Close Reading

This month's edition of Education Leadership is entitled Tackling Informational Text.  Here are some excerpts from various articles I found interesting.

• "By engaging students in analyzing the intricacies of complex texts, we can transform their ideas about it means to read."(pg. 17)
• Some Questions Readers Might Pose (pg. 20)
• What does this text want me to know? What information does this text teach?
• What does this text want to understand? What new ideas and concepts does it suggest?
• What does this text want me to feel? What emotions does it stir up?
• How does it accomplish these tasks?
• Close and Critical Readers Might Then Ask These Questions:
• Whose perspective is represented in this text?
• Whose point of view is most fully explored?
• Who is honored or privileged in the text and how? Who is marginalized?
• How does the perspective in this text compare with others on this issue?
• How does the author use persuasive techniques, literary devices, or writers craft to convey meaning? 

To View How Students Can Use Informational Text to Construct Arguments Click On This Link for a Video - ( High School but can be Adapted for Lower Grades (3-5) in a Classroom Setting)

Informational Text and Arguments

Please Find Additional Information on Close Reading in your Mailboxes This Week. : ) 

Kudos

• To all teachers that contributed to a successful Spooky Story Night! Thank you.
• Dorothy for reviewing Wilson with Grades 1 and 2 and working on Syllable Types for Upper Grades - Nice Job!
• Ilene, Jen & Serenity, Amy, Grace, and Steph B for a successful implementation of quality social thinking groups
• All Paras for their continued flexibility - it has been difficult. AND, to teachers for your patience and understanding when we are short on substitutes
• All Teachers who are now officially mentors to students

Mark Your Calendars

Nov 4th: BSRI Visit - Miffy and Lisa for Walkthroughs, 1:10 GLM for Grade 4

Nov 5th: No School - Staff Development - Keys to Literacy

Nov 7th: BSRI Visit - Kelly, Heidi, and Lisa in Classrooms, PTO Meeting @6:00

Nov 8th: PTO Geography Enrichment Presentation: Grade 4 @8:00, Grade 5 @9:10, GLM for K @1:10

Nov 11th: No School

Change is Simple will be coming for Grades 3-5 on Nov 12th and 13th: Schedule TBD: (1 hour Block)

Nov 14th: Math Planning with Noel- Full Day Grades 4 and 5

**** Staff Meeting on the 13th has been changed to the 20th @2:30 

I-Pad App of the Week

Explain Everything

Articles Worth Reading

A Refreshingly Simple Guide To Twitter for Teachers via @edudemic

Educational Tweeting via @KleinErin @YollisClass @benglipin

North Carolina Link to Common Core Tools @momchak3

How to Create Effective Homework via @MindShift

Why Reading is Dangerous via @edudemic

10 Characteristics of a Highly Effective Learning Environment  via @tyson_kimberly

How to Build a Happier Brain via @thecoolhunter


Videos Worth Watching

The World Can Be Better via @bengilpin

Richie Parker: Drive - Amazing example of a Growth Mindset!!

Soup's On!

I love the fall. Beautiful warm days and cool nights are one of the many things I am grateful for. To top off such days, there is nothing like a good bowl of soup. (And warm homemade bread with butter of course.)  Luckily, my husband likes to cook and together we have tried more recipes than I can name. This weekend we tried out a new chicken and kale recipe. If you are a soup fan, check it out! If I do say so myself, it was delish. : ) 

Chicken Soup with Kale

Although I  am certainly not going to be on the cooking channel anytime soon,  I do know that it is important to use the right ingredients to make your dish successful. Do I follow every recipe without adding my own little touches? Certainly not. Sometimes, I just know in my heart of hearts that a pinch of this or that will make the dish that much better. 

As we move forward with looking at the ingredients of the common core, remember that there are recipes already out there. As with my cooking, there is also room for you to add your own unique touches. The MA Department of Education has released model curriculum units that can be utilized in classrooms now. Take a peek...

