Monday, February 5, 2018
Friday, January 19, 2018
Week of January 22nd-26th
Dear Teachers, Always Remember... you make a difference in the lives of our Scholars! Use your words to build them up!!! #Kindness
Academic Conversation
Read this article on academic conversation. Click on this LINK http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/112024/chapters/1.-Academic-Conversation.aspx
Academic Language
Check out these 8 strategies for teaching academic language. Click on this LINK https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-strategies-teaching-academic-language-todd-finley
SCPD vs. CMS Basketball Game
The Great Kindness Challenge
January 22-26
You will receive this checklist in your mailbox. Hand them out to your first period class. Once your students complete all the challenges on the checklist. They can bring it to the office for a PRIZE! There will be lunch time activities relating to #kindness
Staff Kindness Challenge
- Monday- Compliment 5 people (students or staff).
- Tuesday- Create your own kind deed for a staff
- Wednesday- Send a thank you card/or write a note to a staff.
- Thursday- Say "good morning" to 15 people.
- Friday- Take a selfie with a staff and email it to me or post it on Twitter.
Every day that you participate, come and collect a Treasure Card from us!
Children Across the Country Spread Happiness With the Great Kindness Challenge
View this VIDEO
Teach Like A Pirate Book Study
All The World Is A Stage
pages 107-115
Controlling the physical space of my room is one of my secret weapons.
The Interior Design Hook
- How can I transform my room to create the ultimate atmosphere for the lesson?
- How can I rearrange the desks for this lesson to be most effective?
- If I were throwing a theme party at my house for this subject, what would I do?
- If a theme park were opening up a new attraction based on my lesson, what would it include?
Actively engaging students before the class period even starts makes for an interesting period. An intriguing board message or image can create a scenario where students are curious about the content and primed to listen.
The Board Message Hook
- What can I write on my board or have projected on my screen that will immediately spark curiosity and interest as the students enter my room?
- Can I just put a QR code on the board or screen and see what happens?
In my class, when I'm dressed in costume I call it a guest-speaker day. My students know not to miss when a "guest speaker" is on the schedule
The Costume Hook
- What can I wear as an outfit or costume for this lesson?
- Can I invent a superhero or super villain for this subject?
Anything that makes students feel like they are actually part of the show, not just spectators, is a good thing!
The Involved Audience Hook
- How can I consistently keep the audience feeling involved?
- Can I, unknown to their classmates, cue certain students to play a pre-arranged role?
A famous moment in my workshop has to do with what I pull out of a bag while demonstrating this hook. We have a natural curiosity about that which we cannot see. It kills us to know something is being kept from us.
They Mystery Bag Hook
- How can I gain engagement by openly hiding something from the class?
- How can I build up the suspense of the unveiling?
Teach Like A Pirate Flipgrid
Please complete this flipgrid before our February Staff Meeting. Post individually and reflect on our book study, Teach Like A Pirate. How are you going to teach like a pirate?
What is one take away from this book?
Here is the LINK to the Flipgrid https://flipgrid.com/968ad6
No Excuses University
Data Management
Read this article on How Classroom Assessments Improve Learning
Click on this link http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb03/vol60/num05/How-Classroom-Assessments-Improve-Learning.aspx
NEU Connect
What is NEU Connect?
STEP 2: Log in
STEP 3: Click on "Resource Categories" in the left column. There will be a list of the 6 exceptional systems.
STEP 4: Click on a category ex: "Universal Achievement"
STEP 5: On the right hand side, click on "Add New Asset"
STEP 6: Fill in the information needed
STEP 7: Upload your resource
No Excuses at Crystal
Professional Development
- January 20- 9:00AM-4:30 PM-Writing with Springboard and Common Core
- January 25- 4:00 PM-5:00 PM- District Writing Assessment Using Illuminate
- January 27- 9:00AM-4:00PM- Jeff Zwiers Academic Conversation
- February 3- 9:00AM-4:30 PM- Writing with Springboard and Common Core
- February 15-4:00PM-6:00 PM- Digging Into The Framework for Middle School & High School
- February 17- 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM- Writing with Springboard and Common Core
- February 21-3:45 PM-5:45 PM- T.E.A.M Workshop
#FSUSDEdChat
Join us at the next #FSUSDEdChat with Principal Dinwiddlie (B.Gale Wilson) about Maintaining Mid-Year Motivation on January 24th at 7:00 PM.
