Change

Change is inevitable.  Change is hard.  Change is refreshing.  These are three statements I believe to be facts concerning change - whether it's a change in your personal life or professional life.

I am about to go through some major changes personally as I am anxiously anticipating the birth of my first child. (!!!!)  So obviously change has been on my mind lately.

The teachers at Moore are going through major professional changes lately - with recent budget cuts and new curriculum standards rolling out across the state, teachers are more overwhelmed and overworked than they've ever been.  So it's hard for me, as a person who thrives off of helping and supporting teachers as their Curriculum Coordinator, to feel comfortable abandoning ship to go on maternity leave for the next three months.

I know, I know - once this baby comes, my mind will be anywhere but work.  However, I hope that anyone who knows me knows I am 100% committed to this job, a job that I love, working amongst the best school staff ever.  So it's difficult to just let go and leave when I feel like I'm needed the most.

But that also may be narcissistic of me, to think that anyone around here really NEEDS me.  Regardless, I just wanted to do one last blog entry before my maternity leave to remind my fellow staff members that WE CAN DO THIS.

I know it feels like just when we get a handle on things, something else comes our way that is totally unexpected and more overwhelming than we'd ever imagined.  But as I said earlier, change is inevitable - ESPECIALLY in education.  And since we can't control the changes coming our way, let's all try to control our attitude toward the change.  Easier said than done?  Sure.  Possible?  Absolutely.  We can fight the change, swim against the current as much as we want... and be miserable.  Or we can look at the change as a possibility, an opportunity, as something positive - and push through the stress, the exhaustion, the never-ending to-do list in order to spread an "I Can Do" attitude amongst ourselves.  Call me Suzy Sunshine if you must, but I've always believed in the power of positive thinking.  So since I'll be gone after today, I'm gonna need y'all to keep the positivity alive amongst yourselves and trust that it's all happening for a reason - a good reason - even if it's hard to see that now.

Yes, I'm about to be a sleep-deprived mom who doesn't know up from down or left from right, but I am going to miss this school while I'm gone!  I know the upcoming changes for all of us - both personally and professionally - are going to be difficult... But I'm excited about the future, and I intend to always feel that way.  So bring on the change and the challenges, because we can only grow from it all!

I'll see you in January!

Don't Forget!
*October 24th - 1st Quarter Test (Reading)
*October 25th - 1st Quarter Test (Math with a Calculator)
*October 26th - 1st Quarter Test (Math without a Calculator)
*October 27th - 1st Quarter Test Make-ups
*November 2nd-4th - CogAt Testing
*November 14th-16th - ITBS Testing

There's Only One YOU

Since the beginning of school I've been working to get into every single classroom to do a 30-minute lesson.  I like to remind the students who I am and what my job is, and - let's face it - I NEVER want to lose my connection with teaching.  I did these lessons last year, and was a little hesitant to tackle them this year, being that I'm 9 months pregnant... but I decided it was worth it, and I've been trucking along for the past month to get into each room.

I do a different story/lesson in each grade level, and first grade's is about how we are all different - some of us smaller, or taller, or rounder, or thinner.  It seems like a giant concept for a 6-year-old, but I had success with it last year and decided to try it again this year.

In one of the first grade classes, we were discussing the book I had just read (called The Big Seed, in case you're interested).  I was trying to get the concept across, trying to get the students to understand that the book was about more than just a little girl planting a sunflower seed.  One little boy raised his hand after he realized that his classmates just did not get the point.  (And now I'm going to attempt to quote him word-for word.)  "Well, it's like this... there's only one YOU.  There's never going to be another YOU again.  That's why we're all so different.  We can't be the same, because there's only one YOU."

Pretty profound for a 6-year-old.

While I looked at him in awe and continued the lesson with the class, I haven't been able to forget what he said.  Obviously we, as adults, recognize that there's only one of us.  But are we getting this message across to our students?  Or are we making generalizations and grouping them together without paying enough attention to individual differences?  As a teacher, it's tough to pay attention to the individual needs of 20+ students... but that doesn't make it any less important.

Your students will never have a teacher like you again.  Make yourself memorable - make your classroom a place where the student feels cherished, and special, and important, and unique.  Give each child the opportunity to grow as an individual, to reach his/her true potential - a potential that is incredibly different for each and every student.  Hold high expectations, but differentiate those expectations.  Get to know your children.  Don't make assumptions.  Don't make generalizations.

Remember, there's only one YOU.  And you're the only person who can be the best YOU.  So you'd better get started!

Don't Forget!
*October 3rd - SMART Response Workshop at Moore
*October 6th - Kathy Bryant visits all PLC's
*October 24th - 1st Quarter Test (Reading)
*October 25th - 1st Quarter Test (Math with a Calculator)
*October 26th - 1st Quarter Test (Math without a Calculator)
*October 27th - 1st Quarter Test Make-ups
*November 2nd-4th - CogAt Testing
*November 14th-16th - ITBS Testing

Lots of IMPORTANT Curriculum Updates ~ September

Math Updates - Velvet Simington

• New textbook trainings are THIS week!!
• 3rd Grade - 9/19 - 4:00-7:00 at Griffith
• 4th Grade - 9/20 - 4:00-7:00 at Griffith
• 5th Grade - 9/21 - 4:00-7:00 at Griffth
• Essential components of math include 90 minutes of daily instruction; integrating Week by Week Essentials, Indicators, and Classroom Strategies; Integrating problem solving through collaborative groups; Consistently using technology to deepen math instruction; Students having and using strategies notebooks
• Standards for Mathematical Practice should be implemented NOW!  If your math rep has not shared these with you, ask him/her ASAP!

Imagine It! Updates - Mary Ruth Teague

• Don't get slack on following the routines!!  Every teacher should be following routines exactly, or the program will not work the way it's supposed to.
• Everyone MUST use the sound/spelling cards the way they're supposed to be used.
• The Morning Message is a key component of starting the day off right.
• Make sure you're using "stick and ball" handwriting, NOT D'Nealian.  "Stick and Ball" should be used when teachers write AND when students write) -- the appendix gives explicit details on penmanship instruction
• The puppet should be used!
• Blending is one of the most important components of the program - Follow the blending routines!

K-5 Writing Plan - Janie Costello

• You will find a grid in your box laying out this year's writing plan.  This year students will experiment with different types of writing for quarterly prompts to prepare for the new Common Core.
• The Common Core ELA training on Rc days will be front loaded with strategies to teach these new, different types of writing... Grade level reps will then need to teach their teams.
• Writing will NOT go into the K-2 Data Warehouse this year since we're experimenting with different types of writing... this year is about learning HOW to teach it.

Science Updates - Benika Thompson

• For grade level science reps - Your meeting dates will be October 31st, January 23rd, and February 20th all at Sherwood Forest.
• For additional support related to Science Essential Standards, all teachers are welcome to attend the following sessions (all last from 3:30pm-4:30pm):
• October 12th (Speas), 13th (Lewisville), or 19th (Forest Park)
• November 15th (Old Town), 16th (Whitaker), 17th (TBA)
• March 13th (Southwest), 14th (TBA), 15th (TBA)
• For our Science Liaison (yay Mrs. Barney!), here is your meeting schedule:
• November 1st
• February 28th
• March 6th
• April 25th
• Next year in 4th grade, Ecosystems will switch to 1st Quarter.
• The STC kits have been realigned to fit the new standards... see my email.
• For all other updates, see my email. :)

Social Studies Updates - Patty Grant

• Each grade level MUST be represented at the upcoming meetings, which start next week.  The meetings last from 3:30-5:00 and there are two locations you can choose from.  If you have any questions about the schedule I emailed, come see me.
• Don't forget to use the online resources that go along with the Social Studies textbook - They are GREAT!
• For the new Social Studies assessments, sample items will be published on the online community by this Wednesday, 9/21.  Teachers are to examine these together... grade level reps who attend the meetings will bring feedback to the meetings to finalize assessments.  Final assessments will be emailed to me by October 5th.  I will then send these assessments to grade chairs, who will need to prepare copies and administer the assessments to students by the end of First Quarter.  Teachers will then turn in rosters with scores to me/Mrs. Conner, who will then forward results to Central Office.

Museum of Anthropology - Tina Smith

• Programs are offered for K-5
• The museum also offers kits for schools/grade levels/teachers to check out
• Students can go to the museum, or the museum can come here to Moore
• I will put handouts in your boxes from the Museum of Anthropology - there are some GREAT resources!  Especially with the budget being so tight!

??Have you ever heard of http://www.theteacherregistry.com/?  Check it out!

Don't Forget!
*September 12th - September 23rd - DIBELS BOY Window
*September 19th - 3rd Grade Textbook Training 4:00-7:00 @ Griffth
*September 20th - 3rd-5th Gradebook/Report Card Training 7:30am @ Moore
*September 20th - 4th Grade Textbook Training 4:00-7:00 @ Griffith
*September 21st - Call for Change Training in Media Center 7:30am REQUIRED
*September 21st - 5th Grade Textbook Training 4:00-7:00 @ Griffith
*September 26th - Door Decorating Contest Begins!

*September 29th - Curriculum Night!! (Doors judged and winner announced!)

*October 3rd - SMART Response Workshop at Moore

Living Each Day to the Fullest :)

So, we all know the old adage, "Live each day as if it were your last."  A little sappy, sure - But I feel like it describes my work-life these days!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be too dramatic.  But as most (if not all) readers of this blog know, I am currently pregnant and due in about a month. (!!!)  I have already completed my paperwork for my maternity leave, and had to pick an "end" date.  Since I am due on a Monday (10/10), I went with Friday, October 7th.  And thus the countdown begins...

21 days left of work!!!!!!!!!  And while it's definitely exciting to think about staying at home with my little one, it also definitely stresses me out to think about all of the things I need to accomplish during my last 21 days here at work.

And let's be real - when do babies every REALLY come when they're supposed to?!  The truth is that Baby Peele could make his/her debut ANY day now, meaning that I am truly living each work day as if it were my last.  And let me tell you, I've never been so productive in my life!

I am trying to utilize every minute I can to cross off my To-Do's while also soaking in all of the things I love (and will miss) about Moore during my 3 months away.  So the old, sappy adage is definitely proving to define my work life, and it's got me thinking...

