9-30-2016

Thanks to the 6th grade team for bringing in a guest speaker from Scarce today.  This is always an informative presentation for the students.

Just a reminder that we have the Staff Learning Meeting on Wednesday.  An agenda will be forthcoming for Friday's Institute.

Thanks to Angela for going to teams and demonstrating the new Swivel recording device.  It will be great for student presentations, teacher self reflection or flipped classrooms.

Please consider giving your time or donation to the Fall Foundation's Festival on October 23.  See Megan's email for details.

Please join the Benjamin PTA for only $5.  I would like to get 100% participation for all the help they give our school.  Please see Ellen if you need a form.

Thanks to everyone for writing and re-writing your student growth goals.  Your attention to detail is appreciated.

This week I'm letting best selling author Daniel Pink do the heavy lifting for me.  Below he recommends many different blogs or newsletters for your reading/learning pleasure.  I have read many of them and they are worth your time.  (Brain Pickings has been where I have been getting many of my Blog articles lately.)  The easy thing to do would be to look at the list and then close the blog, Don't!  Promise that you will browse at least 4 or 5 of the blogs and read one article!

11 NEWSLETTERS WORTH YOUR TIME For my money, email newsletters remain the digital world’s single most efficient source of ideas, information, and insight. I subscribe to more than 40 of them — and once or twice a year I tweak the list, adding new entrants and removing those that no longer do the trick. Here, in alphabetical order, are 11 newsletters — a few of which I’ve recommended before — that these days I always read and always find valuable: Austin Kleon — Each week, writer and artist Kleon, who lives in the Texas city that bears his first name, sends 10 links about what he’s reading, watching, and thinking about. Barking Up the Wrong Tree — Eric Barker’s newsletter promises "science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.” He delivers — every Sunday Brain Pickings — Maria Popova is the uber-curator of all things literary and scientific on the Internet. Her weekly e-zine helps me try to keep up with her. Farnam Street Brain Food — Another idea-driven newsletter that will make you think. Longform — A weekly roundup of the best in longform journalism. Matt Thomas New York Times Digest — Didn’t get a chance to read the Sunday New York Times? Fear not. Matt Thomas has done the work for you and highlighted the good stuff. Next Draft — I know I’ve recommended this before. I’m doing it again. Just subscribe, OK? Quartz Daily — Daily newsletters from established media outlets aren’t my favorite. But this one is different. Every day, it uncovers something that I hadn’t seen and want to know about. Ryan Holiday Reading Recommendation Newsletter — Ryan seems to read more books than any human being alive. Fortunately for us slow readers, he recaps the books is an amazingly rich newsletter. Seth Godin — Seth had been blogging every single day for many years. This daily dispatch delivers his posts, always smart and thoughtful, directly to your inbox. Washington Post’s Inspired Life — A weekly (but not treacly) roundup of stories of real people doing things that are kind, courageous, and often inspiring.

9-23-2016

Thanks to everyone's cooperation in getting our emergency drills done this week. The lock-down and lock and teach have gone extremely well.  We will  finish up with the tornado drill this morning during homeroom at the end of announcements.

The Periodic Table of Elements Scaled to Show The Elements’ Actual Abundance on Earth
http://www.openculture.com/2015/10/the-periodic-table-of-elements-scaled-to-show-the-elements-actual-abundance-on-earth.html


Megan Peterson found this on "blind Kahooting"  check it out!
https://getkahoot.com/blog/the-art-of-blind-kahoot-ing

If you are on the observation cycle please make sure you have met with me about your student growth goals and set up your first observation or met with me about your alternative evaluation.

How the Fish Philosophy helps teams function and meets human needs.  Good article.
http://www.fishphilosophy.com/effective-teamwork-skills-human-needs-fish-philosophy-brings-together/

5 ways to help students value questions over answers.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/help-students-become-better-questioners-warren-berger?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

We continue to work with the Harvard night staff to make sure your rooms are clean and procedures are being followed.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  Juan and Frank have done a tremendous job of completing the work orders.  Continue to email me if something is not being cleaned or getting completed.

