#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 26, February 24th-28th
Creating Meaningful Learning
I am excited to have an upcoming week when we achieve a whole week of learning at Pickens Middle! Thank you for being flexible this past week as we dealt with further weather issues.
This week we will administer the Cognia/AdvancEd engagement survey to students. We want each of our students to be committed to their learning and not simply compliant. We do this through creating environments where students set high goals for themselves and teachers couple those student growth goals with strong relationships and high expectations.
On Thursday, LeAnn and Sarah attended the personalized learning cohort in Columbia. Here are some of the brain research statistics tied to meaningful learning:
Brain Precepts:
Every learner must build their own dendrites. - make meaning, make connections
Neuro-Plasticity -
Students on grade level or middle to upper SES class, 6-8 meaningful uses of content before the learner owns it.
Students who struggle with reading or math, below grade level 2 or more years, or from lower SES class, need 12-18 meaningful uses of content before the learner owns it.
Must be meaningful uses - not regurgitation/memorization
Student must: Think, write, speak, act, do
Neurons that FIRE together, WIRE together. - multiple memory systems, engage many systems
Teenagers crave: Visuals (the visual cortex in adolescents is larger now than it was before)
How many ways can I impart this learning
The amygdalas rule! - emotion, relevance, fight/flight
If the amygdala is working properly, my brain is a sponge.
Students have to learn to self-regulate to open the amygdala so they can learn.
Classrooms must be safe environments to make mistakes for learning.
Growth mindsets are grounded in the brain.
Students need to know the importance of thinking, writing, speaking, acting, and doing 8-18 times for learning.
The question from reflection is how much are the students doing or do we find ways to do it for them? Thank you for holding students to high expectations for learning.
Speak life into your students. If you believe they are capable, than it becomes reality. If you believe they are unmotivated and can't do it, this will also be reality.
FreeThink- What our new house system can bring!!
Photos From Last Week!
Computer Science classes learning digital citizenship!
Mrs. Gretchen Reeves's students created digital superheroes today to learn about netiquette and being upstanders instead of bystanders. #sparkpride #sparklearning
No One Eats Alone
8th Grade Semi-Formal
This Week's Agenda-
Tues., Feb. 25th-
Student Engagement Survey
Special Services Meeting in LMC
Rising 9th grade registration at PHS 3:30 - 7:00
Wed., Feb. 26th-
Science/Social Studies Learning Walk
Th., Feb. 27th-
Roper Mountain Science Center- 8th Grade
DECA State Competition
Furman Consortium - Reading Nonfiction (All ELA)
Fr., Feb. 28th-
DECA State Competition
Career Cafe - Grade 6
Spark Celebration (Only one of the nine weeks based on zeroes)
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Thank you! Have you ever taken the time to recognize those around you? It feels good to recognize others!
8th Grade Teachers- A lot of work goes into putting on the 8th Grade Semi-Formal. It was wonderfully decorated and the kids had a great time! Thank you!
Laura Bailey- She has brought a standard of excellence with her. She takes great pride in supporting our custodial staff as the plant engineer and keeping our school facility beautiful. I love that it not only looks good but smells great too! Thank you!
Selena Fogle- Selena has created a student-centered environment in her classroom. On any given day, you will see high student engagement in her classroom and has developed a stations approach. Thank you for caring about our students and developing high expectations!
Academy Planning Team- Thank you for a great work session. Like our morning assembly and new inclusive practices model, I believe this will be a game changer! You have already brought incredible ideas to the table and this will only work well with a collective approach.
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks