Sunday Shakedown
Weekly Memo for Washington Elementary
Principal Post
- Help learners develop a growth mindset: Help them feel good about looking forward and working on specific, clearly defined goals. Make comments that help them connect effort and achievement such as, "Your read to self time is making a difference, your rate has improved from ___words per minute to _______".
- Push a little and know when enough is enough: Our words can model for students that continuing to push forward is worth it, with statements like, "Think how proud you will feel when those last paragraphs are completed". However, we also need to give permission to students to know when they might need a break, just guide them to ensure they actually do come back to the task and reach their goal, so they can see the connection between effort and achievement once again
- Model Persistence: Tell personal stories about times when things didn't go as planned, such as a weekend plumbing project and how you eventually found a solution. It tells students that everyone feels like giving up sometimes, but we can all overcome.
- Teach Positive Self-Talk: When students typical self-talk includes statements such as 'This is too hard" or "I can't do this", it might come as a revelation to them that there are other options! Teach specific wording and phrases such as "I know I can do this if I keep at it" can begin to change the way they think.
- Explain the Brain: It's not too early for children to actually learn how brain plasticity works and how the brain can actually change in response to how it is used.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat; Along with high expectations, students learn persistence in the same way they might learn multiplication or sight words...through repetition. When pushing a little harder, connecting effort to achievement,etc. can all have a cumulative effect and increase stamina.
VIF has a new name! The company is now called Participate
- View module 2-we did this on January 3 if you were with us
- Plan and implement a global lesson based on the lesson model suggested. Pick one from Participate
- Create one of your own global lessons integrating the model for Problem Based Inquiry
- Take a picture of some student work and upload it/videos may be requested too (for both lessons)
- Invite one global visitor from your assigned region
- Try to connect to one global connection in the world
- GWES kickoff event "Stop Hunger Now" food packaging experience Friday, February 24
Birthdays around the world:
Inventions Around the World:
https://www.participate.com/lesson-plans/inspiring-inventions/d4c93e4f-38d5-4e25-99f5-5044ca5fd9ce
Our week ahead:
Faculty meeting:
Jan. 23 - Quarterly Writing Assessment scoring. Times: 3:45-5:00
Kindergarten in Jefferson Room 303
1st in Jefferson Library
2nd in Jefferson Computer Lab
3rd in ASC Tennessee Room
4th in ASC Computer Lab
5th in ASC Watauga Room
Jan. 23 - Grades 3-5 math teachers will meet ( 3:45 – 5:00 ) in the Library at Lincoln
Elementary School to review the math assessment and benchmark data.RATS/SPED: Would you all be willing to come out to provide car duty support? Teachers need to leave right away to drive to Jefferson. With admin and RATS/SPED, we may be able to cover this.
Tuesday:
Canvas Pop In Event 3:30-4:30
Wednesday:
Birthdays with the principals
Thursday:
Collaborative meetings in LCE, LCD-Literacy?
Friday:
Collaborative meetings in LCA, LCB, LCC, LCF -please let me know if we will be working on a new unit or review student work
Thanks, celebrations, appreciations:
- Thanks to Katie Crawford for serving as crossing guard last week
- Thanks to Mr. Keller for a great Hot Dog Day, we hope to invite him again soon.
- Thanks to Vicki for all of her help in preparing for our visit from the fire marshal. Please make sure you check her list and make any necessary changes
- Thanks to Megan and Christa who will assist in leading literacy meetings this afternoon
- Thanks to Sue and Shasta for helping us take a look at our data on benchmarks and plan some next steps
- Thanks to Virginia for helping us work to secure a "Stop Hunger Now" day. It is still in the works, but looks promising
- Thanks to Traci Harris, Billy, Cherie, and all assistants who are helping with our SPED caseload. I have made a recommendation, let's hope she accepts.
- I think Monday is Katie Tester's delivery day, let's keep them in our prayers!
- Thank you to all of our resident teachers for serving kids and being willing to learn
Employee Recognitions
Is there a KCS employee that you would like to see recognized for her/his outstanding work?
This year, there is a new way to highlight the work of these outstanding educators! The KCS Employee Recognition Initiative serves to award those that go above and beyond in their service to the students, staff, and families of KCS.
How can you nominate an employee for this honor?
Simply submit a nomination form to your principal/supervisor by clicking here!
Professional Musings
Innovative Educators of Kingsport City Schools
Are you passionate about education? Do you enjoy learning about and implementing new strategies? Would you like to create a more student-centered learning environment? Then consider joining the Innovative Educators of Kingsport City Schools.We are looking to build a network of K-12 teachers like you from across the district to come together for a day of training, go back and implement new practices, then meet up monthly to celebrate and troubleshoot.
This is a wonderful opportunity to push yourself to the next level! Here's what you need to do:
1. Watch the short video linked below.
2. Check out the Information Sheet.
3. Register to attend February 4th from 9-3.
4. Commit to attending as many of the monthly follow-ups as possible.
Training available for our classified staff. Any staff member may attend:
For Your Information:
Library of Congress 2017 Summer Teacher Institute
The Library of Congress is now accepting applications for its week-long summer institutes for K-12 educators. KCS educators who have attended one of these in the past describe them as great professional learning events! Click here for more information. Applications are due on March 17 and require a letter of recommendation. The institute and course materials are provided at no cost to participants, but participants will be responsible for travel expenses and hotel accommodations.
Seeking Tennessee State Teacher Fellows (STFs)
Hope Street Group, the nonpartisan nonprofit that connects classroom teachers with their peers and decision-makers across Tennessee and nationally, will soon be recruiting its next cohort of Tennessee State Teacher Fellows (STFs). The STF program is designed to develop the competencies of teacher leaders, providing them with tools to engage their colleagues and generate solutions for education challenges. Fellows are teachers or instructional coaches who remain in their schools full-time and contribute 10-15 hours each month to Hope Street Group activities including data collections, professional learning sessions, and partner meetings. They receive a $3,000 stipend for the twelve-month Fellowship, with the opportunity to extend into a second year to deepen their work. Interested teachers can learn more by visiting the Hope Street Group webpage. The application period will be January 16 - February 10, 2017. If questions about the Fellowship, please contact Keilani Goggins or Celia Gregory.
Innovate! Be creative! Share your voice!
KCS has developed a new innovation tool to allow all stakeholders to share an idea (new or could be an improvement on a current practice). Sometimes a great idea comes to mind and when we collaborate on it, it gets even better. This tool can assist us in "giving legs" to those great thoughts. If you are like me, these are the ideas that keep you awake at night, but sometimes feel impossible. Lose sleep no longer! Your idea can be submitted and it can help our district constantly grow and develop.
The KCS new Innovation Tool is up and running. KCS wants your ideas! This tool is active for use. It can be accessed here.