Model Curriculum Units

I'm interested to hear how you might "change" the recipe. Would you add more rigor? How would you include your personal touch? When my husband and I were done cooking at the end of the day, we had chicken and kale soup. When you are teaching, at the end of the day you need to teach the standards. I look forward to seeing your cooking skills in action. : ) 

KUDOS

To Everyone for a job well done at Open House. Thank you for being so well prepared.

To Everyone for work on SMART Goals. If you haven't submitted yours, please do.

Next Week at a Glance

Tuesday, Oct 15th: BSRI is visiting - with Lisa and Heidi. No walkthroughs.

Tuesday, Oct 15th: Technology meeting at NB for Lisa, MTSS Meeting 1-3

Wednesday, Oct16th: Safety Care Training in Cove Science Lab, MKEA Training for K Teachers. NO Staff Meeting

Thursday, Oct 17th: Keys to Literacy Training: Vocabulary, NISL for Lisa

Friday, Oct18th: NISL

Oct 21st: Book Fair WEEK

Friday, Oct 25th: Beverly Public Librarian Visiting with all Grades

Articles Worth Reading

23 Ways to Use the i-Pad in 21st Century PBL Classroom  via @teachthought

7 Unconventional Reasons Why You Absolutely Should Be Reading via @PrincipalDiff

Five Things Most People Do't Know- Poverty & Student Achievement via @PrincipalDiff

Leading and Managing Instructional Improvement via @eduweek

Feeling Defeated or Tired Already?  via @8Amber8 and @benjamingilpin

Lisa Bu: How Books Can Open Your Mind

Teamwork & Instructional Leadership

Now that the year is in full swing we begin the delicate balance of attending professional development, grade level meetings, maximizing our common planning time and of course, being in our classrooms actually teaching! A challenging endeavor!

As a principal I struggle with getting pulled in many directions just as a classroom teacher does. Today as I sat with my NISL cohort, I was reminded of how important it is to sometimes be out of the building and learning new innovative ways of being the best instructional leader I can be. The topic today, was you guessed it -instructional leadership and teams. 

All of you are part of teams within the building, whether it be the Teaching and Learning Team (which is a leadership team), a grade level team, specialists team, special education team or a combination of teams.  Today our focus was on High Performing Teams. Think about the teams you are part of and reflect on the following criteria of truly high performing teams:

• Clear purpose and direction
• Leadership
• Effective team membership
• Resources
• Effective team processes, and a
• Supportive Environment

An Instructional Leadership Team (our Teaching and Learning Team) is a team whose members:

• Are committed to improving instructional practices leading to higher student achievement
• Ensure instructional improvement efforts are aligned with the school vision and strategic direction
• Work collaboratively towards specific goals and timelines
• Share leadership responsibility and accountability for the effectiveness of the team's process and the school improvements that result

How are we doing as a whole? How are you contributing? Think of ways we can improve our teamwork and continue to move our school forward. After-all, as the saying goes - many hands make light work. 

Next Week At a Glance
Monday, Oct 7th: GLM @ 1:10 Grade 3 with Heidi, Lisa at NISL
Tuesday, Oct 8th: 9:00 Judy Miller for Tech Meeting: SPED Meeting
Wednesday Oct 9th: Bullying and Conflict Resolution Program, Staff Meeting Canceled
Thursday, Oct 10th: Open House
Friday, Oct 11th: Early Release Day/Professional Development is Building Based: SMART GOALS


Articles Worth Reading
11 Tips on Teaching Common Core Critical Vocabulary via @Edutopia

The Habits of Supremely Happy People via Grace Scherer : )

Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results via @wsoeldner (EXCELLENT ARTICLE!!)

10 Small Ways to Make a Big Difference in Someone's Life via @Justintarte

Twitter for Teachers: You Get What You Give via @jlscheffer


Videos Worth Watching
Overcoming Dyslexia

Can Technology Solve our Big Problems?

