The Langston's Insider
November 5 - November 9
Principal's Notes
Dear Langston Hughes Family,
The first marking period has come to a close, and it is time for the first Parent-Teacher Conference of the year. We want to make sure that we deliver information so that it is useful to the parent. Our goal should be to discuss student progress using the same "glow and grow" format that you use with students, and I use with you. Remember to:
- Tell the parent what their child does well
- Share the student's area of weakness
- Explain what you have done to strengthen their child in the area of weakness
- Discuss the child's responsibility for improvement in the area of weakness
- Give the parent a piece of actionable feedback that they can use to help their child at home
- Plan a check-in date to discuss student progress. This can be done via telephone, email, notes home, or face-to-face. Make sure the meeting is documented.
This format will help make the conference more useful for our parents and the upcoming Promotion-in-Doubt process easier for you to approach.
Have a wonderful week of teaching and learning!
DSS
Observation and Feedback Cycle #1
Our first observation and feedback cycle will end on November 15th. We will continue to look very closely at student engagement and instructional planning. For support in these areas please review components 3c and 1e of the Danielson Framework.
At the close of each observation please be prepared to submit your lesson and unit plan.
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
- The teacher paying close attention to evidence of student understanding
- The teacher posing specifically created questions to elicit evidence of student understanding
- The teacher circulating to monitor student learning and to offer feedback
- Students assessing their own work against established criteria
Get into the habit of planning for a student check-in in four places during your lesson. Try the following:
- Right after the mini-lesson has been taught - "Thumbs up if you understand?"
- Right before you send them off to work on the task - "Could someone tell me what you have to do?"
- As they are working on the task - You are circulating the room as the students begin to work. Students should be able to assess their own progress and tell you if they need help. This information will help you determine who you will work with in a small group or confer with one-on-one. Don't forget to document your conferences. Ms. Barriteau and Ms. Phillips have a great set of cards they have taught their students to use for self-assessment. Ask them if you can come and see them in action.
- Exit slips - This can be done in many ways, but they will help you assess student progress towards mastery of the learning target. Exit slips should be used to plan for subsequent lessons in the unit.
We will look at this further in the weeks to come.
Hidden Messages
Grouping
Self-Assessment
Making Thinking Visible
- Compass Points
- Think-Puzzle-Explore
- 3-2-1 Bridge
- See-Think-Wonder
These are all protocols used primarily for introducing ideas. As you begin to move into a new unit of study how can they be helpful?
The Main Office
Finally, in an effort to provide Ms. McDonald with uninterrupted time to complete data entry for payroll she will be unable to answer questions from 9:30-11:00am. Please plan accordingly.
Professional Learning
- All teachers will work with Mr. Quentin Holt. He will deliver a session on Trauma in the computer lab.
- Paras - TBD
Tuesday - November 6 8:00am-3:15pm
- K-5 MOSL Scoring
- PK Inspire Training at the Brooklyn New School
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 11/6/18 - Election Day--No school for students only
- 11/12/18 - Veteran's Day--Schools closed
- 11/13/18 - Jazz and Democracy
- 11/14/18 - Smile NY Free Dental Screenings Day 1
- 11/15/18 - Half day 11:10am Dismissal
- 11/15/18 - Parent-Teacher Conferences 12:15pm-2:20pm and 5:30pm-8:00pm
- 11/19/18 - Picture Day
- 11/21/18 - Smile NY Free Dental Screenings Day 2