HILL HAPPENINGS
Hill Elementary School ~ March 20, 2015
Wow, this week flew right by. I have a feeling it's going to continue to go by fast. Next week is Kindergarten round-up in the AMR at Davison High School. Ranee will be out all week. Julie & Wanda will be working in the office, with Jennifer Dexel covering during lunches. Joe Francis will also be out all week, with John Frerich filling in. I will be in and out all week going back and forth from round-up to meet our incoming kiddos.
This week I've included several resources in our SMORE. It is expected that everyone will take the time to read through the information provided. As we are gearing up for testing, I've included the "top 12" testing breaks, which includes getting kiddos active and cooling down activities. The teaching the core link features over 60 videos of exemplary bell-to-bell lessons, materials, student work samples, and teacher interviews. Additionally, the Spotlight with new M-STEP information. Testing manuals are now posted online.
Our 10 students who are participating in the Elementary Honors Choir perform on Saturday in Okemos. Lisa and I will both be attending and we have reservations for 50 for dinner after the performance. WOW...what a crowd. It'll be a lot of fun getting to see students perform and of course spending time with our families is always an added bonus. Thank you Lisa for all of your support!
Have a fantastic weekend ~ Jen :)
Celebrations and Announcements
Miss Richard's class earned Media Class of the Week! Great job Room 12!
Roxann Oliver will be out for an extended period of time to care for her father. We will send a card around next week for comfort and well wishes. Being a caregiver isn't easy, please keep Roxann and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Linda had her follow up appointment this week and all is well! She will be back on April 15th.
The week ahead....
Wow Word: Mrs. Fulcher's class leads the WOW word this week. Our WOW word is competition.
CARDINAL CODE: Please review Cardinal Code expectations for assemblies.
3/23-3/27 - Kindergarten Round-Up
Monday, 3-23-15
Bible Release Day
Consumers Energy Presentation to 4th Grade at 1:30 in the media center
ELA & SRG Meeting
Tuesday, 3-24-15
Baby shower for Joe Whitman
Wednesday, 3-25-15
Playground Meeting
Thursday, 3-26-15
7:20 PD
9:30 Principal's Meeting
Friday, 3-27-15
Popcorn Day
Read-A-Thon
Saturday, 3-27-15
MRA Conference
Looking ahead....
March 31 - Display My Art orders due, (Orders shipped around May 4th)
March 31 - 6:30- 8:00 Petting Zoo, PTO Spring Fundraiser begins
April 2 - No School for students, 1/2 PD Day, 1/2 Records Day (Can be done from home)
April 3 - No School - Good Friday
April 6-10 - Spring Break
April 13 - Bible Release Class, Grades for report cards need to be entered by 4:00 PM.
April 14 - PTO Meeting at 5:30
April 16 - PD, Report cards go home with students
April 17 - County Elementary Principals Meeting, Popcorn Day, Family Dance
Knowing Your Learning Target, By Connie M. Moss, Susan M. Brookhart, and Beverly A. Long
Students can't see, recognize, and understand what they need to learn until we translate the learning intention into developmentally appropriate, student-friendly, and culturally respectful language. One way to do that is to answer the following three questions from the student's point of view:
1. What will I be able to do when I've finished this lesson?
2. What idea, topic, or subject is important for me to learn and understand so that I can do this?
3. How will I show that I can do this, and how well will I have to do it?
What Is Getting Results?
As a refresher, I've included Hattie's research on the strategies that have the greatest impact on learning in our smore. As we are analyzing our SI plan I think that it's important to keep these strategies at the forefront as we continue to improve student learning.
This week kindergarten teachers took learning targets for writing to the next level and saw immediate results. Both Leisa and Ondrea were amazed at the difference in their students writing. They have been communicating learning targets during lessons both written and verbal. Prior to this instruction, many students were not meeting their expectations. So, what do good teachers do? They examine their delivery, change things up, look for new ideas. Below are some pictures from Leisa's examples in class, along with student work. At our next meeting I'd like for Leisa to provide a "smack-down" on what appears to be getting results! Way to go ladies! :)