Ron Gutman: The Hidden Power of Smiling

MTSS Partnership Grant and RtI: Full Speed Ahead

Over the past two weeks, I have been able to meet with a number of you to discuss formative assessments and SMART goals.  I enjoy these conversations as it sets the stage for us to continue to build a trusting relationship with each other. The other reason I enjoy meeting with you is because I get to see different perspectives on a variety of topics and ultimately it allows me to grow and improve my craft. (plus I just like you) : )

One theme that was thread through many of our conversations was RtI and our perceived proficiency in literacy.  More than a few of you stated that you felt comfortable with teaching reading, but needed to improve upon a tiered model of instruction in math. This is great news! We are looking for ways to challenge ourselves and move forward. If I may, I'd like to challenge you further to think about what level of tiered instruction is the most important. Last year, almost everyone I asked said Tier 3. If we want to build capacity amongst ourselves, we need to remember that Tier 1 is the most critical tier of RtI. I'd also like to challenge you to take another look. Possibly you think you are better at teaching reading because that is where you are most comfortable. So as we continue our journey in the land of RtI, I have news to share.

As I have briefly mentioned, we are recipients of the MTSS grant known as the TPP (The Partnership Project) through the  MA DESE. Cove School, Briscoe Middle School, and BHS are involved as well as the Special Education Department. The reason we have been chosen is because of the work we are already doing with RtI. This is an opportunity for us to be supported on the road we are already on - and that is really great news!

Professional Development activities and opportunities we MAY participate in include:

• On-line and face to face courses (Ex. MA Focus Academies - 4 teachers already signed up!)
• Intensive technical assistance 
• Summer institutes
• Leadership academies
• Conferences
• Coaching and mentoring
• Train the trainer activities
• Professional Learning Communities
• Instructional Rounds

More information to follow, but keep in mind as we move forward this is a support and not more to add to your already full plates. : ) 

Calendar Check
Monday September 30th: Data Meetings Grade K-4: Grade 5 TBD
Wednesday, October 2nd: Elementary Principal Meeting @Centerville 10:00
Thursday, October 3rd: Literacy DSAC Meeting 9-11:30 in Stoneham: Fire Prevention (See Pat's Newsletter)
Friday, October 4th: K GLM @ 1:10

Monday October 7th: Grade 3 GLM @1:10
Wednesday October 9th: Staff Meeting @ 2:30 in the library
Thursday October 10th: Curriculum Night 5:30-7:00: PTO Meeting is rescheduled to Oct 17th
Friday Ocotober 11th: Early Release: Time Allotted for SMART Goals for all teams

Articles Worth Reading

9 Things You do NOT Need to be Happy  via Marc Chernoff @marcandangel

It's Not About You! via The Nerdy Teacher @thenerdyteacher

10 Ways to Make the Rest of the Day Amazing via Marc and Angel Hack Life @marcandangel

You Can Be More Successful By Being More Optimistic Everyday via @ToddWhitaker (includes a video)

Recent PARCC Assessment Up-Dates via @Wowzers


Videos Worth Viewing

The Significance of Grit

Elyse Eidman on Writing in the Digital Age (Writing Project)

Finding a Balance

This is a picture of Crane Beach in Ipswich.  This morning my husband and I walked down to our community dock, dragged our kayaks out of the marsh and started our adventure down river to Crane Beach. The water was calm, the sun was shining, and the only living beings around were seagulls and fish. It was peaceful, serene and what I try to make a weekly adventure that always puts life in perspective.  Granted, it was early...earlier than I wish to admit since my message today is about finding balance. Truth be told, this is something I am continually working on.  As educators, our job is never done. Honestly, I could work 24/7 as I'm sure you could and feel like there is still more to do. As the leader of the school, of course my expectations are high and I expect the best of the staff for the children we serve on a daily basis. With that said, in order to succeed in this realm, we all need to find balance between our professional and personal lives.

