Gator Run Friday Focus - December 13, 2013

The Hour of Code this week was awesome!  Some of my personal takeaways from this week are:

• Seeing the students collaborating and sharing was amazing.  I saw students who solved problems help out their fellow classmates - very inspiring! 
• These activities showed me how vital it is to teach our students the importance of trying something and stopping to asses yourself on the path to success.  Too often I saw students try to write multiple lines of code without checking to see if the steps worked.  These students regularly grew frustrated because they felt they had to rush towards the answer.  What they need to learn is that by stopping and checking often, they will come to the correct answer much faster than without doing so.
• We as the adults might not always have the correct answer.  This week proved that the students can figure things out on their own.  However...
• ...there were also times when they needed adult assistance.  We have got to become comfortable with learning with our students so that we can assist them when they get stuck. 

I was lucky enough to visit Coral Cove Elementary this past week along with other Principals and teachers.  It is an effort to get teachers from nearby schools to collaborate and to visit classrooms.  We will be starting this in the Cypress Bay Zone in January with our Team Leaders.  This should be an exciting venture as we work to be the best.  I saw some great projects being conducted including "Bottle Biographies" and Greek mythology studies.  The following message is posted outside each classroom:

Wouldn't it be great if we could come up with a message of our own letting our students know that we love, respect them and will be relentless in making sure that they are successful?

Speaking of visits, we will be hosting a Sub-Cadre of Principals (about 8-9) in January.  This group will be visiting classrooms on the morning of January 8,  I am looking for volunteers for these walkthroughs and need about 2-3 per grade level/special area.  Please let me know.

• Monday's Holiday Breakfast will be in the Media Center starting at 7 AM.  This is our way of thanking you for all that you do and showing how much we love you.  
• It's that time already!  Winter parties are on the schedule for next week.
  
• Next Thursday is the last day of the 2nd quarter and an Early Release Day.  
• Friday is a Planning Day for teachers.

Quote of the Week - This is more like a mantra of the week:

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

•  Is a true Floridan from Miami.
• Went to FIU.
• Loves floating on her raft, going to the gym, shopping online and at the mall.
• Owned, managed and worked at a wings and raw bar for 10 years.
• Is a perfectionist and over thinks everything!