12-20-2017

It was great honoring all of the straight A students last Monday at the school board meeting.  There was a great turn out of students who were proud of their achievements.

Helping others is not Universal.
https://medium.com/@harvardeducation/helping-others-is-not-universal-b6f357bdbb8f


What a great holiday assembly and concert we had thanks to Melissa and Matt. I don't think I have ever seen the large gym so filled with parents as I did Wednesday night.

Thanks to Matt for the idea, Angela for filming and everyone else for their natural music talent as they helped put on a very entertaining video for students and parents at the concert last Wednesday.  It was very well received.

The cookie share was just another example of staff coming together to bond and talk over food.....which you don't have to wait long at Benjamin as today will be the tamale party.  Thanks to Ellen and Sherry for organizing these events.

Focusing on the process and letting go of product expectations.  https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/focusing-on-the-process-letting-go-of-product-expectations/


I hope everyone enjoyed breakfast and getting together with peers district wide at last Friday's Holiday Breakfast.  I had many comments about how great my egg casserole....I mean the WCCHS  A Capella Choir was. 


Benjamin has Talent and I know the kids enjoyed the musical talents of the 5th and 6th grade last Friday afternoon.  Thanks to Lynette and Chris for all of the hard work and practice that went into the event.


Thanks to Alex for taking students on the reward trip today to Enchanted Castle.  This is for the magazine sale high achievers.

The questions to ask when kids aren't reading.
https://pernillesripp.com/2015/12/17/the-questions-to-ask-when-the-kids-arent-reading/

The 5th grade students and teachers brought joy to residents of two St. Charles assisted living facilities on Monday.  Residents really enjoy hearing the kids sing and receive cards from them.  My favorite was one gentleman who said loudly   "that's a good one" at the start of every song the kids sang!   Thanks to Melissa for organizing the music and rehearsals for this event.


Believe it or not with all of that activity going on I still saw students engaged in learning activities as I popped around to classes.  Thanks for keeping the rigor high even as the kids get excited for break.

I'm sure you are excited for break as well, and it is well deserved.  I hope you have a relaxing time filled with holiday spirit and joy.  Thank you so much for the amazon card, I'm sure it will be put to good use.  See you soon.

12-8-2017

The Bengals had a jam packed game last night with POMs, Pep Band NJHS Selling concessions and Mr. Feffer and the scoreboard team on top of the action.

Thanks to Sherry and Keriann for doing an outstanding job of running an interactive and informative learning meeting on break-out lessons Wednesday.

Choose Optimism.
https://disneyinstitute.com/blog/2016/05/leadership-lessons-from-walt-disney-choose-optimism/


Thanks to Melissa and Matt who are leading the choir and band at Saturday's PTA breakfast with Santa.  Your dedication to helping our school community is much appreciated.


"Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else." ~ Sydney Gurewitz Clemens



The deca-door contest is in full swing, as homerooms try to gain the title of Supreme Holiday Champion.  Word on the street is that 6th grade has spies...I mean scouts out reporting progress of other grade levels.

Anxiety and teenagers.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/resilience-anxious-students?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Usable+Knowledge


Thanks to everyone who brought in their unique ornaments for the office.  They are beautiful and bring a special warm feeling when you enter the office.



Please make sure we are keeping students in our classes until the end bell 8th period.  We have quite a few students unsupervised by the front door at the end of the day.

Meta-cognition boosts achievement.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-metacognition-boosts-learning?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow


Please make sure you take the 5 Essential Survey next week when you have time. Feel free to use team time for this activity.   Everyone should have received an email with a link.  The shortcut will be put on student desktops for your teams to arrange a time for 6-8 grade students to take the survey.  This is an important reflection of what we do here at BMS.



I'm looking forward to the book fair next week.  If enough books are sold I will get the privilege of dressing up like The Grinch!  Thanks to Michelle, Kathleen and Mrs. Paskar for all of the hard work they will put into this.

Using comic books to boost reading comprehension and analysis.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/12/comics-classroom


Thanks to Jignasa and Marcia for all of the work they have done this week.  The nurses office has been a busy place!

12-1-2017

Matt T and the Benjamin Pep band did a great job of pumping up the crowd yesterday at the basketball game.  

Keystone habits...how one small change can change your life.
https://medium.com/personal-growth/keystone-habits-how-one-small-change-can-improve-your-entire-life-a32375763da2


Thanks to Jessica for attending the Women in Stem event with three of our 8th grade girls today in Wheaton.

11 Reasons why teaching middle school is the best job ever!
https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-middle-school-best-job-ever/?utm_content=buffer16f7c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


Thanks to the 8th grade team for articulating with WCHS on Wednesday for the student recommendation process.  The communication helps the successful transition of our students for next year.



