Staff Meeting

Yesterday's staff meeting exemplified, "None of Us is as Smart as All of Us"....true collaborative learning among colleagues! A special thank you to everyone who facilitated sessions. We plan to offer the Rational Numbers/Placemats session one more time so that everyone has a chance to attend - great stuff, relevant and applicable at all grade levels!

I'm glad to finally learn how to blog.
Lisa Maccarone

Staff Meeting Exit Ticket

How are we using the evidence of learning to not only assess our students, but to strengthen our own professional practice?

There is certainly no shortage of evidence.  The key is how we look at it and what we do with it.  It's that meaningful microscope we have to use to dissect what a student says, writes, or does.  We always have to look for the meaning behind what we see and hear.  Then we have to strategically plan and precisely address weaknesses or misconceptions while highlighting and celebrating successes.  

More specifically:

Math:  item analysis on math assessments,showing exemplars, analyzing student work under the Elmo, make notes while conferencing/listening/reading student work, spiral review weaknesses, have students learn from each other (LC), frequent OR/SA, etc.

ELA:  BAS analysis, Writing Prompt analysis, minilessons based on weaknesses, guided reading based on weaknesses, applying strategies in content areas, make notes while conferencing/listening/reading student work, modeling, etc.

Cafeteria Musings...

I was observing some first graders at lunch last week and noticed the loud and almost demanding way they were speaking to each other. It was apparent that there was a great deal of difference in the way they spoke to and treated each other, but no one was being intentionally rude or disrespectful. In fact, to all of them, they were doing what came naturally.

I decided to see what kind of information is out there about helping children to understand respect.

 I found this simple article about teaching respect. It ended with ten tips and some thoughtful reminders that I thought I would share. They are simple, nothing new, but at the same time a reminder that we need to teach and show respect every single day….

Respect....

It is the cornerstone of behavior and one of the most important pieces in the development of a child's social growth. It is an attitude. Being respectful helps a child succeed in life. If children don't have respect for peers, authority, or themselves, it's almost impossible for them to succeed. We preach respect all the time. We expect children to act this way, to be respectful; but where does it start? At home…but what if that role model isn’t there? One of the hardest things about teaching respect in school is the fact that if a child isn’t shown respect at home, it is unlikely they are going to show it anywhere else; until they can understand what it feels like to be respected.

 In school, you are in a classroom with children from all different walks of life; different lifestyles, cultures and values. Yet, respect must be somehow equalized so children know exactly what is and is not acceptable.

 Tips for Teaching Respect and Curbing Disrespect

 Be clear about what respect should look like….

(1) Model it: If you want them to act or react a certain way; you have to do it, too.

(2) Expect it: When your expectations are reasonably high, children rise to the occasion.

(3) Teach it: Give children the tools they need to show you respect. 

(4) Praise it: When you see or hear your children using respectful language and making respectful choices, recognize it and praise them for making positive, respectful decisions.

(5) Discuss it: Pick out times when you see other children using respectful or disrespectful language or behavior and discuss with it your children.

(6) Correct it: Be strong, firm and direct when teaching respect. At the same time, be sure you are being respectful yourself while correcting the behavior.

(7) Acknowledge it: Don’t just let things slide! Be sure to notice when respectful behavior is being exhibited and make sure to call them on disrespectful behavior!

(8) Understand it: Your students are growing and learning. Sometimes word choice and behavioral decisions are made because they do not have the correct words or behavior to relay “I’m tired,” “I’m frustrated,” or “I’m angry.”

(9) Reinforce it: Remind children of their good decisions so that they remember how it felt, the praise they received, and the overall experience of being respectful.

(10) Reward it: Respectful behavior should be something that children want to do without overindulgent rewards. However, it is good to associate respectful behavior with intangible rewards such as praise, recognition, extra responsibility, and privileges.

Teaching respect takes patience, time, and a willingness to do as you preach. 

Remember, the most effective way to teach respect is to show respect. When a child experiences respect, they know what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is.

Keep in mind the saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Children learn from everything we say and do. Make sure that you are modeling respectful behavior. Some of things you can do are:

Be positive, Be Trusting, Be fair, Be polite, Be reliable, Be a good listener, Obey laws - Follow rules, Be caring.......

Your opinion means a lot to your students. If you believe they can succeed, they will believe they can as well.

Build their independence. Help them set and achieve goals. Their self-respect will skyrocket when they see themselves achieving those goals.

Encourage honesty. Let your students know that they may be able to fool some people, but they can't fool themselves. There is no pride in stealing, cheating, or lying.

Most importantly, show them you care. 

Simple? Nothing new? Perhaps, but a good reminder to all of us that these tenets should be first and foremost in our minds and deeds every day.

September Thoughts

As always in the beginning of the year, I get excited about the new possibilities that lie before us. New faces, new challenges and new experiences. I think we are the only profession that gets an opportunity to reinvent itself with each new year.

Well, September rushed in and is already more than halfway done and although we have only been in school 13 days, it feels as if we have never left! The rooms are not only up and back in shape, they are true learning centers where you can get the feel of organization, structure and learning! They certainly do not look like classrooms that are just starting up, in fact, they look busy and purposeful, as if the learning never stopped!  

As we move to our first Learning Walk of the year, I had a chance to reflect about the journey we have been on for the past two years. There have been many changes, and many new initiatives, but I think through it all we have chosen a path and stayed the course. My mantra of, "What you focus on, is what will grow", has proved true in our case, and our school community has strengthened and blossomed.

The decision to stick with AT/Learning Conversations was not made lightly.We have spent many hours learning about effective LC, teaching the norms, modeling the process, developing rubrics and questioning resources. We have seen the progress that our students have made through many forms; the ability to hold a well rounded conversation, the positive effect LC's have had on problem solving (especially in math), better test results in vocabulary and language, the solid Peabody results about building vocabulary...the list goes on and on. We seem to be on solid ground, so, is it time for something new? Well this has been a year of many program changes. We have new staff, staff who are taking on new roles, and of course, new kids. The question, stay the course, or change?

  There are other areas that we could focus on, some of which (building stamina) plague me, because there are no clear answers or steps to take beyond what we are doing. However, there is a lot to be said for timing and listening to what is around you, and although we have made great strides in this area, there is a lot of work that can still be done. So, for now.... we are going to continue with this focus and continue to research and investigate some of those "other concerns" in the hopes that we will find some ideas, answers that will lead us in a new path or direction when we are ready.

One of my goals is to blog my thoughts weekly. I welcome and encourage your comments, because "None of us is as smart as all of us", and that is how we get better.....

Picture books

I am always looking for read alouds/picture books in content areas and came across this blog.  It may be work checking out... http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com/

Media Center

Here are some pics of a proposed media center.  Please take a look and/or come in and give feedback.  The paper represents the tables and the chairs show 3 students per table with room to spare.  This would free up the current computer lab and preserve the sacred reading area (You're welcome Nicole).  This is the 1st attempt to organize this.  Sue Santoni and Peter Whitney still need to assess the possibilities.  We would like Mittineague's feedback to make adjustments asap.  Thanks!