Noemi Lay
6th Grade Teacher
Go and #observe Mrs. Lay on her classroom management, notebook note-taking, and technology!
Tara Spinelli
Science Teacher
Nickname: Tara Bella
High school: Jersey Village High School in Houston, Texas
Career if not a Educator: Nurse or Counselor
Would like to be on this game show: Wheel of Fortune
Passion: She love to read, take long walks, and spend time with her family/friends. She enjoys baking and doing crafts too.
Fun Facts: She love to eat ice cream and watch the Hallmark Channel.
Adrienne Thomas
RSP Teacher
Nickname: "Sister" and "A"
High school: Santa Barbara High School and Montgomery High School, Santa Rosa, CA
Career if not a Educator: Pre-School Teacher or Full-time Mom
Would like to be on this game show: Chopped
Passion: Her kids and students
Fun Facts: Christian Faith, her family, teaching, old homes and antiques.
Guess Who?
- Middle School Site Walk - January 25 @ 9:00 AM
- Basketball vs Grange @ Crystal - January 25 @ 3:45 PM
- Staff Mixer - January 26 @ 3:45 PM at La Cabana
- Jeff Zwiers PD - January 27 @ 9:00 AM
- Winter MAP Assessment Window - February 5-23
- T.E.A.M Workshop- February 21
- Staff vs. Student Basketball Game- March 9
- Science Fair @ Armijo- March 16
- T.E.A.M Workshop- March 21
- Spring Break- March 26-30
- Soccer @ Green Valley- April 5
- Soccer @ BGW- April 12
- Soccer vs. Green Valley @ Crystal- April 19
- Olsen 8
- Alviar 21
- J. Williams 21
- Hamilton 24
- Long 26
Fun With The APs
Friday, January 12, 2018
Week of January 16th - 19th
We are SO fortunate to work with some of the BEST Educational Rockstars in the district, county and state! Thank you for all you do on a daily basis!
Note Taking
Are you tired of the same old note taking strategies that you use time and time again? Who wants a new method for note taking to engage students in the note taking and making process? Check out this article on some new ways of having students take notes in your class!
Let us know if you are planning on trying one of these strategies! We'd love to see them in action!
Socratic Seminar
Watch this amazing teacher in our district, Kristen Warsaw in action. Here is the link https://youtu.be/RTBAIDINk2Q
We challenge you to try this amazing strategy in your classroom!
Student Attendance Incentive
Please remind all your students about this Attendance Incentive Raffle!
Teach Like A Pirate
What's In It For Me?
Pages 103-106
"A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil to learn is hammering on a cold iron."
~HORACE MANN
People are rarely impressed by the features of a product; it's the benefits the features provide that really matter. The next few hooks will help you design lessons with that crucial question in mind.
The Student Hobby Hook
- How can I incorporate the hobbies and outside interests of my students into this material?
- How can I harness the power of connecting my content to what students are already interested in?
The Real-World Application Hook
- How can i show my students why learning this content is important in the real world?
- How will they possibly apply this in their life?
The Life-Changing Lesson Hook
- What type of life-changing lesson can be incorporated into the content?
- What type of essential questions can I ask that allow students the opportunity for personal reflection and growth?
The Student-Directed Hook
- How can I provide opportunities for autonomy and choice in this unit/lesson?
- How can I release some of my control and provide students the chance to be the experts and directors of this subject?
How are you consistently providing choice and autonomy in your classroom?
The Opportunistic Hook
- What current events are related to this lesson?
- In what ways can I incorporate currently popular trends, fads, TV shows, and movies in order to make this relevant and engaging for my class?
Teach Like A Pirate Book Study
Please complete this flipgrid before our February Staff Meeting. Reflect on our book study, Teach Like A Pirate. How are you going to teach like a pirate? What is one take away from this book?
