John Adams Middle School
Monday Morning Quarterback, Volume 10
Monday, November 11, 2019
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The Energy Bus, Gordon, 2007, p. 49
A man goes to the village to visit the wise man and he says to the wise man, “I feel like there are two dogs inside of me. One dog is this positive, loving, kind, and gentle dog and then I have this angry, mean-spirited, and negative dog and they fight all the time. I don’t know which is going to win.” The wise man thinks for a moment and he says, “I know which is going to win. The one you feed the most, so feed the positive dog.”
Coaches Corner
Now that we have started quarter 2, many teachers find it beneficial to reteach classroom procedures. The Classroom Management Book by Wong & Wong describes a three-step approach for this process:
1. Teach: State, explain, model, and demonstrate the procedure.
2. Rehearse: Students rehearse and practice the procedure under
your supervision.
3. Reinforce: Reteach, rehearse, practice, and reinforce the
procedure until it becomes a habit- a routine.
If you would like more information on teaching classroom procedures there are copies of The Classroom Management Book in the small back room of the coach’s office.
~ Melanie, Kate, and Corey
Becoming Culturally Competent is a Journey, by Lee Mun Wah
-Begin where they are, not where you want them to be.
-Learn to correctly pronounce the name of all students.
-Notice and appreciate the colors, rhythms and spirituality of other cultures.
-Be curious, empathetic and open to another reality outside of your own.
-When someone is upset, reflect back what it is they said. Use their words.
-Try to understand how someone’s past affects who they are and how those experiences might affect their relationship with you.
-Emotionally relate to how they are feeling. Nurture the relationship.
-Be present, not too far back or too far ahead. Stay in the moment.
-While communicating, notice the impact of your words.
-All relationships, like good gardens take a while to grow and blossom.
Jaguar Spawtlight: Matt Bitz
Hello, my name is Matt Bitz! I will be teaching O.A.S.I.S. this year in room 132 on the main floor. Please stop by and say Hello any time!
I am from Rochester, MN where I went to Harriet Bishop Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, and John Marshall High School. I played football and baseball my whole young life during that time along with other random sports and activities when I could as I like to stay busy.
From there, I went to Luther College in Decorah, IA where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education grades 1-6 with a Reading Endorsement. I played football there with Ian Naatz and James Knutson who I am sure most of you know from your time here. I enjoyed college by hanging out with friends, playing N64 Super Smash Bros, and playing Intramural dodgeball and volleyball as much as I could.
I accepted a teaching position with the Albert Lea School District teaching 5th Grade at Lakeview Elementary back in 2013 where I worked there for the last six years teaching all subjects, except science. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Albert Lea and will definitely miss the people there and the beautiful lakes. I also completed my Masters in Educational Technology from Concordia St. Paul last year as well.
In my spare time, I like to hang out with family and friends. I enjoy cheering for my favorite sports teams, playing softball and any other sports with my buddies, and running.
I am greatly looking forward to my first year here at John Adams Middle School! My number one goal every year teaching is to have my students work on being the best students and people they can be. I am going to do my best to get to know all of you and help you anyway I can and I hope you can for me as well!
Thanks for reading!
Bitz
Five Powerful Questions Teachers Can Ask Students
1. What do you think?
2. Why do you think that?
3. How do you know this?
4. Can you tell me more?
5. What questions do you still have?