Friday Focus - October 29, 2021

 

Great Things I Noticed this Week:

*Our Link Crew leaders planned and led activities in our freshmen aspire classes and spread some positivity throughout the school. It is so great to see our student leaders in action!
*Students having fun practicing identifying similes/metaphors in blooket game. (That was a new tool for me to see in action).
*We have a math coach coming from CESA 6 monthly...she was so impressed with her first visit this week. Transitioning to CPM is a big change, but she said our classrooms are doing amazing already!

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday - Workout Wednesday
MS Faculty Meeting in IMC Learning Commons (*Yes, this is different than the combined MS/HS that was originally scheduled)

Friday/Saturday/Sunday - please come support our students in the musical!

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:

• HS faculty - the IEB document for next week can be found HERE (This can also be found in the DMS DHS shared drive, 2021-2022, 21-22 HS IEB.)
• Just a reminder to have students wipe desks/tables at the end of the day, put chairs upside down on desks/tables and place garbages outside your door. This helps our evening custodial crew!
• Our Strive program is doing their coat drive again...this weekend is a good time to clean out your closet!

Blogs, Tweets & Quotes:

How to Customize Your Jamboard Background

Friday Focus - October 22, 2021

 

Great Things I Noticed this Week...believe it or not, I can still notice a lot when I'm quarantined in my basement all week! ;)

• I have access to the security cameras from home (yes, I know that sounds creepy, but it's one way I can try to be useful to Mrs. Modaff this week!) and I notice many of you out in the hallways/near bathrooms to assist with supervision. Thank you!!!
• Teachers sharing many positives about a student in a meeting when we were also together to discuss concerns and how to support the student.  
• Teachers covering for other classes during their preps (please make sure you fill out an extra duty sheet!)
• The high school faculty meeting appeared to have some great discussions as you shared examples with your colleagues of what you have students do before they can take a reassessment (from my virtual view over in the corner anyhow!).

Upcoming Events:

*Wednesday - Workout Wednesday

-3:15 I'm rescheduling the optional EP Optional Supported work time for SLO from Monday to Wednesday (since I won't be back until Tuesday)

Thursday - Picture Retake Day

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:

*HS faculty - the IEB doc for next week is HERE (This can also be found in the DMS DHS shared drive, 2021-2022, 21-22 HS IEB.)

Blogs, Tweets & Quotes:

*20 Ways to Give Feedback for Learning

Friday Focus - October 15, 2021

 

Great Things I Noticed this Week:

*Brain break during class to play a fun gimkit to review email etiquette.

*Students having choice in their end-of-unit math assessment, getting to choose examples of problems to demonstrate their mastery of each skill, while reflecting on the proficiency rubric before submitting.  (This definitely helps the student with test anxiety to be able to demonstrate their learning!)

*Deep conversations about song lyrics and purpose in high school choir when trying to decide on the song choice for the Veterans Day assembly. 

*Our FFA students did a great job at the Petting Zoo teaching elementary students about large and small animals...they had informative display boards/posters and had obviously planned what they were going to teach our elementary students. On a funny note--I got sneezed on by the donkey and was worried my shirt would be a mess for Parent/Teacher Conferences, but donkey sneeze came clean with a wet paper towel. Just in case you ever need to know. 

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday - Workout Wednesday

3:15 HS Faculty meeting in IMC Learning Commons (remember to read chapter 2 of the Grading for Impact book)

Thursday - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 - 7:30PM *Revision for the gym set up--we will put you together by department so if you have down time you can collaborate.

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:

*Just a reminder to be putting your garbage/recycle bins in the hallway at the end of the day. Our custodial crew thanks you for this!

*Music lesson schedules are coming out from Mr. Robinson for instrumental and Mr. Muenchow for vocal lessons. Please know that Mr. Muenchow and Mr. Robinson have been working very hard to try to create a lesson schedule in which students would not miss core classes, however, we just have too many musical students to only have lessons during aspire (that's a good thing for the music department!) Students know that if they have a test/lab or doing anything else that they cannot miss that they should stay in class. When you see the schedule, if there are any students that you have concerns about their lesson being during your class, please communicate with Mr. Robinson or Mr. Muenchow for some collaborative problem-solving.  Thank you for your help in supporting our students to continue to nurture their musical talents. 

*EP - SLO/PPG/Surveys/Rapid Cycle Feedback
If you have any questions about this, please let me know. In addition, there is optional support/work time on October 25 after school.  This might help to dedicate time in your schedule to work on these forms and I will be there to help in whatever way I can!

*Herb Kohl Fellowship/Scholarship Evaluators needed: CESA 6 is recruiting volunteers to assist in reading and scoring the applications for this program. Anyone can be a reader.  The reading/scoring is online and takes approximately 20-30 minutes per application (generally each reader has 5-10 applications). Scoring must be done within the 3 week time frame and will start in mid-November.  If you are interested in reading or know of someone interested, please fill out the New Reader Registration Form HERE.  (Choose CESA 6 on the form.). More information and orientation videos can be found HERE.

Blogs, Quotes & Tweets:

*WI Guest Post: Student Feedback and Standards Based Grading

Friday Focus - October 8, 2021

 Great Things I Noticed this Week:

*I always get nervous about how kids will behave during homecoming week...it feels like this week has been the best Homecoming week I've experienced so far. I have been SO impressed with high school student leadership from student council and from each class.  I have noticed students dressing up who never did before, but said they wanted to help their class win. The school spirit is incredible this year and it feels amazing!!

*Teachers noticing possible emotional/mental health concerns in students and reporting to pupil services and alerting colleagues to be on the lookout to support each student in different situations. 

*The middle school math teachers have been hard at work collaborating for plans to start intervention for students with math skill gaps soon during aspire. 

*The library opened up for students/classes this week. There was so much excitement from students about the new design/layout and furniture and of course...books!!!!

*Students working independently, then discussing in small groups what they thought the mathematical mistake was in an example problem. There is so much learning that can come from finding a mistake and identify why someone probably made that mistake so they can clarify and deepen their own learning. 

*If you ever need some pep up energy in the morning, just come see Mrs. Vitale greeting students at the MS/HS entrance in the morning. She has so much energy and excitement, I'm certain you can catch some of it! 

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday - MS Faculty Meeting (due to the book fair we will need to meet in Mrs. Neis's room)

Thursday - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 - 7:30PM (round 2 will be Thursday, October 21)

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:
*We obviously didn't get to planning for that grandiose idea of student-led conferences so we will be having conferences in the gym. I know this is less convenient for you, however, we are here that night to share student feedback with parents and this format is better for parents to be able to see where teachers are and see which teacher is available.  New teachers - please chat with your mentor to find out how this works. :) 

*Just a reminder that if you need to meet with me for anything, please go HERE to get scheduled on my calendar. For some reason, it won't let you see that I'm open at 7AM so if you want an early time, just send me an email. 

What Grade would you give YOURself?
At this point in the semester, what grade would you give yourself?

Do you do these things in your classroom each period?

-accurately enter attendance in the first 5 minutes of each period?
-post the learning targets for the lesson?
-involve all students in all classroom activities?
-maximize instruction time?
-follow through on no phones policy?
-establish the routine of students being dismissed by you versus lining up at the door for the last minute(s) of the period?

Blogs, Quotes and Tweets:
*Opening Lessons with a Bang
*7 Steps to Help Students Succeed on Assessments