Cougar News
The Weekly Newsletter of Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
2016-2017 Questionnaire
PLTW Classes
In Mr. Beam’s classes, students are learning about the Rube Goldberg. Here students are testing designs before the launch.
The World Outside
Blended Learning Model Explained
~ Sherry Lepine, PhD
Face Time: Students meet with the teacher for a specific purpose determined by student need, lesson content, etc. This can be whole group, small group or individually.
Students Use Technology: Computer-Aided Instruction such as IXL, iStation, STEM Scopes, PLTW, etc. Teachers use data from CAI to inform face time sessions. At this station, students create using technology and share their work with peers and a larger audience whenever possible.
High Interest Student Choice: This station helps students connect content knowledge, skills and vocabulary through application or reinforcement. Teacher creativity and planning here increases student engagement. Problem-based Learning, performance tasks, creating and/or playing games,
construction of models/foldables, etc. Writing lab reports, taking notes, creating posters. This station provides the place for student creativity and interaction with the material and with peers. Collaboration, conflict resolution, critical thinking occur here and supports the development of the whole child and supports development of social-emotional learning.
Blended Learning creates an environment conducive to higher levels of student engagement and supports our District initiative to reinvent the urban education experience for our students.
Example of Blended Learning Model in a 90-minute block:
First 30-minutes of class:
Opening, Setting the Stage, Engagement
Warm-up/Essential Questions
Direct Teach/Review/Instructions
Rotations 3 @ 20 minutes:
Students break into work stations
Blended Learning can look different depending on the course. Teachers have autonomy to choose from a variety of implementation models. The main goal is that student engagement is increased and a love of learning is fostered.
ATHLETIC PARENT MEETING: Feb. 2, 2016 in the Cafeteria 5:10-5:45
Parents/Students there will be an Athletic Meeting for CURRENT 6th and 7th graders. If your son/daughter is interested in ANY sport in the 2016-2017 year, please plan on attending the meeting.
Important information will be given to parents regarding:
Physicals
Seasons
Practices
Camps
Native Seed Request for ART!
The Green Academy is once again collaborating with our Visual Arts Department.
This time we are working on creating a mosaic mural using only native seeds as the medium. We are requesting native seeds that are hearty, resistant to water damage and are difficult to germinate.
Examples of requested seeds are yellow/brown Texas Ebony seeds, red Mountain Laurel seeds and black Mexican Buckeye seeds. These seeds are usually found in pods on and around trees. We will explore the use of any types of seeds that are donated.
There is no limit to the number of seeds we could use. We will attempt to germinate excess seeds.
Thank you for your support!
NAEP 2016 - DBA grade 8 pilot assessments
Small Middle School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on March 2, 2016. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessment because it provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.
If randomly selected to take the NAEP test, your child will take a mathematics, reading, or writing pilot assessment on a tablet. The assessment also asks students questions about their daily routine and their educational experiences. For example, students are asked if there is a computer at home and about the amount of reading they do. Student responses provide context and meaning to the assessment results. Please visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/booklets.asp to review sample questions.
The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students. The results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347). The information collected is used for statistical purposes only, and the results are anonymous. Your child’s grades will not be affected. Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question. While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by February 15, 2015.
There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. A brochure that explains what participation in NAEP means for you and your child is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/parents/2012469.pdf. Contact Kurt Obersteller at (512) 841-6707 or at kurt.obersteller@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
We are excited that our school is participating in NAEP. We know that Small Middle School's students will show what our nation’s students know and can do.
PTA News
The PTA is collecting Box Tops $ Education and Labels for Education! Please submit to the front office.
http://www.boxtops4education.com
TEDxYouth@Austin
TEDxYouth@Austin is an annual forum created to bring high school and middle school students from the central Texas area into the TEDx movement. With engaging stories, inspiring performances, and intriguing presentations, we will explore the theme of (in)visible.
This year’s TEDxYouth@Austin event is scheduled for Saturday, February 13,2016.
This FREE and inspirational event is for our students in 8th grade.
For more information visit: http://tedxyouthaustin.com/.
Kuk Sool Won
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts is offering Spring Break Camp for ages 7-13. This is a great place for your child to enjoy Spring Break in a constructive, structured, positive, safe environment. Spring Break Camp is a physically active, hands on instructional and interactive martial arts camp; there will be no TV or videos at this camp! Please make sure your child is well prepared for this type of physical activity for four hours a day, four days a week.
Spring Break Camp Dates:
Monday, March 14th - Thursday, March 17th
11:45-3:45pm
Ages:
Ages 7-13 beginner students are welcome to attend.
Registration
Early Bird Registration: If you register and pay in full by February 15, 2016: $160 per camper
After February 16, 2016: $185 per camper
The camp is open to everyone, you do not need to be a current student or have any martial arts background to attend, SO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts is located at 6001 West William Cannon Drive, Ste 307, 78749. We specialize in 3-young 6 year old classes, children's classes, adult day, evening, home school, and family classes, Women's Self Defense, AISD Middle/High School PE Credit. Each of our Black Belt Instructors is CPR/First Aid Certified and have passed Criminal Background Checks and FBI Fingerprints Checks.
For more information or to sign up for the Spring Break Camp, please contact KSN Barbara King at barbarak@kswoakhill.com or 512-899-8710.
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
Email: jena.weber@austinisd.org
Website: http://www.smallmiddleschool.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 841-6700