February 19, 2016

What I noticed in the first 30 minutes of a Wednesday morning....

Chapter book discussion

Parents read to kindergartners

Teachers listen to readers

Big Sisters read to kindergartners

First Grader Genevieve reads to kindergartner

Another big sister reading in kindergarten

How to choose from all the book choices?

Conferencing with students as they finish a good read

Recording thinking while reading

“We read to know we're not alone.”

― William Nicholson, Shadowlands

Get ready to jot these down...

For your reading/listening pleasure, here's what staff is recommending:

Kenny:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 

-Harry Potter meets the X-Files. 

Tacopedia: The History of Tacos

The End of Average: How we Succeed in World that values Sameness; 

Todd Rose 

Podcast: Moth Story Telling, Serial

Melani:

I have enjoyed the "Kate Burkholder" series by Linda Castillo. It is a mystery series set in Amish country. Kate Burkholder, a strong female lead character, is the sheriff in the small Amish community of Painter's Mill. Kate grew up as Amish then left the community due to a tragic situation. Her Amish background and censure from the community serve as a double-edged sword as she solves crime in her capacity of sheriff.

I also enjoy any book written by Lisa Scottoline. The lastest Scottoline book I read is entitled Keep Quiet. I found it to be a page turner. Many of the books by these two authors can be downloaded an an ebook from the Douglas County Library System. 

Melissa:

I am reading "I Will Never Be French (No Matter How Hard I Try)" right now. It's a fun account of the author's experience moving to Brittany for a summer and eventually buying a home there.  It's a light read, but perfect if anyone is escaping to a beach this Spring Break! It's an adult read as there is some language.

As far as podcasts, I enjoy "The Simple Sophisticate." The focus varies from life skills to pop culture to goal setting. The woman who does the podcast is a high school teacher in Bend, Oregon.

Both of these recommendations are purely for enjoyment...not much deep thinking going on!

Andrea:

I'm enjoying "JFK and the Unspeakable; Why He Died and Why It Matters" by James Douglass. By no means is it a 'fun', relaxing read but it is very interesting (and scary).

Brooks:

My landlord insists I read "Flourish" by Martin Seligman.  We had been talking about Renaissance and mindset (and building social skills); he got really excited and loaned me a copy of this book to read.  I hope to get around to it this Spring.

Brittany:

Books:

 - Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (YA)

 -  The Martian by Andy Weir (adult)

 - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (adult)

Podcast:

 - Pop Culture Happy Hour

Jenni Carlson:

I read, almost a year ago, "Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult, which is an adult fiction novel. It was a different style for her writing but I loved the story line and the main character's journey. I think I may have even told you about this book during my interview :-)

I still refer this book for anybody who asks for a good recommendation!

Suzi:

Game of Thrones by George Martin-Adult

I figured telling you what I was currently reading was the easiest way to answer this question.  It is too hard to pick out my favorites.  

Deborah:

C.J .Box- The Joe Pickett Series 

If you are a Lee Child fan, you'll likely enjoy these. There are over 15 in the series and all set in Wyoming. My father recommended them to me, and I have to admit that the first book was just okay. The rest are MUCH better. You wouldn't have to read them in order, but they do follow a sequence.

Podcast: Happiness Project

Lauren:

A Walk in the Woods (Bill Bryson)- hilarious account of two men walking the Appalachian Trail

The Other Boylen Girl (Phillipa Gregory)- historical novel of some of the wives of King Henry VIII

Podcast:

From Curious to Discovery (NPR Ted Radio Hour)-- Adam Savage is my favorite speaker

http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/342134398/from-curiosity-to-discovery

Behind the scenes...

Winter Voyages heading out - 

Preparing the meds

That was easy?

There's something so right about the way the hallways were looking -
So us - right?!

