Principal's Update- October 2, 2015

Happy Homecoming! 
It looks like a great day for a homecoming parade.  It's always great to see the community come together to celebrate our students! 

A couple updates:

After School Program
We will be changing the structure of after school program.  I met with a representative (per grade level) to discuss these changes.  Make sure you take some time to offer feedback before next Wednesday. 

Instead of referring students for the year, we will be splitting our program into three blocks:  October/November, December/January, and February/March.  We will be referring students for specific math and reading interventions during these blocks.   I have also designed this so we can visit with parents at conferences before students start their new "block" of learning.

If you are interested in teaching after school, I have posted teacher and EA positions online.  Apply ASAP! 

PLCs
I will be sending an email out this weekend about PLCs (I will remember this time!).  I met with Amy last week and have a good direction for us to move forward using the Essential Standards Chart.  Teachers- watch for this email, it will guide your work on Monday! 

Infinitec Training
Don't forget- Infinitec training is due 10/15!

Stump the Teacher:
I shared this last year, but figured it was worthy of another share.  Stump the Teacher is a great activity for students to develop deeper questions, as well as cite their evidence.  Students create questions from a common text and challenge you to their answers.  The activity teaches them to write deeper questions that don't require a quick answer.  Also, they have to go back and prove where their answer came from.  Use if you'd like:  Stump the Teacher Graphic Organizer.   I'd be happy to come in and model this activity for you!!

Zumba:
We started Zumba yesterday. If you want to participate as a staff member, join us on Thursday afternoons.  The program is lead by local instructor, Stephanie Hanson!  It was a great (sweaty) time! 

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to see the building weekly newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Gia Davison.  Gia does an exceptional job coaching our most struggling readers.  Gia goes above and beyond to find effective interventions that are focused on student need(s).  And, Gia has lived in a scheduling nightmare the past couple of weeks!  Thanks for all you do, Gia! 

This was on Facebook this past week.... it gave me a good laugh, hope it does to you also!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

-Justin

 

Stump the Teacher!

Hi,
I shared this at a few sub outs- I thought I'd share with everyone. 

This is an activity called "Stump the Teacher".  This activity is good for any age of student (you would need to modify sheet based on your grade level).   This activity teaches students:
*how to write higher-level questions
*use text to find evidence (to support your answer)
*how to defend your answer/thoughts using the text

Basically, students read a shared, common text.  For their second read, students are given the graphic organizer to complete.  You will notice the first time they complete this, they will write lower level questions (they realize that that higher-level questions aren't always answered so quickly).  They need to write a question, the page number, and the evidence to support their answer.  I usually let them work with a partner.

After, they come together and play "Stump the Teacher" against you.  The scoring sheet is on the graphic organizer.  You take turns having students ask their question- then, you answer them using the text.  You will want to play this by their engagement- if they are losing interest, give them some more points. 

If you want me to come in and play it with your class, let me know.  I'm serious.  I love playing this!

-Justin