Instructional Impact
October 30, 2019
Purpose
Helpful Links
Trimester 1 Assessment Calendar
Report Card Dates/Deadlines
ELA Minimal Standards of Instructional Practice
Click HERE to access our minimal standards of instructional practice for ELA and our balanced literacy approach.
Family Engagement
The key question I want to be able to answer is:
How do we engage families in learning and better help them understand what their children are learning, give them a window into our schools/classrooms, how they can support at home, and how can we help them improve their own skills?
Some of my ideas include game nights, math and literacy nights, videos (so many options), book study groups for families, etc.
If this is an area you are interested in, can you send me a quick email letting me know? I feel our first step will be to just get together and talk/brainstorm.
The SharingPYP Blog: Engaging Parents in Exhibition
This is a great blog to subscribe to!
Austin's Butterfly and the Importance of Feedback
Deliberate, explicit feedback is an essential part of teaching and learning. When we provide effective feedback, we guide students, through small, next steps, toward the bigger goal!
7 Keys to Effective Feedback:
- Feedback is goal-referenced
- Tangible and transparent
- Actionable
- User-friendly
- Timely
- Ongoing
- Consistent
Source: ASCD
I believe wholeheartedly that feedback changes the trajectory of learning! Even more, bringing students into the conversation is essential. They should know what to expect and how the feedback is helpful. Further, they should learn the importance of giving their peers feedback especially since our curriculum and instructional strategies allow for a lot of peer feedback opportunities.
Below are some resources that you can use WITH students to discuss the importance of feedback so that the practice is elevated in your classrooms not only by you but by them!
"Thanks for the Feedback" (YouTube Video of the book)
Socially and emotionally, being able to accept feedback is a life skill. Below is a book to help start this discussion with students.
Dyslexia
Superintendent Throne's Podcast
He does a nice job of helping our community better understand school financing! Being a knowledgeable and informed stakeholder is important. If you haven't, and want to learn more, check it out HERE!
In this podcast, Mr. Throne discusses the impending construction on M-24 that will begin next spring. Check it out HERE! This podcast was shared by Mr. Throne on Oct. 30, 2019.
I listened to it in the car while driving! :)
World Kindness Day- November 13, 2019
Resources:
Each Kindness (Book)
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? (Book)
Kindness is Cooler with Mrs. Ruler (Book)
The Invisible Boy (Book)
Be Kind (Book)
Enemy Pie (Book)
If You Plant a Seed (Book)
Engaging Families in Mathematics
The site includes tons of pictures that can be used as provocations to get students talking about what they see and what they notice! These would actually be great for classroom teachers too! Maybe a fun, quick addition to the Daily Routine. When I checked out the site, I was prompted to register and I received a free eBook that had some great prompts. I especially like this because it promotes multiple representation, talking about math, and subitizing skills!
How you can be good in math...
We do a wonderful job of helping students develop identities as readers and writers. Can we help them develop a mathematical identity? Scientist? Historian?
A great book I've used in the past to help students learn about their brains and promote a growth mindset is Your Fantastic Elastic Brain.
Michigan's Literacy Essentials
Our districts curriculum and instructional practice, including workshop instruction, helps to support and promote these Literacy Essentials!
This site offers EXCELLENT professional learning opportunities through videos and modules!
Understanding Math PROGRESSIONS
Not all content in a given grade is emphasized equally in the Standards. Some clusters require greater emphasis than others based on the depth of the ideas, the time that they take to master, and/or their importance to future mathematics or the demands of college and career readiness. More time in these areas is also necessary for students to meet the Standards for Mathematical Practice. To say that some things have greater emphasis is not to say that anything in the Standards can safely be neglected in instruction. Neglecting material will leave gaps in student skill and understanding and may leave students unprepared for the challenges of a later grade.
Source: www.achievethecore.org
Understanding the "major work" of your grade as you instruct in math is important. Our curriculum is designed to spend extra time in the "major work of the grade" while also introducing some standards and providing practice opportunities for others.
These VIDEOS are invaluable in understanding progressions of major areas of mathematics. These are great to watch and to share with parents to engage them in learning.
You'll find videos on the following:
Early Numbers and Counting
Addition and Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Fractions: The meaning, equivalence and comparison
Teacher's College Reading & Writing Project (TCRWP)
Anita R. Qonja-Collins
Email: anita.qonja@oxfordschools.org
Website: oxfordschools.org
Location: 10 North Washington Street, Oxford, MI, USA
Phone: 248.969.5096
Twitter: @AnitaQonja