Friday Focus
September 14, 2018
Homecoming
Next Monday begins a great week of homecoming celebrations throughout South Madison. Thank you social committee for coming up with our spirit days and sponsoring our float. Don't forget to bring candy to Amanda for our float riders to pass out. If you want a seat for the game. I suggest you put a blanket out on a bleacher seat the night before.
Conferences
Conferences are closing in on us. I recently sat in on conferences with two different teachers. In both situations, these educators stated off with positive and personal observations about the child. They were also honest about their concerns and shared data to support the opinion, They also forged action plans for the future. In both situations, blame was not assigned and the dignity of both parties was maintained. I hope[e all your conferences are this successful. Valerie and I are willing to sit in any conference to support you. Meals will be provided for you both evenings beginning at 3:25 in the teacher's dining room.
Just a reminder
If you have not completed your self-assessment and SLO in SFS they are due by the end of the 9 weeks.
Valerie's Vision
I have a guest columnist this week. Enjoy the work of Bob Marzano.
One of the most important domains for teacher improvement is classroom strategies and behavior. Marzano believes that teachers need to choose areas of improvement throughout the year and administrators should be responsible for providing opportunities to observe effective strategies of other teachers. Administrators should then provide feedback and dialogue to teachers about how they can become more successful.
Marzano also includes several instructional strategies, including:
- Identifying similarities and differences.
- Summarizing and note taking.
- Reinforcing effort and providing recognition.
- Homework and practice.
- Nonlinguistic representations.
- Cooperative learning.
- Setting objectives and providing feedback.
- Generating and testing hypotheses.
- Cues, questions and advance organizers.
Needless to say, both teachers and administrators can benefit from Marzano's teaching strategies. You all have the same goal—to give your students the tools they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond.