Gator Run Friday Focus - August 30, 2013

What an amazing week this has been.  I had a chance to read to 1st and 2nd grade classes and spend lunch time with some 3rd and 4th grade classes.  I really appreciate everyone's support as I get to know the students.  I believe that it is vital that students understand who I am and know that I am here to help make their lives better. 
I also want everyone to know that even though I am spending a lot of time with our students right now, please know that I feel very strongly about providing feedback and support to all of you as well.  I am looking forward to spending time in all of the classrooms and throughout the school so that I can get an accurate picture of who everyone is and the unique strengths that each of you bring to Gator Run.  I know that it is important to all of us to receive feedback on our performance so that we know whether we are on the right track or if we need to make adjustments to what we do.  I will be providing that feedback to each of you as we progress through the school year.  Please know that I am not an "I gotcha" type of person and I have no desire to find the faults in others.  I consider the coaching aspect of my job as the most important part and I will do whatever it takes to help each of you become the best you can be (and I hope that you will help me become the best I can be as well).

• Please make sure that our students know the schedule for next week - Monday and Thursday school will not be in session. 
• Team Work is scheduled for next Tuesday.  This is time that we have slotted for your team to work on the integration of the thematic units.  Your team might and probably will need additional time in order to make this a success.  The great news is that the work that you put in this year will make subsequent years that much easier. 
• We have flu shots scheduled for next Wednesday. 
• Important safety note - please have students kick the sand out of their shoes as best as possible when coming into the building.  When sand gets on the floor it can create a slipping hazard.  
• I have been hearing some great things with classes using Edmodo already and the engagement level of the students is amazing.  If you have started using it already and have something to share or if you are interested in hearing about it and/or seeing how others are using it, we will hold another discussion on Edmodo within the next few weeks. 

Quote of the Week - How amazing that a quote from the past can be so applicable to the present.  Time to try something new!

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 23, 2013

Wow, this has been a fantastic first week of school!  I am extremely impressed with how smooth our procedures were and how happy the students have been.  I am loving the atmosphere here.  Thank you for all of your efforts in making this happen.  Let's keep it going! 

• We have our first Collaborative Learning scheduled for next Tuesday.  Please remember that these sessions are dedicated times for your teams to discuss the implementation of our current school-wide strategy in each classroom and the effect of such strategy on student performance.  If we are going to expect our students to collaborate, we must model collaboration.  As you know our current school-wide focus is on collaborative grouping/learning in your classrooms.  Questions that can be utilized are: 
• How have you discussed protocols and procedures with your students for collaborative grouping/learning?
• How have you begun to implement this strategy?  
• What have you learned so far?  
• Are there any changes that you are considering?
• One of the purposes for utilizing collaborative learning is that students should be allowed to talk while they work.  A silent class might be a compliant group but is almost never an engaged one.  
• Have you learned all of your students' names?  Have you learned something unique about them?  Remember this is the time to build relationships.  Students will not listen to you or follow your rules and procedures in February unless you establish a connection with them now.  It's all about love everyone.
• We will hold our next fire drill next week.  Please remember to call your name out to the support staff member who is in your assigned area and to bring your red and green cards with you. 

Strategy of the Week - This is a cool formative assessment for the end of a lesson or the end of the day - Stoplight Assessment

Article of the Week - I posted this one on Twitter, but it's so good I wanted to make sure that everyone has read it as we move to establish collaborative grouping norms and protocols in our classrooms.  If you have not yet established your grouping norms and protocols, you need to do so at the start of next week.  Collaboration cannot occur with these being put into place.  Focus on Collaboration to Kick Off New School Year

Quote of the Week - "My positive energy is greater than anyone's doubt." - Jon Gordon, from his book The Energy Bus (I just read this - excellent book and a short read.  If you want to borrow it, please see me).

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 16, 2013

I am hoping that each of you will put aside a moment sometime this weekend and reflect on what drew you to work with children.  We are doing the most amazing work there could possibly be - helping to create the future.  Please know that I respect each and every one of you for your hard work and effort.  What a tremendous opportunity we have to guide our students to a better life.  You decide how great your students' year will be.  

I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  It’s my daily mood that makes the weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous.  I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.  ~ Haim Ginot


With great power comes great responsibility. - Ben Parker (Spider Man's uncle)

You have power in your hands to change the world.  Let's do it this year.  Please be the best teacher your students have ever had.  They deserve it.

          Don't be boring; Be Awesome!

• I was asked about my expectation for what should be on your front board regarding essential questions.  You can use something like these "I can" statements - I Can Standards (Thank you Ms. Davis).  Basically all I want is for students see what you want them to do (standards) and how you are going to gauge their progress towards mastering that standard (scale or rubric).
• Please remember to turn in your policy checklists and updated personal records to Mrs. Toth by next Friday, August 23.
• Data chats - We will be holding quarterly data chats again with individual teachers.  Please be prepared to discuss your at-risk students.  There should be no surprises regarding students' deficiencies at the end of the school year. 
• We will be conducting a fire drill next Wednesday at 8:40 and a tornado drill next Friday at 8:40.
• I am going to attempt something new for me this year and read a book to every class during the first two weeks of school.  I will announce when I will be visiting each floor of the school (I will probably start on Tuesday).   I hope to only take about 15 - 20 minutes of your class time.  
• Please make sure to complete the Dismissal Concern Form each morning by 8:30 through next Wednesday and then post outside your door (box or magnet).  Complete this even if there are no concerns.  
• We have Team Work scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon.  Remember that this is planned time for grade level teams to work collaboratively to discuss CCSS implementation. 

Quote of the Week -