AD Connect
2-26-18
Cheesy Gifts
Kid Magic
I know many of us are always looking for ways to show our staff how we appreciate them. In addition to the cheesy gifts listed before, please check out the video that I stole from Grand Prairie. I did something very similar at my last school a few times a year and it was a big hit...enjoy!
PLC Modeling
Some principals have taken PLC’s to a new level by incorporating modeling. Below are two examples you may want to replicate or modify depending on your staff readiness and your campus focus areas:
One campus is having teachers record themselves as they teach a read aloud. In the PLC, the grade level team observes the lesson and provides feedback as a means to improve our practice.
Another campus brought students into PLC’s and had teachers practice taking running records as a strategy to increase effectiveness and troubleshoot.
What great ideas for teams to work-on-the-work together, create true collaboration, and increase capacity!
Theory to Action: Strategy Implementation in Lesson Plans
Do your teachers struggle with consistent implementation of professional development or newly learned strategies. Do you see sporadic implementation or development of some teaching skills but not others? Teachers need to consider so many things when planning their lessons, and knowing what it looks like when done well can make the practices more meaningful and increase effectiveness and follow-thru.
Consider working with your teachers to create the “perfect lesson,” one that is fully developed using campus required instructional components as well as campus improvement priorities. For example, if your campus has been striving to implement consistent formative assessments, academic response frames, and multiple response strategies, carve out time with teachers to create a single “perfect lesson” that includes all components. Once teachers have delivered the lesson, debrief together.
What impact did the lesson have on student learning?
What impact did the lesson have on student engagement?
What was most effective? What would you do again?
What adjustments would you make?
How does this inform your planning as you move forward?
By walking teachers through the planning process with all components at the same time, and then giving them time to implement and see the impact, future planning will not only be more manageable, but you'll likely see increased ownership and consistency.
TEA ELA/R Panel Review-Opportunity to Nominate to the Panel
Rockin Review
Our curriculum department is providing extensive review materials for upcoming STAAR assessments. Materials have been prioritized to address the most frequently tested TEKS. Fifth grade math materials are already loaded in Schoolnet, and 4th grade writing and 5th grade reading materials will be available at the end of next week. I strongly encourage you to set aside time the week of March 5-9 for your teachers to review your campus data and the available resources in order to purposefully plan. This will ensure they are prepared to begin the STAAR review immediately following spring break.
In addition, below you will find links to the Lead4ward Rockin’ Review resources and sample plans. If you and your teachers attended training, I highly recommend you use this model for planning.
Sample Plans:
Upcoming Events
February 26- TELPAS Testing Window Opens, 5th Grading Period Begins
March 5- Area Meeting
March 9- No Formal Observations
March 12-16- Spring Break
March 22- Team GISD
Where in the World is Christopher San Diego?
Tuesday: Results Coaching
Wednesday: CIA and AD meetings
Thursday: HG district Walk; Campus Visits
Friday: Campus Visits; Couch District Walk