Dec. 14th - Dec. 18th

Weekly Assessment Data Sheets

Thank you for turning in your data sheets last week. For those of you who didn't, I need them by tomorrow!I am trying to compile some data for your planning day. We will us this information to see what goals we are strong in as well as the areas that are in need of improvement. Thank you again.

Midterm Grades

We will use the information gathered to see how well our students are performing mid-quarter. We will look at each grade level as a whole as well.

ClassScape

I hope the use of classscape is going well. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Planning Days

I will drop in quickly to share the data discussed above with you but will not take up much of your time. Hope you have productive planning days.

Happy Holidays!!!!

Dec. 6th-Dec.11th

Science Fair/Carnival

Wonderful job to all the students and teachers. The students' projects were GREAT. I also had an opportunity to visit some of the classrooms for the k-2 science carnival. I saw MANY great experiments taking place. Not to mention that the students were having a wonderful time.

TDR

Thank you to Mrs. Callahan and Mrs. Delph for affording me the opportunity to teach TDR last week. I had an AWESOME time. I really miss that part of my job. I am also looking forward to going into Mrs. West and Ms. Jones' classes this week.
I will also be observing 3rd grade classrooms this week as well.

Weekly Assessment Sheets

Thank you for turning those in on Tuesdays. Please continue to put them in my box on a weekly (math)/bi-weekly (reading) basis. I will have some data to share with you (just for informational purposes) on your planning day. We will take a look at how well our students are doing in those subject areas thus far. Let me know if you have any questions prior to.

Planning Days

You may register for your planning days on line now. Let me know if you have any problems doing so.

ClassScape

Let me know how this is going? Has this been helpful with making your assessments? Are you experiencing any issues with the program? Please keep me informed so we may work out any issues you may have with the program.

Have a WONDERFUL WEEK!!!

TEN DAYS & Counting!!!

Nov. 30th-Dec. 4th

Good Morning

Science Fair
This week we will have our school science fair/carnival. I'm very excited about the projects that students will bring in. We have two science teachers from Northwest Middle that will come over to judge the projects. The science fair will be on display in the hall just like last year. Hope you enjoy it.

Testing Training
Dec. 1st (9:30-11:30) Kim and I will be at Central Office for a test training. More info. to come.

TDR Lessons
I'm really looking forward to teacher 5th grade this week. We will work on text features which is the skill of the week.

Data Collections
Thank you for turning in your assessments the Wednesday prior to giving the test. I would also like to thank those of you that turned in your weekly assessment sheet as well. If you have not already done so, please remember they are due the following Tuesday after giving the assessment. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

ClassScape
Let me know if you have a student missing. I have added the ones that I am aware of.

Have a great week!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Classroom Observations

I have really enjoyed getting in to see you teach and your children learn. Keep up the good work!!!

Science Fair

We will have our annual science fair the week we return from the Thanksgiving break. We plan to set-up just like last year. This gave all the students along with visitors an opportunity to see all of the projects. K-2 will also have a science carnival. Hope to have the opportunity to get around to see some of the activities that will take place in those classrooms as well.

Teaching Time

I will work with 5th gr. the week of Nov. 30th. I will go into their classrooms to teach a TDR lesson on text elements. 5th grade please e-mail me with the day you would like for me to come in. If any other grade levels are interested, please let me know.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Do LOTS of shopping, get some rest, and enjoy your break!!! Remember to get some physical activity in there somewhere!!!! (smile)

Happy Monday!!!

Title One Meeting

Last Thursday, several members of the S.I.T. met with the administrative Title One staff as well as the assistant superintendent, Toni Bingham. The meeting was very informative and time well spent. Lots of new information was shared and new ideas implemented. Look for an information update from your grade level rep. for more detailed information.

Classroom Observations

We will continue to observe classrooms throughout the upcoming week. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Looking forward to the visits.

C.C. Meeting

Kim and I will attend our monthly Curriculum Coordinators' meeting tomorrow. Look for information updates soon.

ITBS Testing

2nd grades and a few 5th graders will test this week. Fifth grade testing will occur one day (Wed. Nov. 18th). Ms. Bland will serve as the test administrator and Ms. Mathis will serve as the proctor. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Kim or me.

Assessment Spreadsheets

Please remember to turn in your weekly assessment spreadsheet by Tues. Nov. 17th before the end of the day.

4th grade writing

Remember we will put test scores in the moodle for your content writing this Wed. Nov. 17th in the computer lab at 3:15.

Have a wonderful week!!!

Start of a New Work Week!!

Data Meetings

Data meetings went very well last week. Lots of information was covered and goals were set. Thank you to the 3rd & 4th grade teams for all of your input. It was greatly appreciated. A special thanks to all of the PRTs that made time to attend. The time was well spent. Fifth grade, I look forward to meeting with you on Tuesday.

