WMS Weekly Bulletin
November 4 - 10, 2018
"If you want to find out what students know, calling on them in class should be the last thing you do."
Say what?! When I read that sentence from 5 Total Participation Techniques to Make Every Student an Active Learner, I had to read it twice to make sure I read it correctly. I was quite confused still, so I kept reading the article and realized the power of what they call "the ripple effect."
Picture a ripple in the water. It starts with the initial plunk of a pebble in a pond, which would be every individual student being accountable to answering the question or prompt. From there, it ripples out into pairs or small groups, and then from there, the outer ripple of addressing the whole group with a traditional Q&A.
Persida explains that the ripple effect is especially important when we’re talking about higher-order thinking skills, because higher-order prompts require more time for students to process, particularly with kids who are shy, have special needs, are gifted, or are English language learners particularly. The ripple gives them time.
The article goes on to detail the five strategies an educator can use to engage his/her scholars:
- On-the-Spot: Chalkboard Splash
- Hold-Ups: True, Not True
- TPTs Involving Movement: Feature Walk
- Guiding Notetaking: Pause, Star, Rank
- Wrap-ups: 1, 2, 3 O’Clock
As you work through your lessons this week with your scholars, consider embedding one of these five active engagement strategies to get a true gauge on what your scholars are learning in class. You can use the data from these formative assessments to help you continue delivering high-quality teaching to every scholar in every period.
Go Warhawks! And, remember, you belong here.
-Mishler
Week in Review
Thank You!
Morning Activity Schedule on November 9th
There will be an email explaining why before this date.
End of Six Weeks THIS Friday
- Teachers MUST make contact with families if a scholar will fail his/her class. This should not be the first communication about the failing grade. Progress reports don't count as contact.
- No major grades on the very last day of the six weeks if scholars won't have the opportunity to reassess before grades are due.
Secretary Responsibilities & Materials Update
You will see tags placed on the copiers/printers on campus to help with the communication flow of a need (either toner or broken equipment). Bring the tag to Mrs. Corbitt at the front desk so we can get the work order submitted and fix on the way ASAP!
Supplies are now in the cabinets in the main workroom for anyone to use. If you happen to take the last of an item in the cabinet, bring the ticket attached to the inside of the cabinet to Mrs. Corbitt so we can order more.
Finally, the laminator closet is open and available for use without needing a key. Please make sure that you know how to use the laminator before using it so we can keep it in working order. If you need help learning how to use it, you can ask Mrs. Miles, Mrs. White, Mrs. Wright. As always, you can put in a Work Room Request to have your job laminated for you.
SpEd Tip of the Week: Collaboration Between Teacher & Paraprofessionals
- Have a way to communicate with each other! One suggestion would be to have a designated clipboard or spiral with specific directions; list of students to work with on a specific assignment/project with clear directions.
- Give a completed copy of notes to paraprofessionals so they can support in other ways(i.e. behavior support) during lecture/note-taking rather than writing the notes, too.
- Give a completed sample or model of assignment for paraprofessionals to reference.
Supporting Scholars with Dyslexia
Nearpod
Nearpod is up and running for ALL k-8 teachers in CSISD! Every classroom teacher has been upgraded to a District Account with access to all premium content!
Not exactly sure what Nearpod is and how it can be leveraged in your classroom? Check out this short intro video!
Logging Into Nearpod
Go to www.nearpod.com
Click “Log In” in the top right corner
Click on the button “Log in with Google”
You will automatically be logged in to Nearpod with your Google credentials if your browser recognizes you (signed-in), OR, you might have to type in your @csisd.org email address and password to verify.
What can I do with Nearpod?
Once you are in, you should be able to see your account settings in the top right corner. You should see “District User” indicated under your name. If you don't see this, please email sryon@csisd.org so I can troubleshoot your account!
Nearpod allows you to search for lessons by keyword or TEKS. You can also create your own content from scratch (or bring in an existing lesson you have and enhance it!). Check out the content available in Nearpod to support instruction and engagement in your class by searching their extensive library!
You will find a folder in our District Library from Common Sense Media full of Digital Citizenship Lessons. These lessons will support all of our teachers to deliver the Digital Citizenship content to your students, as outlined in our CSISD Digital Citizenship Curriculum Year-at-a-Glance as well as in CSISD’s District Improvement Plan. You can access the District Library by clicking on "District Library" under the Explore menu option in your Nearpod account (or click HERE!).
I Need Training on how to use Nearpod… Help!
We have a few options for you!
Self-paced learning modules for Nearpod Training available in Schoology!
Join the CSISD Professional Learning COURSE in Schoology if you haven’t already (join code: NMQWD-N8T2T)
Click on the “Nearpod Training Course” folder
Learn about Nearpod as you navigate through the modules!
Face-to-Face Trainings in the Curriculum Conference Room (C&I Building - Central Office):
Getting Started with Nearpod - Nov 13 (4:15pm-5:15pm): Register Here
Getting Started with Nearpod - Nov 27 (4:15pm-5:15pm):Register Here
Getting Started with Nearpod - Dec 6 (4:15pm-5:15pm): Register Here
Schoology Update
Need help? Ask Stephen Alexander, Fey Hysmith, or Melissa Jones.
Staffulty Spotlight: Eileen Rieke
Years Teaching: 30
Birthday: October 17
College: Pacific Lutheran University, Central Washington University
Random Factoid: My first name was chosen because it started with the letter “E” and my family was named in alphabetical order
Favorite Things: Classic rock, football, creating art
Staffulty Birthdays
Design Team Progress
Remember we will meet with Design Teams every 1st Wednesday of the month. Our next meeting is November 7th.
Duty Stations & Personnel
Upcoming Events
11/12 - Report Card Grades Due by 4:00 PM
11/14 - Pajama Pant Day $1
11/14 - Leadership Team Meeting, 4:15 PM @ War Room
11/19-23 - Thanksgiving Break
11/28 - AVID Site Team Meeting, 4:15 PM @ Doles' Room
11/29 - Boys Bball vs. Hunstville
12/4 - STEM Family Night, 5-7 PM
12/5 - Design Team Meeting, 4:15 PM @ LGI
12/6 - Boys BBall vs. Davila, 5:00 PM
12/7 - Fall Dance, 7-9 PM @ Cafeteria