Dana organizing the troops

 Calendar

February 22 - 26:

Monday, 22nd:
* Visitors from Innovation and Safety Summit members
* 3rd Graders leave on their Winter Voyage
Tuesday, 23rd:
* RTI 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, 24th:
The Beat
* Discovery 2/3 and Discovery 4th leave on their Winter Voyage
*PD 1:30 - Protocols for Instruction
* 4:00 Anxiety Training Class in library
Thursday, 25th:
* First Grade leaves on their Winter Voyage (day trip)
* 9 - 10:30 Cindy (school director) makes a school visit
* Renaissance Secondary School Info meeting 6:30 pm in the gym




February 29- March 4:
Monday, 29th:
* REA/SAC meeting 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled)
Tuesday, 1st:
* RTI 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, 2nd:
* PD: Defining the criteria for Showcase of Learning Presentation
* 4:00 Anxiety Training Class with Allison
Thursday, 3rd:
* Deborah out of the building PK12 admin. meeting
* Kim's Crew - fieldwork to Snow Mountain Ranch
Friday, 4th
*CERT training 9-11
(Deborah, Andrea, Eric, Debbie, Jodie,Elisha out of the building)

Featured Spaces

If you haven't seen this on our website, take a look!

On the home landing page, you'll also see that we've added a tab for our mission statement and our Professional Development.

Thank you Melissa for the work on our website!

Learning Spaces: updates to our web site

One short week ago we were gathered together to learn.

Feedback responses to PD

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

February 5, 2016

Mission Statement On the Move

The Building Leadership Team (BLT) is meeting this Friday. The team needs to continue to develop our building plan, monitor our growth and consider implications for next year. The team will also develop the agenda for our Professional Development for the coming Friday. We'll send that agenda along to you afterward.

In addition, the team needs to make decisions about a model for a school-wide balanced assessment system. We need to identify those tools we will use to monitor growth of our students and how we are doing as a school. This work will all revolve around the desired state we identified for our school, so that we can deliver on our mission statement. 

Each of you do a great job providing students with feedback about how they are doing and what is the next step for the student. We share that information with parents in presentations, student-led conferences and Showcase of Learning (Portfolios).  Our next important step is to be able to share with our community how we are doing as an entire school. How can we tell our story with our community?

Parents talk. Neighbors talk. When our parents are out and about and interacting with the public, they talk about their kids, and they talk about their school. I know our parents want to brag. They are happy with our school. And beyond the State 'report card', what information is available to them to share about the success and growth of their school?

Currently, they talk about the 'cool stuff' their kids are doing and experiencing. That's why making the learning visible is so important for them, and to them. I think we can do more. We have a very fine tuned mission statement. (Hee, hee) Now, how do we know we are making it happen? How can we figure that out and then share our success and share our next steps?

As always, share your thoughts with a representative of the Building Leadership Team, send me an email, stop and chat...we are our own best resource!

However far we get as a team, we'll be sharing our discoveries and first iteration with all of you.

If you couldn't see it with your own eyes, 

how could you share it so others would know?

How could you be credible?

How do you know when something is 'good'?

When I think about how daunting the work is for the Leadership Team, I am humbled by a visit to watch Chelsea at work creating The Beat from scratch each time. Look at all those students who have input and have such a short amount of time to put it all together! Wow!
Yeah,  Chelsea and Melissa!!

Sweet little kindergartners in Lauren's room doing a mystery piece- jumping in to their new Learning Expedition. Look at those sweet little tables!

How cool is this Lauren! A mystery piece using technology and the kids recording what they are noticing and wondering. Look how far they've come since August! Woo hoo!
Yeah, Lauren!

I had to snap a picture of this student in Billie's Crew. Talk about a digital native! Three devices in action and...a comfy cushion! Hmm...that doesn't look like a traditional student desk?

This is a poor photo - it didn't capture the high seating that Billie
has purchased and kids are loving in her classroom.
So many of you have moved forward with creative learning spaces - be sure to get
around and check out all the cool spaces!
Yeah, Billie!

Calendar:

February 8 - 12th:

Monday, 8th:
Discovery 5th leaves on Winter Voyage
PLC grade level meetings with the Assessment Team


Tuesday, 9th:
RTI 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday, 10th:
The Beat
PD: 1:30 Library - Instructional Protocol Study

Thursday, 11th:
2nd Grade Fieldwork to Wildlife Center
Deborah out of the building for Elementary Admin. mtg.

