December 1, 2017

How cool is this?! Thanks Martha!

Noticing...Appreciating...Wondering

The month of December will be a special one - a time to notice, appreciate and wonder. 

We ask kids to do this all the time - because we know that this is the beginning

 of the learning process. Learning about each other, learning new ways, 

wondering and 'the having of wonderful ideas' - all begin with noticing.

Mentorship

Where will you start on this cycle of learning?

What can you offer to others?

What do you notice when you observe others?

What do you wonder when you observe others?

Through the practice of inquiry, a mentor can provide direction with reflection. Mentorship is a process to present possibilities and abilities, not dictate, guilt, or demand the decisions of others. We have to have a vision for ourselves.

I know we would all ferociously defend that all children having strengths. We would be advocates and defend that they all have something to share with others - that all children are experts at something. So then, that is true of all of us.  Why do we work so hard to build on this belief for children and then back away from it as adults?

 Coaching 

We all thrive off of constructive feedback. We all need people who can push our thinking and question our decisions - it pushes us into reflective thinking and personal growth. Allowing ourselves to be coached by others requires being vulnerable and open. And that isn't always easy or comfortable. But then, we know this is good for kids - so then, can we embrace it for ourselves?

 Direction

 Through the process of inquiry, a mentor can provide direction within reflection. Using questioning and guidance, our mentor can focus and direct our thinking in a positive direction for growth. Sometimes the circumstance doesn't change, but our outlook and the possibilities do!

 Opportunity 

Take full advantage of the invitation! Don't turn this down from fear of lack of confidence. Carpe Diem!  And at the same time, seize the opportunities you can provide to help grow and stretch others!

 The mentorship process goes beyond conversations. We must develop others through active participation.  "Two voices combine and work off each other." Classroom observations and shadowing a colleague to gain additional experience - and to reflect on what we are doing . This helps us get down to our most basic core about what we believe.  Once we do some observing, let's move to a higher level of working together in a mentorship.

Advice

The importance of surrounding ourselves with people who don't think just like us, agree with us all the time, or who come from different backgrounds. "Sometimes the most dangerous place we can put ourselves is in an echo chamber." Be open to receive advice from people who are going to challenge our thinking, but who will be there to encourage and build us up.


When we work together with a mentor beside us, behind, or in front of us, it's so much easier. Perhaps yet another definition of 'Crew Not Passengers'?

Link to article Jill shared if you need to work on -
Pushing Past The Imposter Syndrome

We do make a difference...

We do inspire and influence....

Behind the scene things that need to be accomplished - 

pull out your calendar/schedule and be sure to include these:

iReady mid-year diagnostic testing window:
December 4th - 15th. Be sure to get this scheduled on your calendar!

EPR's (Elementary Progress Report) needs to be completed by December 15th. I will then release them to the district. I will check and see when the district releases them to parents - I suspect that will be December 22nd.

CITE 6: Input student roster, base line data and SLO's. Consider going in and entering student data here for units you teach (units of math, reading, writing) throughout the year. It's okay to have data from only one unit - or include more. The more student data you include, the more you can personalize this data to directly show the impact you have on student learning.

If you need support or help with any of the software involved in these tasks, reach out to help. If you are good at this - be sure to reach out and let others know you are available to help!

Fourth and First graders gearing up for the Hour of Code Event Tuesday, 4:30 -6:30

Yep - Using (Math) Thinking Routines in PE

Way to jump on applying what you learned, Doug!

Students thinking about which one doesn't belong!

Inquiry Investigation stage of the Creative Process in Visual Arts

'Noticing....wondering...'

Calendar

December 4 -8th:
Climbing Week

Monday, 4th:
Vision/Hearing Follow Up Screening 9:30-2:00 library

Tuesday, 5th:
MTSS
Hour of Coding 4:30 - 6:00 (for those participating)
New Family Parent Orientation 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 6th:
Kenny and Lisa's Crew leave for Keystone Fieldwork (back on Friday)
The Beat 9:00
Professional Development: Planning time, EPR's

Thursday,7th:
Math PD 7:30 a.m. Jill's room

Friday, 8th:
First Grade Fieldwork 9:30 - 1:00



December 11 - 15th:
Climbing Week

Tuesday, 12th:
MTSS
REA meeting 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 13th:
New Parent Orientation 7:30 a.m.
Professional Development: Planning time, EPR's

Thursday, 14th:
Math PD 7:30 a.m. Jill's room

Check out a sampling of the iMovie book trailers that each book club made

 as a wrap-up to their mystery novel study in Kim's Crew.

Have a great weekend!

Deborah