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).