I know it's quite the cliche, but what if we truly all attempted to live in this manner?  I think that we, as a culture, take so many things for granted, believing that the next day is always promised.  But we are smart enough to know that it's not.  And I think it's time we start soaking in every minute life gives us, knowing that each of those moments is precious and never guaranteed.

And as for me and my expanding girth?  I'll be HOPING to make it to October 7th... But in the meantime, you'd better believe I'll approach each day as if it were my last day as a working non-mama. :)

  Don't Forget!
*September 12th - September 23rd - DIBELS BOY Window
*September 26th - Door Decorating Contest Begins!

*September 29th - Curriculum Night!! (Doors judged and winner announced!)

*October 3rd - SMART Response Workshop at Moore

**August Curriculum Updates**

REPORT CARDS

• K-2 will do a behavior report every two/two-and-a-half weeks.  The "O" and "I" have been eliminated, so teachers will only choose from "S" "N" or "U."
• There will be a midterm report every four and a half weeks.  (So parents will receive a behavior report, a midterm report, a behavior report, and then the report card.)
• Report cards are now on letter-sized paper.
• Early departures are now listed along with absences and tardies.
• K-2 now has Science/Social Studies as part of grades.
• For all grade levels, Reading and Language Arts are separate grading components.
• Music, Art, and PE are also included.
• Comments are in a drop-down box by subject area... in the Intervention/Enrichment section, teachers can write personal comments.  (There will be a guide/booklet of suggestions for teacher comments.)
• There is now a supporting document for parents that breaks down every skill in every subject for every quarter - this is already on the WSFCS webpage (under Parents/Community then Grade Level Expectations).
• 3-5 must enter grades WEEKLY into Parent Assist - make sure you click the "Post to Parent Portal" button!  Once grades are entered into NCWise, they will transfer into the report card.
• The data manager will have to print 3-5 report cards.
• At the end of the year, grade placement will have to be hand-written onto report cards.

CALL FOR CHANGE - NEW STANDARDS

• By the end of 1st Quarter, all teachers MUST go through an online training (in Moodle) titled "Call for Change."  I will have more details about this at a future staff meeting.
• All Common Core documents contain an unpacking tool - while the standards do not go into effect until next year, teachers should begin unpacking NOW.
• There are TONS of resources on the DPI and RttT (Race to the Top) website.  Check it out at www.ncpublicschools.org/RttT

MATH MATH MATH!!!

• Each grade level had a representative attend the K-5 Standards for Mathematical Practice workshop.  I also attended and received a brief overview for all grade levels.  Please read the following bullets CAREFULLY.
• For the Common Core standards, visit http://www.corestandards.org/
• Our implementation year is 2012-2013... this is also the year that the Common Core will be reflected in all assessments.
• There are standards for PRACTICE and standards for CONTENT... while the Content Standards do not go into effect until next year, teachers must adapt their teaching this year to reflect the new standards of PRACTICE.  This is MANDATED by the district.  Your grade level reps should be giving you the information they received so that you are prepared to adapt your teaching... this is VERY important.
• There are 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice:
• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• Students need to be able to make sense of problems, identify relationships, and work through them to figure them out.  Teachers should NOT just give the answers when students are incorrect!
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• Students should work together, come up with ways to solve a problem, and communicate with each other while defending their methods.
• Teachers should talk LESS, act as the facilitator.
• Model with mathematics.
• Make everything relevant and applicable.
• Focus more on conceptual understanding rather than exact values.
• Use appropriate tools strategically.
• Students must have time to EXPLORE tools (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html)
• Students should have access to tools all year long... don't just pull out calculators for EOQs and EOGs!
• Attend to precision.
• Students should give carefully formulated explanations to each other while learning to communicate precisely.
• Look for and make use of structure.
• It's all about patterns and properties.
• Let kids DISCOVER it before you point it out.
• Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
• Let students repeat problem-solving skills to find patterns and make generalizations from something repeating.
• While this all may seem overwhelming, it's really about shifting our focus from the teaching to the learning.  Let it be all about the KIDS.  Math instruction should not be a teacher standing in front of a class, giving practice problems and waiting for students to call out answers.  Math instruction should be a collaborative experience, where kids form their own perceptions, work through problems, work together, talk about things, etc.  It's time for a change!!  It's time for us to adapt!!
• Once again, your math representative should help your grade level engage in a dialogue about all of this.  Here are the reps:
• Randleman
• Parris
• Rhodes
• Matthews
• Ermitano
• Hennings
• I will be putting a "Best Practices" checklist in your boxes today.  Start off this year changing the way you teach math!

HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!!

• Curriculum updates aside, I can't believe today is the First Day of School Eve!!!!!  I'm sure I won't be the only one tossing and turning in bed tonight.  It's like the night before Christmas for me!!  I love the first day of school - I have since I was five years old, and I hope to feel the same way until I retire.  So teachers, students, and parents - Have a WONDERFUL first day tomorrow - You only get to do your first day once!  So make it worth it!!!

Don't Forget!

*August 25th - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

*August 31st - DIBELS Refresher Training 7:45am-8:30am

*September 1st - DIBELS Training for NEW Staff 3:45pm-4:45pm

*September 12th - September 23rd - DIBELS BOY Window

*September 15th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Training 8:00am

*September 20th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Test

*September 27th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Test Make-ups

*September 29th - Curriculum Night!!

HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!!!!!!

In thinking about starting this school year, I thought about New Year's Day, and how we all tend to feel so refreshed and energized to start a new year.  We make resolutions, feel cleansed, and are ready to tackle all that life brings us in the face of new beginnings.  So why shouldn't we do the same when we start a new school year?

So instead of of Happy New Year, we kicked off the start of school yesterday with HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!!!!  My goal is for everyone to feel energized and refreshed, cleansed and excited, ready to do better this year than we did last year.  And we did GREAT last year - but shouldn't we - as educators, as professionals, as people - ALWAYS strive to do better in all that we pursue?

So we had a countdown from 10 yesterday to kickoff the new school year, wrote "School Year Resolutions" (which were quite inspiring by the way!  check them out in the main workroom!), and we will also have our students write resolutions once they return (to be posted on the bulletin boards in the cafeteria).  I hope I was able to instill a little excitement in everyone - and some positive energy - about getting this school year started off on the right foot.

HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Don't Forget!

*August 22nd - Peele/Maglio Distribute Textbooks*August 23rd - Staff Picture @ 1:30pm, PTA Dinner @ 4:00pm, Open House 5:30pm-7:30pm

*August 25th - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

*August 31st - DIBELS Refresher Training 7:50am-8:30am

*September 1st - DIBELS Training for NEW Staff 3:45pm-4:45pm

*September 12th - September 23rd - DIBELS BOY Window

*September 15th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Training 8:00am

*September 20th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Test

*September 27th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Test Make-ups

*September 29th - Curriculum Night!!

T Minus 17 Hours!!!!

Ok, so I'm a tad excited.

T minus 17 hours until the teachers are back at Moore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I returned to work last Wednesday, and while I have to admit that the past week has been quiet, calm, and productive, I'm ready for the voices and chaos that come along with a full building!!  As I've written about many, many times - there's just something NOT RIGHT about an empty school!

So tomorrow, the fun begins.  Everyone will bid adieu to summer break, set their alarm clocks, grumble and moan and hit snooze, and then trudge their way into the school building.  And I can't wait to see those sleepy faces.

How will we welcome everyone back tomorrow?  Well, you'll have to wait and see.  But here's a hint...

10...
9...
8...
7...
6...
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
____________________!!!!

A Bittersweet End of the Road

Yes, I realize I've neglected this blog for the past month or so.  In my defense, I've had one of the most stressful months of my life.  I've finally crawled out of my hole o' chaos and am ready to get back in the game of life.

This will be the last blog post for the 2010-2011 school year.  And as every ending school year brings excitement and relief (sleep!  rest!  no more lesson plans!), this one is a little bittersweet for me.

The sweet part is what all teachers feel... I can't WAIT to have my days to myself, to not set an alarm, to do what I want, when I want... To not have to pack my lunch, to not hear the bell ring, to not have to keep checking email.  I can't WAIT to step away from work for a month and a half and just dance to the beat of my own drum.

The bitter part is what all teachers at Moore feel this year... Our Assistant Principal is leaving us.  He's moving on to bigger adventures (FYI Southwest Elementary... you are VERY lucky!), he's starting a new chapter in his life... And HE.WILL.BE.MISSED.  It's a natural part of having an AP... they tend to come and go, as that position is usually a stepping stone from one life pit stop to the next.  But this AP was different.  This AP made a tremendous impact throughout the hallways of Moore.  This AP made every teacher feel valued and special - and even more importantly, made every child feel like he/she could reach for the stars.  This was proven when one particular student brought our AP a Father's Day gift.  It doesn't get much better than that.

We all knew this day was coming, and we are all so excited about this opportunity so that HE can reach for the stars.  But wow... he is going to be missed by us all.  And I hope he knows that - I hope he knows that every single staff member will remember him fondly and hold him accountable for his promise that this is not a goodbye, but a "see ya later."

So GOOD LUCK MR. DIXSON!!  Please know that you will ALWAYS be a part of this Moore family.

And to the rest of my blog readers - We've come full circle.  I remember blogging at the beginning of the year that I was ready for school to start because the school sure seemed empty without kids.  As I previously wrote, there's just something wrong about an empty school.  And now, we're back again.  I'm not necessarily saying that I'm ready for the kids to come barreling back through the doors!  Everyone is ready for a well-deserved break. :)  But, the hallways are back to being oddly quiet.  There are no scraped knees in the health room.  There's no square pizza on the cafeteria tables.  It's time to close the chapter of this school year, refresh ourselves over the summer, and get ready to come back and do it all over again... and attempt to do it all over again even better than before.

Have a GREAT summer, and I look forward to returning in a couple months!!

Best.Staff.Ever.

Whew, it's been awhile.  So first, let me apologize.  I didn't realize how long it had actually been since I just saw that my last post was on April 8th - YEESH!  Time flies when you're having fun, right?!  Well, if preparing for EOGs is what you call fun!

As everyone knows, this is my first year as Curriculum Coordinator and thus my first year heading up End-of-Grade testing.  Now, I will never, ever, EVER think that my job is harder than teaching.  I think teachers have the hardest (and most rewarding!) job on the planet; however, I never realized how much work the Curriculum Coordinator put into getting ready for EOGs!!!  I am doggie paddling frantically, trying to stay above water with all of the To-Do's, all of the unknowns that come along with your first time of doing anything.  Whew... Is is June yet?

