#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week #11- October 29th-November 2nd, 2018
Many Great Things Are Happening In SparkNation!
It would be easy to look at our #sparkcelebration and focus on the number of students who had to attend recovery sessions instead of going to the celebration, but the important thing was that the large number of students who are working hard in the classroom and being leaders by their actions in the building received the recognition they deserve! The inflatables, dance party, Pelican Snoballs, and vollebyall game were a big hit! As I scanned the bleachers for trash at the conclusion, I found one wrapper! I thought that was very impressive! Several teachers offered the feedback that students worked in the recovery sessions and were held to a standard. They will, hopefully, not want to miss the celebrations next nine weeks. Please remind students that the incentives reset each nine weeks, and so everyone is eligible once again!
Additionally, we had two great guest speakers who spoke of seeking your goals and success-building! Both messages were powerful!
Those who attended our dance had a great time! We were privileged to have our own Luke Brazinski perform. He will audition for America's Got Talent in Charlotte in November! Luke's dad told me that Luke looks forward to school this year because of all the fun things happening! I hear this kind of comment at least twice a week!
Additionally, we had the Resource Force performance from Duke Energy and visiting farmers speak to Mrs. Chastain's PBL classes.
Please remember to keep the Good News and the Excel Cents going out as you catch students in acts of excellence. It takes time to change our student culture, but we are moving in the right direction in this regard! Thank you!!
A Focus on Instruction!
Beyond use for SLO's, a number of teachers are now using Mastery Connect with daily instruction. The feedback we have received is that students like the color coding of their progress! It also uses the language we will see with state testing. In several classrooms, I have seen students excited about "exceeding expectations" or "meeting expectations" in the current concept. Some others are using MAP and other data driven instruction.
Remember, we want to have a focus on deep learning of the "Power Standards". This will bring greater success than simply checking off that you have covered everything. Learning a mile wide and an inch deep has not produced great results.
Multidisciplinary Units
November 5th-9th, our sixth grade teams are doing a multi-disciplinary unit with a NASCAR theme! ELA will be doing persuasive essays promoting certain drivers to businesses, Math is going to explore ratios and percents, science will explore potential and kinetic energy tied to speed machines, and social studies will review the history and economic impact! No doubt, you will see a whole theme in the hallway, and in the classrooms. This is taking the content and making it fun! Students will be immersed in the theme. Remember, great instruction looks more at what the students are doing than what the teacher is doing! Great job!
Reading Rich Culture
This past week, I was intentional about asking several students about what they are reading and giving several excel cents when students shared what the book was about! This simple practice is reinforcing good reading habits! RACER and other consistent approaches in our model will stimulate greater literacy in our student body. I am excited to see how many students complete our Library Card/Read Your Way to the Big Game Challenge!
Duke Energy presented an informative and entertaining program on Friday!
It's not over yet! All championships will be on Monday!
Thanks to the Fishing Club #sparkanglers for a great Fall Festival Dance!
Clemson Associate Head Volleyball Coach Jackie Simpson-Kirr poses for photos after speaking at morning assembly!
Students conduct a dissection lab in PLTW!
Recognizing the inspiration for Gowan's Gold, Coach Katie Gowan.
Students enjoy a Pelican SnoBall at #sparkcelebration!
A number of Pickens Middle Students are a part of the Pickens High Marching Band. State Champs!!
Former TV personality and current organic farmer, Kimberly Kelly was a guest speaker at morning assembly!
This Week's Agenda!
Monday, Oct. 29th-
Manufacturing Cohort (CCTC)
Mathcounts Meeting (3:10-4:10)
Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin
Beta Club Induction 6:00 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 30th-
Beta Club Meeting 3:15-3:45
1st Nine Weeks Report Cards go home.
Wednesday, Oct. 31st-
Halloween (Students can wear non-violent costumes for $1.00) No Facemasks allowed.
Ed. Tech Professional Development- (AM Planning)
Robotics Team Meeting (3:15-5:30)
Boys Basketball Tryouts Begin
Thursday, Nov. 1st-
Student Council District Rally (All Day)
Momentum Bike Club (3:30-5:00 PM)
Friday, Nov. 2nd-
Spanish Club (3:15-4:30)
Sunday, Nov. 4th-
Daylight Savings Ends (Fall back 1 hr.)
We want you to join our PTO!
United Way
Spark Spotlight!!
Engaging ALL Students in Eighth Grade!
With a large number of students with a low socioeconomic status, Pickens Middle faces some unique challenges when it comes to the baggage students bring with them to school. Most of us would also acknowledge that the eighth grade this year, especially, offers some unique challenges!
From time to time you have grade levels that offer more "challenges" than most. I would like to spotlight the eighth grade teachers this week for their approach with their students this year! While there are more challenges than usual in this group, there are also many great students!
While it would be easy to lump them all together, the eighth grade has taken it as a personal challenge this year to adjust the mindset of those who need it, and build up the many great students in our eighth grade!
The standard is high, but the patience matches the expectations. The eighth grade teachers have not allowed the students to control the environment with antics, and I know there are many students in class who appreciate this!
This is the year that students must prepare for the transition to the high school! I have personally seen the growth of several students who were in trouble a great deal last year. The progress may be slow in some students, but it is there.
Thank you and remember your pact! :)
Socio-Emotional Curriculum in ELA included Classmate Interviews and "I Am From" Poems!
Eighth graders are engaged across the curriculum!
Luke is one of our many talented eighth graders who is having a great year!
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks