Friday Focus - December 1, 2018

Great Things I Noticed this Week:

• Students focused on their research to apply to their non-fiction writing. They were each so passionate about the topic they were reading about, eager to share new facts they were learning. 
• 5th graders partnering with 4K students for a counting/number writing activity. It just melted my heart to listen in to each set of partners as I heard the 5th graders talking with their little buddy, encouraging them and helping them to count and trace their numbers. Given the opportunity, our students can be great leaders!
• 3rd graders self-reflecting on themselves as readers as they looked at the learning progression of applying a non-fiction strategy. They taped a copy of this in their reading journal and wrote where they think they are at on the progression (2nd or 3rd grade) and why. I was impressed with how many students wrote honest reflections and identified what they could do as a reader to move up the learning progression. 

Events Next Week:

Monday - Mentors PLC meeting 3:15

Wednesday - I will be at CESA 6 in the morning

 3:10 Elementary Staff meeting ---support staff are invited too!

Friday - it is already mid-quarter!!! Time to send home progress reports to parents. 

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:
Staff Meeting - our staff meeting will start out with treats to celebrate our incredible gains main on the report card, because we have so much to celebrate. Support staff are encouraged to join us too!  We will have an activity and then I will share information regarding our upcoming PD day. You won't need to bring a device. 

Recess - please remember to "move, scan and interact" when you're about. Some students are starting to create those zombie or ninja games that get too rough when we're not nearby. But, if we are doing our part and encouraging students join in appropriate games we can hopefully prevent any accidental injuries that come from rough play. Thank you for your monitoring!

Blogs, Tweets & Pins...oh My!!!

*Are you enjoying reading The Energy Bus? I've heard some great thoughts and conversations from some of you reading it. Here's a great Positive Teacher Pledge on the author's website (and I will share in your mailboxes):

Click HERE to read the pledge online