No Excuses University
Data Management
Data is extremely important. Read this article on 3 Ways Data Can Inform Your Teaching. Here is the link https://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-student-data-inform-teaching-rebecca-alber
Data helps guide teachers with their instruction and it helps inform you about your students. A great way to use data and to collaborate is to have common assessments. Here is an article on common assessment
Click on this link
Susana Hernandez
Attendance Clerk
Go and #observe Ms. Sue on her customer service! She spreads positive vibes around our campus. She has positive relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
Kiana Thomas
Principal Secretary
Nickname: Ki
High school: Vacaville High School
Career if not in Education: NPS Park Ranger
Would like to be on this game show: Family Feud
Passion: Crafts, Reading, Board Games, Running
Fun Facts: Proud parent of two boys in college (Washington State and Solano Community College). She started running last year when her boys started college and have run two 5k races. This year her goal is to complete a 10k!
Amy Doherty
English Teacher
Nickname: Prairie
High school, sports, clubs etc: San Rafael
Career if not a Teacher: Cake Decorator or Wildlife Rehab
Would like to be on this game show: Family Feud
Passion: Animals
Fun Facts: Her first teaching job was in Mexico and she has two Chihuahuas.
Barb MacFarlane
History Teacher
Nickname: BBB
High school, sports, clubs etc: Aragon
Career if not a Teacher: Ranch/Farm Owner
Would like to be on this game show: N/A
Passion: Gardening
Fun Facts: She bowled a 300 game, played soccer for 40 years and has 4 chickens.
GUESS WHO???
- Great job English Department! Sharing best practice and collaborating on curriculum during your meeting!
- Thank you Stella for designing the GATE Night for our Scholars!
- Thank you, Nimfa, Sue, Donna and Kiana for being so welcoming and hospitable to our students, family and community members!
- Way to go to the entire staff for welcoming our kids back with open arms this week!!! It was so great to see all of you!
- Way to go, Math Department for your willingness to participate in the WestEd PODS!
- Kudos to Kayla Mikkola! Way to watch out for our kids!
- Way to rock Springboard, Chenoa Nowlin!!! Loved seeing it in action!
- Carmel, thank you for your leadership skills and continuously doing what is best for kids!
- Adrienne and Judee, we don't know what we would do without you! Thank you!
- Thank you, Amy Doherty for all your help with Mr. Baynard and the Read 180 class!
- Those Starlets are LIT, Ms. Hamilton!!! The uniforms look great!
- Thank you Mr. Lau for handling the PBIS awards!
- Mr. Fisher, we loved seeing the writing in Science! Such a great way to reinforce concepts!
- Way to go using Khan Academy in your math classes, Maggie Halls! We are looking forward to seeing amazing growth this year!
- Thanks to all the teachers who have used MAP Data to create MAP Walls! They look AMAZING!
- Mr. Sturgis, the lighting in your classroom is WONDERFUL! We love seeing new ways of designing learning spaces!
- Thank you, Tracy Williams for helping our kids by teaching a section of System 44! Looking forward to great growth this year!
- Molina, thank you for making the GATE night invitations and taking care of Mr. Blaylock's class during his time at home with his new bundle of joy! We appreciate it!
- MLK Day - No School - January 15
- Department Chair/Leadership Meeting - January 16 @ 3:15 PM
- T.E.A.M Workshop - January 17 @ 3:30 PM
- Basketball vs Green Valley @ Crystal - January 18 @ 3:45 PM
- Coffee With The Principal - January 19 @ 9:05 AM
- Staff Meeting - January 23 @ 3:15 PM
- Middle School Site Walk - January 25 @ 9:00 AM
- Basketball vs Grange @ Crystal - January 25 @ 3:45 PM
- Jeff Zwiers PD - January 27 @ 9:00 AM
- January Staff Mixer - January 27 @ La Cabana 3:15 PM
- Winter MAP Assessment Window - February 5-23
- Olsen 8
- Alviar 21
- J. Williams 21
- Hamilton 24
- Long 26
Fun With The APs
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| Craft work by Principal Secretary, Kiana Thomas |
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Each one of our students needs a champion. You are making more of an impact on our children than you might ever possibly know! You are ... -
Remind your students that you believe in them every SINGLE day! Our scholars are likely to live up to what you believe in them!!! ...