Good luck to Joe S and our Benjamin Chess Team as they play at the big tournament this Saturday at Benjamin.

Science confirms; intelligent people go to bed late, leave a mess everywhere and use bad language.
https://curiousmindmagazine.com/science-says-highly-intelligent-people-messy-profane-night-owls/

Thanks to Tim for being on the job for many of the district's day to day needs.  Many of the things he takes care of are behind the scenes so that they don't become a concern for us.

10 Rules for students and teachers.  Excellent list.
http://www.openculture.com/2014/04/10-rules-for-students-and-teachers-popularized-by-john-cage.html
RULE SIX: Nothing is a mistake. There's no win and no fail, there's only make.

Today is the last day of the PTA membership contest.  If you have not joined you can help your grade level win the prize.  Plus it is a great investment to a parent group that gives back to our district.

Google puts 10,000 pieces of street art online for viewing.
https://streetart.withgoogle.com/en/


Thanks to Jen H, Lori P, Matt T, Lynette, Bill, Courtney, Rich, Jen P, Jim, Jen V, and Jessica (who is going into lunch retirement) and super sub Corey for always working hard during lunch duty.  Eating standing up by a garbage can isn't a glamorous job, but it is appreciated.

How School Nurses help students battle anxiety. Thanks Marcia and Jignassa!
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/when-nurses-office-refuge


If you are on cycle, I am ready for the next round of observations.

How to have an equitable class discussion.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/how-have-equitable-class-discussion?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Usable+Knowledge


It's 5 Essential Survey Time.  Please take the survey at your earliest convenience.  Greg will put the shortcut on our desktops.  6th-8th grade students will also take the survey before January 18th.  Team Leaders please let me know when you plan on giving this with your students.

11-17-2017

Thanks to Matt for organizing a Band Thanksgiving today at 4:45pm.  What a great event to bring parents and students together to celebrate accomplishments and strengthen the organization.

The Power of a Positive Phone Call Home.  https://www.edutopia.org/blog/power-positive-phone-call-home-elena-aguilar


PTA will be providing a breakfast this morning.  Please make sure that you have joined PTA if you have not done so already.  PTA Membership is only $5 and they do so much for our school.  Their will be a renewed membership drive for families run through grade levels after break.

Helping students ask better questions by creating a culture of inquiry.  Great Article
https://medium.com/@spencerideas/helping-students-ask-better-questions-by-creating-a-culture-of-inquiry-d1c4b0324a6f


Flexible furniture proposals are due to me by the end of the day.

First Drafts Always Suck
https://katielmartin.com/2017/10/14/first-drafts-always-suck-immooc/



Report Cards will be passed out 8th period as we call a special homeroom session during the last 10 minutes.  Thanks to Kim for working through the problems that comes with pulling the data, formatting and printing the report cards.





It's Greek to Me was awesome...thanks to Ellen for organizing the event and decorating.

The Goldilocks Rule of Motivation
https://jamesclear.com/goldilocks-rule


Copier training is today from 12:30-3:00pm  please stop by if available.  Thanks to Greg for making sure Wednesdays copier transition went smoothly.

A modern professional learners toolkit.
http://modernworkplacelearning.com/magazine/modern-professional-learners-toolkit-for-2018/?utm_content=buffer8618d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


The 8th grade and 7th grade reward trips are today.  Roller skating and revolution performance are the orders of the day.




American Education Week has been action packed from parent visitation to foodapalooza everyday, and topped off by winning the Tribunes Top Workplace Award.  It is no surprise that our district was named to that list when we have such an outstanding staff supporting students and each other everyday.  When you bring a bunch of talented educators together with different strengths and creative talents that work hard, innovate and collaborate it makes for a very special workplace.  YOU make this a special workplace.  Thank you.

11-10-2017

Thanks to Melissa L. in advance for all of the hard work she put into today's amazing Veteran's Day Assembly and having the choir ready to perform,  Also thanks to Matt Turek for having the band ready to perform.  Both the Band and Choir will be performing at Evergreen later in the afternoon. 

Thanks to Ellen for always being so creative with the student of the month bulletin board.  The cell phone theme is right on target.

The Ten Commandments of Effective Communication. 
https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/the-10-commandments-of-effective-communication.html


I'd like to welcome Angela back.  Checking in with teams/teachers and working with students has kept her busy this week.

Lets "Be There" for each other.

Today marks the end of the first trimester.  Thanks for all of the hard work that went into your classes.  I appreciate the creativity and innovation I see by teachers in my classroom visits. 

