CNP News
Week of January 21st
What Is Your "Why"
I was asked the other day "why do you love what you do?" It took me not time to answer that it is because I feel called to work with kids. The next question was, "but don't parents drive you crazy?" At times yes, but I can't control what I think parents should be doing with their children. The only thing I can control is what happens when I am with those kids. At times we expend a lot of energy worrying about things we can't control. I'm challenging you to put more of your efforts into what you can control in your room. I'd also like for you to think about your "why." Why do you do what you do. Please be ready to share with others in our next morning meeting.
Wednesday Recess
Just as a clarification we still need one teacher from each grade level to help out on the playground on Wednesdays. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Grade Level Collaborations
I will be around to grade level collaborations this week to see how things are going. I'd like to begin compiling a list of norms that we will follow during collaborations to make sure that they are useful and a good use of time.
100 Day
Monday is the 100th day of school or the first day we come back if we happen to cancel tomorrow.
Grading How Do "We" Do It?
In an upcoming morning meeting I'd like to start delving into how students work is graded. When doing walk throughs I've noticed that we all grade papers differently and I think we need to look at the possibility of using a uniformed grading procedure. I will be asking you to share out how you grade and why you use that method. Please come ready with an open mind.
Homework
As you all know we have moved to a no to little homework "policy." I just want to remind you that no students should be given a worksheet for "homework", "review", what ever you want to call it that takes them more than 5-10 kid minutes to finish. We can talk more about this when we meet as a collective group.
Unannounced Observations
I will begin unannounced observations this week and hope to have them done by the end of next week.
Upcoming Morning Meetings
Wednesday @ 7:50 in the Robotics Room: We will discuss your "Why", Grading, and Homework.
Important Dates
1/29: Yates and Jordan to KinderForest
1/30: Ummel and Shaw to KinderForest
2/6: Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in parking lot
2/19: Yates and Jordan to KinderForest
2/20: Ummel and Shaw to KinderForest
2/22: Officer Phil program 1:15-1:45
3/16: PTO Father/Daughter Dance
3/19: Yates and Jordan to KinderForest
3/20: Ummel and Shaw to KinderForest
3/21: 1st Grade Music Program
4/12: Mobile Dentist Follow Up
4/16: Yates and Jordan to KinderForest
4/17: Ummel and Shaw to KinderForest
5/8: Yates and Jordan to KinderForest
5/9: Ummel and Shaw to KinderForest
Please send me any important dates as you get them!