Mustang Musings
April 19, 2020
Virtual conferences...Here we come!
Two weeks ago I shared what a TFT was and we are about to have another Terrible First Time. The next few weeks are going to be challenging, but not permanent. We will not get it right every time, but we will give ourselves and our students and their families grace and we will keep trying. Please let me know how I can support you. I am a patient guinea pig and willing to help you troubleshoot the calls, practice sharing your screen with zoom and helping you navigate the conferences. I can be on the call with you or we can work on it before you start working with students. If things did not go as you hoped, I am here to be a think partner and help you figure out how to improve the interaction. We are all learners, in this together and I am here for you.
Engagement is STILL key!
Reading Conferences- Here are our goals:
- Plan to conference with each student one time in the two week period
- Enter data in School Pace regarding what the student did during the conference
- If you are unable to contact a student, please enter that data in notes and indicate the dates and times that contact was attempted.
- We want to do everything that we can to continue reading growth.
Stepping Forward
- Students will be expected to read for two steps a day
- You do not need to enter steps into School Pace.
- There will be a special reading log that will be included in the IRLA packets for logging steps until June.
Four Tips for Supporting Learning at Home
- Simplicity is Key- the clearer the instructions, the easier it will be for students to complete successfully
- Have a digital home base- Once your students (and you) know where you are and how to navigate the platform, the easier it will be on everyone.
- Utilize longer, student-driven assignments and tasks Focus on building toward long-term projects where students have autonomy and a clear set of checkpoints and deadlines that need to be met.
- Stay connected with your students using emails, video messages, phone calls, comments on shared documents, etc. Create a structure and stick to it. Your students will see your investment and know that you care about them.
Click here to read more about ideas to support our student's learning.
We can Zoom through any challenges!
Tuesday: 1:00-2:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/776879585?pwd=VUE5Y1RsM2NUYis1ckI1b2JEUHBsZz09 Meeting ID: 776 879 585 Password: 939796
Wednesday: 9:00-10:00 am Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/189465803?pwd=TUZKdGVzWEplOUZQaDhyOHQxc3g5QT09 Meeting ID: 189 465 803 Password: 690719Thursday: 9:00-10:00 am Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/957278802?pwd=b2haeVNzbzBhY0dEc1VlOW1UU1ZBUT09 Meeting ID: 957 278 802 Password: 638870Friday: 9:00-10:00 am Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/814956892?pwd=RHFZZU45MHdDNU9aYlhVSHc1RW43QT09 Meeting ID: 814 956 892 Password: 164656
You can always contact the Literacy Hotline Monday through Friday from 2:00-3:00!
I can be booked online! Click below for access to my calendar.
What can I do for you?
- Modeling
- Side-by-side coaching
- Coaching and modeling of using the IRLA
- Round up resources
- Assist with differentiating lessons or materials
- Cover your class so that you can observe a colleague's class
- Cooperatively plan a lesson or series of lessons that meet best practices
- Serve as another pair of hands for a lesson
- Offer strategies for classroom management
- Help you connect with other teachers in the district
- Lend an open ear for a topic of your choice
- Reflect on student learning in your classroom through conversation and observation
- Work collaboratively to bounce ideas off one another to address a concern
- Evaluate new students to guide instruction
Hardy Elementary School
Email: lhenk@iwcs.k12.va.us
Website: http://hes.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 9311 Hardy Circle, Smithfield, VA, United States
Phone: 757-357-3204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hardy-Elementary-School-205065852892284/
Twitter: @Mrs_Henk