The Points of Pride
January 18, 2019
Instructional Focus:
During a recent training with Wendy Peterson, she introduced me to the writing response strategy CSET (see handout below for more information). This strategy shows students how to construct a well-organized paragraph using evidence.
As we are really focusing on reading and math, it's easy to forget about writing, but this construct can be applied to almost any piece of non-narrative writing. Wendy recommends that students in grades 3-6 write a CSET paragraph at least two times a day. If you look at the information, it would be very easy to apply this approach across the curriculum. It could be used for a warm up, or an exit ticket. Grades K-2, how can this apply to you? Could you have the kids start talking through things using this model? Could you use a sentence or paragraph stem to start them thinking in this manner?
Overall, I feel that it's going to be absolutely critical to provide our students with daily practice using this strategy as testing comes into focus and it could very well help our "bubble kids" rise on our standardized tests.
Ready GEN Log In....
Before you go to your Ready GEN training, please ensure that you have online access.
On your Rapid Identity screen (main log-in), select "Easybridge Pearson"
As long as you can get there, you will be ready to go for your training. If you can't get there, please make a help desk ticket.
If you are not a homeroom teacher (COPE and Resource you are getting access already) but feel that it would be beneficial to your position to have access to the Ready GEN materials, please let me know.
Social Skill Assemblies....
These assemblies will be brief 15-20, and we will explicitly teach a skill from the following list: 10 Skills Everyone Should Know
On February 1, we will have a K-2 assembly from 1:30-2:00ish, and 3-6 grade from 2:00-2:30ish. For the month of February, we will be focusing on "Showing Appreciation." During the month of February, keep an eye on who is doing an exceptional job, and we will recognize them during the meeting in March.
If you wanted to further reinforce, consider looking over the following handout that we will be using to teach the students: Showing Appreciation
Marquee Update....
I received an update from the company, and the new GPS logo was officially approved, so our design is heading to fabrication. From there, it should take between 6 and 8 weeks to build. (insert fingers crossed emoji)
Upcoming Events:
- 1/21: No School-MLK Day
- 1/23: 2:15 Release-Site PD from 2:30-3:45; 6th grade Data Dig @ 8:00
- 1/25: Faculty Meeting @ 7:30; 5th grade Data Dig @ 9:30; 3rd grade Data Dig @ 2:40
- 1/28: 1st grade Data Dig @ 10:05; 2nd grade Data Dig @ 1:50; Talent Show Try Outs @ 3:30
- 1/30: 2:15 Release-PLC: Data Team sheet due; 4th grade Data Dig @ 2:30
- 2/1: 5th grade blanket ALP Testing (switch 5th and 6th grade specials); K-2 Social Skills assembly @ 1:30; 3-6 Social Skills assembly @ 2:00
Welcome!!!
Angie Van Volkinburgh comes very highly recommended from Gilbert Elementary school, and we look forward to having her on staff.
Please ensure to give her a big SPE welcome!
Retention....
Thanks!