April 26, 2013

Short and Sweet

I try really hard to never have a meeting, just to have a meeting. This week I am struggling to calm my own personal waters and find some clarity. One of those times when I just can't still the constant stream of thought in my head! As a result, I don't have a clear message to share with you this week. So - rather than write a post to write a post, I'm just wishing you a good week next week and have only included the calendar here (and a surprise treat of a few photos of one of own).

Enjoy your three day weekend!!

Calendar

April 29 - May 3:

Tuesday: 

* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday:

* Page to Stage Performance 9:00 a.m.

* 5th Grade Field work to Colorado Springs

* Afternoon PD: Work on report cards

Thursday:

*MaryBeth's Crew make-up winter voyage

Friday:

* Make up day for Bootcamp outdoor climbing winners

May 6 - May 10:

Tuesday:

*RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

* 4th grade leaves for field work to the Sand Dunes (2 over-nights)

Wednesday:

* All School Meeting

Thursday:

* Fire Drill 12:00 p.m.

Saturday - Girls On the Run 5K

Last week I talked about about managing stress...I think Bill is doing just fine with it!

We had interviews this week and Bill showed us how he does it...or maybe he's coming undone?!

Enjoy your Friday and your weekend!!
Deborah

Friday, April 19, 2013

To Do List:

I know I am not alone creating lists of things that need to be done between now and the end of the year. I know I am not alone adding something to the list daily. With recent weather challenges - instead of checking some things off the list, we are just moving them around as we prioritize what needs to be done. Time frames and deadlines loom and much of that is out of our control. I feel that rising sense of anxiety that comes with deadlines and ever growing lists. What to do, what to do... How do we keep the joy during these busy times?

What are your tricks for managing these busy times?

Working Capitol Video - We hit the streets of Washington, DC to talk to people about work and how they deal with #stress. Responses range from serious to off the wall in this quick take on work life. Is your workplace psychologically healthy?

Calendar

April 22- 26th:

Monday:
* Free massage 11 - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday:
* ASM
* 4th grade to Art Museum with Ms. Pam

* Staff Development:
Driving test for those involved
Planning for all others (this was going to be our day to do our Restorative Circles assignment and as of date I have not heard back from the Center for Staff Development for the details. I'll let you know if we will meet together to do this.)

Thursday:
* Winter Voyage; Part Two for Ms. Jill's Crew

Friday:
No School for students or teachers


April 29 - May 3:

Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday:
* 5th grade field work to Colorado Springs
* Staff Development:
Time to work on report cards

Thursday:
* MaryBeth's Crew winter voyage rescheduled

Third Grade Fieldwork

to Red Rocks

- Working like scientists gathering data

Wondering...
Noticing things....

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

April 12, 2013

Looking Back

To Go Forward

The evolution of wonderful ideas

It was great to spend some being together on Wednesday afternoon! I couldn't be more proud of our school and all of you. Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound is a philosophy we embrace together, and it is all of us together who make us what we are.

Learning Targets -
going deeper and using critical thinking to
determine importance with our learning targets -
we highlighted key words and
analyzed the targets to determine the big idea.

Assessment of our session -
build a definition of Expeditionary Learning

A Caring community of learners
-learning through case studies emphasizing questions and experiences that take us deep - more than wide on topics
- learn about topics that are connected to and impact the real world

Expeditionary Learning is
* educating the whole child
* engaging, immersive, inquiry-based experiences
* challenge by choice/self-awareness
* reflection for change and growth
* about depth, not breadth
* authentic application of learning
* Crew - community

Expeditionary Learning is a way to deliver learning experiences where students are allowed to ask questions and are given opportunities and support to answer those questions.
This is done by
* in depth studies
* field work
* expert speakers
* service
* character development
* multiple perspectives
* learning targets
These teach students:
* learning how to learn
* reflect on learning
* articulate
* joy of learning
* sense of community

We teach the whole child: socially, physically, emotionally, and academically - giving him/her the opportunity to be an expert (researcher, scientist, historian), member of an inclusive community. "The goal is to unleash and cultivate the passion and genius of every student using authentic and tangible opportunities to learn and serve."

Calendar

April 15 - 19th:
Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.
* REA meeting 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday:
* ASM
* PD - Individual and team planning

Thursday:
* Winter Voyage; Part Two for MaryBeth's Crew

Friday:
* Outdoor rock climbing for Boot Camp winners 8:30 - 12:30
           


April 22- 26th:
Monday:
* Free massage 11 - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday:
* ASM
* 4th grade to Art Museum with Ms. Pam

Thursday:
* Winter Voyage; Part Two for Ms. Jill's Crew

Friday:
No School for students or teachers

A new app

The story of the current Learning Expedition in Ms. Jill's first grade Crew. Jill experimented with a new app over break, called Haiku Deck, to create it this presentation. She swears it was easy!

<iframe src='http://www.haikudeck.com/e/glQOL55tPj' width='512' height='420' frameborder='0' marginheight='0' marginwidth='0'></iframe> 

Teaching lifetime sports/activities

Have a great weekend!

Deborah