March 22, 2019

As we head into Spring Break, please take time to reflect, relax and rejuvinate as we are about to head into the busiest time of year with testing, activities, 8th grade promotion stress, events, and more.  I know it may seem silly, but watch the video and follow along to calm and center yourself.  It truly does make a difference....=)

How do we, as educators, take a step back and avoid burn out (which usually happens around this time for teachers AND students!) so that we are still on top of our game?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for 10 EASY choices that you can make to help avoid burn out.  From choosing to be mindful to choosing to disconnect to something as simple as getting outside, it's an easy peasy read to help make your life less stressful and more focused!

As said above, we are not the only ones that can get burn out.  How do we continue to motivate our students so that they don't lose focus?!?!  That definitely can be easier said than done!  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for simple ideas to change your focus of your lesson so that EVERYONE in the room is still motivated!!

YEP!  We are gearing up for CAASPP!!!  This is coming in just over SEVEN WEEKS (YIKES!!!!) and there are practice tests for ELA/MATH/SCIENCE (CAST).  Please visit www.fsusd.org/assessment or CLICK HERE and click on the green button "SBAC Practice and Training Tests" to access the site!  

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy for ALL she is doing to make this trip happen for many 8th graders!  THANK YOU! ~ KC
• SUPER awesome shout out to Carol for being an invaluable resource and for keeping me informed of everything going on at GV! ~Kevin
• SUPER awesome shout out to 6th-8th History, again, for taking on Soul Shoppe!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dustin for keeping the coffee drip flowing! ~Kevin
• SUPER awesome shout out to Anita for all her help last week! ~Peter
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy for sharing lessons and ideas with me! ~Kevin
• SUPER awesome shout out to Alex Chalmers for letting us know of a problem and then fixing it!! ~Sue and GVMS Staff!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn for collecting money and getting gift for Ryan!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue for making the Academic Olympics happen for our kids!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy for helping with the Academic Olympics and snack sales!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Megan, Cristina, Larissa, Julie, Lynn, and Kevin for helping with the A.Os!!!

March 15, 2019

We are BACK to discussing Academic Conversations.  I CANNOT stress how important these are for student learning, higher engagement, less teacher talk, and more mastery.  Seriously!  It's a WIN-WIN!!

Watch this 4 minute video, check out the talking points that are already on their desks (takes the guess work out of it), and BRING THEM IN to your class!

I sent out several links giving different ideas for you to use in your classroom.  PLEASE, oh please, have me copy, laminate, cut and send them up for you!

How do we, as educators, take a step back and avoid burn out (which usually happens around this time for teachers AND students!) so that we are still on top of our game?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for 10 EASY choices that you can make to help avoid burn out.  From choosing to be mindful to choosing to disconnect to something as simple as getting outside, it's an easy peasy read to help make your life less stressful and more focused!

As said above, we are not the only ones that can get burn out.  How do we continue to motivate our students so that they don't lose focus?!?!  That definitely can be easier said than done!  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for simple ideas to change your focus of your lesson so that EVERYONE in the room is still motivated!!

YEP!  We are gearing up for CAASPP!!!  This is coming in just over SEVEN WEEKS (YIKES!!!!) and there are practice tests for ELA/MATH/SCIENCE (CAST).  Please visit www.fsusd.org/assessment or CLICK HERE and click on the green button "SBAC Practice and Training Tests" to access the site!  

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER awesome shout out to ALL TEACHERS that go above and beyond to cover classes when subs are not available.  We TRULY appreciate you covering and helping us out!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Ryan for being an awesome partner!  I am going to miss you so much!  Enjoy this time with your little one...What a lucky baby! ~Karron
• SUPER awesome shout out to the English Department for always collaborating together on a regular basis!
• SUPER awesome shout out to History for working together and supporting us with Soul Shoppe!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn for making the park trip happen with lunch for our 6th graders! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Rosa for all of her help!  You Rock! ~Heather P
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia.  Thank you =) ~Heather P.
• SUPER awesome shout out to  

March 8, 2019

We are going back to academic conversations.  WHY, you ask?  Simple.  The meet SO many targets that we need: high levels of student engagement, WAAAAYYYY more actual learning as our students learn from each other, and less behavior concerns.  

Let's face it.  Our students learn WAY more from sharing their learning than from listening to adults.  It's a fact.

How can you make this a routine part of your daily lesson?  Easy, I promise.  I have offered, and am happy to offer again, the multiple strategies that we have shared for having academic conversations in your classrooms for students to reference.  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for more easy ways and the research behind why this is SO super important to PURPOSEFULLY include in your lesson planning.

Click on the links below to get some ideas on sentence starters, discussion stems, and academic conversations.  There are a TON out there.  We will print, laminate, and deliver.  Seriously, use them with our students!:

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/112024/chapters/1.-Academic-Conversation.aspx

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Aec9fd3f8-3b98-492d-8dec-a6dcc1a31826

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByZ0eMz5vnK8QU9naDBFY1UxWWJYMlhjQnc4Zmsxd2t0ZjV3/edit

http://staff.esuhsd.org/danielle/English%20Department%20LVillage/SocraticSeminar/DISCUSSION%20STEMS.pdf

YEP!  We are gearing up for CAASPP!!!  This is coming in just over SEVEN WEEKS (YIKES!!!!) and there are practice tests for ELA/MATH/SCIENCE (CAST).  Please visit www.fsusd.org/assessment or CLICK HERE and click on the green button "SBAC Practice and Training Tests" to access the site!  

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave and Jason for working so hard with a family on Thursday!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Jason for coming to the rescue multiple times this week too!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to ALL TEACHERS for stepping up to cover classes all the time when there is no sub to fill them!  It is much appreciated!! ~Brenda
• SUPER awesome shout out to Elizabeth and Angie for taking care of business when I am not on site!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Rosa, Susan, Michele, Aida, PTC and 3 Honor Society students for helping make registration quick and easy!
• SUPER awesome shout out to ALL STAFF who took part in the tutorial discussion!  Thank you for your valuable input on the topic! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy and Leadership for the door decorating.  It's like a history lesson looking at the topics of each! ~Sue
• SUPER awesome shout out to THE STAFF who participate in Spirit Days! ~Sue
• SUPER awesome shout out to Brenda, Susan, Michele S. for their help and support while I have been out of the front office.  Thank you to Mimi and Jeanne for covering! ~Michele L-R
• SUPER awesome shout to Tamia for working so hard to keep her co-teach classes on track.  Very impressed with the amount of things (and students) on her plate that she is taking on!  Stay strong and keep rockin it! ~Aubry