Roberts Middle School
February 1-5 : National Counselors Week
BE LIKE WATER?
In creating a culture of learning at Roberts, consistency is absolutely necessary. Why is consistency important in developing a “Growth Mindset”? The book, “True Success: A New Philosophy of Excellence,” by Tom Morris, breaks down why consistency is vital to culture and growth. The word 'consistency' comes from two Greek roots, a verb meaning "to stand" and a particle meaning "together." Consistency is all about standing together. Do my actions stand together with my words? Do my reactions and emotions stand together with my deepest beliefs and values? Do the people I work with stand together? This is what consistency is all about. It's a matter of unifying your energy and efforts in a single direction.
Eastern philosophers ask us to consider the element of water. What’s stronger: water or stone? Dripping water can wear down a stone. It can cut completely through a heavy, massive object. A gush of it can roll huge boulders out of the way, or eventually smash them to bits. What happens to moving water when it comes across an obstacle? Water most often goes around the obstacle, or over it, or under it. Running water can radically change its course in order to find a way forward. Think for a moment about how much water can change in changing circumstances. When this liquid encounters radically changing circumstances, this substance can transform from a liquid to a solid. It can also morph from solid to liquid to vapor. Despite all these transformations, it never abandons its true nature.
As educators, we need be consistent in our actions in order to create the highest version of us. In education, we deal with obstacles such as struggling students, student complacency, and our own emotions. We have to find a way to stay true to our values, and core beliefs. By consistently having a growth mindset, we can grow as a teacher, as a family, and become the highest version of ourselves.
This week, thank you for consistently investing in small group instruction. Thank you for being consistent in enforcing school wide rules. Thank you for consistently being on time to duty. Thank you for being willing and open to feedback. You guys are the best and I am grateful to work with you.
Jorly
News From the Flight Deck: 2016-2017 Staffing Plans
- If you are thinking about a career change or not being at RMS next year, please let me know.
- If you are wanting to teach a different subject or grade level at RMS, please come and talk with me.
* Attached is the RMS 2016 -2017 Staffing Plans document. Please submit by 2/8/16
FOCUSED WALKTHROUGHS: SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION
3 QUESTIONS THAT WILL GUIDE YOU
- It starts with us, the teacher led group in the blended model. We need to make sure that we are increasing the rigor of instruction in our small group.
What does increasing rigor look like?
- This means providing our students more of a challenging and meaningful learning environment. We want to create a small group environment where students are thinking critically and actively employing problem solving skills. We need to allow our students the opportunity to struggle in their learning.
How do you support this necessary struggle to take your student further than ever?
- This can only happen if we preplan our questions. At times, we let our students off the hook by supplying the answer too quickly. One of the tools we can implement within our small groups is to check for understanding. Understanding is best gauged through a written answer. Written responses give teachers an objective framework for understanding when to move on and when to reteach.
What will we be looking for:
- Give students the opportunity to struggle
- Preplan questions and sentence stems
- Check for understanding through writing
FLIGHT ITINERARY: February 1-5
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK: WE HAVE TWO OF THE BEST
MONDAY
- Admin Staffing
- 12:53-1:53 6th Grade Science PLC
- 1:55-2:53 6th Grade Reading PLC
- 2:57-3:55 5th Grade Reading PLC
TUESDAY
- 10:15-11:13 6th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 10:20 TELPAS Training - 5th Grade Science
- 12:53-1:51 5th Grade Social Studies PLC
- 1:55-2:53 5th Grade Math PLC
- 2:57-3:55 6th Grade Math PLC
- 4:15-6:45 Math Academy
WEDNESDAY
- 10:15-11:13 5th Grade Science PLC
- 10:20 TELPAS Training - 6th Grade Social Studies
- 12:58 TELPAS Training - 5th Grade Social Studies
- 12:58 TELPAS Training - 6th Grade Science
- 2:00 TELPAS Training - 5th Math
- 2:00 TELPAS Training - 6th Reading
- 3:02 TELPAS Training - 5th Reading
- 3:02 TELPAS Training - 6th Math
THURSDAY
- Go Red (You can wear jeans and a red shirt for $5)
FRIDAY
- Go Red (You can wear jeans and a red shirt for $5)
GUESS WHO IS PART OF THE FIRST RMS VOLLEYBALL TEAM?
ARE YOU PARTICIPATING IN THE "BIGGEST LOSER"?
NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY
- What: National Wear Red Day ---Support Go Red Day by participating in National Go Wear Red Day by bringing awareness to cardiovascular health by wearing red on February 4th and 5th, 2016.
- When: Thursday, February 4 and Friday February 5th, 2016
- Details: All faculty and staff are invited to take part in Go Red Day benefiting the American Heart Association and bringing awareness to cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the number one killer amongst women.
- All faculty and staff who donate $5.00 to the American Heart Association will be able to wear red and jeans on Thursday and Friday, February 4th and 5th and will receive a Go Red Pin.
- (Turn in donations to Coach Pena or Coach Lilly by Wednesday, February 3.)
Thanks for your support and bringing awareness to cardiovascular health.
Thanks,
Coach Pena