Paxton Faculty Newsletter
Week of August 27, 2018
At Paxton, we do everything with PRIDE, PASSION & PURPOSE in EPIC proportions!
Mission:
It’s H.A.M.R. Time!
High Expectations + Accountability + Motivation = Results
In the Spotlight
Collaboration
EPIC Shout Outs
Kindergarten PE
Differentiated Accountability: We are proudly educating 800 future leaders.
Glossary of Terms Related to Creation of Learning Targets
Many have asked, "What is the difference between Daily Learning Targets, Objectives, and Essential Questions?" Please read the definitions below and let's explore the differences.
Learning Goal: The educational objective that describes what students will understand and be able to perform in regard to the content being addressed. An effective learning goal is composed of clearly stated learning targets that demonstrate attainment and mastery performance of the academic standard.
Learning Target: A description of what the student is going to learn by the end of today's lesson, stated in developmentally appropriate language that the student can understand. Learning target language is framed from the point of view of a student who has not yet mastered the target and includes student look-fors - criteria that students can use to judge how close they are to the target - stated in language that describes mastery (rather than grading or scoring). The learning target is connected to the specific performance of understanding.
Essential Questions: Wiggins and McTighe define essential questions as “questions that are not answerable with finality in a brief sentence… Their aim is to stimulate thought, to provoke inquiry, and to spark more questions — including thoughtful student questions — not just pat answers” (106).
Professional Development Updates
12:45-3:05
Topic: Professional Learning Experience: Lesson Targets
- Meeting in expert groups to dissect and analyze assigned chapters; each expert group will contain one member from each home group.
- All teachers should have read the book by this date
Materials: Lesson Target book, paper, pencil/pen
Instructional Aides Training:
When: August 31st from 8:00-2:00
Where: CHAT Center
Who: Elementary Instructional Aides who support reading groups
Biophilia 4th gr. New Teacher Training
When: August 27th or 28th
Where: E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center 4956 State Hwy 20 E, Freeport
Biophilia 7th gr. New Teacher Training
When: August 29th or 30th
Where: E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center 4956 State Hwy 20 E, Freeport
SpringBoard Quickstart for ALL teachers new to ELA in WCSD:
When: September 12 & 13 from 8:00-3:00
Where: CHAT Center
Important Information
- School-wide Reading Initiative: It is expected that ALL 4th Period teachers present this initiative to students as an opportunity for growth and participate with the exception of those classes that are exempt such as Advanced Placement classes.
- Dress Code: Please remember that shorts for both boys and girls must be at the knee. I would ask that ALL 1st period teachers monitor the dress code.
- Cell Phone Usage in the Classroom: It is imperative ALL teachers adhere to the following classroom procedures regarding cell phone usage in the classroom. All cell phones are to be off and out of sight in the classroom. This includes listening to music with earphones. Classroom Disciplinary Procedures regarding cell phones: Record the infraction on the Behavior Tracking Form in the Student Planner and take the phone up. The phone should be sent to the office and parents will be contacted. It is imperative we all have the same expectations regarding cell phone usage in the classroom.
- Attendance: Attendance should be taken each day. Secondary teachers need to take attendance each period in an effort to monitor students throughout the day.
- Safety:
- During a fire drill, do not exit the classroom without administrative authorization. Once administrative authorization has been given, switch all lights off, keep doors unlocked, take your class roster with you, and exit the building.
- ALL classroom doors MUST be locked at all times.
- Field Trips & Transportation: Transportation is in need of bus drivers and do not have enough to fill their current routes. In an effort to assist transportation, please be mindful of field trip times and adjust the leaving and returning times so it will not interfere with daily routes.
- Passes: If you give verbal permission for students to go to the bathroom before the tardy bell, please ask them to take a pass.
- Substitutes: Please use only the CURRENT and APPROVED Substitute List if you choose to obtain your own substitutes.
- Passwords: Please do NOT give out your passwords to anyone.
- Absences: Any time you are going to be out, please contact Ms. Cain, Ms. Neale, or Mr. Jackson.
Calendar Additions:
Tuesday, August 28:
- Activity Schedule (Class Elections) - All students will report directly to their assigned location (the same location as last week). A grade level list will be available so you can take attendance. Place a check by their name if they are present and an "A" by their name if they are absent. Turn these in to Ms. Anderson and we will compare to our 1st period attendance.
- School Improvement Meeting will be held in the Media Center beginning at 3:10pm. Please bring your Red Teacher Handbook Binder.
NOTE: If there are any changes or additions, please contact the front office.