MoB (Matters of Business)
Edgewood's Weekly Staff Update for the week of 11/12/18
We are committed to the journey of developing EACH child to be an inspired learner and a caring, contributing citizen.
Learning Notes
A month ago we talked about feedback at our staff meeting. Since then, I've seen many of you focusing on feedback in your Collaborative Teams. Way to go! As we move forward, there are a few definitions we should have in common:
Common Assessment: The same assessment (could be any form) is given to all students in a grade/course, and is graded by the same criteria. These are important because they help to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
Formative Assessment: Used for learning by students.
Check for Understanding: Used by teachers to shift instruction during teaching.
Summative Assessment: Used for grading purposes. Students do not interact with the assessment again.
I used to think I used formative assessment all the time. Now I think I used a lot of check for understanding and summative assessment. While these aren't bad, they put all the thinking and work on me [the teacher], and did not result in increased student ownership.
We spend a lot of time making assessments and scoring formative assessments. It only makes sense to take time to make sure kids learn from them, too. Keep up the good work!
TCB (Taking Care of Business)
- The district leadership team will be here on Thursday AM and will visit classrooms. Please read this and fill it in: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PCEkCJr8mj16D8hnPNP2B5saMn6klORnW5o9xIRowTY/edit?usp=sharing
- The Forward Accessibility Guidelines are here. If you are responsible for choosing accommodations, take a look: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/assessment/pdf/Accessibilty_Guide_2018-19.pdf
- Report Cards are open for editing, and are locked for parents
- At the Learning Celebration, 5th and 2nd grade students will share something they've learned/a goal they've accomplished at school this trimester. I'll share some templates/examples you might use early next week.
- If you're not sending out your bus card (or can't find it), please send a post-it or note.
- STAFF MEETING: At the Staff Meeting, we'll be prepping for data days, in which we'll look at the promise standard data. We'll have time to work. Bring anything that might be relevant. Forget what your promise standards are? See here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qYPHKQpd6tpyJfErfUEipB88aP-aP7w0EGlJo4lqrfw/edit?usp=sharing
- Don't forget your Spy Mission! We'll be starting off sharing out as our community builder on 11/21.
Teaching Academic Vocabulary Tip of the Week
Students need to be able to talk about a topic before they can write about it. This is a strategy to get them to do just that in a way that allows for movement.
Staff Shout Outs to...
To Jodi Plott, who screen-shot her read aloud on her doc cam to make the text and process more universally accessible for students. #UDLandYouDidn'tEvenKnowIt
To Jenny and Rachael for using their unit assessment evidence to create great shared reading and interactive read aloud plans for specific groups of students.
To Jennifer for always being willing to share her phonological awareness knowledge.
To McClanahan for building a relationship with a student who's been hard to reach, and for taking time with him to reflect, problem-solve, and learn.
To Rachael for taking the time to notice what each student needs and spending time designing something for them.
To the Kindness club-for making my day and reminding me to "Pass it on"
To Sarah and Rebecca, whose efforts are paying off--1st grade readers are making some good progress!
To Jenna Stoner, who keeps a smile on her face and a can-do attitude going even when she's feeling poor and teaching is tough.
To Mireille - thank you for casting Jenny and I in your butterfly video. We feel like movie stars!
Thanks to the AWESOME 4K team for helping out on Wednesday when I was sick!
To Nicki L - for collaborating to figure out how best to meet our kids needs
To Diane - For working tirelessly to schedule and reschedule the special ed kids... and figuring out what to do to meet ALL of their needs.
To Sue A - The kindness club - what a great opportunity to practice this important skill!
To Lori and Diane, who have led our girls in Girls on the Run. What a great opportunity for them!
- To Sue and Jodi, who are really rocking the small groups to meet promise and essential/boulder standards in reading.
- A shout out to Steiner for designing great buddy bonding activities for our classes.
To Lisa, for planning and leading an awesome 4k field trip!
Upcoming Dates
11/13: World Kindness Day
11/13: Brainstorming, 4K, 7:40-8:25
11/13: EHSA Meeting, 6:30-7:30
11/14: Staff Meeting, 7:40
11/15: District Leadership Team @ EW, 9-12
11/16: SLAIT Meeting, 7:40
11/16: Assembly, 2:30pm
Next Week:
11/19: SITs in the Afternoon
11/20: Brainstorming, 5th Grade
11/21: Professional Learning, 7:30-12:00 @ Edgewood, 12-4--Work @ your own choice location
Other Upcoming Dates
11/26--Data Day, AM--2nd Grade, PM 5th Grade
11/27--Data Day, AM--1st Grade, PM 3rd Grade
11/28--Data Day, AM--5K, PM, 4th Grade
11/29: Afternoon--Visit to us (a State School of Character) from the LACCS Cohort (~40 adults).
11/27: Brainstorming, 4th Grade
11/29: Learning Celebration (5th grade and 2nd grade)
12/7: Report Cards Due for Review