Now, don't get me wrong.  No matter how stressed I'm getting, I still love this job and appreciate coming to work everyday.  I've just been a bit more frazzled and nervous and overwhelmed lately.  So much so that today I decided I needed a B-R-E-A-K.  An EOG BREAK.  A break from all things related to getting ready for the big test.  Luckily, it's PLC day here at school, which means me sitting in on all of the grade levels' team meetings.  I've never needed time out of my office and with my favorite staff more than today.

Talk about a breath of fresh air!!  Today was JUST what I needed, because we have the absolute best staff there is.  Just being in the presence of the most thoughtful, talented, selfless, caring teachers helped me find the floaties I will need to stay above water throughout the next month.  I am so honored to work amongst such great people.  I truly believe we have the Best.Staff.Ever.

So on we trek toward EOGS and toward the end of the year.  Hopefully we can all lean on each other and depend on one another during our frazzled moments.  I just hope that during those moments we can all look around and appreciate each other and the fact that we truly work alongside some incredible people.

Don't Forget!

-Now - May 13th - DIBELS EOY Sweep Week

-May 9th-10th - Extend 1 Retesting

-May 10th - Extend 2 Administrator Training 3:45

-May 11th - Extend 2 Proctor Training 12:00

-May 16th - May 19th - Extend 2 Testing

-May 18th - EOG Room Check

-May 19th - EOG Class Grids Due to Peele

-May 20th - EOG Background Info/Survey

-May 23rd-26th - EOG Testing

-May 31st - June 3rd - Remediation Week

-June 1st - NCTeacher Review in Computer Lab 3:45

-June 6th - 9th - EOG Retesting

The First Day of School

Think back...

To the night before the first day of school.  We may have been sad about our summer coming to an end, but our stomachs were undoubtedly full of butterflies, our hearts skipped a beat, and our palms were maybe even a tad sweaty.

To me, there's nothing like the anticipation and excitement that comes along with the first day of school.  Packing a new lunchbox, picking out a new outfit... Yes, I still do these things, and enjoy every minute of it!

Why, you may ask, am I referencing the first day of school on April 8th?

Well, we just came back from Spring Break.  On Monday morning, one of our incredible teachers here at Moore stopped by my office during her Specials, and filled me in on the "pep talk" she gave her kids.  I was so inspired by her words, and told her this.  She responded, "Well, it just sort of feels like the first day of school!  Last night I couldn't sleep, I had butterflies, and so today I decided to try to pump my kids up."

And that got me thinking.  Remember how inspired we all are on the first day?  The skip in our steps, the gleam in our eyes, the excitement of all of the new ideas in our heads?  What if we approached each day - or at the very least, each Monday - with that same vitality?

I know, I know - we're exhausted.  We're counting down the days until summer break.  We are SO.READY. to be done with this year.  But let's face it, THIS YEAR is not going anywhere.  So we should make the best of it - give it all we've got during this last quarter.  Make it a goal to refresh ourselves over the weekend in order to approach each Monday with a "Let's do this!" spirit, with a "We can do it!" attitude.

Kids feed off of our energy, trust me.  So if we all make it a goal to inject the school with this energy, I guarantee we'll see a climate change.

If it means buying a new lunchbox and a new outfit every Sunday from now until June, I'm DEFINITELY in. :)

Don't Forget!

-April 21st - Kindergarten Screening

-April 25th-28th - Extend 1 Testing

-April 29th - Spring Fling!

-May 2nd-6th - DIBELS EOY Sweep Week

-May 16th-19th - Extend 2 Testing

-May 23rd-26th - EOG Testing

Curriculum Updates!!

Here are some updates from our last Curriculum Coordinators' meeting... Enjoy!!

*Dana Wrights*

• EOG dates have been changed!!!  Due to the snow days this year, the EOG will be administered May 23rd-26th.  Retesting will take place June 6th-9th.
• Gateways have been eliminated for 3rd and 5th grades; however, this does not affect retesting... All students who score a I or a II on any section of the EOG test will be retested.  We will also still follow local promotion requirements.
• The EOG tests will now affect students' 4th Quarter grades.  If the EOG score's grade equivalency is higher than the classroom average, the grade will increase by one letter grade.  EOG scores cannot bring a grade down.

*Benika Thompson*

• The District Science fair was a HUGE success!!  Elementary representation was fantastic.  (Yay to our own Ava, who one first overall!!!)
• Teachers need to start reviewing the Essential Standards to see where we are going...
• K-2 http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/science/k-2.pdf
• 3-5 http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/science/3-5.pdf
• Upcoming professional development opportunities:
• Notebooking in Elementary Science - March 28th at 1:00pm
• Grade 5 Content Sessions - April 7th
• Elementary Science Liasison Meeting - April 26th

*Janie Costello*

• It's time for a MOY DIBELS check-in!!  We had a slight gain from BOY to MOY from last year to this year - Yay!!  (A big gain would have been suspicious... We are showing a true instructional gain.)  We are doing better compared nationally than we were last year.
• However, our red kids are still staying red!  We must move them!
• DIBELS data TRULY SHOULD be used to guide instruction... The BEST way to do this is to analyze Individual Student Summary reports for red and yellow kids.  It shows data from previous years and provides a wealth of information.  Use this information to choose activities from the Florida Center for Reading Research (http://www.fcrr.org/) - Great ideas for I/E and workshop.

