Upcoming Events:
August 25 - Bright Futures Breakfast @ 7:00
August 27 - Phil Lewis Birthday
August 31 - Sheila Lively Birthday
September 2 - Picture Day
September 4 - Collaboration Day
September 7 - Labor Day - No School
September 11 - Brandy White Birthday
September 16 - Mid Term grades due
Writing Lab
There has been a lot of discussion about academic lab and writing lab this week, so I thought I would just give you my two cents as a person who is just coming into the situation and doesn't know what steps led to the schedule being the way it is.
Communication Arts is a big job. I know, math, science, and social studies are big, too, but communication arts is really three subjects rolled into one. So, I understand why a teacher would scramble to find more time in their day to teach it. It's also difficult to grade. It involves rubrics and scoring guides and quite a bit of subjectivity (shades of gray) where as with math X=3 or it doesn't (black and white). There is no fix for grading, but we have tried to include a writing block to provide some much needed extra time. So, now we have a reading block, we have a writing block, but where do we teach language? We can't seem to fit it all in.
The truth of the matter is, I don't have any answers. We just don't have enough time in the day. I have a friend who uses a couple of analogies about teaching. We have this unbelievable amount of material to cover and not nearly enough time to cover it in, so one of two things usually happens.
Some teachers hit everything hard. They teach concepts deeply and make sure every kids gets it before they move on. They spend as much time as they need to to make learning take place. Then, March rolls around and they realize they've only covered a third of the stuff they were supposed to and they cram the rest into the last month before testing.
Other teachers cover everything in the amount of time they are given. This is called the zombie run. Teachers are running through the curriculum like a pack of zombies are chasing them and if someone falls behind, it's just like in the movies, they get left behind to fend for themselves.
Neither of these is good. That's why we select essential learner outcomes (or big rocks or power standards or whatever). We prioritize what we teach and make sure we really teach the socks off the essential stuff, cover the important stuff, and drip on the less important things. We have done this for several of our subjects, but we haven't for language or writing.
So, to sum up, the schedule will stay as is for this year and we will look for ways to get our writing and language scores up.
Academic Lab
While we are on the subject of Academic Lab, many people sent me surveys describing what they do with that time. Most told me exactly what I would have hoped to hear. They use it as a time to work with small groups and student who are not "getting it". This is a great time to deliver interventions and help those who are struggling.
You will find that I am not a big fan of homework. You will not find many articles that support homework as an effective tool for learning. I'm not saying students shouldn't practice what we teach them, but I don't think it is necessary to send 20 - 30 problems home for students to complete. You know if they "get it" after about 5 problems. So, academic lab as a study hall seems like a waste of instructional time to me. Don't get me wrong, I think a small part of the time could be used for homework or kids can work on homework while the teacher is helping a small group, but I wouldn't want to walk into academic lad for an observation and see kids working on homework while the teacher is sitting at the desk (not saying it is happening, just laying out the expectation).
Parking
We have a couple of parking spaces in the lot near the cafeteria that we would like to offer to a couple of lucky teachers. Here's how you could be one of the lucky winners of a prime parking spot.
Spot number 1
Each week, we will draw a random name from a list of teachers who have had perfect attendance for the week. Of course, perfect attendance means no tardies, no days missed, and no early check outs. Your names will be placed in a hat and one name will be drawn out. You are eligible for this contest every week that you have perfect attendance. (meaning you can win more than once)
Spot number 2
Each week, we will take sealed bids for the second spot. There will be a box in the office where you will place your bid. On Friday, we will open the bids and see which person has agreed to pay the most for the coveted spot. Once you pay for the spot, it becomes yours for the entirety of the next week. The we will take bids again. You are only eligible to win this contest one time.
The money will go toward our activities fund:)
Sorry this is such a long read. Thanks you for your awesomeness!
August 25 - Bright Futures Breakfast @ 7:00
August 27 - Phil Lewis Birthday
August 31 - Sheila Lively Birthday
September 2 - Picture Day
September 4 - Collaboration Day
September 7 - Labor Day - No School
September 11 - Brandy White Birthday
September 16 - Mid Term grades due
Writing Lab
There has been a lot of discussion about academic lab and writing lab this week, so I thought I would just give you my two cents as a person who is just coming into the situation and doesn't know what steps led to the schedule being the way it is.
Communication Arts is a big job. I know, math, science, and social studies are big, too, but communication arts is really three subjects rolled into one. So, I understand why a teacher would scramble to find more time in their day to teach it. It's also difficult to grade. It involves rubrics and scoring guides and quite a bit of subjectivity (shades of gray) where as with math X=3 or it doesn't (black and white). There is no fix for grading, but we have tried to include a writing block to provide some much needed extra time. So, now we have a reading block, we have a writing block, but where do we teach language? We can't seem to fit it all in.
The truth of the matter is, I don't have any answers. We just don't have enough time in the day. I have a friend who uses a couple of analogies about teaching. We have this unbelievable amount of material to cover and not nearly enough time to cover it in, so one of two things usually happens.
Some teachers hit everything hard. They teach concepts deeply and make sure every kids gets it before they move on. They spend as much time as they need to to make learning take place. Then, March rolls around and they realize they've only covered a third of the stuff they were supposed to and they cram the rest into the last month before testing.
Other teachers cover everything in the amount of time they are given. This is called the zombie run. Teachers are running through the curriculum like a pack of zombies are chasing them and if someone falls behind, it's just like in the movies, they get left behind to fend for themselves.
Neither of these is good. That's why we select essential learner outcomes (or big rocks or power standards or whatever). We prioritize what we teach and make sure we really teach the socks off the essential stuff, cover the important stuff, and drip on the less important things. We have done this for several of our subjects, but we haven't for language or writing.
So, to sum up, the schedule will stay as is for this year and we will look for ways to get our writing and language scores up.
Academic Lab
While we are on the subject of Academic Lab, many people sent me surveys describing what they do with that time. Most told me exactly what I would have hoped to hear. They use it as a time to work with small groups and student who are not "getting it". This is a great time to deliver interventions and help those who are struggling.
You will find that I am not a big fan of homework. You will not find many articles that support homework as an effective tool for learning. I'm not saying students shouldn't practice what we teach them, but I don't think it is necessary to send 20 - 30 problems home for students to complete. You know if they "get it" after about 5 problems. So, academic lab as a study hall seems like a waste of instructional time to me. Don't get me wrong, I think a small part of the time could be used for homework or kids can work on homework while the teacher is helping a small group, but I wouldn't want to walk into academic lad for an observation and see kids working on homework while the teacher is sitting at the desk (not saying it is happening, just laying out the expectation).
Parking
We have a couple of parking spaces in the lot near the cafeteria that we would like to offer to a couple of lucky teachers. Here's how you could be one of the lucky winners of a prime parking spot.
Spot number 1
Each week, we will draw a random name from a list of teachers who have had perfect attendance for the week. Of course, perfect attendance means no tardies, no days missed, and no early check outs. Your names will be placed in a hat and one name will be drawn out. You are eligible for this contest every week that you have perfect attendance. (meaning you can win more than once)
Spot number 2
Each week, we will take sealed bids for the second spot. There will be a box in the office where you will place your bid. On Friday, we will open the bids and see which person has agreed to pay the most for the coveted spot. Once you pay for the spot, it becomes yours for the entirety of the next week. The we will take bids again. You are only eligible to win this contest one time.
The money will go toward our activities fund:)
Sorry this is such a long read. Thanks you for your awesomeness!
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