JWL Weekly Update
Volume 7 * Issue 7 * week of August 27, 2018
Instruction Focus
. . . to meet or exceed state averages on STAAR (3-5) & 80%+ are on grade level at EOY DRA (K-2).
So, how do we do this?
1. Effective instruction
2. Classroom management
Let's start by framing our lessons.
1. Effective instruction
2. Classroom management
Let's start by framing our lessons.
Framing the Lesson (Fundamental 5) & Standards and Objectives (TAP)
As we discussed during August staff development, framing the lesson communicates the lesson's focus (Student Expectation, TEKS) in a "We will" statement and informs students what they are responsible to complete (product or task) in an "I will" statement.
This week during walkthroughs (aka: WTs) and in lesson plan reviews, we will be reviewing your posted objectives. If you are looking for examples of We will | I will objective statements, you can find some in the Fundamental 5 book on page 28.
This week during walkthroughs (aka: WTs) and in lesson plan reviews, we will be reviewing your posted objectives. If you are looking for examples of We will | I will objective statements, you can find some in the Fundamental 5 book on page 28.
TAP Rubric: Standards & Objectives
- Communicate the objective clearly; display in writing
- Objectives to be aligned
- Evidence that most students mastered objective
We will . . .
- Class focus
- Student Expectation from TEKS
I will . . .
- Student focus
- Product or task to demonstrate mastery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phXpt1GvGU4
And now, let's address classroom management.
Routines & Procedures
You have planned your routines and procedures and last week you modeled and practiced with your students. Don't stop. This week revise any routines that need more attention to detail or is inefficient with particular emphasis on what students and teachers are doing at each moment. Have students practice the routine again if not done correctly; we call this Practice Academy.
Use your teacher radar and know when students are off task. Circulate the room with purpose. Be in the Power Zone (Fundamental 5). For example, move among the desks and around the perimeter; identify 3 spots on the perimeter to which you can circulate and monitor student work.
Implement a planned whole class reset to re-establish student behavioral expectations when a class routine has slowly weakened.
Use your teacher radar and know when students are off task. Circulate the room with purpose. Be in the Power Zone (Fundamental 5). For example, move among the desks and around the perimeter; identify 3 spots on the perimeter to which you can circulate and monitor student work.
Implement a planned whole class reset to re-establish student behavioral expectations when a class routine has slowly weakened.
Attendance
Goal: 98%+ Attendance
As of last week, we have 681 students with perfect attendance!
Weekly Attendance Percentages:
K: 98.88%
1: 99.61%**
2: 99.5%
3: 98.84%
4: 98.87%
5: 98.27%
JWL: 98.97%
**Congrats to first grade for highest weekly attendance rate. You've just earned your white attendance belt!
Weekly Attendance Percentages:
K: 98.88%
1: 99.61%**
2: 99.5%
3: 98.84%
4: 98.87%
5: 98.27%
JWL: 98.97%
**Congrats to first grade for highest weekly attendance rate. You've just earned your white attendance belt!
What's Your Mindset?
Exercise those brains by making them think! Purposefully plan seed questions within your lessons; then have students turn and talk in response. Stay in the power zone to be sure students are on task and exercising their minds!
Heads Up
Lexia & Dreambox
Good news! I've been told both programs are ready to be used. To verify all students have been loaded and you can access all your students' data, please log into these programs by end of day Wednesday, August 29th.
If you notice that a student is missing or there is an error of some sort, please email Lyndsey Harvey with specific information including:
If you notice that a student is missing or there is an error of some sort, please email Lyndsey Harvey with specific information including:
- Your name
- Student's name
- Student ID number
- The program needing to be addressed
- The issue (ie, student needs to be added to my roster)
Other Tech Programs . . .
To be sure we're ready to roll with all of our tech programs, please try to access and log into the following programs as well:
- TRS (Teacher Resource System)
- IStation
- Discovery Education
Golden Tickets
Grade levels, remember to distribute the Golden Tickets to your Tier 3 students to use as passes for their morning computer time from 7:30 - 8:10am by Wednesday, August 29th. This time, as you will recall, is for students to utilize Lexia and Dreambox as additional support time. The Golden Ticket is like a "fast pass" for the breakfast line and a hall pass to go to the computer labs/library.
