First Days of School

Let the Good Times Roll!

What a sensational beginning to our school year! So much joy, excitement and happy people!

Without exception, classrooms were focused on norms, teambuilding, routines, procedures and developing those strong relationships that are the foundation of a culture of belonging. No wonder it was such a great beginning!

Keep in mind that all of these really important components are best built in tandem - and become relevant, when they are paired with discovery, inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration. It's impossible to do any of these things if you don't have something engaging to think about!  Now is the time to jump straight into your units of study. Grab their interest, excitement and passion. You can continue to build in the elements of culture as you go. 

I know I've talked about this before, but I think it warrants repetition. In the Reading Recovery world we called it 'Roaming Around the Known'. This means, the teacher creates many opportunities for students to engage in learning and the teacher observes and notices what the student controls, what they are on the verge of being independent with (with only a little direct instruction) and what things they will need more support with before they are able to work independently. Create learning experiences that will allow you to uncover this. Watching students in the act of making decisions is the very, very, very best assessment. Ask them lots of questions:

* How did you know to do that?

* What were you considering when you decided to do that?

* I noticed you....why did you?

* How do you know you are right?

* What could you try?

* When they look to you for guidance - before you give it - say, "Try something."

* Watch them in groups. What tools do they use? 

* What strategies are present for reading, writing, problem solving, thinking, sharing, communicating...

* Teachers talk less.

* Students talk and think more.

You get the idea. Be very intentional that while you have kids immersed in discovery, inquiry, problem solving - your goal is to notice where they are. Have them do lots of writing that matters to them - then look at it - what are you noticing about your writers? As they are reading, what is easy, what is hard? What do they share about what they have read? 

Avoid being focused on all the things they don't control and be intentional about noticing what they do control, independently without support from you. 

This means, that there is likely less direct instruction in the next two weeks. It still means pulling groups - doesn't matter if you have them grouped correctly - that's the purpose. At the end of the two weeks, you'll know exactly where they belong. Pulling them in groups allows you the opportunity to more closely observe, questions and interact. Of course you can 'teach the group', but it isn't your purpose. Do you know what I mean?

In the next few weeks, challenge yourself to create a t-chart on each student. On one side, write what you have noticed that they control independently and on the other side, note what the next steps should be for that student based on what they control. I would add a third column and write what I know about that student as a person. What are they passionate about? What is special about them?

'Roaming Around the Known' can be so rewarding for everyone. You will leave this time with a full head of information about your students and chomping at the bit to begin to teach. Your students will have had two weeks of feeling independent, successful and excited about learning. Enjoy!

A Peek Around the School

...if only I had been able to capture each one of you and every remarkable event!

Is everyone saying The Pledge each day?
We need to. 

Clever idea Brittany has for taking role.

A component of Morning Meeting is the agenda.
 Notice that the agenda doesn't list a schedule of 'subjects' but includes what students will be doing for the day. 

Calendar

Week of August 10th:

  Monday:

* Drumming

Tuesday:

* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

* Hanni's Crew leaves on Voyage

Week of August 17th:

Monday:

* Drumming

* Lisa's Crew leaves on Voyage

* Brittany's Crew leaves on Voyage

Tuesday:

* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

* Nicole's Crew leaves on Voyage

Thursday:

* Deborah out of the building to Elementary Admin. meeting

For Your Information

* All classroom doors must be locked. When you are present in the room you can use the doorjams or the magnetic strips. When you leave the classroom, the door must be locked behind you.

* We are no longer allowed to use sanitizer wipes.

* Make sure you have completed the mandatory moodle trainings. There may be a bit of time on Wednesday afternoon to complete some of these.

Please click on the link to access the district mandated trainings  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K7m72EVSl5dBdp4jEKc9AROF0M5Elrq-O5TKFX5U6bM/edit

* The Pledge of Allegiance needs to be recited every day.

* When you can, please send your blog link to Andrea and myself. We need to update the website. I would like to subscribe to whatever communication tool you have with parents.

* When you can, if you don't currently have a bio for our school website, please create one and give to Andrea for the school website. This is not urgent at all.

* I will be working with the office staff on the next two Wednesdays. We will be evaluating our current systems and identifying where changes can be made.

* This weeks professional development will be facilitated by Debbie, Amanda, and Chelsea. Chelsea will lead the activity. Amanda will be sharing some of her work, with primary teachers, around mathematics in hopes that it can be of support to others.  Intermediate teachers will be meeting, under the direction of Lisa, to create an assessment for reading to possibly use in lieu of iReady for CITE 6.

* Andrea is in the process of creating the drill schedule. We will be having a fire drill this week.  Make sure you know where you are to go and that you have the red/green card and an accurate class list for taking role. (Is this information included with sub plans?)

* For now, we will continue to drum (whole school but in Crews) until we have a chance to review whether this is what we want to continue to do. Remember, this doesn't mean it's the only time you can drum. 

Have a great week!

Deborah