An Inquiry into the CCSS - Dec. 8 Late Start

An inquiry into....

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - Fed Ex Style

Why? When the Leadership/ SMART Team was looking at data on our Forward Exam we were thinking of needs to support growth for all students and closing the gaps. We wanted a strong understanding the depth of what the CCSS expects so we are teaching it to the depth and independence. We also know that some obstacles were citing text evidence with electronic resources and that we may not be asking students to respond to text with the depth they are expecting.

How? We will have 1- 1 1/2 hours to investigate an area where we can grow as a teacher looking at the depth the CCSS expects and create 1 application to use in our classroom.

Learning Targets

1. I can learn about the rigor the CCSS expects.
2. I can replicate the rigor in 1 lesson and plan for that.

Schedule of the Day

8-8:15- Compass Activity and Wows & Wonders

8:15-8:30 Introduction of Choices

8:30-9:45- Inquiry and create 1 take away to share. (Lesson, Assessment, etc.)

9:50- 10:30- Sharing in Media Center with Vertical teams

Immerse (By Dec. 2)

Look at the Choices and choose what you would like to investigate. Inquiry Form

1. Explore Curriculum Maps for your Grade- GT Room with Amy Wise

2. Inquiry into Forward Exam Data & Educlimber- Conference Room with Susie

3. Practice CCSS Aligned Exams (Forward, SMARTER Balanced, PARCC)- On your own

4. Develop Questions aligned with CCSS- Art room with Chloe (Good for Specialists)

5. Using Technology to support CCSS- Media Center with Jessica and Jodi

6. Responses to Reading aligned to CCSS- On your own

Investigate/ Coalesce (Late Start)

CCSS Inquiry

Inquiry and create 1 take away to share. (Lesson, Assessment, etc.)

Go Public (Late Start)

9:50- 10:30- Sharing in Media Center with Vertical teams
Exit Slip

Personalization

Department	Focus	Location
Phy-Ed	PLC	EP Rock
Music	PLC	Willow
Art	PLC	Willow
Media	PLC	North Hudson
Special Ed (EBD, CID, LD, OT, Speech, ID)	Building-Focus	Building-based
ESL	Building-Focus	Building-based
GT	Building- Focus	Building- based
Reading Teacher	Building-Focus	Building-based
Grade Level Teams	Building-Focus	Building-based
Counselors	PLC	Rock
School Psychologist	Work through building principal	Build-based

December in Public Schools

December in Public Schools

December in Public Schools  

December can be a stressful and challenging time for students and staff, personally and professionally. Every December public school teachers and administrators face the difficult task of acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year while balancing the need for sustained high-quality teaching and learning.  In an effort to help create a school environment that celebrates diversity by respecting differing points of view concerning religions, the following suggestions are offered.

·      Public schools must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another.

·       Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating religious holidays (which is not).

·       Religious music, literature, art or other religious activities should not dominate school activities.  School events, assemblies, concerts and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education and must not focus on any one religion or religious observance.

·       Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools. At the same time, students should not be restricted from choosing to express their religious views in course assignments (e.g., artwork, personal narrative).

My goal is to provide an inclusive learning environment for all students.  Every student should feel welcome and represented at a public school and should be able to participate in every activity we have.

High-quality standards-based instruction and student learning is the expectation in December as it is throughout the school year. Holiday activities, parties and showing of videos should be a minimal part of the school day.  Maintaining routines are important to increase student learning and minimize behavioral difficulties.

Questions to consider:
1. Is this activity designed in any way to either promote or inhibit religion? 
2. How does this activity serve the academic goals of the course, or the educational mission of the school? 
3. Will any student or parent be made to feel like an outsider, not a full member of the community, by this activity? 
4. If in December: Do we plan activities to teach about religious holidays at various times of the year or only in December? 
5. Are we prepared to teach about the religious meaning of this holiday in a way that enriches students’ understanding of history and cultures? 

Great Reads on this topic!