For me, a ride on a kayak or sitting at the beach with just my husband or with our children gives me peace of mind and puts the drama and issues of the week  in perspective. I truly love my job and the people I work with day in and day out ... but first and foremost I love my family.  In order for me to be healthy and the best I can be on the job for my professional family, I need balance. This week, I challenge you to look at your own life and find the balance the makes you the best you can be for your own family, as well as the family we have at school.

Videos Worth Watching

How To Make Stress Your Friend

Ron McCallum: How technology allowed me to read

True Example of Growth Mindset! 

Articles Worth Reading

10 Things I wish I Knew My First Year of Teaching via @TeachThought

What Inspires Me via @casas_jimmy

What Does Quality Teacher Mean Anyway? via @NMHS_Principal

Here We Go !

We have officially welcomed all students back this week and we are off to what I know will be a successful year. With the addition of passionate new staff members, including our new therapy dog, Serenity to add to our already stellar staff, it is inevitable that we will continue to grow together in a culture of excellence.

Speaking of growing, I challenge each and every one of you to truly reflect on what a growth mindset entails for you as a professional.  As we move forward this year, it is critical that we believe we can always grow beyond where we are.  It is irrelevant if you have been in education for 20 plus years or if this is your first. The journey never ends. We can always be better tomorrow than we are today. To me, that is exciting! The expectations for educators are high and the job is difficult, but our work matters. We truly do make a difference in the lives of children. Please remember this when the going gets tough or you are feeling overwhelmed. YOU matter and the work you do matters.

In order to not only grow but excel, individuals need to be in positive and supportive environment. As it is for children, it is for adults. Continue to work together as a team, support growth and forward thinking, take risks, and smile! : ) Do this and know I am your biggest cheerleader! Let the journey begin.

Kudos
Thank you to Heidi and the Reading Team for the book closet and bulletin board, Dorothy for the Bus Schedule, Margy for the first successful community meeting on Growth Mindset, Jen Chirco for helping with extra duties, Mrs. Roy for being Ryan's 1:1, Keith and Richie for a building to be proud of, Jen and Serenity for staying for the Cove Picnic, Grace for the endless work on special education schedules and of course Pat...for everything.

Articles Worth Reading

8 Good Morning Questions to Create Happiness by @marcandangel

Teaching Fish to Climb Trees by @ajjuliani

5 Phrases to Say to Kids Everyday by @JFuhrman3932

The Courage to Teach by @shiraleibowitz

Next Week at a Glance

Monday Sept 9th: Elementary Principals Meeting 9:00 at Memorial
Tuesday Sept 10th: Literacy Meeting 1:10 Dorothy and Heidi
Wednesday Sept 11th: Staff Meeting @2:30
Thursday Sept 12th: Picture Day, PTO Meeting @ 7:00
Friday Sept 13th: DIBELS Testing Begins

In case you did not get a chance to view Rita Pierson's Every Kid Needs a Champion...check it out.

Live in the Light

This has been a week. The tragedy in Boston weighs heavy on many. We have members on our staff that were at the finish line when the bombs went off...but all are well. While it goes without saying, we are all on some level affected by what happened during the final hours of the Boston Marathon. Forever the optimist however,  I am joyously grateful to be here and celebrate the abundance of human kindness that was precedent as a result of the heinous choices of a few. 

At home this week, we mourn a dear friend and neighbor who was not lost to gunfire, but simply did not wake up in the morning. I will miss his big smile and kind, generous heart everyday. My choice however is to move forward with a fresh perspective on life and work. We need to not "sweat the small stuff" be grateful for each other, and maximize the joy that is available to us on a daily basis. Once again, it is all about perspective.

As the school break comes close to an end, I thought I would send some light your way and encourage you to return to work with a rested and positive mindset so we may continue to encourage, teach, and positively impact the children we serve together. 

