Curriculum Newsletter May 2014
Flushing Community Schools
With Gratitude
Thank you for:
- Smiling at students who need some attention.
- Staying after school or arriving early to provide extra time for students to work with you.
- Providing lunch money for those forgetful students.
- Learning about the Common Core Standards and the new rigor involved.
- Building relationships with students to make them want to show up to your class every day and do their best.
- Transporting students safely to and from school, sporting events, and field trips.
- Providing breakfast and lunch to our students.
- Believing in students who do not believe in themselves.
- BEING the difference in the life of a student who needed you.
- Participating on committees!
- Leading your buildings.
- Focusing on the important job of instruction.
- Surviving the many changes during the year with a smile on your face.
- Staying positive all year long and enjoying the ride on THE ENERGY BUS.
- Remembering your one word and using it to stay focused throughout the year.
- Being an important part of this wonderful school family.
- Answering the phone with a smile on your face!
- Taking care of the health of our school family.
- Making our schools shine!
- Assisting with all of the technology needs of the district.
- For all you do whatever your role may be.
Happy summer to you and your family.
Kasey
Common Core Resources
The Importance of Mindset
Our District Improvement Team has completed a book study on MINDSET by Carol Dweck.
Dr. Dweck is a professor at Stanford University and has completed research on the different mindsets and how this impacts learning. We have copies of the book available if you are interested in adding this to your summer reading list. Ask to borrow a copy from your school principal or team member.
Be sure to watch the video below of Dr. Dweck explaining the importance of a growth mindset for students.
Summer Reading!
Here are some suggestions:
The NO Complaining Rule Jon Gordon
The Energy Bus Jon Gordon
Opening Minds Peter H. Johnston
The Essential 55 Ron Clark (remember when he was here in Flushing?)
Reign of Errors Diane Ravitch (highly recommend - I am a big fan!)
The Book Whisperer Donalyn Miller
Under-Resourced Learners Ruby Payne (easy reading, great information, will have an impact on how you view students)
A Repair Kit for Grading Ken O'Connor
Send me an email if you would like to borrow any for your summer reading!
Additionally, each building School Improvement Team have a number of books you may borrow!
As professionals, it is always important to continue to learn and deepen our understanding and knowledge.
Growth Mindset = Success
Growth Mindset = Growing Pains!
- William James -
A Sharp Teacher
". . . my students. They are the real concern here. At the root of their success is a teacher's willingness to be a voice for what their needs are and to grow the profession. In other words, to practice what we preach- collaboration, patience, and flexibility. Here's to knowing I can and will. I'm not going to say 'hope' because well, I can hope for a lot, but nothing's going to happen if I just sit around and hope. I gotta do something."
(Texas teacher Amy Sharp in her blogspot, A Sharp Teacher. Sharp is a National Board Certified Teacher who recently attended the NBPTS Teaching and Learning Conference and was motivated by discussions about teacher leadership.)
Just for Fun!
STEM Classroom Opening in 2014-15!
Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.
- Carl Sagan -
Summer Professional Development
Check them out!
Relax, refresh and renew yourself.
- Carlos Castaneda -