Birdneck Briefing
Updates-Info-Links Week of 3/27/17 to 3/31/17
FYI Week of 3/27/17 to 3/31/17
3/27 Garden Committee 3:00 Flexible Learning Center
3/30 1st Presbyterian Mentors 10:00
3/30 Book Character Dress up day
3/31 Fire Safety Program Pre K-3rd 9:00-10:00 Cafeteria
3/31 ILT meeting 8:30 Reading Room
This is your Captain Speaking!
Hello Staff,
I hope you were able to enjoy some time outside in the beautiful weather. I for one paced off 28,000 steps working in the yard on Sunday. Other than your regular recess times, if you have opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during instruction (key word... instruction) while children learn objectives on these near perfect weather dates, I encourage you to do so.
Please help! We are only a couple weeks away from spring break and calendars are getting filled up. We want to ensure that our school calendar is up to date so everyone can know the current events and double bookings do not occur. Some events on the calendar need to be removed and I'm sure events/activities need to be added. If each grade level and our specialists can take a few minutes to check that your upcoming activities on the calendar are posted and correct that would be great.
My challenge for you this week is to focus on one of the Responsive classroom strategies we learned a couple of weeks ago. Modeling for our students what we expect and teaching them how to do so is very important. Have you considered modeling what you expect your students to do when you ask them to go to time-out or how to react when corrected by an adult?
Interactive Modeling is a straightforward, quickly paced, seven-step process that’s effective for teaching children any academic or social skill, routine, or procedure that you want them to do in a specific way (whether for safety, efficiency, or other reasons). One of the essential practices of the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching elementary school children, Interactive Modeling can be used by any adult anywhere in school at any time of year. (https://www.responsiveclassroom.org)
Captain out,
RV
What is Interactive Modeling?
Click here to read more details and the full article.
How does Interactive Modeling differ from traditional modeling?
In traditional modeling, the teacher shows children how to do a skill, routine, or procedure, tells them what to notice, and expects that they will learn it immediately. Interactive Modeling also shows children how to do skills, routines, or procedures, but it goes well beyond that basic step. Students also:
- Learn exactly why the skill, routine, or procedure is important to their learning and the respectful, smooth functioning of the classroom.
- Are asked what they noticed about the teacher’s modeling (rather than told by their teacher what to notice).
- See a few classmates additionally model the routine or procedure after the teacher’s initial modeling.
- Practice the routine or procedure right away.
- Receive immediate feedback and coaching from their teacher while they practice.
Why is Interactive Modeling more effective than traditional modeling?
The distinctive steps of Interactive Modeling incorporate key elements of effective teaching: modeling positive behaviors, engaging students in active learning, and immediately assessing their understanding. Research shows that when we teach in this way, children achieve greater, faster, and longer-lasting success in meeting expectations and mastering skills.
With Interactive Modeling, children create clear, positive mental images of what is expected of them. They do the noticing themselves, which builds up their powers of observation and their analysis and communication skills. In addition, because they get immediate practice, they gain quicker expertise and stronger mastery of the procedure or skill being taught.
What are the seven steps of Interactive Modeling?
- Briefly state what you will model, and why.
- Model the behavior exactly as you expect students to do it (the right way, not the wrong way, and without describing what you’re doing unless you need to “show” a thinking process).
- Ask students what they noticed. (You may need to do some prompting, but children soon notice every little detail, especially as they gain expertise with this practice.)
- Invite one or more students to model the same way you did.
- Again, ask students what they noticed the modelers doing.
- Have all students model while you observe and coach them.
- Provide feedback, naming specific, positive actions you notice and redirecting respectfully but clearly when students go off track.
To read the entire article with more details, click here.
Tech Talk!
Ready to break out on your own with a Breakout EDU box? Have no idea where to start?
Here are a few links at resources you can check out!
Go to the BreakoutEDU site at www.breakoutedu.com and select “Learn More”. In the top right corner of the page there is a “Games” link. Click on it and the password is “showyourwork”. Take some time to check out all of the resources.
We also have some Breakout activities created by our VBCPS teachers here . If you want something quick to use in class, there are digital breakouts that kids can do on their laptops. BreakoutEDU has a sandbox of these activities and you can click here for those.
Can’t find exactly what you need? Contact Lindsey to get together and create one! If each teacher chooses to make a clue with one of the locks, a box can be built in record time!
Reading Rocks!
Why should we keep reading aloud to kids even when they can already "read on their own?" This talk demonstrates the magic of read aloud and reminds us all why reading aloud is so essential- at school and at home. This talk is for parents and teachers who want to teach comprehension and connect with kids in powerful ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBuT2wdYtpM
Having students take ownership in a discussion can present several challenges. How will students know what to talk about? Will everyone be engaged? In these videos, a 5th grade teacher demonstrates a series of common sense lessons when having students analyze text beginning with students talking first with each other. This is followed by a class discussion and summarized through responding to a meaningful question or prompt.
In the first video, Analyzing Texts: Overview of a Lesson Series, you will see an overview of the entire process. It begins with small groups discussing a narrative nonfiction text about Sacagawea. The teacher circulates to the small groups to join in. After students have these small group discussions, the entire class meets for a deeper discussion. Finally, she provides an analytical question about the author’s feelings concerning exploration. Students write independently or with support from the teacher.
