A couple of weeks ago, Tonya and I were talking and I mentioned that the only other time I had the flu was when I changed schools and didn't get a flu shot. She reminded me that I had changed schools this year AND I didn't get a flu shot. I knocked on wood..... It didn't work!!! Seriously, I was feeling rough, y'all! I really only worked 2 full days last week and felt like it was an eternity and Friday would never get here. I am happy to report, that while I am still coughing, I feel so much better. Thanks to everyone for the extra TLC last week. I'm pretty mush done with January. I am planning to restart my year and 2018 will officially begin February 1st! :)
I was working this weekend on some things and realized we have 10 weeks before our first round of STARR testing. Where has this school year gone? There are still so many miles to go. I know we will get there as we move into the spring more focused than ever. Depending on your mindset, will determine how you will approach the remainder of the year. We have been in a 3 week series on mindset at church. Today was talking about toxic mindsets and how when we allow negativity to brew in our mind, our actions and emotions can't help but mimic those thoughts. My pastor said that research shows that if you regularly worry about getting Alzheimer's, you have a 68% chance of getting it. What does that tell you? Your thoughts become actions! I fight negative thoughts as we all do. Keep fighting that fight! We can't ever allow negativity to win. Our jobs are much too important. The dark days of winter can be dreary. Find ways to lift your spirits and those around you. We ALL get by with a little help from our friends--- you sang with me, didn't you?
This week as I come to your classrooms I will be looking for:
1) Was I greeted by your classroom ambassador?
2) How are you reaching the needs of ALL of your students? (I.E. - RtI, small groups, guided reading etc..)
3) Products & Objectives
Your product is not your activity. Your product should be something quick that you can assess to ensure your students mastered the objective for that day so you, as the teacher, know if you need to adjust your lesson plans for the following day. We will be working on products/objectives in each PLC, so please make sure your have your next PA ready to discuss.
For your reflection this week, I want you to think about how your students are exploring the WHY. Share what your students learned and where they have struggles if any or awesome discoveries. Please blog by Friday, January 26th at 4 p.m.
This week at a glance:
**RenStar should be complete. Please let Tonya and I know if you have students still needing to test.
**As soon as you have completed Rigby - put them into Aware. Email me when this has been completed.
**I believe Kinder is the only one doing IStation to help with Rigby levels.
Monday, January 22 - Lunch & Learn with Kayci (Tech) - in the lounge during your lunch
Tuesday, January 23 - K-2 PLC
Wednesday, January 24- I'm at admin for the A.M; no iTeam meeting this afternoon - this one is moved to Monday, January 29th.
Thursday, January 25 - Aaron Adel Day at KGJ - she will be here around 8:30; 3-5 PLC
Friday, January 26 - 504 Documentation Due, PAYDAY; Fuel Store (schedule to follow)
**Also, please take a minute during morning meeting this week to talk about cafeteria behavior. Tonya and/or I cannot always be in there, though we try. Please remind students they should always be examples of Rocket behavior.** Thank you for your help with this!
Have an AWESOME week--- SK loves ROCKETS!
I feel extremely lucky to get to explore the Why everyday in STEM class. In 2nd grade we are exploring how nature inspires us to ask WHY, 5th grade is exploring WHY we use simulations in Science, and 3rd grade is exploring WHY we need simple machines! I am amazed everyday at how our students come to me wanting to explore and learn. They are excited and eager for the WHY. Everyday we learn something new about our world and each other. Some of our struggles are still learning that failure is part of the process and that it may not work the first time. Students still depend on me too much for the thinking. They are still in the mindset that I will tell them every step, but we are learning and they are growing away from me into real self thinkers!
ReplyDeleteThe more they are made to think for themselves, the more they will start doing it naturally! You are doing a great job in the lab. I am so thankful that is your seat on our bus. :)
DeleteMy kids are finally getting that exploring the why is a process! We are slowly learning how to communicate what is in our head and put it on paper. The struggle is realizing that when you are designing EVERY step counts and has to be recorded. I am proud of the growth that my students are showing. My hope is to make them think outside the box AND express their thoughts in an organized manner. (fingers crossed)
ReplyDeleteIt is really awesome to see the little light bulbs light up when they have an idea or make a realization!
In an instamatic world we live in, it's hard for them to understand and be patient for the final product. You are doing a great job at teaching the why behind the importance of the process.
DeleteI feel like I am constantly pushing my kids to explore the WHY in reading! WHY is it important to read daily? WHY is expanding your vocabulary so important? And, WHY is so important to keep exploring books until you find the the right one that fits you perfectly? They honestly really are starting to understand that everyone of those "Whys" are very important as they continue on their education path! This week we explored why certain animals were extinct and why others that were close to extinction have made a comeback. We took it one step further and some kids designed advertisements to persuade the public to take a stand and help the endangered animals. These advertisements were powerful and full of real and raw emotion. The kids that chose to research the extinct animals really dug in and presented their ideas with such passion that you knew they felt everything they learned while performing their research. They really took the WHY to the next level! I have been blown away by these kids! Everyday, they help me understand why I am here, exploring the WHY!!
