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