And one of my favorites...

Thank you Pinterest for your words of wisdom. : )

Spring Break Reflections

It is official. We have begun our spring break and for that I celebrate. Teachers in my building may often hear me say " there is a reason we have scheduled breaks when we do".  Right about this time, everyone feels the need for rest - administrators, teachers, and students alike.  Personally, I am looking forward to much needed family time and a break from my everyday routine.  The secret to vacation for me though, is the ability to pause and reflect on my practice as a leader in a deeper way than when my schedule is in fast gear and the days are spinning by. 

As a new principal this year, I have focused on forming relationships with staff members as I know trust between teachers and administration is an essential foundation to success.  As in all relationships, I know not everyone will always agree with every decision I make, but as I continue to strive to strengthen important relationships within the building, my hope is that my character and passion for people and education will persevere to continuously build mutual trust. 

My definition of a successful school includes a positive school culture among staff members, students who love school and learning and believe they are part of something bigger than themselves, and of course academic and social emotional proficiency. That's a tall order to accomplish in year one. 

As luck would have it, I believe this is a mutual vision shared by the people in my building. Moving forward, there is much work to be done. Together with teacher leaders, we are creating a three tier model around behavior expectations and building a common language that ensures we are creating a collective responsibility for student accountability. In addition, we are tweaking our Cove Community Code and having posters made for across the building. Community Meetings are rising in numbers alongside the improved student behaviors.  I am excited to see this transformation in our school culture unfolding. 

Moving forward with spring break, I will continue to cherish the time with my family, but each and every day I will carve out time for reflection and ways for continuous improvement within the culture of our school and the individual relationships that are the foundation of our current and future success.

Characteristics of Excellent Educators

Nothing can replace the value of excellent educators in our classrooms. This is a fact. The impact teachers have on education is profound: The greater the teacher - the better the education. It is a complicated job that requires those in the field of educating our future leaders to be dedicated and passionate about what they do everyday.

Great Teachers...

• Adjust teaching strategies and lesson plans to cater to the needs of their students
• Identify ambitious goals to improve the effectiveness of their teaching
• Encourage family participation in their programs & advocate learning opportunities outside of their school
• Focus on student learning and increase the value of class time
• Deliver top-notch education in the classroom, despite the outside forces of poverty, bureaucracy, and budgetary shortfalls

Growing Pains

If we are growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone

~ John Maxwell

I must admit that this has been one of those weeks that I am glad it is Saturday... even though I love, love, love my job.  I can't imagine doing anything else and I consider myself very blessed to be the leader of what I believe is an exceptional school. Do not be fooled here. The school is striving for excellence not because of my leadership, but the people within the confines of our building. I'm not playing the martyr - I know I contribute, but it takes a village. The success of any school is always about the people. We are fortunate to have a group of people for whom passion and integrity runs through the veins of all. 

This week we looked at data for students who have not yet made the literacy benchmarks. We saw great growth in many of our students and for that we celebrate! We also have some students who are not quite there yet. I want to acknowledge the fact that it is extremely difficult to sit with our peers and have someone ask what we have been doing and how we are going to move forward. Especially people who are not with us day in and day out. It is an uncomfortable process that can make us feel defensive and if we are honest, somewhat angry. A strategy I have for myself in situations like this is QTIP. : ) I have it on the board in the conference room as a gentle reminder. It stands for Quit Taking it Personally. I could write another whole post on this, as it is easy to say and hard to do! We all want what is best for our students and this includes consultants that visit with us. 

If you left data meetings feeling frustrated, I challenge you to look beyond that 45 minutes. As the leader of the school, I have faith in each and every one of you. I am in classrooms and see the hard work that is done every day and I applaud you. But we are not done. We will work together and find solutions for ALL students to grow. Remember, if we are growing, we will always be out of our comfort zone. And that is a good thing. : ) 

Reflect, Reflect, Reflect...and then Act

It has been almost two weeks since I added a post to this blog. Honestly, it is not because I didn't want to do it.  I've thought about it, read research on a few topics I know are relevant for our school and yet...it has taken me an abundance of time to just get moving.

