HSE 21
at BSE
Feature Teacher Mrs. Melanie Smith
Mrs. Smith’s Spectacular Stars…World Changers on a Quest to Spread Kindness
Brimming with enthusiasm, I couldn’t wait to share this story with my students. They, too, were moved and motivated by the amazing work of the young Hoosier Road Rockets and wanted to roll up their sleeves and do all they could to help. We brainstormed, we planned, we organized, and within a week we had over a thousand items in our classroom to sort and send. Their faces, beaming with joy and pride as we loaded the truck, will probably be in my memory forever! But the most beautiful part of the story unfolded next…
They were motivated not only to answer the call to action but to become the leaders themselves, and thus began our amazing journey to becoming world changers! Less than a week after we sent truckloads of supplies to Houston, one of my spectacular stars approached me and asked if she could make a presentation to the class about Haiti. Her presentation included a persuasive speech, collage photos, and a videotaped interview! She then asked the class if they thought this could be our next project. They overwhelmingly and resoundingly wanted to do so! There were a few logistical issues we needed to work through, but as I stepped back and allowed them to do so, I got to see them be collaborative, creative, critical thinkers demonstrating intense compassion, solving real world problems to make the world a better place…everything HSE 21 and the true mission of education.
The spirit of being “world changers” has continued with many examples. Most recently, students brainstormed what they thought our next big project should be. One dynamic duo specifically took a great deal of initiative, diving in and doing a great deal of research about items needed for the Ronald McDonald House. They created a flyer, which I posted on Twitter, and made a presentation to the class. Slightly discouraged when they hadn’t received many donations, they further brainstormed how to generate more interest, and within days, we had five totes full of donations!
There are so many more awesome examples of their outstanding work, and I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work of these spectacular stars that I could rave for days, but to keep it more of the brief version, I will limit it to these few! If you would like to know more, we have designed a display outside our room with photos of some of our biggest projects and QR code links to student videos with additional information. We would also be happy to chat with you any time or answer any questions. We are very passionate about this work and would love to share that enthusiasm with you! ☺
READING UNITS OF STUDY
Yet...after this year of reading through sessions, co-teaching, planning with teachers, listening to PLCs, walking from grade level to grade level and seeing the intentional continuity we are using to grow readers, I confidently and humbly proclaim that these units have made me a stronger teacher of readers, and I cannot wait to see the momentum in "year two"!
What about you?
I want to hear a bit of your story with the Reading Units of Study in this launch year. What did you love? What are you still working through? What resources - texts and/or time with colleagues, might you want to keep this working going strong into year two?
For example, a second grade teacher folded in diverse texts (not included in the suggested texts) into her unit 4, Series Book Clubs.
This is survey is the place to request and suggest all things Reading Units of Study! Please have the survey completed by Friday, April 13th so that we can begin to work with your ideas - and thank you!
YOUR FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED
SCIENCE and COMPUTER SCIENCE STANDARDS
There has been a renewed excitement in recent weeks around all things science and inquiry. This is a strength for the BSE staff. Teachers view science as a logical place of curiosity, exploration, and questioning.
As we wait on the decision of the school board regarding the recommendation for Discovery to support our practice, it's a logical time to reflect on standards. Last year, we reviewed the IDOE's Science Standard Correlation Guides to help us see how and where standards shifted and/or moved in depth of knowledge.
This year, we've been able to think about our non-fiction units of study and science connections. Now that the year's end is around the bend, consider taking another look in retrospect. What worked this year?
What kind of science experience do you want for your students?
Click here to view Kindergarten Science Standards
Click here to view First Grade Science Standards
Click here to view Second Grade Science Standards
Click here to view Third Grade Science StandardsClick here to view Fourth Grade Science Standards
Can you name the five core concepts per our Computer Science Standards? (In a recent meeting, I failed epically which led me to print and close read them.) Only about a page each - take a look if you have not done so lately!
Passionate About Conversations that Embrace Diversity?
Click here to see suggestions and share your own titles!
SKETCHNOTING CLASSROOM
Sketchnoting has been spread through the classrooms of BSE like wildfire thanks in large part to some inspiration from Melanie Smith, Allison Rogowski, and Maria Kussy.
Students reactions have not disappointed!
A typically shy and quiet first grader with whom I work recently hugged her first sketch note, and said, Mrs. T I just loved this! Can we teach this to my whole class?"
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
Be sure to attend the upcoming SKETCHNOTE PD on April 24 @4:00 PM in the BSE Media Center. Kussy, Rogowski, and Smith will be leading.
Synthesize
Science Notebooks
Sketchnotes and Close Reading
Free/Open Inquiry
A Good Read
Remember, “Kids are born as question marks and leave school periods,” according to Neil Postman (1969). How do we retool our values of conformity and compliance and honor the risk-takers willing and able to upset the apple cart? Are we ready for this kind of sweeping change?
Interested? Check out the full posting by clicking on the hyperlink below!
News from Mrs. Kussy
Performance Apps Optional PD in BSE Library April 17th
Are you ready to try something new? In need of an iMovie or green screen refresher? Then this PD is for you. Just ask any fourth grade student or teacher how much fun they have had and how these resources can be used.
Symbaloo Resources Refresher Optional PD in BSE Library May 1st
Are you new to BSE this year? Been around BSE for awhile but ready to revisit digital resources? Come to dig in and discover resources on the Symbaloo! We will look at how some of the resources have been improved and some of the added features.
We will be looking closely at the following:
World Book-recent changes and updates
Newsela
Discovery Ed in Clever
Children's Book Week Nationwide
WHEN: April 30-May 9
PURPOSE: To celebrate reading and writing at BSE
Looks Like/Sounds Like: Guest readers, student writers, poetry cafe, teacher videos of favorite read alouds, grade level collaborations.
Have a suggestion? Email Mrs. Kussy!
More details forth coming after Spring Break.
Megan C. Thompson
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Email: mcthompson@hse.k12.in.us
Website: www.hse.k12.in.us
Location: Fishers, IN, USA
Phone: 317-915-4250
Twitter: @MeganCThompson