Update From THIS I.F.
You make a Difference!
Spirit Revival...
“...weariness seemed to settle on him like a coating of dust.”
― M. Snyder
Thank you to some awesome colleagues who helped to ground me and revive my spirit this week. I love you guys! I plan to refresh my spirit this weekend and am hopeful each of you can do something or spend time with someone that makes your heart happy.
I apologize to those of you I let you down this week and I promise to do better next week. Thanks for all you do and know that I truly believe in all of you.
1080 Instructional Days from Kindergarten to End of 5th grade
Dates to Know
Benchmarks will be given the week of 23rd to the 27th--there will be math Performance Type Benchmark for K-2 and and EOG type assessment for 3-5.
PLCs in the morning cannot be held due to lack of specials. I know Media and Guidance have been cancelled. I apologize for that and these will continue as soon as their testing group is finished. We will only have PLCs in the afternoon if testing is completed. 2nd Grade let me know if you want to meet with me on Thursday or if you need time to prepare Tier paperwork.
Monday the 23rd
9-10:20 1st Grade make sure you have all Tier paperwork for conferences. I will miss you!
2:00-3:00 3rd grade PLC: We will meet to go over Tier 2 paperwork. We will discuss online Reading 3D assessment option. If time remains we will plan together.
Tuesday the 24th
9:40-11 Kindergarten make sure you are ready for conferences. You have time to work on KEA.
Wednesday the 25th
9:40-11 EC PLC: EC teachers have time to work on grades and preparation for conferences. Heather can we plan a time to meet and go over your schedule and how things are going? At your convenience of course!
1-2 4th Grade PLC: We will meet to go over Interventions briefly and a PM plan (results). Bring CFA and weekly EOG results for us to discuss. We will talk about next steps in reading.
Thursday the 26th
Dr. Curry will be here all day to do walkthroughs.
9:40-10:30 2nd Grade PLC: Bring a device and Tier 2 paperwork. We will go over PM results and update parent conference sheet on Tier 2 paperwork. We will make changes in student interventions if needed.
1:00-2:00 5th Grade PLC: Bring weekly EOG results, Tier 2 paperwork and CFA data. We will update parent conference page. We will discuss interventions and if changes are needed.
Friday the 27th
Early Release
Monday the 30th
Digital Competencies PD at TES
Coming Soon...
Curriculum WoWs in the Building!
- Repetition. Thank you to 3-5 for repetition with TREASURE and holding accountability for reading. Implementing a strategy MUST be repeated until students have it mastered and then repeated while they apply their learning to more difficult text. Accountability for ANY reading task is KEY! Great Job! I do encourage new staff to go see a veteran review or model TREASURE with students. I can come in at any time as well.
- Lots of sequencing activities with seasons--K and 1st. Love that you are having them apply learning with writing. This is a great place to ensure students are making connections to academic vocabulary such as sequencing and increase background knowledge. Keep up the awesome skill work and keep reinforcing academic vocabulary.
- Reflection of student needs. Great job to Heather W. for continually assessing students progress and bumping up the expectation. Thanks for modeling that all students can learn. Thanks Heather!
- Teamwork and collaboration. 4th, 5th and 1st--I love that I can see you are ALWAYS on the same page. You may be executing things a bit different but the expectations and skills are the same in all rooms. Thanks for the time you put into working together and ensuring expectations of the standards are met.
- Collaboration in stations in Lisa's class! Great use of students as facilitators in your classroom. Way to Go Ms. Felton!
- Thank you Andrea and Jessica H. for getting extra documentation started for a student, I know this can be time consuming for all involved but just know that it is appreciated.
- Thanks to Natalie and Lauren for jumping in and executing Engage NY, TREASURE and the MANY things we expect at TES. Thanks for hanging in and know that not only am I here to support you--go see any of your colleagues at TES who will be happy to explain, review or cheer you on! We are so glad you are here!
Look at Walkthrough Data
Please Respond With Your Thoughts...
I had 3 people respond to this last week--Thanks Jennifer, Emily and Michelle! Please take time to do this.
Conferences
1. You have the third page of Tier II paperwork signed. You will put the date. Where it says results--put the reason for being Tiered. Where it says Next Step: put that interventions are being put in place.
2. Parent needs to sign
3. Give a parent letter. Document that this letter was sent on the Tier 2 paperwork.
4. No need to copy all info because you will meet with them again at MOY.
5. If a parent does not come--document it on the paperwork. Make a phone call or send a note (document). Let me or Janel know if they do not make a commitment to come in so one of us can contact them and try to get this scheduled.
*If you can offer something for the parent to do--add it to the plan. This gives the parent some accountability and when progress is not being made--it is NOT all on you. You do not have to do that but even a sight word list and a calendar that they have to sign each night or something is a way to involve the parent and SHARE some accountability.
Thanks for all you do! ASK if you are unsure!
Weekly Blog
My goal will be to update this by Sunday afternoon. If you have not read about Rigor in Reading or Primary Sources from earlier this month...take time to check them out! Happy Reading!
Learning Should be Messy--Confusion and Mistakes Equal Dendrites
Resources to Follow Up MTSS Training
TES Goals--Plan with these in mind!
- Increase student to student interaction in conversation, summarizing, and discussion of content
- Vocabulary through student talk and rigor of text
- Complexity of Text
- Increase questioning of deep comprehension with all reading groups at each level. Do not wait for a student to be reading on a level for them to answer questions on that level orally.
- Application of phonics to multi-syllabic words in 2-5 and strong emphasis and mastery in K-1
- Growth Mindset and STAMINA
Growth Mindset Resources
Think on this information:
- Family income is a strong predictor of achievement.
- Growth Mindset exhibits a strong relationship with achievement across all socioeconomic levels.
- Lower socioeconomic students are less likely to hold growth mindset than wealthier peers.
Growth Mindset CAN buffer negative effects of poverty on achievement.
Google Drive to Materials (Add to this if you have any good resources)
Kelly This
Email: kthis@alexander.k12.nc.us
Location: Taylorsville, NC, United States
Phone: 8282922293
Twitter: @This1This