THE AVIATOR
THE RISE OF ROBERTS
REMOVE ALL BARRIERS BY PLANNING
It’s impossible to overstate the power of how we choose to see the world and how we see our students. Here at Roberts, we need to find the marginal gains and just try to get a little better every day rather than always trying to look good and prove we have it all figured out. Focusing on progress rather than results is the fastest way to get the results we want. Roberts, as we are now in the 9th inning of the year for our 5th and 6th graders, we need to stretch our vision of what’s possible then pin that to the present moment. We need to make sure we are deliberately planning lessons that challenge students to think critically. You are the architects and designers of how you deliver each and every lesson. How do you plan a lesson that will have meaningful outcomes? You must ask yourself, “Which teaching strategies will best facilitate my students' learning? Did my students learn? What didn't work? What will I do differently next time?” The only way to get these answers is by consistently checking for understanding. You will never get these answers by sitting at your desk. One attribute of being a master teacher is to constantly checking if our students are getting it and then pull small groups based on real time data. Walking the room to check for understanding will also help with classroom management. I will always challenge you to be the best in everything you do. Being the best starts with our everyday practices. It is impossible to overstate how much of a difference you are making in the lives of our students each and every day. Thank you for putting in every minute possible to plan lessons that will capture student curiosity, remove barriers, and produce meaningful outcomes.
Jorly
HOW DID WE COMPARE TO OTHER PISD SCHOOLS ON THE MOCK TEST?
6TH GRADE MIND TREKKERS FIELD TRIP
6TH GRADE MIND TREKKERS
Friday, Mar 10, 2017, 11:30 PM
San Jacinto College Central, Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX, United States
Plan it like you own it!
Have you ever sat down to plan a lesson only to get distracted by the other things you’ve been meaning to do like make that positive parent phone call, grade that last quiz, or come up with your catchy AIR Time titles? Truth is, we’ve all been there. Problem with that is, how can you teach a lesson effectively if you haven’t planned for it?
Last Monday, I found myself in those shoes, trying to come up with a game plan for how to get ALL of our fifth graders to be successful on the STAAR Reading test. My plan was very skeletal; I mean I had an idea, but nothing written on paper yet! I have to say though, once we all came together as a team, everyone had input, everyone shared a strategy, everyone shared resources and it seemed so effortless. Why? Because we all have a common goal at Roberts; these are ALL OUR KIDS. I truly felt the camaraderie you feel when you are on a team of people who love what they do and do what they love - TEACH!
Once we collaborated, then it was up to us individually, to deliver the best instruction we know how. Once a teacher, always a teacher! I quickly reverted back to what I did in my classroom as I thought about Wednesday quickly approaching. I started questioning myself. What does a well thought out, pre-planned lesson look like? Well, first of all, you have to engage the learner. If you don’t set your expectations and get their attention, then you are just spinning your wheels. Then, model, model, model! We forget and think our kiddos know, but they don’t. We have to show them how first. Next, they can practice, but with our guidance. We are still there for support and checking for understanding. Are they getting it? Are we using our pre-planned questions? Are we meeting them where they are? Finally, when you have checked for understanding and feel they are ready, they can work independently. Now you can release them. Too often we go straight to independent work; we have to gradually release them.
This is my sixteenth year teaching and this has never changed! Today, we have more innovative ways for students to take ownership of their learning through the use of technology. But, the computer is a tool and doesn’t take the place of good teaching. As we are all prepping for STAAR, I can’t help but feel so grateful to be a part of the great plan for our student’s success. I’m planning for my groups of students just as you are. In the first three days with them, I have already adjusted my plans to meet them where they are. I have even switched gears with my AIR Time sessions, from Science Fair to Reading. I’m keeping our Essential Standards in mind and really taking advantage of that thirty-seven minutes that goes so fast, yet is so valuable. I know I have to be very purposeful in planning for AIR Time. I mean, kids are choosing to come to sessions, that’s powerful! I want to make it a positive learning experience for them; I want them talking about it in the halls! I want to make inferring so fun that they don’t even realize they are learning! This is a chance to build relationships with all of our kids, make their light bulbs go on, and narrow those gaps! I want every student to truly feel that we all care about their success and that Roberts is the place to be!
Jennifer
THANK YOU STEFFANIE FOR PULLING GROUPS!
THANK YOU ADRIANA FOR BEING IN THE TRENCHES WITH THE TEACHERS!
THANK YOU SCIENCE TEACHERS FOR ALLOWING STUDENTS TO WORK ON THEIR PROJECTS DURING TUTORING!
THANK YOU ASHLIE FOR PULLING 6TH GRADE STUDENTS OUT OF THE GYM FOR TUTORING!
THANK YOU ERIKA FOR CHECKING ON STUDENTS!
THANK YOU KELLI FOR PUSHING OUR STUDENTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL!
THANK YOU JULIE FOR HELPING EACH AND EVERY STUDENT!
THANK YOU VIRGINIA FOR DOING WORK THAT MATTERS!
Lesson Plans are Due at 8 AM on Mondays
- Pasadena ISD Middle Schools Science Fair
- 6th SS PLC
- 6th Math PLC
- 6th Science PLC
STAAR Tuesdays – Wear STAAR Shirt with Jeans
- 6th Reading PLC
- 5th SS PLC
- 5th Reading PLC
- 5th Science PLC
- 5th Math PLC
- 4:30 District Spelling Bee @ SHHS
- 12:00 Due: AIRTIME Sessions
- Faculty Meeting During ALL Conference Periods
- 4:15 Arroyo's Baby Shower
- Spring Student Pictures
- Kim Camfield's Birthday
- SS CBA3 (5th & 6th)
- 5th Grade Math Academy
- 4:00 Orchestra Solo and Ensemble