Religious Holidays in Public Schools

How-handle-religious-holidays-public-schools

Keeping Kids Motivated During the Holidays

If you have any questions, please contact me.

To celebrate each other you are invited to come to Hudson Perkins on Dec. 15 from 7:15-8:30 for breakfast/ staff meeting.  Menu

Dec. 22 Staff Meeting will be designated to your planning

Gratitude- Thank you

grat·i·tude

ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

1. the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

   "she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support"

   synonyms:

   gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness;

Take some time to share your gratitude with your...

Students
Colleagues
Family
Friends

Your PLC on Nov. 22 is canceled.  Something to be thankful of!  Please share your gratitude with your team and colleagues. 

Here are some ways to show gratitude with your students:

Books

Videos

• Gratitude Photos. Have each student write what he or she is thankful for on a large piece of paper and then take a picture of the child holding up his or her paper. Frame the photo and send it home as a holiday gift.
• Gratitude Letters for the Community. Write letters of gratitude and deliver them to people in the greater school community, e.g., janitor, food staff, school administration. Expand this exercise to include the local community, such as police, fire station, bank, grocery store, hospital, electricians, etc.
• Gratitude Quotes. Give students their own gratitude quote (here’s a great list of quotes) and have them reflect upon and write about what their quote means to them

I'm thankful for...

• I am grateful to work with 406 amazing students and 50 dedicated professionals every day.
• I am thankful for your teamwork to helping all students grow academically and more importantly as kind, caring people.
• I am thankful for your collaboration at PLC's.
• I am thankful to work with such professionals every day.

Turkey Bingo will be Nov. 22 from 3-3:30.

Comment on what you are grateful for on our blog.

Planning Guided Reading or Tech Exploration- Nov. 17, 2016

Our Nov. 17 staff meeting is dedicated to meeting your individual needs!

We are providing....

TIME to plan guided reading 

or 

TIME to explore technology resources
on your own or with your colleagues

**********************************************

Guided Reading Planning

Check out resources on the Guided Reading Tab on our blog


Technology Exploration of Resources to help...

Research
Check out our Hudson District Media Site resources.
Here are the passwords:

.

Collaboration
Google Docs
MindMeister

Communicate/Share Learning/ Go Public

Presentations: Google Slides Prezi VoiceThread

Videos: Animoto Blabberize eyejot Screenr

Other: Fotobabble Glogster (Digital Poster) MakeBeliefsComix Tiki-Toki Timeline ToonDoo Vocaroo Avatar Creator

Formative Assessment
Go Formative
Kahoot

Resources:
http://www.emergingedtech.com/2013/11/5-useful-free-web-tools-for-project-based-learning-assignments/

PBIS Tier 2 Supports

PBIS Tier 2 Supports Nov. 10, 2016 (link)

Every successful school commits itself to a set of proactive practices that creates and sustains a positive and nurturing environment for its students, staff, parents, and community. A positive behavioral intervention and support (PBIS) is what the culmination of those practices is called.  It starts universally at tier 1, and moves into tier 2 and tier 3 when needed.

Possible Tier I Intervention Strategies

At Hudson Prairie we...

•  teach above the line behaviors
• reward appropriate behaviors
• reteach expectations as needed
• use the minor/ major forms for logical consequences

Possible Tier 2 Intervention Strategies

All students who have 3 or more major or minors may begin  Check In Check Out.

We monitor the data in SWIS for 80% of their points earned. 

If they are at 80% for 8-12 weeks, they graduate.

If they are not meeting the 80% goal, we look at WHY?

If they don't know the SKILL, we have SAIG (Social Acadminic Instructional Groups) groups to teach the skill.

If they are not PRACTICING THE SKILL, we have Individualized Check In Check Out.

If they are not MOTIVATED, we have Prairie Pals Mentor Program.

Possible Tier 3 Intervention Strategies

We would do a brief Functional Behavioral Assessment to determine the motivation and events prior to behaviors to target individual needs.

Next Steps...

PLC Nov. 15

PBIS Tier 2 Student Support Protocol