As I reflect on this, I realize that motivation is clearly a key factor in this. (It didn't take much to come to that conclusion! )  I could blame the work load, a lack of time, or the need to enjoy vacation if I chose to do so.  The truth is, I'm actually a highly motivated person - I just didn't make it happen.

This created a domino effect for me and list of exceptional practices to improve our school was created. Remember our staff meeting - we are good already, but we can be great! We are creating "A Culture of Excellence for All Students" ! This equals excellence for students and staff alike.

Don't worry I will not be adding more to your plate - although I am asking you to reflect once again on your own practice. Are there particular projects or instructional practices that you are not doing, but have every intention of getting up and running in your classroom? Make your own list - think outside of the box - and Make Things Happen! : )

Engagement = A Love of Learning

I don't know about you, but I often like to be in control of situations I may find myself in. This includes situations in both my personal life and professional life. I think it is just human nature to want some control over our environment. The truth is, some things are under our control and others are not.

What I can control (and you can too), or at the very least influence, is what goes on between the hours of 8 am and 2pm within our classrooms. Once a student goes home, we have lost some of the ability to impact their academic and social emotional growth. We do hope that our students complete their homework, read, eat healthy, and get a good night's rest. Most do, but sadly some don't.

From 8:00- 2:00 however, we have the awesome ability to positively impact students in such a way that it may change their path in life. That is amazing! Talk about control and power! Whohooo!  : )

How is it that we can have such awesome power? The answer is engagement. We can find ways to make sure our students are continually engaged in learning while in our classrooms. There are even perks that come with this power called engagement. In engaged classrooms, there are fewer behavior issues, less academic issues, and students care. Students are interested and motivated to learn.

  10 Rules of Engagement to Consider...

• Start Class with a Mind Warm-Up
• Use Movement to Get Kids Focused
• Teach Students How To Collaborate Before Expecting Success
• Use Quickwrites When You Want Quiet Time or Reflection
• Run a Tight Ship When Giving Instructions
• Use a Fairness Cup to Keep Students Thinking
• Use Signaling to Allow Everyone to Answer Your Question
• Use Minimal-Supervision Tasks to Squeeze Dead Time Out of Routines
• Mix Up Your Teaching Styles
• Create Teamwork Tactics That Emphasize Accountability

To read more about these tips with an explanation of what they look like in the classroom, please visit:

http://www.edutopia.org/classroom-student-participation-tips

You will also find additional resources on engagement including a short video.  As you look at this research, reflect on how you keep students engaged in your own classroom. You may find you have more power and control than you ever imagined!

Happy Reading! 

Data and Collaboration..What is the Point?

This week I was fortunate to spend much time with grade level teams as a whole and also with individuals. I find the process of data meetings, as well as grade level meetings a privilege. I get to see first hand how a team operates and supports each other. We are so fortunate to have such a nurturing and supportive staff -  not only towards the students we service, but all also towards each other. In addition, with the mid-year cycle reviews due at the end of this week, I have had the pleasure of catching up with many of you on a one to to one basis. This has sparked some interesting conversations, allowed me to grow, and given me more insight on how to keep moving forward and be the best servant leader possible. Yes, I said servant. Service is what the principalship is all about!! How about that? : )

So what is the point of having all these data meetings anyway? The reality is they can spark a whole lot of discomfort, defensiveness, and negative feelings. I'm just stating the truth. I have experienced it as a classroom teacher, a literacy coach, and a administrator. Most of us have a multitude of experience under our belts and there is no doubt in my mind that we all want what is best for our students. We want them to enjoy school, thrive, and walk away from our classrooms with all the knowledge necessary to prepare them for the year ahead. We want them to be successful. It is extremely difficult to sit in data meetings, especially with people whom we do not yet have a relationship with, and have them ask us "what we are going to do" for a certain student who has not made as much progress as we would have hoped. As if we don't already feel a sense of urgency to get everyone to where they need to be. ugh. This is the truth and I respect and honor it. 

