The Eagle’s Eye
King Elementary School Instructional Newsletter
Week of May 9th-13th
Principal's Message
As we are in the last leg of our journey for this school year, remember to think about ways that you can finish the year strong. There are 7 more days that we have which will be filled with activities and trips, however, we also want to maintain a focus on learning. As a reminder remember that we discussed King Elementary School's "Finishing Strong" actions that we will commit to use as the school year closes. The five actions are:
Finishing Strong
- Remain Stress and Drama Free
- Adults and Students Remaining Calm
- Celebrating Success
- Supporting Each Other
- Holding Students Accountable and Keeping High Expectations for Learning/Behavior
We have been focused on testing and our students have worked hard. Make time to celebrate the success for the year. As you close out the year, think about how you can make learning fun and engaging for every student. What projects can you do to help students culminate their learning? What experiments and topics can you bring in to help prepare students for the next grade level? What learning is occurring in your class that will make students attend each day? Also begin thinking about what actions you will commit to in preparation to start the year strong....what professional development opportunities will you engage in over the summer....how will you maximize and improve on your current level as we think about "Opening Strong" with over 200 new students to King.
I hope that you enjoyed the treats we had for Teacher Appreciation Week....it was just a small way of saying thank you for the very BIG jobs that you do everyday. Remember to make these last 7 days your best...FINISH STRONG!
Be Great,
Dr. Jermaine Wilson
Goal Setting for 2016-2017
As we inch closer to the end of the 2015-2016 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to meet individually with each of our returning staff members. This will be a time to talk about your thoughts about the current school year. We will also talk about your thoughts about personal goals for 2016-2017. In anticipation of your appointment, I am requesting that you prepare to discuss the following:
1. What are two (2) work-related accomplishments that you are most proud of this year? Where did you have your greatest sense of satisfaction or fulfillment?
2. How have you grown this year? In what ways did you stretch your learning?
3. In what area(s) would you like to have more success? Where would you like to have a greater sense of satisfaction or fulfillment?
4. What do you see yourself committing to in 2016-2017 to achieve more success?
5. What do you need in terms of support to meet your goals?
6. What suggestions do you have for me, as the principal, to improve learning and teaching in 2016-2017?
We will discuss your personal goals for 2016-2017 through the emailed attachment titled Moving from Good to Great to Model. Please use the attached form that will be emailed to you and bring two copies to our meeting; one copy will be for me and one copy is for your records.
I plan for each individual conversation to take about 30-45 minutes. Please schedule a time with my SAM, Ms. Dionne Culp. If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact me. I look forward to our conversations.
PBS Updates and Tips
One of the biggest advantages SW-PBS provides schools is consistency. Schools that have implemented PBS with fidelity are places where expectations, acknowledgements, and responses to problem behaviors are consistent among all staff members. Achieving this doesn't happen overnight, however. It takes commitment and on-going efforts to create and maintain a culture of consistency in any building. Developing and using common language is key.
PBS Tip: Think about what you can do to create a culture of consistency in your own classroom or school next year. Which routines do we expect students to follow? Is it time for those to be re-taught to your students? Are you consistent about providing positive feedback to students when they follow expectations? This week, consider what you can do to model consistency for the kids you work with. Look for ways to improve consistency in your classroom. In doing so, you'll foster an environment that is predictable, safe, and conducive to learning, as well as minimize stress for both you and your students! This will allow you to get some practice with reteaching and positive praise as well as send the message that PBS Expectations are consistent at all times.
If you have any questions or need additional support please do not hesitate to contact our PBS team leader: Mrs. Judy Reese. We will be looking for PBS coaches for the school next year...if you are interested please see me, Mrs. Reese or one of the confirmed team members for next year: (Mrs. Madden, Mrs. Hawkins, Ms. Davis, Mrs. Abram, Mrs. Carter)
"The same behaviors that reduce classroom disruptions are associated with increased student learning" - Brophy and Good
MAP Updates
Teachers THANK YOU for your hard work with MAP testing this year! We are finishing up the last 26 students needing a session made up this week. A special KUDOS and THANKS to Mrs. Cunningham, Ms. Scott, Mrs. Campos, Ms. Nalls, Mrs. Carter, Ms. Wilson, and Mrs. Stockwell for assisting with daily coordination and testing support to our teachers!
MAP Readiness Assessment
The second grade students will have their MAP Readiness Assessment on May 11th and 12th in the areas of ELA and Math. We want to wish them much success as well!
NWEA Assessment
We are fast approaching the end of the year and only have a few days left to complete some important tasks.
All students should take the required sessions of Measures of Academic Progress with NWEA and it is a very important component. The NWEA assessment provides important information that pertains to student status and growth. The state MAP test is not nationally normed and does not provide pre and post test data, which is valuable when analyzing student, class and school growth. The NWEA assessment is used within the district as an Algebra 1 readiness indicator, SB319 measure and Lincoln Prep entrance exam.
We will be checking rosters, cleaning test sessions, and moving classes through the computer lab that needs to test as well as coordinating with you on when you plan on administering it. Remember that our goal is 70% of your students meeting their growth target! Remain focused, discuss goal targets, and push through!
