Points of Pride
September 3, 2018
Instructional Focus:
In a traditional setting, when a teacher asks a question, 3 or 4 students will always raise their hands, while the rest of the class will wait on them to answer. As a staff, let's commit to use hand raising for asking questions, not answering them.
Try integrating some of the following ideas with more regularity to ensure that more students are engaged:
1) Use white boards to have students answer questions
2) Use manipulatives for students to prove their answers and show you (this is critical in math!--If you are teaching the intervention Math group, I would encourage you to do this with fidelity-No Worksheets for this group)
3) RAFT Writing
4) Partner Share or Small group discussion
5) Use a Thinking Map to explain something
6) Here are a bunch more ideas: Active Engagement Strategies (some of these don't give a full description, but if you are interested in one, Google the name of it)
How to Look Up Assessment Data in IC...
When looking at a student's profile, click on the "Assessment" tab. From there, all data from AIMS, AzMERIT, and even Cogat assessments are listed.
SPE Alarm Changes
Employees will no longer be able to input their code to turn the alarm off.
If you absolutely plan on coming in between those hours, please reach out to Maria or I first.
GPS Curriculum Google Classrooms
ELA Classroom:
https://sites.google.com/gilbertschools.net/k-6-ela
Math:
https://sites.google.com/gilbertschools.net/gps-k-6-math/home
Classroom: hge3c9
Social Studies:
https://sites.google.com/gilbertschools.net/socialstudies/home
Gifted:
http://www.gilbertschools.net/g_p_s_employees/teacher_resources/elementary/gifted_cluster_alp/
Science: (go to Google Classroom, and use the appropriate code from below to enroll)
K - ultzlu
1st - ycj2b8
2nd - e8mlwr
3rd - 4vue5h
4th - e6xjco
5th - 856vsii
6th - dnud9jl
Upcoming Events:
- Week of 9/3: Focus on the Brace Map
- 9/4: Brace Map Review with Heather @7:45
- 9/5: 2:15 Release-PLC; Cookie Dough Fundraising due; Progress Reports home
- 9/6: Leadership Team @ 7:30; Vision Screenings from 10:00-12:00 (only applies to some students/grade levels)
- 9/7: Grandparents Day Breakfast 7:45
- Week of 9/10: Focus on the Flow Map
- 9/10: Flow Map Review with Heather @ 7:45
- 9/11: New Certified staff to SPE Meeting: @ 7:30
- 9/12: 2:15 Release-PLC
- 9/13: PTSO/Dad's Club Meeting @ 7:00
- 9/14: PTSO Social-Party like it's 1999 Dance @5:30-7:30
Reminders:
- All reading diagnostics data will need to be brought to our MTSS meeting on 9/20.
- I will be sending out an email to parents on Wednesday containing all of our conference sign up links. After we send it out, please feel free to send out your link to your class.
- Please send an email to your class this week to remind people of our Grandparent's Day breakfast on Friday @ 7:45
Using Partners in Class....
They recommend assigning partners each month for assignments. Then labeling one partner, "Partner A" and one "Partner B." Partner groups can be heterogeneously grouped, but when you label them you might have your "A" students be the stronger student. Then when you have them work together you can say "Partner A, please explain (enter content area question)." Partner B is not "on the spot," in this scenario. Furthermore, partner A can be asked a more rigorous question while partner B gets gains the knowledge by listening to their response.
"Tear Down your Behavior Chart!"
Each month I get the "Educational Leadership" magazine that's put out by ASCD. This month's is all about classroom management and had some interesting articles.
One of the main articles was called "Tear Down your Behavior Chart!" The article suggests that a behavior chart harms students, is used as public shaming, and does nothing to teach self-regulation.
Again, I am not saying that we are doing away with behavior charts as a school, but if you use one, I think there are some valid points to reflect upon.
Here's a link to the article: Tear Down your Behavior Chart!