The Falcon Files
Your Weekly Falcon Updates for Staff
October 7, 2019
Words of Inspiration
"You don't have to go on a mission trip to be on a mission. Every day you can bring your passion and purpose to the work you do."
~Jon Gordon
A Special Applause To....
It was a hot but wonderful night for our Middle School Band and Chorus Students. Our band played a couple selections that engaged our fans in spirit and then our chorus finished up with a spirit raising and patriotic performance. It was fun to see their smiles and excitement as they led us in the "Hey Song" and our fight song. I was also introduced to our alma mater by our chorus. Very nice!
Professional Learning On The Go
We all desire to meet our students individually where they are. We ask ourselves what is best for our students. We dig through data and determine need but stuggle with the "how". All students learn and develop as individuals. This idea has resonated with me throughout my work with kids in schools. I recently found an article to share with you from a teacher who allows students to progress through her class as individuals. Learning paces her class, not time. From experimenting with different systems as a teacher, I know that is a potential management nightmare. Here is the system she created. It's worth some thought and reflection. Enjoy!
Professional Library for You!
I have created a professional library in the teachers lounge. It is located in the cupboard by the TV for now. If you would like to check a book out, go to this link.
I know this is content specific but there really are some good ideas for all areas....but especially math. :)
Amazon Review:
“Why do I need to know how to do math when I can find the answer on my phone?”
If you’ve ever heard a variation of that question from your students—or asked it yourself—this book is for you. Bringing technology into the classroom is about so much more than replacing overhead projectors and chalkboards with Smart Boards. Unfortunately, as Stanford Professor Jo Boaler says, “We are in the twenty-first century, but visitors to many math classrooms could be forgiven for thinking they had stepped back in time and walked into the Victorian era.” But that’s all about to change . . .
In Teaching Math with Google Apps, author-educators Alice Keeler and Diana Herrington reveal more than 50 ways teachers can use technology in math classes. The goal isn’t using tech for tech’s sake; rather, it’s to help students develop critical-thinking skills and learn how to apply mathematical concepts to real life.
Memorization and speed tests seem irrelevant to students who can find the solution to almost any math problem with a tap of the finger. But today’s digital tools allow teachers to make math relevant. Specifically, Google Apps give teachers the opportunity to interact with students in more meaningful ways than ever before, and G Suite empowers students to stretch their thinking and their creativity as they collaborate, explore, and learn.
Teaching Math with Google Apps shows you how to:
Create engaging activities that make math relevant to your students
Interact with students throughout the learning process
Spend less time repeating instructions and grading work
Improve your lessons so you can better meet your students’ needs
Packed with lesson ideas, links to downloadable templates, step-by-step instructions, and resources, Teaching Math with Google Apps equips you to bring your math class into the twenty-first century with easy-to-use technology. What are you waiting for?
For the week of October 7th....
Monday October 7th
- Memorial Wall - Cancer Awareness Week - Red, white, and blue day (jeans appropriate)
- Collecting items in Makerspace for Pantry (until October 23rd) see announcement
- Student Council Meets at 2:30 to 3:30
Tuesday, October 8th
- Gold Day - Childhood Cancer Awareness
- Meet with off cycle evaluation teachers - just 5 minutes if everyone is on time
Wednesday, October 9th
- #StrongasMudd Day - Blue and Gray - Jeans appropriate
- 8th GRADE ONLY - Strategic Planning Survey during Falcon Time
- 7th grade TBT
Thursday, October 10th
- Last Day of the Quarter
- Pink Out - Jeans if appropriate
- Strategic Planning Survey for Students during Falcon Time (except 8th Grade)
- Laurel Oaks for 8th Grade
- 8th grade TBT ?
- 6th grade TBT
Friday, October 4th
- No School for Students
- Professional Learning Day off Campus
Makerspace and Study Halls are Collecting Items for the Pantry
For the Falcon Pantry we are in need of the following items in full size containers:
shampoo
conditioner
deodorant (both men and women's)
toothpaste (no toothbrushes)
soap
Please Announce to Students
*Cancer Awareness Week This Week
We have all been impacted by the news that someone that we love has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. As the second leading cause of death in America it seems to have touched the lives of Americans at every age. In an effort to bring early awareness and to collaboratively fight the disease we have planned a special focus this week to support these goals.