Friday, 12th:
No Students
Professional Development for Teachers - 8:30 in the library


February 15 - 19th:

Monday, 15th:
No School

Tuesday, 16th:
RTI 7:30 a.m.
Grade level teams meet with Deborah -
* CITE 6 baseline data entry
* Setting the template for EPR
REA meeting 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 17th:
2nd Grade and 4th Grade leave on Winter Voyage
PD: 1:30 Library - Instructional Protocol Study

4:00: Professional Development opportunity
focused on managing anxiety in children -offered by Allison

Thursday, 18th:
Love and Logic 4:30 p.m.

When I popped into Melani's room, she was co-teaching with Sharon Combs, DCSD Instructional Technology Designer. Melani and Kim meet with her once a week as part of a pilot program to teach children coding and computer science. Last semester students learned to code and used their skills to program small robots called Probots. This semester the students are engaged in a Storytelling Unit. They will use coding to animate their original stories.
Yeah, Melani and Kim!

The Art of Teaching
One teacher - six kids
A million decisions to make in a nano second.
The Noticing Teacher.
Mary Beth, making every second count.
Yeah, Mary Beth

Sara making the hallway work for some guided support.
Comfy, happy, engaged learners.
Yeah, Sara!

I had to use willpower not to grab a book off of Jen's bookshelves and plop down on one of those pillows in the meeting area. Jen cracks me up with her apron for teaching.
It must me a messy job!
Look at the walls! Full of student thinking.
Yeah Jen!

The count down has begun for Pam. Life Is Art, with the Artist's Edition is fast approaching!
I can hardly manage my two grandchildren painting with watercolors without feeling frazzled by the time we are done. How do you support and keep up with all these budding artists Pam?
Truly inspiring and amazing!
Yeah, Pam!

Our lucky, lucky kids - to experience such an authentic experience
and discovery so much about themselves and the world around them.

I love our school.

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

January 22, 2016

If It's On The Calendar, It Happens

I've been reading 'Better Than Before - Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives' by Gretchen Rubin. I was listening to one of her Podcasts from her book and was intrigued. Next step - cue that book up from the library! I like this kind of book - I can read a chapter here and there and in no particular sequence.

Lately, I've been monitoring my goals both personally and professionally (there's another chapter about monitoring which is really good!) and have a surprising number of areas that have been sorely neglected.  Some of them are such great ideas...why can't I move them into action? This book has really helped me identify the barriers that have prevented these ideas from becoming actions. Just naming some of these simple strategies has raised my awareness and has me really thinking!

The strategies in this book are so familiar that we take doing them for granted - but they're invaluable.
 One of those is the strategy of scheduling. One reason I think we have been so successful with our school-wide rituals is that we schedule them. We drum the first day of each week. We start each day with Morning Meeting. We end each day with Closing Circle. How easy these would get away from us if we were not intentionally carving out time in daily and weekly schedules to ensure they happen!

Are there some other things you value that 'slip away' from you? Do you wish you did a teambuilding exercise every couple of weeks with your Crew? Do you desire to observe another teacher? Do you need some planning time? Do you need some help from a colleague? Do you need to finish documenting a Learning Expedition or document the revision you want to hang on to for the future? Do you want to increase your progress monitoring of students? Do you want a routinely scheduled sample of student writing? Do you want to increase your parent communication? I wonder how putting this down on your calendar, building it into your routine, might make it happen?

Calendar:

January 21 - 25th:

Monday:
5th Grade Winter Voyage
Deborah out of the building

Tuesday:
* RTI 7:30 a.m.
Deborah out of the building

Wednesday:
The Beat
PD: 1:30 Library
     *Kim presents her learning on Financial Literacy
     *Instructional protocol study

Thursday:
5th grade Day of Rest
Student Work Dialogue with Tammy and Austin - rotate during plan times


February 1 - 5th:

Tuesday:
RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday:
PD 1:30 Library
     *Diana features guest from Follett sharing 'Lightbox' (tool for teachers)
     *Instructional protocols study

Thursday:
Deborah out of the building - admin mtg.

