Author Visit - January 29:
On January 29, Bao Phi will be joining us from 10-11am for an all-school assembly/author visit in the gym. Here is a note from Kacie Clauson, Media Specialist:
Thanks to the generosity of the ISD 761 Foundation Grant, we will be hosting author Bao Phi at our elementary sites on Monday, Jan. 29th, and Friday, Feb. 2nd, 2024. Attached is the informational flyer, a link to Bao's website, and a video of his story being shared on the Today Show. The media budget will purchase copies of his children's books for each site's library so students can enjoy these stories for years. We will not be selling individual copies during these visits.
Because of the author visit, lunches need to change. See below -
11:00-11:30 - Kdg
11:10-11:40 - 4th Grade
11:25-11:55 - 2nd Grade
11:35-12:05 - 1st Grade
11:45-12:15 - 5th Grade (will eat in commons space with Kiel)
11:55-12:25 - 3rd Grade
It's ALL ABOUT YOU Challenge:
Starting January 29, join us or an "It's ALL ABOUT YOU" challenge! The goal of the challenge is for you to find things to do that focus on you. February can often be a hard time - this is a great reminder to do things for you! Click here to see the challenge.
Are Scaffolds Permanent or Temporary?
I've shared this before - but a great reminder as we enter into our data and responding meetings and supporting students into quarters 3 and 4. Are the scaffolds (academic, social emotional, behavioral, etc) truly scaffolds or have they become permanent?
We do a great job of figuring out what students need, using an "all hands on deck" approach, and get the student the supports. I love that about this staff. One thing I challenge us is to start thinking of how we will reduce, pair back, or remove those supports. I understand we can't just have a support one day and the next day it's gone. However, can we start to pair back - move to every other day? Have the staff step back and observe rather than do?
If we truly want to be warm demanders and create independent learners, we need to start thinking more about reducing, removing, or repurposing some of the supports we put into place. Something to think about!
Providing Wait Time:
At our last Power Hour, you listened to a podcast about ways to be a warm demander. One of the things I heard from many of you was the smiling during wait time - and how that shows students you are open, engaged, and really excited for their response. Who knew the power of a smile was so great?
This made me think about wait time - and the power of this. In our fast-paced classrooms, do we provide a lot of wait time for students? Do we provide this during the instruction or just when they are working independently. Below are some resources with great reminders. Bottom line - even offering 3-5 seconds after you ask a question (and before a student responds) has research to support increasing engagement, thinking, and student confidence. Additionally, offering 20 seconds to 2 minutes in a 10 minute lesson can help students make sense, make connections, and create higher levels of thinking. Who knew that only a few seconds could create a deeper learning experience?
Extending the Silence article - great reminders!
Building Weekly Newsletter:
Have a great weekend - a heat wave is coming Sunday (upper 30's)!
-Justin
No comments:
Post a Comment