Roberts Middle School
Aviator Agenda: December 14 - 18
WHAT IS RMS NEXT CHAPTER IN SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION?
As our first semester comes to an end, we have so much to celebrate. Together we are creating something special. I hope you can see how much you are valued and appreciated here at Roberts. The willingness to take those calculated risks and the adoption of small group instruction will pay off at the end.
The feedback from Instructional Rounds was overwhelmingly positive. The fact that you have embraced small group instruction shows that you are willing to grow and stretch yourselves. I want us to focus this coming spring semester on perfecting our technique for small group instruction. How do we get better at small group instruction? It starts with us, the teacher led group in the blended model. We need to make sure that we are increasing the rigor of instruction in our small group. What does increasing rigor look like? This means providing our students more of a challenging, transparent, and meaningful learning environment. We want to create a small group environment where students are thinking critically and actively employing problem solving skills. We need to allow our students the opportunity to struggle in their learning. How do you support this necessary struggle to take your student further than ever? This can only happen if we preplan our questions. At times, we let our students off the hook by supplying the answer too quickly. One of the tools we can implement within our small groups is to check for understanding. Understanding is best gauged through a written answer. Written responses give teachers an objective framework for understanding when to move on and when to reteach.
I love the quote from Jim Collins, “Good is the enemy of great.” I want you to continue to grow as a reflective practitioner in the classroom. In our next chapter of growth, I want you to embrace giving the students the opportunity to struggle, preplanned sentence stems, and checking for understanding through writing. By fostering these three instructional concepts will take our small groups to the next level.
Thank you,
Jorly
Recapping
- Give students the opportunity for struggle
- Preplanned sentence stems
- Checking for understanding through writing
Checking For Understanding Through Writing
TAKE AND PASS: GREAT TOOL THAT INCORPORATES WRITNG
WHAT DOES YOUR TICKET OUT THE DOOR LOOK LIKE?
- Admin Staffing
- Social Studies CBA
- Writing CBA
- 6th Grade Science PLC
- 5th Grade Reading PLC
- 6th Grade Reading PLC
Tuesday: (Drink hot chocolate in the lounge)
- Math CBA (Alt Schedule)
- 6th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 5th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 5th Grade Math PLC
- 6th Grade Math PLC
Wednesday: (Wear an ugly Christmas sweater)
- CBA Make-Up
- 5th Grade Science PLC
- 8:30-1:30 Orchestra Off Campus Galleria Performance
Thursday: (Enjoy a faculty lunch in the cafeteria)
- Sack Lunches in Classroom or Atrium
- Fine Arts Holiday Spectacular
- Italian Christmas Lunch
- 4:00 Due: Conduct/Comment/Grade Report to Dietz box
- 4:00 Due: 1st 9 Weeks Missing Grades Print Outs to Dietz box
- 4:00 Report Card Grades Dues
Friday: (Wear a Christmas hat)
- Sack Lunches in Classroom, Cafeteria or Atrium
- Christmas Bash (Student Incentive Dance)
- After Dismissal, Fire Drill will take place for December, grab your stuff, and don't come back