How writing to-do lists helps your brain!
https://www.fastcompany.com/3063392/your-most-productive-self/how-writing-to-do-lists-helps-your-brain-even-when-you-dont-comple?cid=ps002ros&utm_content=buffer72e4c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


A big shout out to Michelle for setting up the author visit with Dan Poblocki.  I heard students talking about "orbs" in the hallway, the spooky stories are sure to drive more students to reading!



The Oktoberfest feast yesterday was unbelievable.  Thanks to everyone who participated and a huge thank you to Ellen for the theme, decorations and hard work that went into making it a success.

Great article on:

The Psychology of Writing and the Cognitive Science of the Perfect Daily Routine

https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/08/25/the-psychology-of-writing-daily-routine/

Thanks to everyone for participating in the subject area goal setting on Wednesday.  If you have not sent me your department's initial plan, please do so.

Another great read. 8 Fundamentals For Developing Mental Strength
http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/8-fundamentals-for-developing-mental-strength/



Bobby McFerrin Hacks Your Brain with Music!

9-16-2016

Juan and Frank have been going beyond the call of duty to make sure our building is running smooth and problems are being solved.  Their initiative and responsiveness have been incredible.

Thanks to the PST team and grade level teams for meeting yesterday to go over student data and talk about interventions.  Your pro-activeness to help students before they slip too far is one of the things that make our school great. Nicole also did a great job communicating and sending the summaries out to each team.  

With the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death on our doorstep.  Here is an awesome flowchart to decide which play you should read/see next.  Click the link to see the full chart.  

http://goodticklebrain.com/home/2016/4/18/which-shakespeare-play-should-i-see-an-illustrated-flowchart

Betty did a great job of making us reflect on the great things we are doing for EL students and what things we could do to take our support to the next level.  Thank you for the thoughtful presentation.

Matthew rocked the house with a great Beginners Band Meeting Monday night.  Bringing in the high school students from WCHS and having the parents participate with the students in picking their instruments were two of the many things that are starting to bring our program to the next level.  

Literally tons of great resources for parent involvement.  Take a few minutes to check it out.

http://www.edutopia.org/parent-leadership-education-resources?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Lynette was honored at the board meeting for the job she did in securing another grant for our school.  Way to go!  Also, thanks to Lynette and Jen for their flexibility as the track gets finished.  

Thanks to Melissa for running the bus evacuation drills and for setting up all of the safety drills.  Next week we have a three-peat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Please review procedures so you and your class are ready.  

The arrows go back and forth.  Don't just look at the image, read the very short article at the link as well.  

http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/6684

Thanks to Marcia for completeing Vision and Hearing Screening and dealing with the many customers we had yesterday.  Did you know we have differnt colored containers for when students loose a tooth. Now you know and knowing is half the battle! :)

Being in the classrooms this week doing both formal observations and pop-ins is truly the favorite part of my job.  There are truly some great things going on in this building.   October 1st is the deadline for growth goals for people on the observation cycle.  

Subject area meetings meet on Wednesday.  I will have your S.W.O.T back to you for the basis of this first meeting.  

Wouldn't you know that Ellen placed Junior Scholastic Magazines in your mailboxes as
I was taking inventory.  If you have still not received your magazines please let me know otherwise I am assuming you have now received them.  

No meetings on Thursdays to allow for creative thinking and reflection.  Hmmmm........

http://www.wsj.com/articles/no-meetings-allowed-its-thinking-thursday-1473355208

Thanks to Megan D for attending the foundation meeting and sending out the email about the Fall Foundation.  Please consider the different ways to contribute to make the Fest a great success.  

Also Megan found this great article on the importance of the liberal arts in addition to science and technology.  A well written piece.  

https://blogs.miamioh.edu/president/2016/09/big-problems-require-the-fusion-of-the-liberal-arts-with-science-technology/

“what people contribute to the world around them has everything to do with how they engage with the world within them.” 
― Ken Robinson, Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education

9-9-2016

Arrrgh! (For the last time:))  Thanks to Michelle F for generating the excitement around dress like a pirate day today.  I'm sure the liver, pigs feet, barbecue worm larvae and smoked eel I eat at lunch today will taste delicious with a refreshing Coke!