*Velvet Simington*

• Please look over the Powerpoint I emailed out earlier this week for tons of updates!
• The Common Core Standards should be promoting intructional change.  We should be changing our focus from mechanical facility to conceptual understanding.
• Grade level representatives who are attending the Formative Assessment training should be training their teams!!
• "Task selection is of paramount importance."

Happy Spring!!!

Don't Forget!

-March 23rd - 3rd Quarter Math Calculator Active Test

-March 24th - 3rd Quarter Math Calculator Inactive Test

-March 25th - 3rd Quarter Test Make-Ups

-March 25th - End of 3rd Quarter

-April 6th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Task

-April 21st - Kindergarten Screening

-April 29th - Spring Fling!

-May 2nd-6th - DIBELS EOY Sweep Week

They're Looking at YOU

I'm back to loving Tuesdays.

For the past few weeks, testing has taken over my days at work and I haven't been able to keep some of my school-day commitments.  Like working with the kids - my favorite. :)  In particular, up until this recent testing, I had been working with two first grade boys (who I adore!) every Tuesday afternoon.

And I missed them.  Their excitement, their big, questioning eyes, their zest for life.  Everyday during bus duty one of the boys would say, "When are you going to come get us again?!"  And I kept giving him a number - "5 more days!"  And he'd count down.

Well, luckily (for me) I finished up testing this past Tuesday morning, and couldn't wait to get my first graders!  I loved seeing their smiles when I picked them up from their classroom, I loved having them ask me over and over again, "Where have you been?!"  I loved how they wanted to tell me all about their weekends.

But most of all, I love how when I'm working with them, they always look at me for reassurance.  Like, I'll ask them a question, and while they try to figure it out, they'll peek at me from the corners of their big, brown eyes, trying to figure out if their guesses are on the right track.  Trying to figure out if I'll yell out in excitement, or if a frown of disappointment will creep across my cheeks.

After we finished our math tutoring session on pennies, nickels, and dimes, we started the trek back to their classroom.  We stopped at the secretary's desk because I wanted them to show off what they had mastered during our thirty minutes together.

"Ok," I said.  "How much is a nickel worth?"  And the little boy looked down at the floor, then slowly let his eyes drift toward my face - Oh those big brown eyes!  And he had the right answer on the tip of his tongue, and I knew he had it... And I wanted to shout, "Say it!  You've got it!"  But I also want him to gain the confidence on his own.  And he finally said the right answer, and there were cheers all around.  And the secretary said, "Isn't it so cool how these children are always looking at us - at the adults - for guidance?  For reassurance?"  And that got me thinking...

They are always looking at us.  Even when you least expect it, the kids are looking at YOU.  Looking at you as an example, as a role model, as a leader, as a comfort, as a security blanket.  Those innocent eyes (that may not always seem so innocent!) never stop looking at us.  And we can't ever forget how important we are to those big, brown eyes...

Don't Forget!

-March 17th - March Madness Dads' Basketball Game

-March 21st - 3rd Quarter Science Test

-March 22nd - 3rd Quarter Reading Test

-March 23rd - 3rd Quarter Math Calculator Active Test

-March 24th - 3rd Quarter Math Calculator Inactive Test

-March 25th - 3rd Quarter Test Make-Ups

-March 25th - End of 3rd Quarter

-April 6th - 4th Grade On-Demand Writing Task

-April 21st - Kindergarten Screening

-April 29th - Spring Fling!

 

Granola Bar or Poptart?

My husband and I have an alarm clock that has two separate morning alarms, which works well for us.  Not only because we get up at two different times, but because I DESPISE the sound of the standard, blaring alarm.  That ear-piercing beep is enough to send me over the edge at 5:15am!  So while he prefers the annoying beeping, I would much rather wake up to the radio.  If only I could go back to the days when I was young and my mom would whisper in my ear, "Time to get up, sweetie."

Don't get me wrong - I am a morning person.  You'll find me grumpy and bleary-eyed at 8:00pm, but once I'm up at 5:15am, I'm ready to get the day going!!  However, even with being a morning person, I think the way I wake up makes a difference in how I approach my day.

There is an old Winnie the Pooh episode where Piglet asks, "Pooh, what is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?"  Pooh replies, "Well, I think about what I'm going to have for breakfast.  What about you?"  Piglet says, "Well, Pooh, I wonder what exciting things are going to happen to me today."

Now I love breakfast.  But what if thoughts of breakfast, thoughts of to-do's for the day, thoughts of things we are dreading were preceded with, "I can't WAIT to see what exciting things happen to me today!"  Wouldn't we all start our days on a much better note?  If we can't have our moms softly whispering into our ears to "Rise and Shine!", why don't we control the way our mornings get started with positive thinking.

Now, it's time for the decision - a granola bar or a poptart...?

Don't Forget!

-Feburary 28th - March 4th - Read Across America Week!

-March 2nd - Dr. Seuss' Birthday! (The Cat in the Hat is walking around Moore!)

