Couch Comet Dust
February 3, 2019
In case you didn't know........
Weekly Data Meeting PLC Agenda
Goal. Develop grade level action steps in response to lesson planning, Lucy Calkins implementation, balanced literacy and individual walkthrough data.
1. Lesson Plan lesson design (Mini reading lessons).
2. Student writing
3. Guided Reading and literacy stations
Whole Group- Questions. Using samples of student work.
1. What is working well? Reinforcement
2. What do you notice needs to be improved?
3. How does the team collaborate to continue to enhance all three things?
What action steps need to be added to your grade level plan? Put in Google Drive
Debrief.
Commitment to plan- three things Admin Heard
Acknowledgement: What did someone say that added value to grade level data meeting?
Task. Take grade level Reteach posters and put in Google Drive.
Parent Conferences this week!
Reminder: Please have your room cleaned and organized in preparation for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Also- you should have student work posted outside your room!
Duty Assignments
~Lauren
Two Minutes to Better Student Behavior: The 10:2 model
There’s a simple way to connect with a challenging student, according to “The Two-Minute Relationship Builder” from the July issue of Education Update. Spend two minutes a day for 10 days having a personal conversation with the student. Talk about whatever topic interests him—sports, cars, family life, Legos, whatever—but keep discipline and academics off the table.
Lisa Kitzmann, a 3rd grade teacher in California, tried the strategy several times over the course of a year, and the results were surprising. As she developed a personal connection with the students she targeted, their behavior in the classroom improved—and so did her outlook.
“When you become closer with [children] who used to drive you absolutely crazy and you begin to understand why they’re acting the way they are, your attitude changes,” says Kitzmann.
The Two-by-Ten strategy is more than an icebreaker; it’s a trust-building exercise that goes both ways. At first, it can be difficult to break through, Kitzmann admits, especially when students affect the mood of the classroom or interrupt the learning that’s taking place. But by taking the time to really get to know the students, you can begin to uncover the reasons behind their misbehavior.
“Most often it is because [children] lack a sense of trust and respect for the adults who are supposed to be their role models or because they lack structure, routine, and discipline at home,” says Kitzmann. “We often forget that children need just as much respect as adults do—and they are taught by actions.”
By practicing Two-by-Ten, Kitzmann had the extra push to give her most disruptive students structured one-on-one time, and they responded by opening up to her on a whole new level. “When a child told me that he had to meet his dad at the police station for weekend visitation exchanges so his parents wouldn’t fight, it made me much more understanding of his situation,” she says. “He was dealing with grown-up issues and circumstances that were beyond his control. My sense of patience and self-motivation to instill safety for him in the classroom became more important than reaching him academically. The child had more to deal with than learning to write a complete sentence and not being disruptive. The only world he knows outside the classroom is a disruptive one.”
As Kitzmann emphasized in her article in Education Update, “you begin to see the child in a different light” when you initiate conversations that go beyond “how are you today, nice to see you.”
“Deeper conversations lead to a compassion that only comes when you invest your time, listening ears, and an open heart,” says Kitzmann. “The difference is learning about what’s in the inside of a child’s heart and head—not just focusing on the external casual talk that seems easy. [Children] know when you truly take those extra minutes to talk about their feelings on a personal level.”
For Kitzmann, Two-by-Ten wasn’t the answer to classroom misbehavior, but it was a start.
Learn the dos and don’ts of the Two-by-Ten strategy in “The Two-Minute Relationship Builder,” from the July issue of Education Update.
Random Acts of Kindness
I mentioned in the staff meeting about the hearts that are now in your boxes. Once you write a message to the fellow coworker named on the heart please place the heart in my box. You can sign it or leave it anonymous. Please have these in the envelope by Monday.
Want to send a pick me up or nice message to more than one coworker? There are blank hearts in a small basket next to the boxes. Just write the name on the heart and I will deliver with the rest.
Hearts will be delivered February 11th with a nice surprise in the lounge.
Random Acts of Kindness Challenge: This challenge is not meant to be any extra work on anyone. If you want to comment on acts a child does, please do so. There will be a poster outside the library with a new daily challenge suggestions the entire month of February. Kids will be encouraged to come up with some on their own or try to the daily challenge. The main goal of the challenge is for kids to see the benefit of spreading kindness and how it can positively impact others.
Be on the lookout for staff Random Acts of Kindness.
- Jaime Way
GISD Certified Educators
Do you know how many educators on your campus are Google Certified? How many have earned the Apple Teacher badge?
Please encourage all educators at your campus to submit their certification information into the directory to make sure the most accurate data is available. Current counts for campuses and departments can be found at the bottom of the certification directory page.
For questions, please contact digitallearning@garlandisd.net
2-liter bottles needed
Don't Forget!
What's Coming Up, Buttercup?
National Freedom Day February 1
PLC RTI 5th February 1
Deadline Pop & Post: Feedback February 1
Spring Conference Window February 4 - March 1
Counselor Appreciation Week February 4-8
100th Day of School February 4
PLC Data K February 4
Team Leader Meeting February 4
PLC Data 1st February 5
Parent Conferences 4:00-7:00 February 6
In and Out Burger 5:00-6:00 February 6
PLC Data 2nd February 6
GISD Council of PTAs General Meeting February 6
Harris Hill - Garland Room at 9:00
PTA Board Meeting 4:30 - 6:00 February 6
Parent Conference Night 4:00 - 7:00 February 6
PTA In & Out Burger 5:00 - 6:00 February 6
PLC Data 3rd February 7
Fire Drill February 7
Spring Book Fair February 8 - 15
PLC Data 4th February 8
Deadline Video #3 Open Season February 8
Choir Practice at Bar Louie 4:00 February 8
PLC Data 5th February 11
Planning 2nd and 3rd February 12
Parent Conferences 4:00-7:00 February 12
Planning 4th and 5th February 13
Valentine’s Day parties 2:00 February 14