Sunday, September 18, 2016

Station Teaching

Excellence in Education: Parallel Teaching
It’s been great to see several English collab classes (Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Hutchins, Ms. Morgan-Thomas, Ms. Stacks, Dr. Stallings, Ms. Timms, Ms. Morales), make use of parallel teaching. In parallel teaching the teachers break the class into 2 or more groups. It can be used in many ways:
  1. Teach the same content in the same way.
  2. Teach the same content in a different way.
  3. Teach different content.

This strategy can also be used as part of stations as well. For example, using teach the same content in a different way, one teacher may teach students factoring polynomials by factoring out the greatest while the second teacher may teach factoring by using the calculator. Students can then change groups to be exposed to both methods.

Key reminders:
  1. Teachers should collaborate and know exactly what the students are expected to learn.
  2. Make use of flexible grouping and heterogeneously group students. In other words, don’t always send the same group of students with the same teacher.
  3. All students need to learn the same content.

Need to Knows
Homecoming is Oct. 1st and we would love for you to help chaperone the dance. We will have 2 shifts, the first is from 7:45-9:45 and the second is from 9:15-11:15. Please contact Ms. Meade.

As you all know, 9/26 is a school-based professional development day. This day will be dedicated to two choice sessions in the morning and PLC/Department time in the afternoon. Please click on the link below for the schedule, session choices, and sign up.  You will need to sign up for your morning sessions by 9/21.

Portfolio Assistance If you have a student who needs assistance setting up his/her portfolio, click here

Technology / Website Permission Request Form http://go.shr.lc/1HovEA6 Please use this form to request use of a website that requires student log-in if the site is not already on the approved list.



Calendar Items
A-B-A-B-A Week (this Friday was changed to an A-day several weeks ago to better balance the first term)

Homecoming is Oct. 1st and we would love for you to help chaperone the dance. We will have 2 shifts, the first is from 7:45-9:45 and the second is from 9:15-11:15. Please contact Ms. Meade.   


September 21, 1st Period: Lockdown Drill

September 22: Senior Pictures, Faculty meetings

Birthdays
Sept. 20: Madeline Michel and Deleanna Eddy
Sept. 24: Janet Whitmore

Worth Your Time


We’re talking school culture at 8pm on #vachat. We’d love to have you join us!

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Vibby and A Simple Question

Excellence in Education: Vibby (Innovation)
Vibby is a simple to use web application and Chrome extension that allows you to edit, comment and interact with YouTube videos. It’s a simple three step process:
  1. Select your video and paste the link into Vibby.
  2. Start a conversation by choosing the portions of the video to highlight/emphasize. This could be most important portions, confusing parts, portions to discuss further, etc.
  3. Share the new link. The new video can also be embedded.


Excellence in Education: A Simple Question to Ask Your Students (Embracing Students)
A great question stem to ask your students at any point of the year is “I wish my teacher knew…”

I know a couple of you have already done this (I can’t remember who was talking to me about it--I’m getting old), but it’s also a great activity to do when you have a couple of minutes at the end of the class and student responses may become more “honest” as students become more comfortable with you.

Need to Knows
Homecoming is Oct. 1st and we would love for you to help chaperone the dance. We will have 2 shifts, the first is from 7:45-9:45 and the second is from 9:15-11:15. Please contact Ms. Meade.

Mr. Jacoby, and occasionally other DART members, will be doing non-evaluative and informal walk throughs to determine how we are integrating technology. The data does not go to administration and is instead being used to note areas of strength and where we can improve and where additional trainings may be necessary in regards to technology use, Seven Pathways, and the SAMR Model. Bert will visit each teacher 3 times this school year and you can always schedule for him to come visit your classroom as well.   

Friday Activity Calendar (Mentorship/Portfolio/Club Day) For this Friday, 10th and 11th grade Mentorships will do the club info and PSAT info on 9/16. Please be mindful of this as it will require students begin promptly.

Portfolio Assistance If you have a student who needs assistance setting up his/her portfolio, click here

Technology / Website Permission Request Form http://go.shr.lc/1HovEA6 Please use this form to request use of a website that requires student log-in if the site is not already on the approved list.



