HSE 21
at Brooks School Elementary
WHAT IS DIVERSITY?
- Emily Cespedes, Olivia Biehl, and Maria Kussy are great resources for diverse texts and are always willing to share. They have shown me so many new titles this year!
- Additionally, if you have students with interests in specific cultures, consider TeachingBooks.net
- Last, please share what you are already doing around the topic of diversity with your colleagues!
New Releases
- 168 new books to BSE's Collection
- Variety of picture books, fiction and nonfiction
- Many new titles that celebrate and share diversity
- Pink sticker on the spine designates a "New Release"
BSE Teacher Library Collection
- 32 new books purchased from the Scholastic Book Fair for teachers to share and use as mentor texts and read alouds
- labeled on front cover "BSE Teacher Library Collection"
- Please sign them out before borrowing.
- More new titles that celebrate and share diversity.
Professional Reading Library
- Located behind the checkout counter
- Many valuable reads on a diverse range of topics
- Who can find the copy of Disruptive Thinking by Beers and Probst?
"SILENT MATH" - an alternative to Think, Pair, Share or Turn and Talks
I've been trying to flutter around Twitter more lately, and one educator I always enjoy is Marilyn Burns. Some of you probably follow her or read her math blog. In her latest post,
One Lesson, Two Pedagogical Mistakes, Marilyn is not only transparent about mis-steps in her planning and instruction, but I loved her "SILENT MATH" concept. The gist is that when the teacher places a star next to math work, problems, etc, no one can talk. They just think. And work.
Check it out!
Digital Resources Highlight - FRONT ROW
The paid version of Front Row is available to 3-5 teachers district wide. However, the free version of Front Row can be used by students K-2. Many of you have found ways to implement this digital resource; if you've not explored Front Row and are interested in learning more, please login, explore, and consider some of the inquiry lessons in which your students might engage. Let me know if you want to try out an inquiry lesson together!
*Jenni Robinson can show you around Front Row as well!
Increasing Student Voice with FLIP GRID
Allison Haltom and Olivia Biehl introduced me to Flip Grid a few months ago, and I want to help spread the word about this tool.
Have students who are timid during turn and talks?
Want to increase debate and argument and discussion?
Thinking about collaboration platforms for up coming BOOK CLUB groups?
If you are interested in amplifying student voice and providing additional ways for students to share their thinking through video and digital discussion, consider scheduling me to introduce this tool with you in your classroom!
Check out the site below and watch the one-minute video overview.
DISRUPTING THINKING by Beers and Probst - Book Study coming soon!
See me if you are interested so I know how many copies we will need to secure.
Library Checkout is a FANTASTIC opportunity for conversations with kids!
- Please monitor students
- Please assist students with checkout
- It is also a wonderful time to have those individual conferences with students to get to know them as readers, their book choices, and their interests.
- Please promote quiet voices. It does not need to be silent, but does need to be an atmosphere where students are able to read and where multiple events could be occurring in the library simultaneously (checkout, reading, storytime for younger students, voice recording, theatre performances).
What does the author want to tell us?
Show me your favorite part!
Can you show me where you found that idea?
Notice and Note Strategies for Close Reading OPTIONAL PD SERIES
Special thanks to Mrs. Kussy for her collaborative efforts with Close Reading Strategies!
While I know our staff has many teachers well-versed in this work, I'd like to offer a continuation of PD. Some new folks have expressed interests, some had to prioritize other learning last year, and maybe there are even some that ask, "Does this really apply to my students?" If you want to find out more, attend one or all of the sessions. ALL are welcome!
SIX WEEK OPTIONAL PD SERIES WILL INCLUDE:
- Overview of the why and what behind Notice and Note
- Introduction of Sign Posts for Fiction: Aha Moment, Again and Again, Tough Questions, Memory Moment, and Words of the Wiser
- Beyond turn and talks - depth with questioning, conferring in order to scaffold students to higher level thinking
- RESOURCES - mentor texts, video clips, etc.
- Integrating writing about reading - just in time for book clubs for our upper elementary students!
- If time allows....TEASER ABOUT N&N Non Fiction - Three BIG QUESTIONS!
8:15-8:45 in the BSE Media Center:
JANUARY 11
JANUARY 18
JANUARY 25
FEBRUARY 1
FEBRUARY 8
FEBRUARY 15
Signpost Library for Teachers
- Located in Mrs. Kussy's office.
- Picture books are available for teachers to borrow to read aloud to teach the signposts.
- Inside the front cover is a sticky note with the signposts that are found in the book.
- Please sign out books prior to borrowing. (Most texts will have a "Kussy" sticker on the front.)
- The collection will continue to grow as Mrs. Kussy reads more picture books in her personal collection.
Notice and Note Signposts and Picture Books in BSE Library
Fourth Grade and Kindergarten Collaboration
Aggressively Organic teams up with our BSE Kindergarteners
Seed to Sprout
Peek inside - Hydra Chambers are assembled!
Megan C. Thompson with contributions by BSE Media Specialist, Maria Kussy
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Teacher Development Specialist
Email: mcthompson@hse.k12.in.us
Website: www.hse.k12.in.us
Location: Brooks School Elementary, Brooks School Road, Fishers, IN, United States
Phone: 317-915-4250
Twitter: @MeganCThompson