-March 3rd - Multicultural Night

-March 17th - March Madness Dads' Basketball Game

-March 21st - 25th - 3rd Quarter Testing Window

-March 25th - End of 3rd Quarter

Curriculum Updates

After a busy two weeks, it's some for some updates from the wonderful world of curriculum!!

*Toni Bigham*

• General Information
• We learned from Ms. Bigham that the district is trying to move to an electronic report card.  They are wanting to create a K-2 committee and a 3-5 committee comprised of teachers, parents, people from EC, the Arts, etc.  If you are interested in volunteering send me an email and I'll pass on your information.
• As a district, we are slipping in math!!  We've been putting so much emphasis on literacy, we've been letting math fall by the wayside a little bit.  EVERY teacher should be using math indicators.  Thoughtful planning MUST occur.  Concepts must be re-taught AND discussed in PLC's.  We HAVE to start using Common Formative Assessments (CFA's) as a central part of PLC conversations.  Essential Questions (EQ's) are SO important... should be posted, discussed, referred to, and closed with (discussed more later).

*Deborah Hartman*

• Formative Assessment
• There are so many types of assessments, but we have got to start focusing more on formative assessment.  All Curriculum Coordinators are currently going through the online NCFalcon Formative Assessment modules.
• Formative Assessment means actively, continuously assessing your students not just weekly, but daily, to ensure that concepts are being understood.  If we wait until the end of a math unit to test students, and a student fails, it's too late!
• Assessment is part of the Teacher Evaluation Tool (Standards I and IV).
• CFA's - Help us compare our teaching with each other.  We can all think we're great in our heads, but we don't really know without CFA's.  They are designed to be used to change instruction, to make us better!
• After Quarter Testing, teachers should NOT be going over every single problem or every single passage.  That's punishing the kids with the test!  Use the data (which is a sampling of the curriculum) to inform your instruction... pinpoint the students who struggle with particular objectives.

*Kim Wesley & Deborah Gaither*

• Math Updates
• Again, we need to pick it up in math.  Indicators and Week-by-Week Essentials are our STRONGEST math tools.  Every single teacher should be using them!
• Essential Questions are one of the easiest ways to tweak instruction NOW.  Posting an objective or a topic is not enough... We should be posting QUESTIONS that our math lessons revolve around.  These questions should increase rigor and higher order thinking for students.  We should use them to open up a math lesson, we should refer to them during the math lesson, and we should wrap up our math lesson with our EQ's.  60% of what teachers say during math instruction are questions, and are not planned.
• We received a GREAT resource called "Good Questions for Math Teaching."  If you are interested in borrowing it, first come first served!

*Benika Thompson*

• Science Updates
• Discussed the District Science Fair, which is tomorrow! (Go Ava!!)
• STC Kits - refurbishment requests will be sent out in April.
• Teachers must stop doing science in isolation!!
• Do you preview vocabulary?  It's one of the only ways students can be successful in learning new concepts.

*Janie Costello*

• DIBELS Updates
• Students who achieve benchmark (green) have a higher probability of becoming successful readers.
• However, green does not necessarily mean students are safe!  Green is only the 50th percentile, so students at the cusp of green need to be watched carefully.  Remember, you can Progress Monitor whoever you'd like!
• Students who are poor readers at the end of first grade are not likely to ever catch up.
• We analyzed district data for MOY versus BOY... We're keeping green kids green, but we're also keeping red kids red

*Patti Grant*

• Social Studies Updates
• The district is looking at doing more combining of Social Studies and Science next year.  They realize the day is so stuffed, but we cannot skimp on these subjects!!
• One of the main concepts they want kids to know is the Five Themes of Geography:
• Place
• Movement
• Human-Environment Interaction
• Region
• Location

And that's all for today!!!  Have a wonderful week!

Don't Forget!

-February 22nd - WSFCS Science Fair at SciWorks

-Feburary 28th - March 4th - Read Across America Week!

-February 28th - Milkshake Chugging Contest... Wooten vs. Dixson vs. Peele (6:00pm at Chick-Fil-A)

-March 2nd - Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

-March 3rd - Multicultural Night

-March 17th - March Madness Dads' Basketball Game

Early Spring? Or Long Winter?

Yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil braved the cold to let us know whether to expect an early spring or a longer winter.  He didn't see his shadow, which means bye bye cold weather!  But wait...

Greensboro's "Woody the Groundhog" DID see his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.  But...

Lexington's "Lil' Bit the Hog" did NOT see his shadow, agreeing with Punxsutawney Phil that spring is just around the corner.

So what will it be?!  Capri pants and sandals or scarves and mittens?

All of this confusion got me thinking... Why do we so often worry about the things we cannot control?  Like the weather... Or if our team is going to win the Super Bowl.

Why don't we focus on the things we CAN control - like our reactions to present circumstances, our attitudes toward our lives and toward each other.  We can only play with the hand we are dealt, and we don't usually get to choose our cards ourselves.

So let's try to stay focused on the things in life we can control... I'll either be appreciating the crisp, cold air and the fire in the fireplace or embracing the warm sunshine and putting away my coats.

In the meantime... Bring it on, Mother Nature.

Don't Forget!

-February 2nd - 4th:  Moore Elementary Science Fair (Judging is TODAY... stay tuned for our winner!)

