MoB (Matters of Business)
Edgewood's Weekly Staff Update for the week of 4/8-4/12
We are committed to the journey of developing EACH child to be an inspired learner and a caring, contributing citizen.
Learning Notes
This year, we've all increased our use of formative assessment. And, sometimes, in doing so, we create a lot of extra work for ourselves. Here are a few quick and easy, down and dirty formative assessment tactics:
1) Classroom Visitor--At any point in an activity, pause, and say, "Now, imagine that a visitor walked into our classroom now, and asked, 'What are you doing and why are you doing it?" Discuss answers with a partner or do a 1-minute quick write.
- This works best when working on a hands-on activity, e.g. with math manipulatives or games.
2) Work Collector--At the end of a class period, collect student's work/notes. Use this to form groups in subsequent days. The benefit of this is that it is built on the work that kids typically do in class...not just on tests.
3) Quick Write-Pose a question and require a 1-3 pararaph response. This can be used in any subject..."Describe two characters in the story." "How do an owls' features help it survive?" "
- Often, we might wait till the end of a unit to ask these questions in written form. Why not give kids more formative at bats before then?
How might you see the above working for you?
TCB (Taking Care of Business)
- On April 12th, we'll have our 3rd "Character Celebration Surprise Assembly," and students will need to "earn" their admission. Grades 1-5 should have students complete this task individually. Grades 4K and 5K--talk with Jessie Lepper re: how to approach it. Here is the template (you can make your own if you want), and here is an example. Please have student "applications" in by Thursday.
- The April EHSA Meeting will be from 6-7 (not 6:30-7:30)
- Have you signed up for your health appraisal? If not, do so!
Academic Language (EL) Corner
Staff Shout Outs to...
- Shout out to my amazing teaching partner, Jenna Stoner for teaching kindergarten through labor contractions. I know that she will be reading this!
The first seven seconds of our interaction with every student in our school should be brimming with enthusiasm, joy, compliments or some sort of friendly banter (Hall, 2011). Here's to HOLLY for harnessing "the power of seven seconds" each morning for our students as they enter the building with her greeting, smile, dancing and silly antics.
To everyone who was involved in 5th grade testing this week. Thanks for your time and making it go smoothly. And to 1st grade for switching specials.
To all those who've worked to welcome new students the week after spring break. While it's a tough time to start, it's a great place to get a head start!
To 5th grade teachers for thoroughly preparing kids for tests. They really wanted to do well!
To Sue Stark, for building classroom community and joy by having her kids create a DJ Booth/Party together. Seeing their faces brim with excitement was magic!
Upcoming Dates
4/8: Core Character Team that is available, meet with LACCS, 7:40am
4/8-4/12: 4th grade testing, 9-12 (M, T), 9-11 (W, Th), 9-12 (F)
4/8-9: 4th grade and 1st grade switch specials
4/10 & 4/11: 4th and 5th grade switch specials
4/9: EHSA Meeting, 6-7pm
4/10: All Staff Meeting, 7:40am--Performance Tasks
4/12: Surprise Character Celebration Assembly, 2:00pm
Next Week:
4/16: Brainstorming--4K
4/17: Collaborative Team Time, 7:40-8:30--Learning Commons
4/18: Special People's Day
4/19: No School--Easter Weekend
Other Upcoming Dates
5/2: EW Musical (Evening Performance)
5/3: EW Musical (morning--back by 11:30)
5/10: Walk-a-thon (afternoon)