PONY NEWS April 10th
HELLO PONIES - A LITTLE TO SHARE ABOUT MRS. LEE
I was born and raised in Garland, Texas. In fact, my parents still live in the same house that I grew up in. I moved to Denton to attend college at UNT. I graduated with my B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2006. I am currently in my 10th year of education. Six of those years were spent in the classroom. During that time, I loved being able to share my love of reading and pursued every opportunity where I could teach students reading skills including becoming a literacy lab classroom. From there, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in librarianship so that I could be even more impactful for student’s educational and recreational reading. I graduated with my Master of Library Science degree from TWU in 2014. I love being a librarian because I get to work with students, teachers, and my classroom is filled with books of every kind! I still live in Denton, where my husband, Evan, teaches as well. We have a beautiful and full of energy one year old daughter, Alice. In my spare time (which isn’t much anymore haha) I enjoy anything outdoors, scrapbooking, and watching movies.
Teamwork
"Teamwork makes the dream work."
"There is no I in team."
"Together Everyone Achieves More"
The important aspect of teamwork is understanding the interdependency that must exist among the team. No matter how great of an athlete Michael Jordan was, he could not reach any of his goals without teamwork.
The video below is a perfect example of why interdependence is necessary to achieve goals. When everyone is fully committed, then we can achieve more.
This week reflect on how YOU are impacting others and how others are impacting YOU. Send someone some extra encouragement this week. It will brighten their day and strengthen our teamwork.
A Minute with the LASes...
After participating in one of Dr. Eric Jensen's Brain-Based Learning Webinars over Spring Break that dealt with Raising Student Achievement with an emphasis on Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind, I would like to share some of the things that encouraged me the most:
First, that all students can be successful in developing learning skills.
Second, that we as educators need to know that learning is not just for students, but is for ourselves as well.
Third, we ALL can make an impact and do make a difference in the educational process!
AND... In keeping with the TEAM spirit, we as a school know we can succeed!
Below are some "Cognitive Capacity Builder" skill examples that can be used with ALL students.
WRITING SKILLS
Quick Writes - 7-10 minutes or less each day. Examples can be journaling, summaries, personal reflections, make content connections, predict content, etc...
ATTENTIONAL SKILLS
Practice focusing on details. An example would be "How are two pictures different" games
WORKING MEMORY SKILLS
K-2:
Letters of alphabet backwards
Simon Says
Sing Alongs
Phomemes (repeat and add)
Clapping games
Spell 2-3 letter words
3-5
Learn new vocabulary
Students repeat directions to a partner
Spell 3-7 letter words forwards, then backwards
VOCABULARY SKILLS
Have a "Word of the Day"
Writing Assignments that use new words
Examples they can use in everyday life
Use Multiple Exposures of words in Rich Contexts
If you would like more information on this topic or skill builder examples, you can log onto Jensenlearning.com or make an appointment with us for new ideas and printouts.
Danielle
Thank you for sharing your reflection from your PLC Learning
Professional Learning Communities
Several of you participated on the Number Talks online Professional Development. Below is a video of a 3rd grade teacher using her learning from Number Talks. I would love to videotape some of your lessons using your Number Talks Learning. If you are interested please e-mail Wanda Oden and we can make it happen. We will use your lesson for further professional learning.
STAAR GRAMS
Positive Ponies will be selling STAAR Grams until May 10th! You can give ANYONE a STAAR Gram for free; however, if you would like to "sweeten" the message you may add the following to your STAAR GRAM:
- .50 cents will provide your receiver with a soft drink or a snack
- $1.50 will give provide your receiver with both a soft drink and a snack
What better way to send a message of encouragement and/or inspiration! STAAR GRAMS can be purchased and received by ALL employees of Lewisville Elementary School.
You can see Ms. Bridges (Tonya), in our front office, to get a free or purchased STAAR GRAM! May the force be with us!
Calendar for the next 2 Weeks
STAFF SHOUT-OUTS
- My 3rd grade partners for helping with lessons plans/materials when I was out.
- Thank you Mrs. Sayers and Mrs. Kilam for helping us rate our TELPAS writing samples!
- Special teachers for STAAR testing teacher breaks
- Michelle Lee for getting iPad cart ready for K-2
- Sherri and Betty for building the Data Wall for us.
- Sherri for creating almost 700 data cards for each of our students.
- Samia, Stephanie, Wanda, Alicia, Danielle, Miguel, Jaime, Kara and Lety for supporting their colleagues with professional learning and instructional conversations.
- Yvette Bernal for her positive attitude.
- Araceli Hernandez for having data conversations with her students about their I station Session Summary and Activity Detail report.
- Thank you to the first grade thing for their amazing collaborative conversations during PLC.
- Mrs. Hamilton for engaging her students during brain break before literacy stations.
- Ms. Holder, Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Sandy for going above and beyond for our ponies.
- Thank you to Ms. Vando, Ms. Morales, Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. McKnight, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Dickinson, Tannert, and Mrs. Ratzlaff for all of their support during Pony Camp. You Rock!
Thanks for the Shout-Outs!
Submit a Shout-Out to someone else HERE and we will share it in future Monday Messages.
Happy April Birthdays!
Dana McGraw 4/5
Antoinette Boston 4/24
Allie Isham 4/2
Sharica Jones 4/11
Mr. Reed