Update From THIS I.F.
THERE ARE NO LIMITS
Dates to Know
Leadership Team on October 4th
SST Team Meeting October 11th
We will have PLC this week. We will discuss Tier 2 paperwork. If we can get drafts complete--we will NOT meet the week of October 9th. This time will be for you to complete your Tier 2 paperwork for your conferences.
I will do walkthroughs just to gain baseline data (like last year) on school wide goals before Dr. Curry's full day visit on October 26th.
October 16th Mclass Training for new teachers for all new K-3 staff---- If you have not turned in your leave request for this--please do. Curriculum is the funds source. If you are unsure if you should attend--see me. (Lauren Hefner this is optional for you since you were trained in another county but welcome)
Helping Kids Dig In
We have some teachers who have been teaching Engage for three years and have learned how to break up the monotony with these strategies--If you want to visit one of them to see how they do this...please let me or Mrs. Lingle know and we will help make that happen.
Good example in an older class--skip to about 1 minute to start.
Rug Partners--this could be done at their desks if you have pre-designated partners.
I am very proud of the thinking students are doing! Please do not break up the rigor because it is hard--scaffold learning with partner discussions, think pair share, turn and talk, etc. These techniques will help extend learning for some and support others while still exposing them to the rigor.
Grade Level Meetings
October 2nd will be 2nd Grade at Sugar Loaf
October 3rd will be Kindergarten at Hiddenite
October 5th will be 1st Grade at Bethlehem
These will all start at 2:00 at the school specified and end at 4:00. If you cannot attend this for some reason--let Ms. Lingle know because these are a county expectation.
CFA
Academic Language
Take time to fill this chart in for your grade level--I need first quarter info (a rough draft.
I HAD ASKED FOR THIS TO BE COMPLETED BY THIS WEEK. PUT THIS ON YOUR TO DO LIST AND GET A DRAFT OF WORDS BY OCTOBER 9TH. THIS GIVES YOU THE EARLY RELEASE DAY IF NEEDED. YOU CANNOT HAVE SPECIALS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS HELP YOU REINFORCE IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE FOR THEM YOUR NEEDS.
Curriculum WoWs in the Building!
- Teachers making parent contacts! Thank you! When our little ones are not meeting expectations--reach out to parents first! They are our first opportunity to get the student help and on track.
- Intervention plans taking shape. We will begin writing Tier 2 paperwork soon! Thanks for trying to set up situations where ALL of our students are learning.
- Behavior Contracts! Thank you to all of you who are trying behavior check sheets and plans with students to help them understand and reach the expectations we have form them here at TES.
- Context Clues instruction! I am seeing this in many grade levels such as 3, 4 and 5. I listened to a first grade remediation group figure out unknown words--This helps UNLOCK language meaning for students. This should be a daily practice in every room.
- High expectations and accountability--I see this in so many places. Example: Tara had a student move in who was at risk on CBM. She had passed one math test but not the other. Tara had her retake ON PAPER to show work and the student IS NOT at risk. The power of accountability! Be sure to continue to push students to always do their best. Thanks!
- Collaborative Planning! 3, 4 and 5th grades I can go in from one class to another and see that you are all talking the same language. 1st grade reading groups across classes shows planning and working together. Thanks for taking time to make sure all students are getting the best. When we as teachers know what students need and plan for it--results come!
- PM already started! I saw several people on Monday and Tuesday already getting a start on PM. Please remember that you are to PM the lowest Dibel skill and TRC. If you get behind--let me know and I will do my best to help you. Constantly looking at their progress will help you decide if the instruction and intervention is working or needs to be changed. You do not have to wait 4 weeks to change something if it is not working!
- Continual Reflection: Research shows that teacher's who reflect on their practice make the most student growth! There have been lots of schedule changes to make instruction better for students! 1st, 3rd, and 2nd have made changes to improve their day for students--Thanks!
Weekly Blog
If you did not read about syntax or language over the past couple of weeks. PLEASE take time to do that.
Resources to Follow Up MTSS Training
TES Goals--Plan with these in mind!
- Increase student to student interaction in conversation, summarizing, and discussion of content
- Vocabulary through student talk and rigor of text
- Complexity of Text
- Increase questioning of deep comprehension with all reading groups at each level. Do not wait for a student to be reading on a level for them to answer questions on that level orally.
- Application of phonics to multi-syllabic words in 2-5 and strong emphasis and mastery in K-1
- Growth Mindset and STAMINA
Growth Mindset Resources
Think on this information:
- Family income is a strong predictor of achievement.
- Growth Mindset exhibits a strong relationship with achievement across all socioeconomic levels.
- Lower socioeconomic students are less likely to hold growth mindset than wealthier peers.
Growth Mindset CAN buffer negative effects of poverty on achievement.
Google Drive to Materials (Add to this if you have any good resources)
Kelly This
Email: kthis@alexander.k12.nc.us
Location: Taylorsville, NC, United States
Phone: 8282922293
Twitter: @This1This