Here is one resource that can assist you in creating discussions and activities for this week:
https://www.decodingcancer.org/lesson-plans
- Mon - Memorial/Survivor Wall sign - It is a red/white/blue/jeans day (There will be paper like the 9/11 day that we will post memorials or survivors. I will put post-its in your mailboxes Monday morning and you can let your students know they can post their memorial or survivor on the wall as they go to another class. You do not have to do this as a class if you do not want but please let them know that they are allowed to participate. I will send an email to them too.)
- Tue - Gold Day - Childhood Cancer - https://www.acco.org/gogold/ (We included the link to Childhood cancer if students ask questions. Again, we will email the students with this information too.) Jeans if you wear something gold in support of this cause.
- Wed - Light Blue & Grey #StrongAsMudd Jeans appropriate
- Thur - Pink Out (all staff) w/ribbon for other cancers Jeans appropriate
- Friday - No School
*Field Trips - Student who have not completed their Final Forms will NOT be allowed to go because they do not have their medical release and field trip form complete.
All Grades
*Snap-On Cases MUST be on computers at all times. If they do not have them on, warning first, then an after school detention, then up the discipline matrix. Why? The cases protect our warranty which is void if they are not on. This is new policy for us all. Please help me spread the word. If you have questions, please ask Rachel or myself.
Mr. Stewart's 7th Grade History Class
Danny Mefford - 6th Grade student
Student Council
Info For The Staff
October 11th - Here are the details. I will have itineraries for each group on Thursday. Please let me know if you have questions. One very important thing that needs to happen soon.....order your favorites for lunch. Fill out this form for a vote in the salads and pizza we get. I am buying! Order your Favorites.
Clinton-Massie Letterhead - If you are sending anything out to parents, please use the Clinton-Massie Letterhead located in our templates.
#fuelthepositive Website - Don't forget! Our day to post things is Tuesdays! 1st Tuesday is Admin, 2nd Tuesday is 6th Grade (Kate is with them), 3rd Tuesday is 7th Grade (Nicolin is with them), and 4th Tuesday is 8th Grade (Tammy and Robyn are with them). You all can decide if one person is responsible for the media that day....maybe do it once a month? Tell our story! It helps our culture! Please send to Lorinda and David.
Couple of Date you should know about:
- October 10 - Last day of the Quarter
- October 11 - Personal Learning Day Off Campus (See announcement above for more info)
- October 15 - Grades are due at 7:30 am
- October 30 - November 1 - Project Trust
Helpdesk - A reminder to please send your technology requests to helpdesk@cmfalcons.org. There is no need to send an email to helpdesk, Michael, and David. In fact, it makes it more confusing on their end as to who needs to provide support. They are making a concerted effort this year to be more timely and responsive to helpdesk tickets. The start of the year is always tough but as they fill out their Tech Team and the Oaks Interns, they need their process to be clear. Thank you for your attention to this.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Alternatives to the Chalkboard - October 12th
Many of you have said that you hate missing class. I get it but we need to find ways to stay fresh and expose ourselves to new and innovative best practices. Here is something that is on a Saturday if you are interested.
Alternatives to the Chalkboard at Camp Kern PD for teachers-Check it out and if you are interested Central Office will support.Rapid Fire Google
Learn21 Conference - October 29th
Teach Better Conference - November 8th and 9th
The Teach Better Conference brings together passionate educators from around the country who are driven to be Better for their students. Join us for 2 days filled with of a variety of session styles, and packed with actionable ideas you can take to your classroom, school, or district, and implement immediately.
I may be going up to Thursday night, conference on Friday and then come home if anyone is interested in going with me.
2019-20 Student Handbook
Birthdays
Sandra Archor - October 1st
Donna Hubbell - October 14th
Jill Binau - October 16th
Rachel Cornett - October 28th
Our Gold Standards
Our Gold Standards
Email: lorinda.ottaway@cmfalcons.org
Website: cmfalcons.org
Location: 2556 Lebanon Rd, Clarksville, OH 45113
Phone: (937) 289-2932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Massie-Middle-School-169983643627883/
Twitter: @CMFalconsMiddle