Annual Staff vs. Student Kickball Game
- Mrs. Madden- 10:30
- Ms. Davis- 11:00
- Ms. Majors- 12:00
- Mr. Warren- 12:30
There will not be a 5th lunch shift on this day! Teachers who are interested on playing on the staff team will need to see Mrs. May. This is an all school event that will take place in the gymnasium.
King Instructional Non-Negotiables
As we discussed in December, due to the high need of instructional foci to help student achievement to increase at King Elementary there are 6 non-negotiables that we will be implementing and monitoring:
1. Lesson Plans
2. “I CAN” Statements
3. Direct Instruction
4. Small Group Instruction
5. Vocabulary Acquisition
6. Student Engagement
Lesson Plans
- Teachers must use the approved King Elementary School Lesson Plan Template for ELA, Math, and Science (3-6) and submit electronically by Saturday on midnight.
- Post current lesson plans on or by the classroom door.
- Evidence of the lesson plan utilization to inform classroom instruction.
"I CAN" statements
- Based on Missouri Learning Standards/CCSS.
- Written on whiteboard so that students can see and refer to the “I CAN” statement.
- Should be explained to students and revisited at least three or four times during the lesson.
- The “I CAN” statement can be retold by the students.
- The “I CAN” statement should be aligned to Success Criteria (student work, assessments, and projects).
King Instructional Model
Do Now
- Each lesson should have a do now planned. This is any activity that you have at the very beginning of class that helps you set the tone for that day. Quickly, quietly, students get started right away. It should assess or review something previously learned by students.
Anticipatory Set
- Introduces a lesson through an activating strategy (e.g. KWL, Anticipation Guide, Think Pair Share, Video) and/or vocabulary instruction.
Modeling
- The teacher restates the importance and relevance of I CAN statements.
- The teacher: (a) Demonstrates the skills correctly for students; (b)Presents a step-by-step sequence for problem-solving or using skills successfully; (c) Teacher talk should be limited to 8-10 minutes before a checking for understanding (CFU) or questioning strategy is utilized.
- The class: (a) Creates and refers to a visual reference (e.g. Anchor Charts, maps, graphic organizer) to support learning in the classroom and (b) students should have evidence to show that they are engaged with the lesson (e.g. math notebook, journals, interactive notebooks, graphic organizers, note structures).
Guided Practice
- The teacher addresses student misconceptions and errors.
- Completes work through teacher and student collaboration.
- The teacher includes the use of various Checking for Understanding strategies (e.g. 3-2-1, Thumbs Up, Quickwrites), which are planned and included in the lesson plan.
Small Group Instruction/Independent Practice
- The teacher distributes independent practice through small group stations and homework.
- Students are grouped using a data metric (STAR or NWEA Assessment Data)
- Protocols, Structures, Routines are evident in rotation structures
- There should be at least 3 mandatory ELA or Math Activities: Re-Teaching/Enrichment @ The Teacher Table; Technology (Reading Eggs/Study Island/Imagine Learning); Practice Activities aligned to the “I CAN” statement.
Summary/Closure
- The teacher closes the lesson through a summary activity (e.g. 3-2-1, Exit Tickets, Circle-Triangle-Square).
Vocabulary Acquisition
- Teacher should be using Assessment Power Words to emphasize during the content of the instructional lesson.
- Students should practice/interact with academic vocabulary in a variety of ways. (e.g. Frayer Models, vocabulary folders, vocabulary journals, Word Walls (authentic), Practice Stations for Vocabulary; and Vocabulary Games)
- A word wall that is interactive and evolving should be maintained and referenced by the teacher in the classroom.
Student Engagement
- Students are focused and committed to the lesson.
- Teachers and students are actively participating in the learning.
- Teachers maintain engagement by providing opportunities for students to read, write, and talk about the lesson.
Thoughtful and efficient lesson planning can help you to achieve all of these aspects. We will continue to get feedback on how you can support your team members in achieving success with these 6 areas. These will become additional areas of monitoring during our classroom observations this semester.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
May 9th-13th- MAP Makeup Testing/NWEA Testing
May 10th- MOSIG Meeting at King Elementary
May 11th-12th- MAP Readiness Test (2nd Grade)
May 11th- Kindergarten Promotion Rehearsal at 8:30am
May 11th- K-1st Grade Zoo Field Trip
May 11th- Faculty Meeting (Building Check-In Forms Disseminated)
May 12th- 6th Grade Recognition Rehearsal at 8:30am
May 13th- King Elementary 90/90 and Positive Behavior Field Trip to the Movies 8:40am-12:00pm ($3.oo includes movie and snacks)
May 13th- Annual Staff vs. Student Kickball Game- 1:00pm-2:30pm
May 16th- 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony at 9:30am
May 16th- Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony at 12:30pm-1:30pm
May 16th- PBS Planning Meeting for Sy 17 in Mrs. Reese's Room 308 at 3:30pm
May 17th- Last Day of School for Students (MAP 3rd-6th Grade Skating Trip) from 9:30am-11:30am
May 18th- Teacher Check In
June 1st-3rd- King Elementary MOSIG Forum
King Elementary School
“Ensuring Student Success through Quality Instruction and Culture”
Email: jwilson@kcpublicschools.org
Website: www.kcpublicschools.org/king
Location: 4848 Woodland Avenue, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: (816) 418-2475