Gator Run Friday Focus - January 17, 2014

Something that I have been thinking about lately is how we are making sure that all of our students are understanding what we want them to learn.  Our focus these upcoming weeks will be on the use of formative assessments to help us determine where students currently are in the learning process.  Some reflective questions that I would like each teacher to think about are:

• What formative assessments do you use on a regular basis?
• How do you know when students need extra support?
• Do you allow students to dictate when they need the extra help?  What about those students who have too much pride to ask for support?
• What do you do when a student doesn't do well on a summative (end of lesson/end of unit) assessment?  Do you allow students to take an alternate assessment or do you simply give a 'bad grade'?
• How often do you communicate student progress with parents?  What does that communication look like?

I guess that this can lead into another discussion regarding letter grades and the weight that they hold, or don't hold, but I will save that for another time.  Please think about the questions above as you go forward.  Data chats are coming up soon and I am very interested in where each teacher stands with these questions.  As we determine what the "Gator Run Experience" truly is, student and parent communication regarding academic progress will be a pillar that we build our vision on.  

This is a cool article that I read last week - 7 Ways for Teachers Beat the Sunday Blues
I don't think many people understand how teachers feel on a Sunday.  Maybe some of these strategies can help ease your anxiety when you wake up each Sunday.

• No school on Monday!
• We have our next Family Night at the Weston Town Center on Wednesday starting at 5:00 PM.  This will be at 3 of the restaurants - Del Vecchio's, Burger Zone and Udder Sweets. 
• Newsletter articles are due next to Mr. Acosta next Thursday.
• Team Leader day is next Thursday.
• Our Honor Roll Celebration is next Friday morning.  

Quote of the Week - "I am not a teacher, but an awakener." - Robert Frost.  I love this way at looking at teaching. 


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

• Was born in New York and moved to Miami when she was 1.
• Went to FSU.
• Loves to explore on the computer and spending time with family.
• Got a yellow lab puppy this school year.