FMS is Success
Florence Middle School is INTENTIONAL about WHAT and WHY!
First week walkthroughs
We hit the ground running from the very beginning! We are looking for a shared understanding between Administration, Teachers, and Instructional Partners. Our first week walkthroughs gave us an opportunity to begin to have conversations about our goals, our observations, and our desired outcomes.
Laying the Foundation
Ms. Jones is adept at taking her prior knowledge of best practice teaching and what she learned this summer during "Laying the Foundation" to develop a quality lesson where students are active, engaged, and there are high expectations for meeting and exceeding science standards.
Overarching and Daily Learning Targets
Quality learning targets can be challenging! Dr. Morgan provided students with a DAILY (small step) learning target as well as an OVERARCHING (big picture) learning target:
Overarching:
Overarching:
- I can use modern technology to create an introductory video of myself to share with my peers
- I can dress appropriately for a job interview and/or special occasion.
- I can demonstrate my skills by shaking hands in a professional manner.
Intentional about Response
FMS teachers think about ways to involve everyone in the lesson.
Collaboration
When students work together, they are able to tap into the strengths and weaknesses each brings to the table. FMS teachers are successful at meeting the needs of all learners.
Engaging all learners
Ms. Harris teaches the properties of mathematics by providing students an opportunity to engage in kinesthetic learning to understand the big idea of each.
Large group can still be small group!
Coaches Martin & Campbell take the opportunity to work with a large group of students by being intentional about finding ways to engage in critical thinking, collaboration, and peer learning in the PE setting.
Making meaning from FLCN conversations!
Ms. Christy made meaning from the very first FLCN meeting! She adapted the 'Top Hat' protocal that was introduced at FLCN for use with her 8th grade History class!
The value of cross-curriculum
Mr. Jay began the year by helping his students understand that there is inter-contentedness across curriculum. He wants his students to see that music has application in every subject.
Hand Raising
Responding to questions matters. "So when teachers allow students to choose whether to particpate or not...they are actually making the achievement gap worse." --Dylan William, Embedded Formative Assessment, p.81.
Intentional Instruction
Ms. McAbee is able to clearly explain "what she does and why". She connects school-wide spirit, curriculum, and student interest on Edmodo to help parents understand the "big idea".
Annoying Orange - The Sock (What Does The Fox Say? Ylvis Parody)