It's mid OCTOBER---already!

Hey Team!

Can you believe that it is the middle of October, ALREADY?  Time flies when you're having fun!  I know we are all working so diligently, but I hope you are having fun as well. 

Observations have begun.  As your "window" is open, I will send your pre-conference google form for you to fill out, and we will talk about those elements during our Pre-Conference meeting.  I have 10 days to complete the write up of the observation and meet with you for the Post Conference.  I will not release for you to view until after we have talked.  We will look through it together and talk through each section.  I want you to come with any reflections on the lesson I watched as well.  Once we have discussed, I will release it for your electronic signature.  I will speak individually with you regarding your window. 

LEARNING MOMENT:
Not only are we in the middle of October, we are winding up the first nine weeks.  I would like your response for this week's blog to be what is your BIG goal for 2nd six weeks in your classroom.  Be as specific as possible.  Also, add what you need in order to reach your goal.

Next week at a glance:

MONDAY: 

Fire drill at 8 a.m.
If you have not completed your team/individual website (whatever y'all decide) or want to refine it, please come to the lab after school to get this done.  I will have it in the weekly newsletter as a place to see what you are doing in your classrooms each week.  You need to have it complete on Thursday as you know once parents read the newsletter, they will be looking.  The expectation is that you update this each week.  I would say, as soon as you finish your lesson plans on Thursday before night, night that you update your site.  Add links to help parents/students, pictures (we will have a new list by Thursday).  Keep it looking fabulous for our parents. 

TUESDAY:  Testing begins in the building

LUNCH	SPECIALS
Kinder – 10:50 -11:20	8:15-9:05
1st – 11:00-11:30	9:05-9:55
2nd – 11:35-12:05	9:55-10:45
3rd -  12:05 – 12:35 (5 min change)	12:45 –1:35
4th – 12:20-12:50 (5 min change)	1:35-2:25
5th – 12:35-1:05  (5 min change)	2:25-3:15

Grade levels will have PE every day this week with Marcus and Tina.  Kona Ice (1-3pm)schedule will be: 

Kinder: 1:00-1:20

3rd Grade (they should bring money to PE) 1:20-1:40 - teachers please pick up your kiddos from front at 1:35 so PE can get the next group.  

1st grade - 1:40-2:00 p.m.

2nd grade - 2:00-2:20 pm.

4th grade - 2:20-2:40 p.m. (they should bring money to PE - teachers please go out to Kona Ice truck at 2:25 so PE can get the next group)

5th grade: 2:40-3 p.m. (They will need to bring money to PE and this will take some of their PE time today, Coach.

3:30 - 4:15 - Meeting with K-2 for Mad Scientist Day.  By the end of the meeting we will have the following nailed down:

         Schedule for the day, activities for each room, a list of supplies needed (for PO), and how to utilize helpers.

5 p.m. GHOST WALK.  Meet and Park at the north steps of courthouse (the side facing Landon's).  Drinks/Snacks at Ashen Rose after.

WEDNESDAY: 

Testing Continues

3:45-4:45 - Differentiation Continues - by Mrs. Newton.  Meet in Science Lab  Bring your ideas that you worked on and your struggles.

THURSDAY:  

Testing Continues

3:30-4:15 - Meeting with 3-5 for Mad Scientist Day.  By the end of the meeting we will have the following nailed down.

Mixed up class rosters, schedule for the day, activities for each room, a list of supplies needed (for PO) and how to utilize helpers.  

I have Principal's meeting from 9-11 today

FRIDAY:  

Testing Continues

504 Documentation Due to Tonya

Because I am asking a lot of "extra" time from y'all this week, I am providing a TACO BAR from Taco Casa for lunch on Friday!!!  I want you to know I appreciate all the moments you put in to making our school amazing for our students each and every day.  I know you all have families to go home to as well.  Balance is hard and I know we are all better at it at different times.  I just want you to know that I really try to be aware and appreciate you knowing that I wouldn't ask unless it was important to our success.

The best quote I have from the weekend conference I attended was, "What's learned here, leaves here"  I so love that.  That should be our attitude after every learning opportunity we have.

Thank you for all you do!

SK loves Rockets

Another great week at KGJ!

Y'all---- I don't even know where to start.  I'm going to be real and tell you that I was totally overwhelmed the first part of the week.  I totally felt like the hamster in the wheel.  By Thursday though I felt I had my mojo back thanks to our wonderful school community.  Thank you again for helping with the feedback.  We all need it to get better.  For our first 30 days, I would say our areas to work on (staff and campus wide) are minimal and fixable.  Many parents wanted playground items.  Please take time to ask the kids what they would like to see.  I want to research (feel free to do so as well) to find some STEMtastic playground items.  I don't even know what that might be.  Give me any ideas.  Thanks for being awesome EVERY.  SINGLE.  DAY!

Learning Launch:

Chapter 2 of Innovator's Mindset
"We need to move beyond the idea that an education is something that is provided for us and toward the idea that an education is something that we create for ourselves"

WOW!  What a concept. 

This chapter talked about a fixed, growth, and innovator's mindset.  He used an example of learning to play piano.  With a fixed mindset the learner doesn't believe he or she has the ability to play the piano.  A growth mindset is the learner who believes that, with hard work and practice, the opportunity to play the piano is within the realm of his or her ability.  (And I love this... wait for it)  The innovator's mindset takes the growth mindset a step further by focusing on using one's ability to learn to play the piano to CREATE music.  (Side bar-- then there was me who was just really mad that my mom could play by ear and I absolutely cannot - so I had a complete false sense of playing the piano so when it took a huge amount of work for me-- it wasn't what I wanted to do so I quit.  Now I wish I had stayed with it.  I guess that's not having grit)
Isn't the difference between the mind sets fascinating?

Mr. Couros gave critical question for the innovative educator.  Before you ask yourself these questions, I want you to think about the one student who is the toughest for you to love.  The one that wears you out on a daily basis for whatever reason.  You have this person in your head?  Now I want you to answer these questions from that child's point of view.  This would be a good thing to write down and reflect!

1.  Do I like being a learner in my own classroom?  Why or why not?
2.  What is best for me as a learner? Do you know the best way for me to demonstrate my knowledge?
3.  What is my passion?
4.  What are some ways we can create a true learning community in our class?  Everyone (including the teacher should assume the role of teacher and learner)
5.  How did this work for me?  Do you ever ask for my opinion/feedback on how things are going?

Innovation does not mean replacing everything we do, but we must be willing to look with fresh eyes at what we do and ask, "Is there a better way"?

Please leave a comment at hopefully an AHA moment as you answered these questions as that student in your class. 

Have a fabulous week and make every moment count. 

Week at a Glance:

Monday - inservice - let me know if you aren't sure where to go.
Tuesday - LION VICTORY means jeans and spirit shirt - No "Monday Meeting" this week & PTA membership kick off meeting @ 6 p.m.
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - Red Ribbon Day - Team jersey & jeans / I will be leaving at 11 to go to a principal's conference for the weekend.

SK loves Rockets!