Phillips Friday Focus
February 16, 2018
A few words on discipline...
The last few weeks we have seen more behaviors. Spring is coming and this time of the year tends to be the most challenging with behavior while academically we are feeling the urgency to make every minute count.
When students are struggling academically and are also behavioral issues, we all end up losing. Students lose by being in ISS when they need to be learning, teachers lose because that kiddo is now further behind, and everyone loses because their passing rate on STAAR is affected by them not being in the room receiving instruction.
Most kids don't look at it this way, but they need to. We don't "win" by giving kids consequences, but there are times and days and actions that need to carry severe consequences. There are also times when students are negatively affecting the learning environment of everyone in the room.
There are no easy ways to ensure success, but we can do a few things that limit behavioral issues during the day.
Relax: Newborns stick out their tongue at you when you stick your tongue out at them. We never get over this behavior, hence the idea of mirror neurons. The edgier we are, the edgier they are.
Engage: The more engaged you are with the material, the more engaging it is. I understand that sometimes we have to "pretend" to be more excited than we are, but if we don't like the material at that given time, it will be easy to tell. This is why kids struggle more with concepts we don't like to teach.
Move: The more they move, the more their brain works and the better they behave. Involve movement in your instruction and get them outside for recess. This is more critical than ever as we push them academically right now. They need the outlet of movement.
Staff Shout Outs!
LaDonna and Connie- filling in everywhere this week!
Natalie Tucker and Sarah Sanders-tutoring after school now along with all their other responsibilities
Karla, and her side kicks, Cindy and Shree, for all the hours of preparation to get our Art Show ready
What's Ahead...
February 19-20- Kara in Austin (Principal Academy)
February 21- 4th grade GT day, Staff luncheon
February 22- 5:30-7:00 Art Show and Open House
February 23- Third grade Intervention Tracking Meetings during conferences,
2:00 NED Show/Kindness Adventure
February 26- Planning Day, 8:15- All staff meeting
February 28-SST meetings, 4:00- Teacher meeting with Mr. Nicks
March 1- 8:05 Support Staff Meeting
March 5- Telpas Writing samples due, organized and rated
March 6- Latino Family Literacy Project, 5:30-7:30
March 7- Math Benchmark
March 8- Reading Benchmark
March 9- last day of Third Quarter, grades due
March 21-All Staff STAAR training after school
Much later....
April 27-4th grade Field Day
May 4- 3rd Grade Field Day