Hackberry Howl
Vol. 3 No. 13
LOVE-SERVE-CARE
Why do we need to be different?
Reasons to be Different:
1. We are competing with many that believe Public Education is Failing. We know it is not, but know we have to create authentic engaging opportunities where students are excited about their learning.
2. Because Technology has changed the education game. In the evening students are completely immersed on a computer or phone screen. It can hold their attention for hours. When they come to school we need that same attention and we can get it if we utilize technology effectively.
3.Collaborative Environment-Many students prefer to work alone. However, this is an option not often granted in careers. In addition, collaboration fosters the development of new ideas and exposes students to opposing viewpoints.
4. Teacher as the Facilitator-Modern realization of best practice in education no longer supports the idea of the teacher as an authoritarian figure standing in the front of the room scrawling on a chalkboard. As educators, our role can be reshaped so that we work beside students providing support and encouragement for their personal journey.
Here is a video from a Principal in New Zealand that articulates the reason he chooses to be different:
Our One Thing: Early Literacy
Rhymes
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/rhyming_games
Recommended by Darcie Brodsky & Ashley Measles
AVID-Strategy of the Week
Parking Lot
This technique assesses level of understanding at carious intervals of a lesson. In preparation for the next days’ lesson, student should be provided with sticky notes on which to write questions or statements about a given topic or concept. They should place their notes on a large chart that is posted in the room. The chart should be divided into three sections and labeled with headings such as I Don’t Understand, I am Starting to Understand, and I Completely Understand. The teacher should take note of the questions and use them in preparing the lesson. At key points the students should be able to collaborate and move their sticky notes to the section most representing their level of understanding. The teacher is able to determine a general level of understanding among the students and to adjust the instruction accordingly. With this method, students who are hesitant to ask question orally will have their concerns addresses.
Classroom Strategy of the Week
10 Reasons to Greet Students at the Door
- Build relationships with your students enhances their emotional needs, as well as yours.
- Offer praise and feedback (this need not be class related).
- Some students, like those with ADD/ADHD, have trouble switching classes. Greet these students at the door with explicit directions about what to do. For some of my more challenging students, I would essentially escort them to their seats to ensure they started class on task.
- It gives you a chance to connect with every student and to gauge their emotional state.
- Students have a lot to say and we should take the time to listen to them.
- Albeit brief, it’s a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with a student.
- It gives you an opportunity to model (and for students to practice) socially acceptable behaviors, like eye contact, a firm handshake, and good posture.
- You can ask each student a question to formatively assess their understanding of the previous day’s lesson. With some classes I’d take this a step further and ask a question which the students had to get right before entering class.
- Teach the students respectful behaviors. My rule was a simple one, “Every time I ask you a question, please answer the question and ask a question in return.”
- Me: Did you watch the football game last night?
- JJ: Yeah, I can’t believe the Redskins lost. Did you watch it
- Me: Of course. Not sure why it surprised you though. They’ve been awful this year. A matter of caution, I’d often ask about their lives outside of school and about their weekends. For students with horrible home lives, doing so sets them back and can ruin your effort at fostering a welcoming classroom environment.
- It can be a time saver. While I had a consistent classroom routine, greeting students at the door would allow you to cue them to something that may be different (please be sure to turn in your homework or please pick up the work you missed yesterday from the absent folder).
Simply greeting students at the door has been proven to increase student attention to learning (on-task behavior) and it establishes teacher rapport with students.
Article of the Week
BRRR Potluck on Tuesday, October 31st
Pre-K- Drinks
Kinder- Soup
1st Grade- Soup
2nd Grade- Soup
3rd Grade- Chili
4th Grade- Chili
5th Grade- Chili
Specials- Desserts
Specialist- Nacho Cheese, Sour Cream, Bowls, Napkins, Spoons and cups
Office- Shredded Cheese, Chopped Onion, Fritos & Crackers
Hackberry Happenings!
RED RIBBON WEEK
Monday, October 30th
ATTIRE: Jeans and a College Shirt
Hours: 7:45am-4:00pm
Tuesday, October 31st
-Hackberry Potluck-See Post above
Attire: Professional Attire
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Wednesday, November 1st
Attire: Professional Attire
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Thursday, November 2nd
-Fundamental 5 Book Study (Only for teachers part of the study) 4:00-4:30
Attire: Jeans and Professional Top
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Friday, November 3rd
-Lobo Store
Attire: Jeans and Spirit Shirt
Hours: 7:45-4:00
Howl Outs!
Marquez to Mrs. Moya for her ongoing support and great ideas for my classroom.
Marquez to all our tutors for their dedication to our children.
Marquez tor all the staff members who participated in Truck &Trick. My students had a great time!
Big howl to Ellen from Dalia for putting up for my absent mindedness and always helping me stay on track. I'm so glad you're my dual language partner!
Big howl to the 4th-grade team. You guys are just awesome. From Dalia.
Big howl to Hackberry! What a great campus! From Dalia.
Webber howls out to Callie for her amazing positivity! You are a blessing to us all! I am so grateful we are teacher neighbors! Thank you for lifting my spirit! Love you friend!
Webber howls out to Whiddon for being such an amazing team lead, role model, and piece picker-upper. You amaze me with your strength and ability every day! I feel super blessed to work with you! Love you friend!
Christi B. howls out to Vanessa Lay for helping me with my time clock issues. And for giving me chocolate last week. And in general for just being awesome.
Head says thanks to Northcutt for letting me borrow your speaker for my kick-butt science lab!
Julie howls out to Karla and Ana for helping me all week with the Storybook Pumpkin explosion.
Julie howls out to Ashley for the much appreciated Sonic Drink at Myon Training.
Head, Lawley, And Hatcher say thank you to Mendez for using his excellent translating skills during parent/teacher conferences.
Stephen HOWLS to Carol for all her hard working in getting all the snapshot paperwork completed. She is worked long days to ensure everything is completed and accurate!
Stephen HOWLS to Lecrecia for a great RED RIBBON WEEK and assembly!
Stephen HOWLS to all of those that submitted grants! Doing this to ensure your students get everything they need just shows you why Hackberry is so great!
Stephen HOWLS to Ana and Julie to the Character Pumpkin contest...You guys Rock!
Stephen HOWLS to everyone that brought Canned Food items and Water! Hackberry loaded down that trailer!
Stephen HOWLS to Karla for:
-Makerspace
-Putting up with Richardson
-Listening to every Crazy IDEA then helping to make it happen
Whitehead howls to Morales for setting up files for our Phase 5 documents!
Whitehead howls to Karla for her endless work on the Makerspace area!
Whitehead howls to Robinson for all of her work during Red Ribbon week.
Whitehead howls to Ratliff and Vergara for managing our pumpkin contest!
Whitehead howls to Darcie for scheduling all our intervention meetings!
Whitehead howls to Cruz and Carol for translating phone calls for me!
Whitehead howls to all of the staff for making our campus SHINE!!!