Friday Focus - January 31, 2014

Image from Venosdale

Events Next Week:
Friday - National Wear Red Day
Pride Assembly 2:15.  We will have to start "Stuck for a Buck" around 2:00. Just like last year we will make announcements for students with $1 to come down early to tape me to the wall.  I'll need extra help for passing out awards since I'll just be able to hold the microphone.

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:
*Assessments: I'm still working on rescheduling MAP testing from the cold days and times for those that need another session to finish. I am also on crunch time with next week being my last week for ACCESS testing of our ELL students, so please be patient with me.

*At this week's school board meeting I shared the following video to show how we are trying to get our students to not only be Bucket Fillers at school, but also in the community. Please feel free to share it with your students: Bucket Fillers 13-14

*Are you still trying to think of something for Digital Learning Day? Here's an idea: K-12 Virtual Valentines Project - a project designed by teachers to teach students geographical awareness and cultural understanding while connecting with classrooms all around the world for Valentine's Day.  Go HERE to find out more under the "About the Project" tab or sign your class up. Must sign up by February 4th.

*Now that the Middle School has decided to implement iPads 1:1 next year you may start having teachers wanting to come observe. I've already been asked by a couple and told them that you all have amazing things happening with many different ways that you are integrating technology.  I thank you in advance for your willingness to share with others so that our students can continue to benefit after they leave us and move on to the middle school.

Blogs, Tweets & Pins...Oh my!
*Ever praised a student for finally having a great day and then wishing you wouldn't have jinxed it all? Here's a great article on that problem: Why You Shouldn't Respond When a Difficult Student Has a Good Day.
*The next few blog posts are on the topic of students having ownership of their formative assessment data (I know this topic is a goal for several of you):
  -Formative Assessment: Wall Displays and Conversations in First Grade
  -Value Added: Moving Assessments from "Inflicted" to "Student Owned"
  -The Literacy Teacher's Playbook: Four Steps for Turning Assessment into Goal-Driven Instruction  (this one is podcast, but gives a transcript to read if you aren't familiar with downloading podcasts)