Gator Run Friday Focus - January 30, 2015

I mentioned previously this year that I am doing work with the Department of Education Commissioner's Leadership Academy.  Through this group I have been learning an instructional framework called the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning.  This past week we visited Dillard 6 -12 and used the tool as we observed 4 different classrooms through the lens of determining the purpose of each lesson.  I think that the questions that we used to guide our walkthroughs really helped me focus on how important it is that each of our lessons have a purpose that is clearly communicated to our students, that our students know how they will demonstrate mastery, and how what we are doing is related beyond the classroom.  Here are a few of the guiding questions that we used, as I think they can help all of us as we are planning learning experiences for our students. 

• What is the learning target(s) of the lesson?  How is it meaningful and relevant beyond the specific task/activity?
• How are the standard(s) and learning target communicated and made accessible to all students?
• How does the learning target clearly communicate what students will know and be able to do as a result of the lesson?  What will be acceptable evidence of student learning?

•  Our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be taking the BAFS (Broward Assessment of Florida Standards) next week.  Ms. Felton will send out a schedule today.
• Interims are due to Team Leaders next Monday and to Ms. Felton on Wednesday.  
• Team Collaboration is scheduled for next Wednesday. 

Quote of the Week - So, the several members of the 2nd grade team went to dinner recently and they brought me back fortunes from their fortune cookies.  Here's a good one from those - "Don't pursue happiness - create it."

Gator Run Friday Focus - January 16, 2015

• No school next Monday.
• Report cards go home next Wednesday.
• PLCs are scheduled for next Wednesday.  Remember that this is the day that you should be reviewing data collected from your common formative assessments.  

What You Might Have Missed on Twitter this Week:

Great article about how standardized testing is killing curiosity, hope, student (and teacher engagement) - Better Tests, Better World

A lot of unfortunate truths here, but I think this teacher really hits some points about how we are all feeling about the state of education right now.  Virginia Teacher of the Year Tells Why He Resigned - Virginia Teacher

Quote of the Week - "The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will be brittle in the face of adversity." - Joshua Waitzkin.  I love this quote about having a growth mind set vs. fixed mindset.  I think that this video will highlight this concept for you and I believe that it will help you in your personal life and in working with our students - The Power of Belief

Gator Run Friday Focus - January 9, 2014

• Next week is Spirit Week.  Please refer to the schedule sent out by Ms. Felton for Friday's Spirit Walk.
• We are hosting the Zone Team Leaders and Principals next Tuesday morning.  We will be meeting in the cafeteria and then walking throughout the classrooms.  The Zone Team Leaders have visited all five of the other Weston elementary schools during the past two years and now it's our turn.  This is a great opportunity to show off our awesome school!
• Report Cards are due to Ms. Felton on Tuesday.
• Team Collaboration is scheduled for Wednesday. 
• Gatoraid meeting next Friday.

Quote of the Week - "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." - Pablo Picasso.  Give your all each day, each moment.  I refuse to live with the regret that my loved ones didn't know how I feel or that I didn't do what was important when it should have been done.