Tiger Beat
Acton Weekly Update: 12/8/17
Brook Wessel-Burke
Reaching All Learners
Watch the two minute video below for an introduction to mindfulness. I've been talking about it quite a bit lately. Periodically, I'm going to include short snip-its about why mindfulness is good for us as educators and how we can support our students by modeling mindfulness in the classroom.
From Mrs. Elliott's Social Skills Group:
This week we specifically went over how we feel in big crowds for our Cookies with Santa event. This skill can be used any time you feel a panic attack, or extreme anxiety coming on.
Grounding yourself...
Visualize 5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can touch
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste.
The point of this is to focus your mind against your growing anxiety and get control of your senses before they overwhelm you.
Curriculum
Don't forget that Matt will do "fishbowl" lessons in each grade level on
December 12th.
9:35-10:10 First Grade
10:10-10:45 Second Grade
10:45-11:15 Kindergarten
1:30-2:05 Third Grade
2:05-2:40 Fourth Grade
2:45-3:20 Fifth Grade
Many of you have asked Matt about Independent work time. Being the amazing Instructional Coach that he is, he's provided a great little resource. Click the link below.
**NEW** Independent Work Time Information and Ideas!
Mini Lesson Planning Tips from Matt
Developing our Instructional Practices
1. Student Learning Objectives
2. Gradual Release of Responsibility
3. Check for Understanding.
Each week, I've included either articles, videos or photos of at least one of these items for your professional development.
The image next to this article was developed by a team two years ago and has been shared with all teachers to illustrate our "look fors."
What's Coming Up
December:
9 Sounds of the Seasons at FCHS
11 2nd grade field trip Clowes Hall
12 Fishbowl mini lessons
13 Robotics club
15 All Pro Dads
15 3rd grade field trip
18 90’s day-4th grade fundraiser
19 last student day-Wear your holiday attire or holiday jammies.
19 Winter parties
19 All School sing along
19 4th grade novel presentation
20 Teacher Work Day