Elementary E-News
Issue 20 - February 2015
Reflection ON and Reflection IN learning...
Donald Schon, an influential thinker in developing the theory and practices of
reflective learning as “The capacity to reflect on action as to engage in a process
of continuous learning”.
What is Reflective Learning?
Winter Point People Updates in Progress
Math Meeting Date Changes
Please note the meeting date changes for vertical teams 3 and 4:
February 3- K-2 Vertical Team 3
February 5- K-2 Vertical Team 4
Math Update
Q3 assessment window is open on February 23rd and closes on March 20th.
Science Update
TOP 10 WAYS TO INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE
10. Correct and enough supplies available for students to DO the investigations
9. Teachers attend Science OI Training (There are 6 a year in every grade, several coming up in February)
8. Point People take back learning to teams (Ask your 4th and 5th grade about their Beach Ball of Learning from Winter Point People)
7. Science teachers participate in true PLCs
6. Engaging experiences are designed intentionally
5. Vocabulary Focus! Science students NOT copying definitions but analyzing,
comparing, using, synthesizing words
4. Teachers know the TEKS and teach them to the correct level (Learning
Progressions)
3. Formative and Summative data is used to adapt instruction and determine
reteach strategies.
2. Commitment to Daily, Hands On Science Experiences in all grades, not just 5th
1. Unwaivering, High Expectations for Students & Teachers
If your campus needs support in one or more of the above, please feel free
to contact me- x4195 kburke@mckinneyisd.net
Upcoming:
- Everything Chicks Class- 1st Grade February 19th, 3:30-5:00 Minshew
- Class Aquarium Set Up- Kinder February 19th, 3:30-5:00 McClure
Social Studies Update
IMA Committee: The Vendor Showcase will be held February 17th from 3:30-6:00 at McKinney High School. The committee (consisting of one representative from each campus) will hear presentations from our top 4 vendors, have a short discussion about the information, take any added information back to the campus to then collect a final vote for the top choice. I will be sending more detailed information to the committee members.
District Assessment Windows for Grades 3-4:
3rd Grade DA 2 Diversity: February 6-February 27
4th Grade DA 2 So Long Santa Anna: February 13-March 6
Point People Meetings:
We have had great conversations at our Point People meetings so far (4th and 5th) and I am looking forward to the upcoming meetings.
ELM Update:
Just in Time training: February 17th and February 26th
Continuous learning: Keir and Stacie are available to visit with you (during your conference time, after school, etc.) about how ELM is going. We would like to celebrate achievements and brainstorm solutions to challenges, provide crit, and/or any conversations that would be supportive.
ELM Twitter Chat: February 24th 3:30-4:30 #McKELM
ELAR Update
- Thank you for entering all data for DRA2 - MOY into Aware. Having data to review trends in grade levels, student groups, etc will certainly assist as we aim at strategic interventions when using the DRA2.
- If you have any additional needs for your teachers or have questions about scores, please contact me
Writing Workshop:
Is it Shared Writing… OR… Interactive Writing?
- Shared Writing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRCmSR2dPc
- Interactive Writing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09BA8bwOArA
Reading Workshop:
Guided Reading video to watch! After viewing ask the following questions:
1. What did the teacher and students do during the PRE-reading?
2. What did the teacher and students do DURING the reading?
3. What did the teacher and students do AFTER the reading?
Collin County Spelling Bee:
Thank you for those who have sent in their winners to the County Bee contact Roxanne Burchfiel in Plano ISD.
Here is the email reminder sent by Roxanne to all those who have entered:
Please send me the name(s) of your campus/district winners by January 23. Thanks to all of you who have already sent names. The 2014-2015 Collin County Spelling Bee will be February 12 at Plano West Senior High School Auditorium (5601 W. Parker Road, Plano) beginning at 6:30. The winner of this bee will then continue to the Dallas Morning News Regional Spelling Bee on March 21 at WFAA Studios beginning at 1:00.
You may want to give the attached hand-out, which includes these dates, to your winner(s). Encourage your winner(s) to continue studying the words listed in the classroom guide. The official study booklet is available free at www.myspellit.com. In the final rounds of the district bees, words will be included that may or may not be in the study guide. The final source for the spelling bee is Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and its addenda copyright 2002.
Campus Cheer and Support:
I have enjoyed visiting campuses, while using Literacy Walk-through tool, to support in locating specific areas that would benefit a team and/or campus.
I am here to support in building literacy capacity as well as celebrate literacy growth happening on your campus!
Join me on Twitter @ mona_rsavage