Calendar Items
A-B-A-B-A Week

Homecoming is Oct. 1st and we would love for you to help chaperone the dance. We will have 2 shifts, the first is from 7:45-9:45 and the second is from 9:15-11:15. Please contact Ms. Meade.   

Friday Activity Calendar (Mentorship/Portfolio/Club Day) For this Friday, 10th and 11th grade Mentorships will do the club info and PSAT info on 9/16. Please be mindful of this as it will require students begin promptly.

Fire Drill: Sept 14, 4th block beginning

September 14: Back to School Night

September 22: Faculty meeting

Birthdays
Sept 11: Rob Garland
Sept 12: Pamela McGhee (cafeteria)
Sept 14: Geoff Parks and Kelly Kroese

Sorry for all the missed birthdays: Here are the August and early September ones that were missed: Cindy Pryor, Lisa Martin (cafeteria), Mike Jarvis (custodian), Darren Ralston (Instructional Coach), Rodrigues Williams, April Wilkerson, Jon McDaniel, Chaz Crismon, Joanie Domer, Adam Conner, Ashby Johnson, Susie Neuhauser (Drivers’ Ed), Patricia Yurkovich, Shamika Terrell, Thomas Warren, Calvin Sowell (custodial), Cullen Wade

Worth Your Time

Monday, September 5, 2016

The Importance of Struggling


Excellence in Education: The Importance of Struggling  
As educators we’re big-hearted. In the interest of having students succeed, too often we spoon-feed our students. We tell them exactly how to do something or how to solve a problem. We provide them with step-by-step directions. We give them specific graphic organizers. We tell them how to solve a problem before allowing them the challenge to work towards an answer.

When teaching complex problems that challenge students, they are provided the opportunity to struggle. Yes, struggling is an opportunity; one that many students never experience. Complex and appropriate challenges engage students, motivate them and build true life skills.

So, when I walked into Ms. Rowanhill’s classroom last week, I was pleased to see students struggling with a complex math problem. While they expressed frustration, they worked together, they debated and asked each other deep questions. Ms. Rowanhill stood by, possibly fighting the temptation to get involved. Slowly but surely the students worked towards the correct answer.

I saw a similar experience in Mr. Stanek’s Earth Science class. Without prompting, one of the freshman turned to me, “My head’s ready to explode.” She didn’t give up though. Like the students in Ms. Rowanhill’s she worked through much of the problem individually and when needed and appropriate she sought the support of her tablemates. Mr. Stanek stood by, ready to answer some questions--without giving away answers--and ask prompting questions to his students.

Undoubtedly, when students constructively struggle, they are more likely to truly learn the material, and they are learning how to persevere, how to think critically, and are building their own growth mindset.

Questions to Ask Ourselves
Will one or two challenging problems produce better results than several shorter and easier ones?
Are we asking questions that are rote or don’t have “traditional” correct/incorrect answers?
How can we break away from the linear approach to teaching and learning?
Do our assignments provide students the opportunity to analyze through inquiry-based learning?
Are we willing to give up some of the traditional, hierarchical structure so students can take ownership of their learning?

Need to Knows
Interested in becoming AVID trained and earning your flex-time PD? Here’s a great free opportunity that begins on September 12: For more info and to register

Many of you have inquired about changing our Friday bell schedule. As with all things, we are constantly seeking ways to adjust and improve, and we will re-evaluate our schedule at a later time. In the meantime, I remind you that we have only had 2 Fridays and change takes time and it’s too early to evaluate it as a success or failure. As we go forward, I know each of you will present the current schedule to your students in a positive manner.

Technology / Website Permission Request Form http://go.shr.lc/1HovEA6 Please use this form to request use of a website that requires student log-in if the site is not already on the approved list.



Portfolio Assistance If you have a student who needs assistance setting up his/her portfolio, click here


Calendar Items
This week: B, A, B, B

September 14: Back to School Night (6:30-8:30)

September 23: All TPA Goals and Meetings are Due

October 6 & 20 Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-7

Shout Outs
Thanks to Mr. Jacoby and all of you who included information for our September Newsletter. Here’s a link!

Worth Your Time

Two Great Stories from NPR building on Mental Health Awareness