Huge thank you to Keriann, who broke down the PARCC math data and then discussed with the other math teachers to look for trends and things to focus on.  Speaking of PARCC when your team is done with the student summaries please send them back to the office.  Also, I have been working with MARCC(he prefers this spelling now!) on a possible extended PARCC schedule.  The schedule would allow for fewer tests in a week over a longer period of time.  I will ask for team feedback when finished.

The 11 habits of  Successful Teachers
http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/11-habits-effective-teacher?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Thank to Tom T for his time spent in Benjamin 25.  We all wish you the best of luck in your future adventures.

Thanks to Coach Bill, Danielle, Dan, Matt and Rich for putting in the extra hours and working hard to help our student athletes grow.

Thanks to Marcia and Jignasa who have been very busy helping students and staff in these opening weeks of school.

Thanks to Todd and Nicole who have been kept busy with plenty of tasks and problems to sort through and problem solve.  We appreciate your patience, communication and effectiveness.

12 strategies for teaching problem solving in your classroom.  Read for more details.
http://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/inquiry/12-strategies-creating-atmosphere-problem-solving-classroom/?utm_content=buffer58a86&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Thanks to everyone who has been surviving the heat this past week, as of this morning everyone's air should be working.

Thanks to everyone for scheduling your student growth and observation meetings.  I have started to make my way in the classes and have been excited by the teaching/learning that is taking place.

Fish Philosophy, Choose your Attitude.  I find myself migrating to the Nature Cam to give myself a shift in attitude lately.  Give it a try.



Sometimes kids have more on their mind then we realize.


Thanks to Greg and the ILAR teachers for making the Maker Space Tours happen.  we will be open for business next week.



Since we are focusing on Choose Your Attitude:  Malcolm Gladwell on the Power of Choice, Happiness and Spaghetti Sauce!

9-2-2016

New Tools for Interactive Fiction and Engaged Writing.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/new-tools-interactive-fiction-engaged-writing-matthew-farber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow


Huge thanks to everyone for their hard work and preparation for curriculum night.  I have heard positive feedback from parents and staff on the night itself and the changes.  Special thanks to:
Melissa L, Lynn, Mike, Sherry, Jen V, Lynette and Matthew on being open to change, Michelle F and Barb for working the book fair and Ellen T for working the office to help with forgotten schedules, bells etc...

Speaking of the book fair, through Mrs. Pasker's and other volunteers hard work we made.$3200 which is almost $900 more than last year.

15 Great Books on Creativity.  ( I have only read 2 of the 15, but they are both Great!)
http://www.inc.com/david-burkus/the-15-best-creativity-books-so-far.html



Thanks to Keriann, Rich and Dan for handling the sports bus delays like pros.  Keriann calling the bus companies and Rich and Dan keeping the student athletes occupied really made a frustrating situation better by their patience and professionalism.

The live nature cam has been a big hit!  Thanks to Greg, Juan, Frank and Mark for making it happen.


We have Launched our new Safe School Alert at Benjamin Middle School.  This will allow students and parents to anonymously (or not) alert us if something is happening concerning bullying, harassment or safety.  Melissa L and I will receive the tips and Todd and Nicole are also part of the team that might be sent information depending on the specifics of the situation.  As I mentioned last night we still want parents, students and staff to come to us first if their is an issue but this allows another avenue of communication if they are uncomfortable and want to reach out.  I will be talking to students at lunch about this.  Their is a link on our webpage and flyers up in the hallways.  Here is our information:

1.    Phone:          630.473.4766

2.    Text:  Text your tip to 630.473.4766

3.    Email:            1492@alert1.us

4.    Web:  http://1492.alert1.us

"

Thanks to Alex for running the magazine sale, 5th and 6th grade are excited about the prize drawings.

Becoming innovative, 15 New Ideas Every teacher should try. You will need to research some of these, but that is what you have a computer for!

  Hats off to our teaching assistants who have been working hard to help students the first few weeks of school!  Debbie, Kim, Gail, April, Jordan, Michelle, Megan, Jen and Cody have all shown initiative and active participation in classes.  

   Using the Fish Philosophy Concept of Play watch what happens in a NYC Subway.

 I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day Weekend. 

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle