10-31-2014

Thanks to Keriann, Bill, Rich, Abby Adams, Matt Tylk and Mrs Thill for doing a great job at the Fall Sports Awards on Wednesday Night. Their speeches showed their care and concern for the student athletes as well as highlighting the accomplishments for the season.  I came away impressed with the fine example they set for our students.
30 techniques to Quiet a Noisy Class: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/30-techniques-quiet-noisy-class-todd-finley?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-quiet-noisy-class-question-text

Thanks to Ellen and Pat for organizing our Oktoberfest yesterday and to everyone who brought in food to share.  With the decorations and German music I felt like I was in Munich!

How do schools get tech R.I.G.H.T.  Inside the article is a slideshow when you have time:
http://www.angelamaiers.com/2014/10/how-do-schools-get-tech-r-i-g-h-t.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AngelaMaiers+%28Angela+Maiers+-+Putting+Learners+First%29

How about the Tiger Times?  It is hard to believe this is a junior high newspaper.  From their qr code surveys, informative articles on asthma, book, movie and music reviews to their investigative piece on Benjamin's water fountains, it looks more like it was done by high school aged kids. A big thank you to Jessica Erickson for pulling all of this together.

100 year old teacher teaches passion:

Mark and Lynette are putting in overtime at the Student Growth Committee meetings as they are helping to formulate how we can use authentic, reliable assessments to help measure student growth.  In many cases, we are hoping to use measures that you already are using and find valuable in your daily assessment of students.  We will have more information and resources coming to you soon.

How museums are embracing technology:  The Known Universe:

Who knew that putting on a Talent show required so much work?  Today we get to enjoy the results of Jill and Lynette's Herculean efforts as the 5th and 6th grade battle for Benjamin's Got Talent.  Don't forget we are on a double assembly schedule.


Please don't forget that we are hosting the Wellness Screening starting early Monday morning in the small gym.  Thanks to Shelley for organizing this event.

6 Principles to the Genius Hour:

Thanks to Angela for putting together an evaluation rubric for our science team as we look at new resources. It will definitely come in handy.

I was able to see some 6th grade presentations in Lauren G's room.  The students used great critical thinking and evidence to hypothesize answers to a death mystery.  Future CSI's in the making!

Innovation in Education Today:  http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4847

Thanks to Alex and Colleen as they organize the student council dance for next Friday.  Please let them know if you can chaperon, costumes optional!:)

Star Wars Pumpkin:

The moms prayer group will be bringing in dinner on Tuesday November 4th.  The menue will consist of: chili, 2 soups, veggie and fruit trays, rolls, dessert and drinks. The dinner will be ready by 3:00pm so you will not be rushed.  

Scariest Pumpkin Greg Martin Ever Saw:

As you prepare for parent teacher conferences, please let me know if there are any conferences that you want me to sit in on or if I can help out in any way.  Thanks to the special teachers who will be making calls to our unscheduled parents that evening.

Pretty Neat Video even if it is Cleveland: