focus for the month of October will be around the work of organization. By now ALL students should have an AVID binder in their possession. The next step is to ramp up the monitoring piece so that we can make sure the students are effectively organizing their binders. It is important for students to have a constant visual reminder of the prototype of how they are to maintain their binders. I have attached a student binder check sheet for all students to insert into their binders next week. Equally important, Organizing academic information through the use of graphic organizers should be happening daily. Consistent with its focus on promoting “individual determination,” the AVID curriculum supports organization through the use of:
Binders and organizational tools
Calendars, planners and agendas
Graphic organizers
A focused note-taking system(Two and three column notes)
Setting Academic Goals
I have also attached an array of graphic organizers for you to use to support your students in organizing academic content. Please utilize the link below to access these wonderful resources!
Happy Organizing!
90 Day Implementation Plan for Units of Study
1. Engaging students in a standards-based Interactive Read Aloud everyday (K-5)
2. Engaging students in a fluency and phonics-based Shared Reading everyday (K-2)
3. Delivering a concise mini lesson with explicit Teach & Active Engagement pieces everyday
4. Increasing students' Reading and Writing stamina and independence everyday
5. Facilitating Small Group Instruction for both Reading & Writing everyday
Looking ahead to the final 30 days of our rollout:
1. Toolkits (Speedy PD on October 5)
2. Interim Running Records (PL on October 10)
3. 1-1 Conferences for Reading and Writing Workshop (TBA)
4. High Frequency Words Instruction (K-2) (TBA)
Literacy Framework
Please review the Literacy Framework linked below. As a school, this is our model for gradual release instruction for Literacy. Please understand that it is important that we are adhering to what is listed in the framework. Our evaluators in the building and outside of the building will be using the framework as a guideline for TKES ratings. Any other models or alternate versions mentioned by others, should be considered hearsay.
This includes:
- Alternate Time Durations of the Literacy Block Components
- Alternate Stations / Alternate Number of Stations (K-3)
- Alternate ELA (Grammar & Conventions) Block
This effort will help to keep down on the pervasive confusion among grade levels. Creativity and teacher leadership is valued, but consistency is needed for accountability and purpose.
With Literacy Love,
Ms. Elikwu
Math Updates
Instructional Updates-Math Prep
- Prioritized Standards will guide our math instruction
- Keep our Mini-Lessons short and sweet (10-15 minutes)
- Mini-Lessons will determine your immediate Strategy Groups
- Use Fastbridge data to help create Guided Groups based on their needs
- Fulton Connect Reports will support with Unit data and student performance
Friendly Reminders
- Please be prepared to receive students at your doors from 7:15am - 7:25am. After 7:25am, please use your time wisely inside of your classroom.
- Please take attendance in TAC by 9:00pm each day.
- TKES Walkthroughs will continue this week. We will focus on standards 2-Instructional Planning, 3-Instructional Strategies, and 8-Academically Challenging Environment.
Calendar of Events: Please review this document to keep yourself abreast of the upcoming events at Liberty Point
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTERESTS:
Monday, October 2 - IOWA Make-Ups
Tuesday, October 3 -RTI Kickoff, High Frequency Words Instruction PL (Kinder Paras)
Wednesday, October 4 - IOWA Data Talks Grades 3 and 5 during planning; GMAS Field Test Overview 4th Grade during planning
Math Prep Grades K-2nd
Thursday, October 5 - Social Studies Prep.
Friday, October 6 - Teacher Workday, Parent Teacher Conferences