Weekly Coaching Communication
Make it a great day -- every day!
21-25 September 2015
On the Standards Front . . .
The basic concepts of argumentative writing are essentially the same across all content areas, but I will post the literacy standards for History -- Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects (http://tinyurl.com/o85woyb). Although these offer the 9th and 10th grade level of the standard, the 11-12 level does not read much differently since these are set for grades 6-12:
WHST.9–10.1
Write arguments focused on discipline–specific content.
Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline–appropriate form and in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.
Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
- Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.
Finding a place to incorporate these literacy standards for argumentative writing into your curriculum and class activities may seem difficult, but the engagement and critical thinking skills that accompany the work for students is well worth the effort. If you're looking for ideas of how to incorporate these skills in a traditional essay (or collaboratively creating something different), please feel free to see me.
Quick Clicks
Website (Tools or to Peruse)
A resource of educational web tools and mobile apps for teachers and educators.
Check out the POSTERS and EDTECH INFOGRAPHICS tabs! Subscribe to the newsletter!
Suggested Reading
Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator
An engaging, quick read! See me for a copy.
Trending Tweet
Maria Galanis @mariagalanis Sep 16
Maria Galanis retweeted Chris Wejr
To Grade or Not To Grade by @thenerdyteacher http://tinyurl.com/nrcfvgd
Maria Galanis added,
Chris Wejr @ChrisWejr
@thenerdyteacher agreed! “Throwing out grades” can lose people. You nailed it. Shift the focus to feedback and nudge from there
Quote of the Week
Last year, as I worked my way through my administrative classes and workload as an English teacher of five writing classes, I had tremendous support from all of you, Mr. Libolt, and especially my colleagues in the English Department. I was often exhausted and, at times, unapproachable; yet, you all supported me with responding to my surveys and asking about my grad work and listening to the litany of things I still had to get done.
It was early in the spring of this year that I realized that I could not let the conditions I had created for myself control how I treated others or my outlook on the awesome content I was learning or teaching. I realized that I had a simple choice to make each morning: I could choose to make my day lousy and throttled with anguish over all I had to do or that I had not done; or, I could choose to make my day positive and exciting, not just for myself but for all of those who were supporting me and had contact with me.
Once I began to make a distinct choice of how I wanted my day to be, I realized that it was up to me and only me to make my day positive. Not to undermine the difficulty of daily life or to trivialize the stress in our profession, but happiness comes down to a choice -- something I can control.
I choose to make my day positive. I choose to embrace the unexpected events and issues that come with daily living. Does the stress of life and teaching still get the better of me? Sure, but at least I recognize that I have a choice of how I react to the events, issues and people. Hence, when I see you, and I say, "Make it a great day," I'm giving you the gift of the same support you gave me, and I'm offering you a friendly reminder, that you can make a choice of how you live out and react to your day . . . or not -- the choice is yours.
Coaching Schedule -- see Google Calendar for specific "Busy" times **schedule subject to change**
- Professional Development ALL DAY -- Data Teams
- Days 1-30 Instructional Coach Survey
Tuesday, 22 September
- Leadership for Continuous Improvement (LCI) @ GWAEA ALL DAY -- Assessment Design
Wednesday, 23 September
- Fire Drill 9:54
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
Thursday, 24 September
- Early Out -- 1st PTCs
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
Friday, 25 September
- 7:30 Principal/IC Meeting -- Libolt & Popenhagen
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Afternoon IC Team meeting (Site TBD)
Contact Information
Center Point - Urbana CSD
Email: epopenhagen@cpuschools.org
Phone: 319-849-1102+91015
Twitter: @Epopenhagen