-February 18th - WSFCS Spelling Bee (Good luck to our school rep, Xavier!)

-February 22nd - WSFCS Science Fair at SciWorks

-February 28th - Milkshake Chugging Contest... Wooten vs. Dixson vs. Peele (6:00pm at Chick-Fil-A)

-March 3rd - Multicultural Night

Would You Have Been Dancing?

Yesterday we had our PBIS celebration for students who received a SMART check during 2nd Quarter.  For this celebration, we had two DJ dance parties - one for K-2 and one for 3-5.  Last year, as a classroom teacher, I was never able to attend the dance parties; however, this year my schedule allows me to drop in on these types of things - I counted down the hours all day long.

K-2's dance party was first.  I thought the gym was going to explode with joy and giggles.  The music was loud, the kids were pink-faced and sweaty.  One little girl ran up to me and said, "Dance Mrs. Peele, dance!"  I told her I didn't know how and she said, "Well, all you have to do is jump around!"  So I proceeded to jump, and lead a conga line, and shake my hips among 3-foot tall 5, 6, and 7-year-olds.  The only kids not dancing were the kids lined up to get water, huffing and puffing and catching their breath on the sidelines.  It.Was.Awesome.

3-5's dance party was next.  I went back to my office to get some work done and decided I'd drop by toward the end of the celebration.  Then I got a message that our AP needed my help in the gym.  I rushed towards the gym with all kinds of crazy images flashing through my head of kids getting injured while dancing.  But I walked in the gym and it was nothing.  Truly - nothing.  There were maybe 4 kids dancing a little here and there, and the rest of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders hugged the walls.  I was being beckoned for help in getting these kids moving!  I, too, felt a shyness come over me... I know... Me and shy is like an oxymoron.  But the mood in the gym was TOTALLY different than what it had been for the earlier dance party.

It got me thinking about the difference between students in grades K-2 and students in grades 3-5.  The younger students in the school are almost always willing to try.  They usually do not lack confidence, but are more in need of direction and guidance in all they pursue.  These students have a strong sense of self-efficacy, believing in themselves and their abilities.  It is in grades 3-5 that students begin to falter in their self confidence.  Rather than needing facilitation and guidance, these students begin to doubt themselves and thirst for someone to believe in them.  While all teachers must, well, teach, we must handle students of different ages in different ways.  Younger kids will often jump, or dance at the chance to try something new, while older kids are a little more hesitant and need the, "Hey, you can do this" nudge.

As for me and my dancing?  Well, I finally found my motivation after witnessing a 5th grader literally take everyone's breath away with her Michael Jackson impression.  But it wasn't just her - There was also a 3rd grader who, the entire time, stood in his own little area and danced like no one else was in the gym.  And I told myself, you may be in heels, surrounded by about 100 kids, and you may not have put your dancing skills to the test in awhile, but, "Hey, you can do this."  So I did - And I only stopped once I was pink-faced and needed a drink of water.

Don't Forget!

-January 24th-February 4th:  DIBELS MOY Benchmark Assessments

-January 28th:  Career Day
-February 2nd - 4th:  Moore Elementary Science Fair (for 5th graders)

Happy New... DAY!

Don't you just love the excitement that comes along with celebrating a new year?  Everyone seems so refreshed, so excited for a brand new start.  There's sort of a cleansing feeling in the air, an "I-can-do-anything" attitude.

My husband and I HAVE to be in the air at midnight on New Year's.  Yes, you read that right - IN.THE.AIR.  I know, it sounds crazy, but it's a tradition he brought into our marriage from his childhood.  We usually start on the coffee table (holding our dog, Bailey, because yes - she too, must be in the air) and we make a game plan of when to bend and jump and we count down and then we're in the air when the ball drops!  And then we clap and yell and celebrate the beginning of a new year.

What if we had that approach to life everyday?  What if at midnight every night, we stayed up to watch a ball drop, jumping off coffee tables and shouting, "Happy New Day!"

Wait... staying up 'til midnight every night?  Not likely.  Buuuut, in theory, it sounds like a pretty good plan.

Why do we have to wait until January 1st to set new goals, feel refreshed, wipe a clean slate, become energized with possibilities?  Why can't we feel this everyday?

Let's challenge ourselves to shout, "Happy New Day!"  Let's be appreciative for each new day we have.  If you feel like setting a new goal or challenging yourself to accomplish the impossible, make a "New Day Resolution."  Everyday we wake up we are given an amazing opportunity.  Don't forget the invincible feeling that comes along with the fresh start of a new year, and allow yourself to feel that each morning when it all begins again...

Happy New Day!!!

Don't Forget!
-January 5th:  Dr. Foster Visits 3rd Grade 10:00-11:20

-January 13th:  Moore Elementary Spelling Bee (for 5th graders)
-January 14th:  2nd Quarter Testing (Science)
-January 18th:  2nd Quarter Testing (Reading)
-January 19th:  Title I Literacy Breakfast
-January 19th:  2nd Quarter Testing (Math With a Calculator)
-January 20th:  2nd Quarter Testing (Math Without a Calculator)

-January 21st:  Teacher Work Day!
-Week of January 24th:  DIBELS MOY Benchmark Assessments
-February 2nd - 4th:  Moore Elementary Science Fair (for 5th graders)