Peculiar Family Week 2
Perseverance=Not giving up even when it's hard!
Superheroes
versus
KC Royals
STEAM-a different way of learning.
- STEAM can be a challenging curriculum to implement.
- STEAM makes me re-think how I teach.
- STEAM means feeling comfortable in an organized chaos of engaged learning.
- STEAM means truly learning to facilitate learning.
- We should be teaching with STEAM year-round.
Everyone is at different levels of feeling comfortable with teaching STEAM. Challenge yourself and your teammates to try making one of the following changes in instructional practice.
Give Meaningful Feedback- Often it is easy to slip into the habit of saying "Good Work" or "Good Job!" Instead make your feedback purposeful to enhance the learning of your students. i.e. "I noticed you had several different ideas about how to solve the problem, you kept trying different ideas, until you found one that worked."
Ask more questions- Questioning can be a great tool for learning. Quick Tip: remove the word WHY from your vocabulary and you will see learning happen faster. When you ask any question with the word, "Why?" the brain immediately slips right into its limbic system feeling like it must defend or be judged. Give it a try.
Project based learning- The majority (60-80%) of your learning time should be in project based learning. Does your schedule match up? Are you asking for extra support and help? Together, we can achieve more. Be creative.
Laugh more with students-Did you know.. laughter actually extends your life and opens your brain to new learning.
MOST IMPORTANTLY- Look around your classroom, the hallways, the playground the lunchroom. Does your classroom function and feel like the regular school year? Are you teaching to your "norm" or trying creative ways to make learning fun? Your students will mirror your energy and enthusiasm for summer school. Try something new this week.
Incorporate music to your classroom, sing together, develop a Classroom Chant to walk down the hallway with (YES, this is OK!), Use a lot of laughter, Get creative with your brain breaks- have a dance off, walk to a different classroom to work, make a secret classroom handshake, have students spread positivity by making special notes for our school community. Use your imagination get creative.
Make school fun again!
Deane's Desk
- Reading small groups happen with all students. Please send me your small groups for reading. Reading materials include content specific to STEAM AND recreational reading. Make reading fun for students.
- Log Student Attendance into SIS before 9:30 a.m. so we can verify absences.
- Remember to clock in each day.
- Walkie Talkie etiquette. Be mindful of your words on Walkies. All students, parents, and sometimes others can hear our chatter. Classroom teachers it's ok to turn your walkies off when in the classroom while teaching. The design is to use them for communication when you are out of the classroom.
- Use your call button to get help. If it's an immediate need (CPI, nurse, emergent) Say "Red..Deane to room 28"
- If a parent sends an email to you or sends a note with a transportation change, forward it to the office michelle.loftin@raypec.org
- Help us Help you- The office is extremely busy from 2:30-3:30 preparing for dismissal. Limit sending additional requests for copies or supplies during this time. Of course, any emergencies or Office Referrals for discipline take priority.
Building Wide Expectations
Just a few reminders
Celebrate! Our arrival and dismissal procedures are looking better each day!
Way to GO team!
- When you are out of your classroom, make sure it is locked. We have a few kiddos who like to play hide and seek.
- Lunch Time is designed to be family style with teachers sitting with students. This is a great time for connection and to provide supervision. We do not have lunch room monitors.
- Scheduled Breaks are available by contacting Jen Inman, Focus Facilitator. Communicate with Jen the type of break needed: Problem Solving, Brain Break, Reinforcement Break. She distributed Cards at the Start of the year to use.
- Parent Contact. Always try to beat the story home when there is an incident that happens during school and document in SIS! Remember to send positive notes/emails about students, too!