ReplyDeleteOur students have to be able to read and dig into the deeper meaning of all they do in order to be successful in math and science as well. Keep on keeping on!!!!
DeleteWow! What a powerful week of learning and discovery WHY alternative energy resources must be studied and developed. The students are understanding and analyzing WHY new energy resources must be developed and tested. The students are truly engaged in WHY they must lead the investigative studies to move from the dependency of fossil fuels to alternative Earth friendly solutions for future generations. I am been very pleased with the student lead group discussions of WHY change is needed and how and why this topic of study fits into real world application of science. I am anxiously awaiting their final products for this unit. (Select from a menu which alternative energy source should be developed) I am curious to see WHY they selected the alternative energies that speak to their individually as well as hearing their claims to WHY their choice is the best source. It is my task to motivate my students to explore the WHY and their responsibility to ask WHY Not explore?
ReplyDeleteChoice is so important to our kiddos. They take so much ownership when we get out of their way. I am proud of the work you are doing every day to lead them to many WHYs!
DeleteI am right there with you Crystal! My kids are finally beginning to understand the reason WHY we have a process (of any work we do), but that we also need to document it. We are getting there it just takes a lot of patience :)
ReplyDeleteWe are really trying to think through the WHY with all assignments, not just design challenges and I am hoping they are seeing that. For instance, the writing process (kernel essay). This method has been so helpful to show them each step of they way and that writing, although sometimes terrifying and always necessary, it can be done well.
We are trying to explore the WHY in everything we do as well. My kids have a hard time with this concept because they do not want to think more than what they absolutely have to. I get a lot of, "but I have the answer!" STEM Challenges have definitely been difficult for them. We are slowing grasping it requires careful planning and lots of thinking outside the box. This is all new to them but I feel like that are finally coming around.
ReplyDeleteAgain...Kindergarten is a different world! We're building the foundation and we're always asking WHY to help show the relevance of what we're learning and make the connection to them...Why do we need to learn about letters? Why do we need words? Why do we need sentences? Why do we need numbers? Why do we need the calendar?, etc.
ReplyDeleteBesides just saying "ditto" or "What she said!" ^^^^^^^ Ya... Ditto and what she said!!!! :) Kinder is a complete different world and we explore the why in everything we learn. Why do we need to learn about Holidays? Why do we learn about need to work together in groups, because I want to make my idea? Why are rules important? Why do I need to cleanup after myself? Why do I need to push my chair in? These are the things that we work with each day in Kinder and they are learning these foundation skills so they can be able to grow and improve from there.
ReplyDeleteI love that our kids are always exploring the WHY! We have been discussing careers tied to our math and science concepts and brainstorming when we might use this in the real-world to emphasize WHY we are learning it. The kids are making connections on their own now and constantly telling me when they have seen something in math being used in the outside world or how they could use it in their daily lives. In Morning Meeting we focus a lot on WHY it is important to be a team and work well with one another. I have seen that understanding play a role in the way they treat each other and form relationships. In science, we are working on a planet project and students are asking a lot of WHY questions. Whenever they have one we research it to figure out WHY and have a discussion about it. I love having a deeper understanding of our concepts and I know the students do too because we are always exploring and researching to answer our many WHY questions!
ReplyDeleteThis whole year we are exploring the Why concerning Why how body function like it does. We have explored so far Why the Nervous System does what it does and what body part/organs are apart of the Nervous System. We have also explored the Why with the Muscular System. We are learning Why and How the muscle work and what organs in our bodies are considered as muscle groups. The students are learning a lot about their bodies this year and are having fun doing it.
ReplyDeleteIn math, we explore the WHY everyday as we solve problems. We don’t just solve problems,we ask why this operation is needed, why that solution would be incorrect, why we need to know how to use estimation, fractions and decimals. Why would we need to learn the metric system. They learn that math is intertwined into their everyday life and how learning these concepts can help them solve problems more logically and efficiently. Along with the WHY is the just important HOW. How can we solve problems more efficiently. HOW can we redesign and improve while solving the WHY.
ReplyDeleteHow fun it was to observe students exploring the why as they tested their sail cars for the latest STEM design showcase, made improvements and tested again! They questioned why their sail car traveled the farthest, or not; why their sail car was the fastest, or not; why their vehicle traveled in a straight line, or not. We have kept these Gone with the Wind-powered vehicles to explore other options to increase the distance their sail car can travel powered only by a small fan. For awhile, they may work on and test these as they complete current assignments. Their choice of materials has improved as they’ve observed other sail cars travel faster and farther. Still, no two sail cars look alike.
ReplyDeleteIn Writing my students are building upon and learning the "whys" of writing a great expository essay. They're learning "why" the introduction is so important at grabbing the readers attention. The importance of "why" they need to stay on topic and answer the prompt giving a full explanation. They are also discovering the "why" in the importance of a good closing/truism. We are building and growing each week in our writing and the importance of understanding and exhibiting the "whys" in our papers.
ReplyDeleteWe also are constantly talking about the "whys" in Reading. Why is it important to read and understand what we're reading? Why is it important to ask questions while we read? Why is it important to make connections to text, self and world.
Together we're truly exploring the whys in B-102.