Those on duty in these areas: please be sure students are signing in with the Google Form. (see below)
K & 1: Pardoe in Lopez's computer lab
2 & 3: Harvey in Harvey's computer lab
4 & 5: Coldren in library with COW cart
Teachers: If you see that your students are not attending, please ask them why. Let's verify if there are valid concerns (ie, transportation issues) or if they are "skipping".
Those on duty in these areas: please be sure students are signing in with the Google Form. (see below)
K & 1: Pardoe in Lopez's computer lab
2 & 3: Harvey in Harvey's computer lab
4 & 5: Coldren in library with COW cart
Teachers: If you see that your students are not attending, please ask them why. Let's verify if there are valid concerns (ie, transportation issues) or if they are "skipping".
DRA Assessments
For those that will be giving the DRA2 assessment soon, you will want to read and review the process required to assess a student. Therefore, please read through your DRA2 manual and the assessment forms BEFORE you call a student to you to test. Please be sure you ask questions if you need clarification.
Parent Communication
Everyone should have their Remind accounts up and going by now. Each teacher should be sending at least one message via Remind weekly. It has been suggested that this outgoing message be your weekly newsletter early in the week so parents are aware of study needs and important dates.
Last week 19 teachers sent messages via Remind. Our top users last week were as follows:
Last week 19 teachers sent messages via Remind. Our top users last week were as follows:
- Individual teacher: Mrs. Roseberry
- Most participation: Mrs. Snavely
- Team: First Grade
DEIC Elections
We need one teacher representative to represent JWL at our DEIC meetings to be held twice annually. Person serves for 2-year term.
I have listed all professional staff on the election Google Form. Please indicate your vote/choice and submit no later than Thursday, August 30th at 2:00pm.
We also must provide names for the following:
I have listed all professional staff on the election Google Form. Please indicate your vote/choice and submit no later than Thursday, August 30th at 2:00pm.
We also must provide names for the following:
- At Large Position (teacher)
- 2 community members (cannot have any children in the district)
- 2 parents
There is a spot on the Google Form for you to nominate people for these posts as well.
This Week's Ongoings:
Walkthroughs Begin
Per the appraisal calendar, walkthroughs begin this week. This is an opportunity for Mrs. Reed and me to come and be a part of the learning process in your classrooms. We will then provide you feedback via the Strive app in the Eduphoria suite. Once we've submitted your WT for review, you should receive an email that you have a new form to view. We will also invite you to visit with us from time to time in a face to face setting just to review and reflect in person.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and your students in action.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and your students in action.
PTO Elections & Meeting on Thursday, 8/30 @ 6pm
If you have parents that are interested in being a part of JWL's regular activities, encourage them to join PTO, or even consider being elected as one of the PTO officers. All positions are available this year.
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Parliamentarian
Safety Drills
Remember our protocols for drills and review expectations with your classes. This Friday we will hold our first fire drill. Remember to have your "to go" buckets/bags including class roster(s) and the red/green cards.
Calendar & Upcoming Events
Friday Feedings
In an effort to make sure you're making it (physically) the first six weeks of school, our campus coordinates lunches for staff each Friday. The menu this year (to date) includes:
- August 24: Sub sandwiches: Hoping the first week doesn't sink you. ;)
- August 31: Lasagna *(switched weeks with baked potatoes)
- September 7: Baked potatoes and salad
- September 14: Breakfast for lunch
- September 21: Pop's Chicken (if PTO agrees to foot the bill) :)
- September 28: STUCO is hosting Caffination Stations (hot cocoa, coffee, &/or tea selections available). Sorry no lunch planned for this date; however, you will have been paid on the 25th!
Teacher Choice Sessions
**NOTE: The dates have changed to coordinate with our New Tiger Academy on the first Wednesday of each month. Thus, our Grade Level meetings will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. All dates have been amended on the Ninja Calendar.
Teacher Choice Sessions are opportunities where our staff share their knowledge and expertise of various topics with our team in mini staff development sessions. Different sessions will be hosted on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:15 to 5:00pm.
Our first set of sessions will be held on September 5th!
Our first options offered:
Teacher Choice Sessions are opportunities where our staff share their knowledge and expertise of various topics with our team in mini staff development sessions. Different sessions will be hosted on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:15 to 5:00pm.
Our first set of sessions will be held on September 5th!
Our first options offered:
- Classroom Management Hot Topics
- Grading Made easy
- Google Drive: the In's & Out's
- ESL Certification Test Prep
As you reflect and decide, please RSVP by August 31st for your choice session so that we are able to plan accordingly.
Thanks!