I've Got Your Back Vocabulary

Ideas in Education: I’ve Got Your Back Vocabulary

I know many of us are focusing on reading in the content area this year and at the heart of reading and learning is vocabulary instruction. This activity can be used as a pre- or post-assessment activity and is a way to get students moving and getting to know each other.

How it works:

1. Tape a definition to the back of each student.
2. Provide all students with a list of words.
3. Have students walk around the room, find the correct definition for each word on their list.
4. Students copy the definition onto their list.
5. Optional: Have students keep their lists and place a check mark next to the words as they are used in class.

By focusing on vocabulary instruction, we lay the foundation for more complex cognitive tasks. The more words our students know, the more connections to learning are possible.

Reflection: A Person’s Name--And the Pronoun They Chose--Is Their Identity

Occasionally, I use this space to reflect and share my own mistakes. Last week, I wrote about a person’s name is their identity and the importance of getting names right. And then, 3 days later I spelled a teacher’s name wrong. I was upset, disappointed and apologetic. I hope to make things right.

A couple of days later I was reminded that a student’s name extends beyond their name to the pronoun they prefer. “Pronouns. It would be nice if they asked because I’m always too scared to go up to the teacher or say something to the entire class.”

Tasks, Important Information, Upcoming Events

Required task: Please complete this form as part of our required crisis management plan. Please complete by Friday.

Please welcome Jan Coiner back to Monticello. After a couple of years in central office and with transportation, Jan rejoins us as our OA (Office Associate) V as our office manager. Some of Jan’s roles will include: managing/updating calendars, SchoolDude (building/room reservations/usage), managing main office matters, etc.

Crisis management plan in brief. Emergency in your classroom: call x61911

Clubs or Study Hall, please see Jeannette Stott's email. Add your name to this list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gdSLUJ-3CZfTHZCHbuyFf4g4IaLxYyWCLfbSU-3KytI/edit?usp=sharing  Add your club to this slideshow https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nyF57L8T2MUCzQWIDKijg12b-XB9B__DHiPvP8arnEg/edit?usp=sharing . This goes live after 1st period on Monday. Let’s see if we can add some more clubs: soccer, Frisbee, Ultimate Frisbee, Interact, Improv (Comedy), Amnesty International, Capture the Flag, Outdoors, Coding, Step, Feminist, Film Club, Gaming are all possibilities. Some of these require minimal teacher commitment. 

For freshmen, sophomores, juniors please have them view the club preview on Monday http://bit.ly/341bPft  If you have a freshman class, please take some extra time to explain the intricacies of clubs. Students can change clubs throughout the year. This link is also live in the Daily Bulletin in PowerSchool and Schoology.  

I will be completing Mustang Morning Course Creation on Sunday. Please review your courses for the next couple of weeks and let me know of any errors. You can make adjustments to locations and cap sizes. Our sophomores (and I’m sure others) will begin signing up for this on Tuesday.

Please sign up for the Schoology Teacher/Staff Course. The login info SV98-9878-JMCB6

Don't forget, Monday is last day to order your staff apparel.

Please see Maria on Monday if your phone extension needs updating.

Shout Outs  

Thank you all for making the first 3 days a great success for our students. It was great to see so many students engaged in learning about content, each other, and classroom expectations through collaboration and community builders.

Birthdays

Coming soon!

Useful Information

Bell Schedules http://bit.ly/MustangBells 

Morning Announcement Stream: http://streaming.k12albemarle.org/ACPS/links.htm

Announcement Request

Athletic team schedules, rosters, etc.

Teacher Manual

Want something included on the Monticello Outlook Calendar, the Monticello website, in the PowerSchool Daily Bulletin, schoolwide Schoology accounts, or the student newsletter (viewed by parents, students and staff)? Please use this link https://goo.gl/forms/bIjfJLKokWPcEHx33 

Worth Your Time

Creating a welcoming classroom for students with special needs

Three students you need to reach right away

Extended 1st Block Schedule
7:40 – 8:40	0 Period
8:55-11:00	1st Period 8:55-9:03 Announcements/Attendance taken during announcements
11:05-12:57	2nd Period Lunch Class 1st: 11:05-11:30 11:35-12:57 2nd: 12:32-12:57 11:05-12:27
1:02-2:23	3rd Period
2:28-3:50	4th Period

	Freshman	Sophomores	Juniors	Seniors
August 23	Assembly	Schoology Computer Citizenship
August 26	Club Presentation	Club Presentation	Club Presentation	Assembly
August 27	TBD	Mustang Morning and Club Sign-Ups	Assembly	Club Presentation
August 28	Mustang Morning and Club Sign-ups	Assembly	Mustang Morning and Club Sign-Ups	Mustang Morning and Club Sign-Ups
August 29, August 30	Club Days