On the other hand, I have to ask myself, how can this process help?  In the conference room, I have a small sign that says "Out of Difficulties Come Miracles".  Many of you have made comments about it! With that said, some meetings have been difficult, but what "miracle" are we going to create because of it? What about those kids who didn't make as much progress as we wanted? As uncomfortable as the process is, another truth is - we do have some students who have not reached their potential. 

Meeting together, being part of grade level PLC's, and supporting one another is one thing, but what is going to come of it? We share classroom practices on a regular basis. We have much to celebrate!! So are we done? Of course not. There are too many people with growth mindsets on our staff to have this be it. 

The analysis of multiple data sources centered on a formalized collaborative inquiry process that helps us pinpoint the exact nature of student learning problems is what we are working towards. We need to always be strategically selecting readings/research to help us investigate best practice for addressing the identified student learning problems. When grade level teams meet to share strategies, we can target classroom practices linked to specific needs defined in the data that can be applied across the grade and even across grade levels. A key element of this process is progress monitoring to assess impact and adjust, adjust, adjust until results are achieved. Does this mean we have been doing things wrong? NO, no and no. It means we are constantly adjusting and changing to meet the needs of our students. In some cases, we have identified the problem, but due to scheduling, lack of man power, or resources, we have not supplied the right intervention. That is ok. These are factors within our control. We always growing and on a cycle of continuous improvement. We are good already, we can however, always be better.

Think of this:
Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information, but of unlearning old limits. ~ Alan Cohen

We have let perceived limits hinder us in some cases. We now have the chance to use our knowledge, attack the limits, and move forward to heights we have yet not reached.

Together, we have the knowledge, drive, dedication, and passion to have all children learning at high levels. : ) I look forward to our continuous journey. 

Article Worth Reading
http://usingdata.terc.edu/attachments/Fall09SEEN.pdf

It is all about Perspective...

Every week I make it a priority to think about the pulse of the school and how people are feeling about their work as educators and themselves in general. We are in the midst of some changes to say the least.  We have the common core to think about and of course, the new teacher evaluation system. (New principal evaluation too!) I understand this is stressful and can cause even the best of us to second guess ourselves and our teaching. 

As luck would have it though, I am a hopeless optimist and strive to focus on the positive when I begin to feel the pressures of life, whether it be with my family at home, or my family at school. I'll even put myself out there and be goofy if it helps! For example, at the district grade level meeting I did a great job of modeling how to take a risk and showed you this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwND8J2SvGe.  
Yeah, didn't go over so well. The view from the front was much more humorous than the video. : ) Lesson plans don't always go as well as you think!!!
  
Remember, we are in this together. Yes, BSRI will be with us for the next two days and mid-year cycle reviews are due February 1st. It's ok. This gives us a chance to reflect on where we are and make changes if necessary. And don't worry, as I reflect on staff meetings, I will show better video clips.

So ultimately it all comes down to perspective. I believe attitudes are contagious and try hard to spend time with upbeat, positive people. This is true in our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Make it a goal to stay positive and avoid any people that might bring you down. We are all in this together, and life is to short to view the glass as half empty.

Kudos
Laurie Cox for attending the PTO meeting
Grace for helping me with ordering MCAS materials
Keith for working with students and helping teachers
Stacie for putting up with my "choice times" for walk-throughs
Kara B and the AIM staff - WOW! Can't even write it on the blog. And can't make the stories up either.
Mary for cleaning up the staff room and helping with the Take a Book, Leave a Book initiative
Margy for starting her own class blog

Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday: K-2 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Wednesday: 3-5 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Thursday: STAFF PARTY 4:00
Friday: Fundations Double Dose: Time TBD (for intervention staff)

28th: GLM 90 minutes each K-2
29th: GLM 90 minutes each 3-5, 9:45-10:30 Cape Ann Symphony performance 4/5, School Council 5:00 @Soma
30th: Lockdown Training by SGT Russo @2:30

Next BSRI Visit, February 4th.