Friday:
Vision and Hearing Screening

Have a wonderful weekend!

Deborah

Friday, January 8, 2016

Hummingbirds

Over the break I indulged - okay I binged -in watching a series of videos via Oprah's Super Soul Sunday series. There was one in particular that I just can't stop thinking about -Elizabeth Gilbert: Flight of the HummingbirdThe Curiosity Driven Life

I couldn't figure out how to embed the video, so provided you with a link if you'd like to watch it yourself. It's definitely worth a viewing!

What really spoke to me in this presentation was that Elizabeth Gilbert challenged my thinking. She challenged a belief that I have held forever- follow your passion. A listener contacted Elizabeth Gilbert and shared that after hearing Elizabeth speak about the importance of following our passion, that she felt like an utter failure. This listener had been in search of her passion all her life and still hadn't found it. This response made Elizabeth pause and reconsider. And I can't stop thinking about it.

For some of us, our passion comes to us so easily. But maybe it's not the same for everyone? Maybe what really matters is that we are curious and we explore our curiosities? 

Elizabeth went on to describe that there are likely two types of people - those that are consumed by their passions like a 'jackhammer' - drilling and pounding away with intensity. And others, others are more like hummingbirds. Curious about this and then that. Flitting from one thing for a time and then on to something else. Is one a better way than another? 

That got me thinking about people in my life. My oldest daughter, Morgan, had me for her model - a mother always intense and jackhammering away. So off she went to find her passion to do the same - after all, this was key - as I had trained her - in living a fulfilling and happy life. I watched her go from one thing to another, enjoying them for awhile and then the interest faded. Hmmm. What was she doing wrong? What was I doing wrong that I couldn't help her find her passion? I watched her over many years chasing everything that made her curious, tasting different experiences and moving on.

This presentation literally stopped me. I stopped the video, listened again and again. Of my gosh...she's a hummingbird! This is exactly right for her! I wonder, does she - like Elizabeth's viewer, also feel like she's failing?

My thoughts then drifted to our students. We talk all the time about designing units of study around things that our students are passionate about. I know there have been times we've done this and then been baffled that the study dies out. How can that be if this is their passion? We have students who don't seem to have a particular passion and we don't know what to do about that. Have we ever considered designing units for our hummingbirds?

Then my thoughts went to some research I studied awhile back (my thoughts do lots of jumping!). This research stated that elementary students are much more wired for the hummingbird approach. That the 'deep dives' often don't retain the attention and curiosity of our students. Wait! Forever we've been told that a mile deep is so much better than a mile wide! This is saying the opposite! 

So, now I'm left just wondering. I thrive on having different perspectives push my thinking. I think all of it is right. I think it's okay when the interest wains to just be done and move on. I think it's okay to go deeply into a study and I think it's okay to approach some studies like a hummingbird.

Ask me what I think in a week. I might be thinking differently.

What do you think?

Calendar:

January 11 - 15:

Tuesday, Jan. 12th:

RTI 7:30 a.m

Wednesday, Jan. 13th:

The Beat

1:30 PD: Leadership Team Meeting/Collaborative Planning

Thursday, Jan. 14th:

Deborah out of the building for PK12 admin. meeting

Friday, Jan. 15th: 

No Students - Professional Development Day 

(agenda coming after Leadership Team Meeting)

January 18 - 22:

Monday, Jan. 18th: No School

Tuesday, Jan. 19th:

RTI 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20th:

Cup Stacking Tournament 9 - 10 a.m.

PD: To be announced

Thursday, Jan. 21st:

Deborah out of the building elementary admin meeting

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

I saw this on Facebook and got a good chuckle from it...