Classroom Observations

The visits to the classrooms are going GREAT!! I have really enjoyed watching the students work as well as the teachers teach. Makes me remember why I went into this profession. I look forward to getting into more classrooms this week.

Staff Development

If you have not already done so, make sure you register for the workshop that's scheduled for tomorrow. Think you are going to LOVE the program.

After School Tutoring

Tutoring went very well last week. We have lots of students and hope this will be a beneficial experience for them. Please remember to hold your students until the announcement that "ALL Buses Have Been Called" is made. Then you may send your 3rd & 4th graders to the cafeteria and your 5th graders to the lobby. After the book fair, all students will come to the media center.

Curriculum Questions/Concerns

Please feel free to see Mrs. Dooley (K-2)/or Ms. Scott (3-5) for any curriculum questions or concerns you may have. Our doors are always open. Enjoy the short work week!!!

A New Beginning (2nd qt.)

Data Meetings

Please register for your grade level data meeting if you haven't already done so. Our meetings will begin at 12:00. We will meet on the stage. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
3rd gr. : Nov. 2 (11:30-3:30)
4th gr. : Nov. 4th (11:30-3:30)
5th gr. : Nov. 10th (11:30-3:30)

Classroom Observations

FYI: I will visit classrooms to observe Reading starting this week. Please give me a copy of your schedule Monday, Nov. 2nd. You may send it as an attachment or place it in my box. During the observation I will use the Teacher Directed Reading check off sheet. I will give each of you another one so that you will be aware of what I will observe. I will also ask to meet with you briefly after the observation to give some feedback of what was observed.

Blue Diamond Data

We will discuss both reading and math during our data meetings. Please look over your data and print any information you would like to discuss before coming. Also, brainstorm ideas for remediating goals not mastered. Any suggestions or ideas are welcomed.

QT Booklets

If you are planning to use your test books to review with the students, please pick them up between 8:00-8:30. You may keep them until Nov. 6th but they must be signed out. Please turn them back in between 3:00-3:30 Friday, Nov. 6th.

After School Tutoring

Remember, we begin tutoring this week. Mondays and Thursdays. Grades 3 & 4 will meet in the cafeteria and grade 5 will meet in the media center. You may send students after the announcement has been made that "All buses have been called."

Oct. 26- Oct. 28

EOQ Testing
We will continue with EOQ test make-ups Mon. & Tues. Test will be sent in on Wednesday so we may receive results back before we return on Nov. 2nd.

Cooperative Groups
I really enjoyed the session we held last Tuesday on Cooperative Groups. Lots of good information was shared. I hope something was said or a good idea was shared that you can use in your classroom.

Planning Day
You may register for your next planning day. You may eat lunch from 11:30-11:55. The meeting will start PROMPTLY @ 12:00. We will spend most of our time discussing our EOQ data.

3rd: Nov. 2nd
4th: Nov. 3rd
5th: Nov. 10th

After school Tutoring
Our projected date for after school tutoring on Mon. & Thurs. is Nov. 2nd. This is the day we return from fall break. Mr. Johnson has sent letters home with students already.

This is a 3 day work week so enjoy your break and please get some rest!!!

Happy Fall Break!!!

Last Full Week of the 1st Quarter

Oct. 19th-Oct. 23rd

Cooperative Learning Groups

At the staff meeting Tues. we will discuss the statements listed in last week's blog (pg. 161) Please come prepared and plan to post a response on the blog by the end of the week.

EOQ Testing

Tues we will begin EOQ testing. Students will be pulled for mod. groups. Look for EOQ test directions in your box Monday. If you have any questions, please see me before testing begins. If you have had any student add ons since Oct. 9th or a students has been moved from or to your classroom from someone else's, please send me that info. via e-mail. I will need to give you an answer sheet for that student.

Nov. 9th workshop

You may now register on-line for this workshop. Also, you may register for the next planning day by the end of the week. This will be a data meeting and most of your agenda will come from K.Scott/K.Dooley.

Homework & Grades

Please remember to follow the WS/FCS guidelines. Also, remember we do not give ZEROS (see PBS info). If you have any questions or concerns, please see K.Scott

Dates
Oct. 19th: Testing Meeting 12:30-3:30
Oct. 19th: Wiki Workshop in computer lab (3:15-4:15)
Oct. 20th: EOQ testing begins/Marzano training @ staff meeting
Oct. 21st: Progress reports
Oct. 22nd: CC meeting (Out of the building ALL day)

Oct. 12th- Oct. 16th

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.

(Chinese Proverb)

Skill of the Week: Summarizing
Strategy of the Week: Reinforcing Effort

Cooperative Learning Groups

Thank you for posting your comments about the reading. At our staff meeting next Tuesday we will continue with our training on Cooperative Learning Groups.

(See below for the next assignment)

Assignment #3:Please prepare to take part in a group discussion on the following statements from pg. 161. A group facilitator will be assigned to each group to lead & guide the discussion. After the staff meeting please post a comment on the blog by the end of the week (Oct. 23rd).