Places Worth Checking Out

From @verizongiving Check out “I have an iPad- Now What?”: Free teacher training on integrating mobile tools in #STEMEd http://ow.ly/gYuLX

http://www.mindsetworks.com/default.aspx

What Are YOU Reading?

I am still reading Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt by Susan E. Craig and Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer. I love James Patterson books because they are easy and addicting. I am half way through Private #1 Suspect.

Enjoy the rest of the day! : )

Friday Focus

Great Things Noticed or Heard 

• Fifth grade is working hard at collaboration as they are truly planning together. Ask yourself and your team if you are effectively planning together as well.  Are you talking about what you are going to cover or what you want students to know and be able to do,  and how you are going to ensure this happens?  There is a difference between coverage and instruction. Food for thought... : ) Remember, working together allows you to work smarter, not harder. Think about utilizing your common prep times for planning-prioritize your time together. On my end, I will continue to look for opportunities to give you additional time together - this includes GLM's, staff meetings, and time covered by substitutes when possible. 
• In regards to collaboration, I was impressed and thankful for the way we came together as a community to discuss new procedures for dismissal.  Dismissal is another example of the importance of working together to continue to make Cove School the best it can be. Thank you for putting ideas on the table and listening to each other to come up with an effective proposal. We will be talking more about this soon so we can begin to practice and work out the kinks.
• In classrooms I have continued to observe the following best practices:
• small group instruction
• reciprocal teaching
• use of pre-tests, post-tests, and re-teaching - love the data driven instruction!!!
• turn and talk strategies
• project based instruction
• effective questioning techniques to incorporate higher order thinking
• Keys to Literacy strategies for open response practice and two column notes
• Third grade used extra collaboration time to work with Heidi and Kara around open response. They plan on coming back together to look at student work - fantastic work!
• Great teachers are both prepared and flexible. I saw evidence of this in multiple classrooms. We all know that sometimes the best prepared plans sometimes don't work out the way we thought. The ability to adjust and be flexible in the moment is to be applauded. 

Mark Your Calendar for This Week
Monday, the 14th:  GLM Grade 5 @9:30, TLT@ 2:30
Tuesday, the 15th:  PTO Meeting @6:30
Wednesday, the 16th: Common Core PD in Danvers (1/2 day-Lisa, Heidi, Margy), District GLM @Cove 2:30
Thursday, the 17th: Lisa @NISL
Friday, the 18th: No School for Students-Parent Teacher Conferences, Jenn, Grace and Ilene to half day PD on Trauma Sensitive Schools

KUDOS

• To all Intervention Staff for being so flexible when three subs showed up for the PD when we needed 6! Thank you! : )
• To Pat for helping me organize coverage at the last minute. (We decided we always need a Plan B if subs are missing!)
• To the TLT and Leadership Team for volunteering your time and energy to help move us forward! Greatly appreciated!
• To Tammy for all of the work with MA Book Awards
• To Laurie for organizing the up-coming field trip for 4th and 5th grade (Symphony)
• To Kara for her presentation on writing to the third grade
• To Ilene, Julie, and Meghan G. for patience, never giving up on students when it gets really difficult, and top notch communication with parents.

What are You Reading??

I am reading three books at once. Crazy, right? 

Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt, by Susan E. Craig

Explict Instruction, by Anita Archer

Carry the One, by Carol Anshaw (My non-teaching book)  : )

Cove Staff, please reply to the post with what you are reading! I am anxious to see what titles you have to share!