September 14, 2018

Sometimes, the hardest thing in the world in middle school can be to get our students to TRULY CARE about their grades.  Check out THIS ARTICLE about 8 easy ways to encourage middle school students to care more about their grades including more focus on growth mindset, growth portfolios, and student based record keeping!  It's a VERY easy read and easy to implement at least one of these into your classrooms!

ENGAGEMENT is a topic that we will ALWAYS be addressing.  We CANNOT stress this enough:  Higher engagement = Higher academic achievement and lower behavior concerns.  That's really so simple and all there is to it.  Students who have to "sit and get" are bored and have completely tuned you out.  Completely.  

Calling on one student when you ask a question means that YOU have given the others the permission to be turned out.  Is that seriously what you want?  Stop reverting back to this and just calling on one student at a time.  It just tells the other students that they don't have to learn, listen or pay attention.

HERE is a easy read article to help generate effective questions and help you GET AWAY from calling on one student at a time!

We CANNOT stress how important student engagement is. We have asked these questions over and over AND they're worth asking again:

WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A STUDENT IN YOUR CLASS???

IF YOUR STUDENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE IN YOUR CLASS, WOULD THEY SHOW UP ANYWAY??

Check out some of the Tweets that are ALWAYS going on around campus!  Stop by and see what's happening in your colleague's classrooms!  Aren't following everyone yet?  Follow US @GVMSVIKINGS and we have everyone's Twitter handle! =)

Soul Shoppe is COMING and we are excited for the positive impact for our students AND our staff!  Need to remember what it's all about?  Check out their website at www.soulshoppe.com

The dates that they are coming to GVMS are:

September 25, 26

October 2, 3, 9, 10

March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20

Once we get more of a confirmed timelines and bell schedule, we will share it.  In the meantime, please put a note in your calendars!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

(68)

• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn for organizing the 6th grade Field Trips with forms and transportation and all! ~Ryan
• SUPER awesome shout out to Margret for taking the time to train me on the use of epi pens! ~Karron
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dustin for being the campus glue guy and a darn fine teacher too!  You don't often get those in the same package! ~ E Pluribus Unum =)
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather T. for her work with 504s! ~Sweeney Todd
• SUPER awesome shout out to Rosa, Elizabeth, Carla and crew for bringing levity to the window by racing by, giggling, on a golf cart! ~Carl Spakler
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue, Carol, Sandy, Paula, Annette, Karen, KC, CL, Jason, Brenita, Rosa, Dustin, Mr. Frank, and office staff for ALL of your help when I was here for Mr. Fulton!  Thank you! ~Sharon
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sharon Peterson for consistently bringing a sense of optimism to our site and students in our time of need.  Being a long term sub is difficult and often somewheat thankless.  We thank you thank you thank you! ~Jason and GVMS Family
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy and Leadership for having students share the love in the classes!  Yay! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue for checking in with Fulton's sub and making sure kids are okay! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy and Dustin for writing and delivering sub plans to Sharon while Fulton was out! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dustin for always having coffee to help get us through the day! ~Alex
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sunshine Committee for my birthday surprise and I can't wait to win the lotto! ~Lilia
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave for coming back and we are happy to hear your voice! ~Karen