Statements to be discussed

1: Students who work in cooperative groups consistently outperform students who don't.
2: Adding competition to the mix does not enhance achievement.
3: Groups should be small
4: Different types of groups should be organized for different purposes.

Guided Reading

I've heard good conversation about guided reading groups. I'm glad this has been a great experience for you as well as the students. I look forward to the opportunity to visit classrooms and see the groups in action.

Blue Diamond/EOQ Testing

You should receive the test plan by the end of the week. I am waiting for books to arrive. I know we have had many students to come to Gibson since Friday which was the date students were asked to be entered by. However, please go ahead and add these students. You will need to add them to reading, math and science (5th only).You will have to bubble their information on an answer sheet but they will have a score once the test are scanned. If you have any questions please see me.
Testing Dates:
Oct. 2oth: Reading
Oct. 21st: Math
Oct. 22nd: Math (please turn in ALL reading and math answer sheets today in ABC order with ALL student information bubbled in if necessary)
Oct. 23rd: Science (please turn in ALL science answer sheets today in ABC order with ALL student information bubbled if necessary)
Make-ups will take place 26th & 27th

"Happy Monday"

Quote of the Week

There would be nothing to frighten you, if you refused to be afraid. (Gandhi)

Skill of the Week: Sequencing
Strategy of the Week: Classifying

Cooperative Learning Groups

Assignment #2: Post at least 2 comments discussing the information you read last week on

pgs. 159-164 in the book. Please post your comments by Friday, Oct. 9th.

Guided Reading

This week classes will begin guided reading groups as a part of your Balanced Literacy block. PRTs will assist with creating groups if needed. We know this will be a working week for groups so PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in your efforts.

Blue Diamond

Please remember to make all all changes in Blue Diamond by Thursday, Oct. 8th. Let me know if your are having a problem getting into Blue Diamond.

Sample Lesson #2 (Summarizing/Reinforcing Effort)

Last week I gave your grade chair a sample lesson that you could use if you liked. Please let me know if this was a useful tool by posting a comment or letting me know what I can do to tweak the plan that would make it better for you.

PLCs

I really enjoyed sitting in on the meetings last week. This is going to be really good for Gibson, our teachers and students as well. I am looking forward to the opportunity for you to get together and share your information.

JG Curriculum Update (Sept. 28th - Oct. 2nd)

Teamwork: The ability to cooperate and communicate with others to reach a COMMON GOAL!!! (John H. Holloway)

Good Monday morning to all. Just wanted to list a few updates for you to make a mental note of.

Sept.28th: PLCs begin this week. I am looking forward to them!!!

Marzano's 9 High Yield Strategies

Staff, as you know our goal is to implement 3 High Yield Strategies a year until we have completed all 9. This year our first skill is "Cooperative Learning." See below for our first reading assignment.

• Assignment #1: Read the article in your box from ASCD & Classroom Instructions that Work pgs. 159-164 (completed by Oct. 5th)

Curriculum Night (Thursday, October 1st, 2009)

K-2: 6:00-7:00

3-5: 7:00-8:00

Please make sure you share your agenda with Kim (k-2) and me (3-5) along with administrative staff.

Information you should prepare to share with parents at curriculum night:

• Classroom expectations & consequences
• Homework expectations & consequences (make sure we are following WS/FC policy)
• Grading system (especially 3-5 with the 7 point grading scale.)
• Get as many PEPs signed a possible.
• Any other information you have decided to share.

Consequences: What happens if I don't do this. (Let's keep parents informed)

*Kim and I will have an information table set up in the lobby to share with parents tips about how they can help at home as well as educational websites.

Guided Reading Groups

Oct. 5th: Start date for guided reading groups.

PRTs will soon complete (3-5) QRIs. If you need assistance with grouping your students or activities for your groups, please see Kim (k-2) or me (3-5).

Blue Diamond Info

• 3-5 teachers, please go into Blue Diamond and make any changes that need to take place with your student list. (ex: students added or removed from your class) This should be completed by Oct. 9th so ALL students will have a pre-coed answer sheet.
• Blue Diamond username & passwords: Username: Last Name-space-First Name/ Password: WSFCS123.

The Curriculum Corner

Skill of the Week: Fact & Opinion
Strategy of the Week: Comparing

Good afternoon. You have now entered the J.G. Curriculum Corner. Just a few things I would like to inform you of. Tomorrow, Sept. 23rd I will be out of the building ALL day (CC meeting). Fourth grade teachers have planning day scheduled to begin at 11:30.

Upon my return on Thursday, Sept. 24th, we will administer the 4th grade on-demand writing assessment. Fifth grade will also be involved in their planning day starting at 11:30 a.m.

I have really enjoyed my visits to your classrooms and am looking forward to working with each and everyone of you. Look for an article in your box on "Cooperative Learning" which is one of our Marzano skills for this school year.

Remember, "Together We Stand!!"