Mosaica Online Happenings
May 13-17 2013
Upcoming Dates to Remember
- May 13th-23rd: Q4 Performance Series Benchmark Testing
- Friday, May 17th: K-5 Staff Meeting @ 10am Eastern in Stephanie's office
- Friday, May 17th: All FT & PT 6-12 Staff Meeting @ 11am Eastern in Stephanie's office
- Friday, May 24th: Advisement @ 2pm Eastern - Julie's office
- Thursday, May 30th: Parent Ed Meeting @ 8:30pm Eastern in Julie's office
- **Beginning August 28th, all adjunct teachers must submit invoices to Brenda McCullers on the 14th and 28th of the month**
Upcoming Quarter 4 Final Performance Ed Testing!
K-2nd grade:
- Monday May 13: Reading Foundations (K-1), Reading (2nd grade)
- Tuesday May 14: Math
- Wednesday May 15: Language Arts (2nd grade only)
- Thursday May 16: Science (2nd grade only)
- Friday May 17: makeups
3-10th grade:
- Monday May 20: Reading & Math
- Tuesday May 21: Language Arts & Science
- Wednesday May 22: makeup
- Thursday May 23: makeup
Staff Spotlight- Elaine Gaughf-Smith
I am a Georgia native and retired school teacher of thirty years from the Glynn County School System in Brunswick, GA. I taught two years of Language arts, sixteen years of math and science, two years of careers, two years of industrial technology, and four years as an Instructional Technology Specialist, all in middle grades. I spent the last four years as an Instructional Technology Specialist and traveled to all schools in the county. For a year-and-a-half I was an independent contractor for Alabama-based Information Transport Services where I traveled and taught teachers how to use technology such as SmartBoards, Smart Slates, CPSs, and Elmos.
I have a Masters degree in Early Childhood and Middle Grades. I also have an Ed.S. in Middle Grades and Instructional Technology with an add-on as a Media Specialist.
Currently I facilitate night high school one night a week.
I am also certified in Zumba and Zumba Gold. Until recently I was teaching Zumba Gold four times a week at Curves. I hope to return to that soon, as I love to be on the move.
I have a dedicated husband along with a supportive 30-year-old daughter and two dogs. They all keep me laughing on a daily basis. If you met me in person, you would soon find out that I am probably the “silliest” person that you have ever met. Laughter is good for the soul.
I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with Mosaica Online. I love working with middle grade students as they also keep me laughing. The students and parents are a pleasure to work with as are my colleagues and staff members.
Thank you Elaine for ALL you do!
Mercury Sunshine!
*Please keep Elaine Gaughf-Smith in your thoughts-She is currently undergoing chemotherapy - you can do it Elaine!
*As always, please keep Barbara Noel-Williams in your thoughts- she is a WARRIOR in her fight against cancer!!!!
Let me know of any concerns or celebrations within our Mercury family!
Club Corner
Students are reading poetry by A. A. Milne
TEACHER TIP OF THE WEEK!
"Wise teachers know that the more small choices they provide, the fewer big problems they have."
Love and Logic ® Teacher-isms by Jim Fay and Charles Fay
What Is Going On In Other Mercury Locations?
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico City
Alaska
Muskegon Heights, Michigan
Hyderabad, India
Ohio
You will receive updates here that will pertain to our students in any of these locations!
- be sure to consult the various calendars in D2L for these locations
Teachers PLEASE be sure you are keeping your D2L grade book updated. Whenever a program needs grades for a progress report, we export the D2L grade book current average. Thank you!
Upcoming Events/Holidays:
Puerto Vallarta:
- June 13-18th: Final Exams
Mexico City:
- June 1st: Seniors Graduate
- June 13th: Last Day of School
Muskegon Heights
- May 27th: Memorial Day Holiday
- June 25th: Last Day of School
India
- June 12-14: Final Exams
- June 20 - last day of school
Data Discussion...
May 20 Reading and Math
May 21 Language Arts and Science
It would be ideal if you removed them as soon as your students are finished with their scheduled tests as well. And don't forget to include Scantron testing in your checklists to ensure participation!
(See image below)
CCSS:
If we analyze the language that makes up the Standards for Mathematical Practice, we notice that specific student actions (VERBS) are used to define exactly what our students should be able to do with their skills.
MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
MP4: Model with mathematics.
MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically.
MP6: Attend to precision.
MP7: Look for and make use of structure.
MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
"Make sense of", 'reason', 'construct', 'critique', 'model'...all very action-oriented descriptors for desired learning outcomes. Our challenge as online educators is to provide students with the opportunities to put those actions into practice. Take heart in knowing that the CCSS provide for a deeper use of fewer skills at each grade level, allowing for the time needed to build in those opportunities. A progression of skills from grade 3 through grade 5 is illustrated below for the Measurement and Data domain. Notice that the progression of skills within the domain allows for time for practice with the skill before students are expected to apply the next layer of difficulty. Also, expectancies of mastery are defined by student demonstration of skill within the standard, which is most helpful as we work to implement CCSS.
(See image below)
As we begin to prepare for the end of the school year!
See below for final exam dates for Middle School and High School. ALL students will take exams on the dates below unless prior approval has been given to take them early or be exempt.
California:
Last day of school: June 18
Math and World Languages – Exams on Thursday, June 13
Language Arts and Science – Exams on Friday, June 14
Paragon/SS and Electives – Exams on Monday, June 17
Make up Finals – Tuesday, June 18
Arizona and Colorado:
Last day of school: June 21
Math and World Languages – Exams on Tuesday, June 18
Language Arts and Science – Exams on Wednesday, June 19
Paragon/SS and Electives – Exams on Thursday, June 20
Make up Finals – Friday, June 21
Online Paragon Nights!
Tuesday June 11, 2013 @ 8:30 p.m. Eastern
The event will be facilitated by Hadar Goldberg & Gabby Bray!
And last but not least..... Your joke of the week
...because they already 8!