RES Coach's Corner
Misty Ward, Instructional Specialist
Happy New Year & Welcome Back
As we start our new semester, we have many learning opportunities planned for our students. Our teachers are constantly learning new methods and strategies to enhance the students' educational experiences. Because of these methods and strategies, we are expecting gains in student learning as we move forward this year.
Please take a moment to read about some of the exciting things we are working on to provide your child with an outstanding education. If you have any questions or need anything, please contact the school or me.
Thank you,
Misty Ward
Teacher Learning
- Did you know that teachers don't just assess students using paper and pencil. The teachers are consistently assessing the students by listening to student's conversations with peers, talking to students, and analyzing work samples to determine where they are performing. Next steps are then set for each child. Our teachers have learned that it is important to determine student success or a need for improvement in each and every lesson. It is only then that teachers know what each student needs to move forward.
- Teachers participated in a Close Reading professional development session to gain a deeper understanding in order to teach students to think deeply as they read, code text, and answer text dependent questions using evidence.
- In January, before class resumed, teachers had the opportunity to dig into the new Alabama Course of Study: Science. They learned that the new standards are performance expectations, which the students are going to LOVE! Teachers were able to break apart the new standards and begin developing instructional maps.
Students Driving Success
Students will take mid-year assessments January 7-20, 2016. After completing these assessments, I will meet with each student to discuss their scores. We will celebrate their successes and determine places for growth. I will encourage the students set individual goals for spring testing. We hope that as the students begin taking ownership of their data, they will be empowered to show growth.