Friday, December 8th

No Surprises

I'm heading out the door with two exuberant Goldendoodles jazzed and ready for their evening walk. I'm bundled up and have their leashes tightly wound around my hands. We start up the hill and before either of them spot the rabbit nestled into a dip in the yard, holding ever so still so as not to be seen, I anticipate what is likely going to happen when the rabbit is spotted.

Nothing gives Molly Dog more joy than to give chase to a rabbit. She knows this isn't allowed in the city, or when she is on a leash. However, I know her well enough that she'll need some firm words in the way of reminder and that I'll need to shorten up on the leash...just in case.

 She spots the rabbit. Her whole body is on alert. Her steps are short and quick; her body quivers, primed to dart. She looks back at me yearning for approval. I lower my voice and say, "Don't even think about it." I shorten up the leash. Gemma looks back as if to say, "Seriously, is she even considering it?" One dog, I know, is in tune with me and I leave her leash alone. The other dog, still needs firm boundaries and close monitoring. We pass by the rabbit. Molly is prancing and whining but she keeps on moving forward. The rabbit is safe.

Why this story? A gentle reminder to us all that in the upcoming week, the need for adhering to norms and expectations is more important than ever. Students who struggle with self-regulation need us to step it up - not relax - with our routines and procedures. We want to have fun and enjoy this special time of year - and we can do that. We can do that by supporting them in keeping things tight - not loose.

Calendar Reminder For Parents:

Please remind parents that we do have students on Friday, December 18th and that we do not have students on Monday, January 4th.

Calendar

Week of Dec. 13th:
Monday- Drumming
Tuesday- Debbie out in am for PLS meeting
Wednesday- PD in the library @1:30
* Guest presenter
* Progress monitor school goal Thursday- A make-up session on Love and Logic "Recovery" class- open to all (Please consider if you need a refresher.) @ 4:30 in the art room
Friday - classroom parties(?)
Staff Celebration at Billie's house - Thanks in advance Billie:)

Week of January (gulp!) 4th:

Monday : Staff only
Tuesday: No RTI
Wednesday: 
1:30 Staff Development Library

Sound Systems

I've noticed in classrooms that we value having students learn from one another. One way we are doing that is by having students share their thinking. I've also noticed that it is sometimes really hard to hear them. Some of our sound systems need repair or you need batteries...or something. Please let Julie know if you need anything to get your sound systems back in working order. It is a huge difference for learners when they don't have to strain to listen. 

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

November 20, 2015

First Impressions Count

Ten years ago, when we opened our doors, one goal we shared together was how to create a welcoming environment. We wanted to create an environment that people got an instant feeling of who we were and what we were about. We selected furnishings for the lobby intentionally to create a mood and flavor. We committed to only hanging student art - and making sure we had visually appealing displays, colors and messaging.

Just the other day I was engaged in conversation with a staff member who had visited another school. She was struck with how clean, organized and beautiful the school was, reflecting on the overall positive impression it had given her. I left our conversation wondering what impression our school gives off to visitors and our community? I didn't have a good feeling. 

We are exploding at the seams, having utilized every nook and cranny. We have purged together, rearranged and reorganized. And yet, might we be only mid-way into the challenge of recreating our space? We have answered the call of redefining learning spaces and are seeking ways to be innovative, but have we created order and beauty? 

As you look around, does our school communicate our value of stewardship? Look at your space right now. Does it? I'm looking at my office and I am a very poor model for that which I speak. I'm committing right now, that this space will look differently in a few weeks. I recognize that I may need to develop a few routines to support my goal of transforming my personal space and to maintain it. I need to allocate a few minutes every day to keep the order and demonstrate my commitment to being a good steward.

In the book, Classroom Spaces That Work, a Responsive Classroom resource, chapter six is devoted to creating ambience in our classrooms. "Ambience is not easy to define or describe, yet most people know within minutes of entering a place whether the ambience is right for them. Does the place make them feel comfortable or tense? Stimulated or bored? Welcome or alienated? Ambience is the feeling or mood associated with a particular place. It involves our emotional responses to a place and how that place affects all our senses."

