Wolcott's Weekly "What's Up"
Office of Teaching and Learning 12.1.2014
Thank you for making this quote come alive in D68!
Teaching and Learning Updates
PARCC Website Ready
All LRCDs, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade teachers of math and reading, as well as all ELA and Math teachers at Jefferson have been registered in the PARCC Training website. They should have received an email with their registration/login information.
If these assigned teachers have not received such an email, please contact Kim immediately.
Website access gives selected staff the ability to set up practice tests for their students.
Math Curriculum Checklist
As part of the Math Curriculum, every math teacher should be sending home the following to keep parents "in the loop" as to what is being taught during each unit:
- Common Core Math Newsletter (which list standards taught, LearnZillion Connections, IXL Math Connections and additional resources),
- Any quizzes/checks for understanding or other formative assessment pieces used throughout the unit,
- Student Goal Setting and Reflection Sheet (for teachers in grades 1 and 2- a growth report which has pre-assessment scores, post assessment scores, and retake scores), and
- The Real World Experience (RWE) Grading Sheet.
Please make sure teachers in your building are sending this information home throughout the year.
Math Homework: Can we or Can't We?
Of course you can! Per District Homework Policy 6520, "Teachers may issue homework assignments only as a supplement to purposeful classroom instruction (this means after it has been taught in class) and only if such assignments will be reviewed by the teachers and returned to the student as an instrument of instruction (which means with feedback students can act upon).
The best homework tasks exhibit five characteristics. First, the task has a clear academic purpose, such as practice, checking for understanding, or applying knowledge or skills. Second, the task efficiently demonstrates student learning. Third, the task promotes ownership by offering choices and being personally relevant. Fourth, the task instills a sense of competence—the student can successfully complete it without help. Last, the task is aesthetically pleasing—it appears enjoyable and interesting (Vatterott, 2009).
Math homework resources if needed:
- IXL Math license (purchased for all students)
- Math Facts and a Flash (purchased for all students). These can be printed out for students without internet access at home.
- Accelerated Math (licenses purchased for students, homeroom teachers need to assign tasks and send out to students). Accelerated Math activities can be printed out for students without internet access at home.
- There are also many appropriate resources within the previous math textbook that can be utilized.
For additional ideas, please contact Rachel Manjarres, District Math Specialist @ Ext.2075
Math Resources for Teachers
Elementary Students Invited to Participate in Holiday Cards to Troops Program
Gov. Pat Quinn invites elementary school students across Illinois to help spread a little cheer this season by making holiday cards for our injured service members. Each year before the General Assembly reconvenes, Gov. Quinn has made it a priority to personally deliver greeting cards from Illinois schoolchildren as a thank you to the troops for their courageous service. Gov. Quinn welcomes your students to share in this holiday tradition.
Cards must be received no later than Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Any questions about Gov. Quinn's Holiday Cards to Troops Program can be directed to GOV.Cards4troops@illinois.gov.
Cards can be sent to:
Office of Governor Pat Quinn
Attn: Holiday Cards to Troops Program
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph St., Suite 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
General Guidelines:
· Holiday cards of all types are welcome (i.e., Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, etc.)
· Cards created by grade school students only.
· Cards should be no larger than a regular 8.5x11 piece of paper.
· Cards may be handmade or computer generated.
· Stack cards neatly and bundle with rubber bands.
· Include one index card with your school's name and mailing address.
· Cards Only - We are unable to accept items other than holiday cards.LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING RESOURCES
Very Thought Provoking TEDx Talk
Principal's To Do List
- Have staff sign up for WE School Improvement Day activities
- Make sure ELL teachers get subs when out of the building.
- Refrain from scheduling meetings on WEA Mondays.
- Refrain from scheduling DEB during the week of January 12th (ACCESS Testing Week).
- Thank your teaching assistants and paraprofessionals for their role in making a daily difference in the lives of our students.
On the Radar
12/9
- District Admin Meeting
12/12
- WE 14 School Improvement Day
12/16
- Principals Teaching & Learning Team Meeting
1/6
- District Admin Meeting
1/13
- Principals Teaching & Learning Team Meeting
- RTI Committee Meeting
1/15
- Professional Development Council
1/16
- Building Spelling Bee Winners to Kim
1/20
- District Admin Meeting
1/23
- End of Quarter
1/27
- Principals Teaching & Learning Team Meeting
1/28
- District Spelling Bee @ JJHS 6:30 PM
Stay Strong and F.O.C.U.S.ed!
Greg Wolcott
Email: wolcottg@woodridge68.org
Website: www.woodridge68.org
Location: 7925 Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL, United States
Phone: 630.967-2035
Twitter: @TeachLearn68