In Analyzing Texts: Brainstorm Before Writing, you will see how the small groups clarify what they found out in the text and practice accurate quoting from the text. In In Analyzing Text: Text Talk Timeyou will witness the class discussion In the final segment, Analyzing Texts: Putting Thoughts on Paper, the teacher demonstrates how she scaffolds the writing for students who need a little more support.
This is a plan that all grade levels can employ to have meaningful writing beginning with students exploring text in small groups, coming together to share their thoughts, writing ideas that were a product of the classroom discussion, and finally submitting their own interpretation of the reading and discussion questions.
Analyzing Texts: Putting Thoughts on Paper
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-writing
Analyzing Texts: Brainstorm Before Writing
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-brainstorming
Analyzing Text: Text Talk Time
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-as-a-group
Analyzing Texts: Overview of a Lesson Series
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-lesson
Math Matters!
April is Math Month and we are going to start out the month with our Family Math Night “The Kid’s Marketplace” on Monday, April 3rd from 6-7:30. We will be sending flyers home with the students next week.
This math night is sponsored by the VBSchools Credit Union. They bring everything except the volunteers. So we are asking for volunteers for that evening. You will be manning a table and helping the students make economic choices with the “salary” that they are given.
We had a very positive turn out from parents, students, and teachers last year and we are hoping for an even better result this year. Your help in making this a great night for all would be greatly appreciated.
If you can come out and volunteer that evening please let Donna or Kim know.
THANKS!
Here are some great videos and articles for mathematical growth mindset! Mrs. Bargnesi said she especially enjoys the positive math norms reference and unlocking children’s math potential…
https://www.youcubed.org/category/teaching-ideas/growing-mindset/
K-12 HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE TEXTBOOK REVIEW COMMITTEE
Please let me know if you are interested:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is in the process of creating committees to review textbooks to place on the approved list for K-12 History and Social Sciences. As part of that process, they are asking for nominations of individuals who are qualified, available to review and have expertise with the content of the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning.
Committee members reviewing the K-12 history and social science textbooks and instructional materials will be asked to review the submitted textbooks and submit correlation worksheets to the VDOE for a final review of all submitted materials. Committee members will receive recertification points upon approval of the local school division for their work.
All individuals who wish to serve on one of the History and Social Science Standards of Learning textbook committees must submit an application through the web-based process, Instruction Committee Application Processing System (ICAPS). The application will require a professional reference and division approval. Completed applications are due to the VDOE through the ICAPS process by March 31, 2017. Committee members will be notified of their acceptance on or before April 21, 2017. Committee members will be selected on the basis of expertise, experience and balanced regional representation.
REMINDERS
Reminder: Check the Birdneck Calendar for corrections, additions, or removals of content.
Reminder: One more week for PLP points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLP points are your responsibility to earn outside of your contract hours and should be completed by April 30.
PLP Opportunities
As noted in the Road to Gold document distributed at the Administrators’ Conference, one focus area for school staff for 2016-2017 is to make use of resources, including professional learning opportunities, developed to build awareness around personalized learning, a critical component of Goal 2 of the strategic framework, Compass to 2020.
Personalized learning resources include the following:
Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ Personalized Learning Website- http://vbplearn.weebly.com – This site is continuously updated with resources, videos, and artifacts aligned with the VBCPS definition of Personalized Learning.
Personalized Learning Overview and Introduction to Essential Components (Online) – This online course is running continuously through Apr. 30, 2017. Participants receive three Professional Learning Program (PLP) points for completion of the course.
Wading into the Waters of Personalized and Blended Learning - This site-based course can be provided by each school’s instructional technology specialist(s).
Join our PTA
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Join the PTA! Our goal is to have 100% Staff participation!!!!!!!!!
Support Birdneck Elementary students by joining the PTA. Don't miss out on the benefits from joining the PTA. Receive over $300 in savings... all for just $5 for a membership. Check out the PTA website at http://birdneckpta.weebly.com/
Licensure: Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP)
All teachers new to Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) are required to meet the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) within the first year (12 months) of employment.
This is a licensure requirement for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Your TSIP requirement must be completed no later than: May 31, 2017
Between now and June 30, 2017, please work with the Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) to identify the dates and times to take and pass the TSIP tests in your school. Make every effort to complete this requirement prior to the end of this school year.
Additional TSIP testing sessions will be made by appointment through the Department of Human Resources during the month of July 2017.
For questions about licensure requirements and other options, please email your licensure analyst:
Last names beginning with A-Gn ............ Patti Perger, patti.perger@vbschools.com
Last names beginning with Go-N ........... Leslie Miller, leslie.miller@vbschools.com
Last names beginning with O-Z .............. Ila James, ila.james@vbschools.com
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BIRDNECK MISSION
The mission of Birdneck Elementary is to dedicate ourselves to the success of all children, preparing them to meet today's expectations and tomorrow's challenges.
BIRDNECK VISION
Children are our future. We are dedicated to their success.
BIRDNECK BELIEFS
We believe in a collaborative community in which teachers, administrators, students, and parents work together for student success.
We believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and positive environment in which all students can strive for excellence and achieve their individual potential.
We believe we will prepare our students for success by providing 21st century learning and developing within our students critical thinking, effective communications and problem solving skills.
Website: http://www.birdneckes.vbschools.com/
Location: 957 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2120