We have embraced collaborating with our students to design our learning spaces. However, I believe we are still responsible for defining and monitoring whether the ambience is welcoming, comfortable and engaging. We each have our own unique style, so our rooms should reflect that, but we should have unity in a shared commitment to a community that reflects our value for order, organization, and beauty. "While a teacher's passions should never dominate the room, they certainly are critical to enlivening its ambience and sparking students' excitement about learning. Some of the most engaging classrooms I've been in are the ones in which the teacher's passions - whether for art, history, poetry, or the natural world - are obvious and reflected in the physical setup of the room."

In the Reggio Emilia approach, the environment is the third teacher. "The environment is recognized for its potential to inspire children. An environment filled with natural light, order and beauty. Open spaces free from clutter, where every material is considered for its purpose, every corner is ever-evolving to encourage children to delve deeper and deeper into their interest."

A classroom's ambience, and the school at large, makes a difference in how well children learn.

Take a critical look around your learning space/work area. Ask yourself these questions:

What impression does it give? 

Have you created ambience that reflects your values? 

Is it a place that people will want to stay? 

Is it organized, tidy, pleasing to the eye, does it invite a visitor to want to come in? 

Have you used your learning spaces funds in such a way that it has raised the level of ambience in your space to a new level?

Would you describe it as inviting, warm and beautiful?

Have you created high-quality documentation panels of learning?

Please join me in evaluating your space. It is a critical component of our goal work together in taking our school to the next level.

I wonder, with some care and attention, what we might do together in the next month? Could this potentially be a way to include parent volunteers and enlist their help in organizing, purging and displaying Learning Expedition documentation panels? I'll bet there are even parents who might be interested in doing this in collaboration with their student? I think there are clever ways to enlist some helping hands. 

(I'll leave the book on my coffee table should you be interested in a deeper look.  Here are a few links for further study: Marie Montessori talks about a 'Prepared Environment' and 

WHAT IS THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH?

Sign Language

Thanks Wendy for the short video reminding us all to use the sign-language we committed to using with students as an entire school!
Check your email for the video.

We look forward to learning more!

Middle of the Year Self-Evaluation

 Official communication from the district level: The MOY evaluation window is now open.  Please remember that the MOY Self-Evaluation is required by all teachers and evaluators.  The MOY Self-Evaluation is due by January 15th for both teachers and evaluators.  The MOY evaluation deadline for CITE/LEAD is January 31st. 

Last year, I started Mid-Year Evaluations in December and finished almost all of them before break.

If you are ready, and have your MOY self-evaluation done and evidence uploaded to support your ratings, please coordinate with me to schedule your conference in December.

Please, please folks - don't put off uploading evidence as something to do over the holiday break. 

That would be a real drag for you and for me!

How is uploading evidence going?

Please remember if you are tagging things to CITE Standard One, you need to include your plans.

Also, remember to write your narratives in a word or google doc, so if you need to revise, you don't need to rewrite the entire entry, since CITE won't allow you to revise after you submit.

Consider uploading evidence and only tagging a few elements that are strongly connected, rather than one piece of evidence with lots of things tagged to it. That's when rating it gets blurry. You can even use the same evidence several times and tag different elements with each entry - keeping it concise and targeted.

Consider your work around writing READ plans, required moodles, drills, self-evaluations for CITE as evidence for CITE Standard 5 - Professionalism - 5.5:demonstrates professional and ethical conduct including following all laws, district policies and school procedures.

Calendar

November 23rd - 27th:

Tuesday: 

* No RTI meeting - Building Leadership Team meeting 7:00 a.m. (all staff welcome to listen in if you would like to come)

Wednesday - Thanksgiving Break

November 30 - December 4th:

Monday:

* District Budget meeting - Deborah out of the building

Tuesday:

* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday:

* The Beat

* PD: Part One of First Aide/CPR course

* Remember to bring your $6.00 cash for your card

* Course will run until 5:00 p.m. 

Thursday:

* Discovery 4th grade field work

* PK12 Admin mtg - Deborah out of the building

Have a wonderful weekend!

Deborah