Speaking of classroom visits, just a reminder that Tuesday, September 14th is parent visitation day.  No special plans necessary, getting to see teachers and students in their daily routine is very valuable. 

Pretty awesome video of student completing an assignment given by his professor.  I could see this at BMS. (You have to get past the first 30 seconds)

Thanks to Greg and Mr. Johnson for keeping up with their robotics club.  Their Friday afternoon turn-out is very impressive. 

Health time has arrived, thanks to Jen and Lynette for providing the students with a solid health foundation leading into their healthy cooking unit in about 4 weeks. 

Smart Strategies for Student Success. 
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/smart-strategies-student-success-donna-wilson-marcus-conyers


Big props to Mrs. Dunne who had her students create cards for the board members that will be given out to them on November 13th for School Board recognition.  Michelle and Kathy also helped by creating book dedication stickers. 

Thanks to Tony and Frank for giving the extra effort this week with all of the set-ups and take-downs, not to mention the  frequent bathroom checks they have been doing the last couple days. 

Pixars 22 rules of storytelling. 
http://www.openculture.com/2013/03/pixars_22_rules_of_good_storytelling.html


I'm looking forward to hearing about April and Sherry's trip to Boston at the Learning and the Brain Conference this weekend.  I'm sure their presentation on STEM Technology at an upcoming learning meeting will be spectacular.

Thanks to Kim for working the long hours at the P/T conferences these three nights. I appreciate her work ethic and sense of humor. 

Three different ways for students to take notes.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-fun-strategies-note-taking



 Once again I heard many positive comments from both teachers and parents last night.  "We feel very lucky to have our students go to school here"  "The teachers are like super teachers"  I had really good conversations tonight with parents tonight" are just a few comments of many that were shared with me. 

11-3-2017

Thanks to everyone for keeping up with such a busy schedule for parent teacher conferences, I know many of you went non-stop without a break.  I appreciate all of the effort and preparation that you put into these very important nights of parent/teacher communication for student success. 



How bout them soups!  Thanks to Ellen and Kim for organizing the OG Feast.  Don't forget donuts tomorrow morning courtesy of  Dwayne Ackerman.

The difference between intelligence and Critical Thinking
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-smart-people-do-foolish-things/?utm_content=buffer122cc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



I will be delivering two extra student device power cords to each classroom to help when students forget theirs.

Dr. Ehrhardt gave me an article that led to me finding this great math website.  This link is on The Three Acts of a Mathematical Story.  Great Article for all, click the link to the video when you have more time,
http://blog.mrmeyer.com/2011/the-three-acts-of-a-mathematical-story/

Thanks to Lauren Dunne who set up student volunteers  for our PT conferences.  Super organized and very helpful!

Don't Touch the Glass in this virtual shark museum in DC. 

Sherry had an awesome Day of the Dead celebration in her room Wednesday complete with Horchata and other Spanish treats with parent volunteers helping out.  Nice job!


Thanks to Greg for presenting the phone voice over IP system on Wednesday.  Please see me if you did not get the directions.

Acknowledging what students do well in your classroom can lead to deeper thinking by many of their peers.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/10/acknowledging-what-students-do-well?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=general

If you have time shoot me an email with your feedback on the Red Ribbon Assembly we had yesterday.

How to Make Student Feedback Work.  Check out the steps to get honest feedback from your students.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/making-student-feedback-work?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Usable+Knowledge


Chess Tournament December 2, Benjamin Middle School.  More information to follow.

Thanks to Coleen for organizing the student council trip to Feed My Starving Children this week. What a great learning experience for those students. 



Melissa is making this Veterans Day Assembly one to remember, first the VFW color guard and now  Abigail Farthing from Team Rubicon will be our Keynote Speaker.  Don't know Team Rubicon?  Read Melissa's summary below:

I am very excited that through a team effort, we will have a representative from a veterans organization called Team Rubicon both as a keynote speaker at our assembly and to kick off our veterans service project.    I became aware of Team Rubicon watching 60 Minutes after Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Maria and after the earthquake in Mexico City.  We had already collected for Harvey and it was weighing heavily on me that we should do something for Puerto Rico, Florida and Mexico City, but I also knew that we had Veterans Day coming up...then I saw this amazing story about Team Rubicon on 60 Minutes.  Members of this organization were deployed going door to door assisting people clean up in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston.  The organization was started by veterans who had returned from battle or service, but still wanted to help out...wanted to serve.  

A brief summary of Team Rubicon from their website:  In the days following the devastating earthquake in 2009 in Haiti, many traditional aid organizations were slow to establish relief efforts, citing dangerous and unstable working conditions. Troubled by the scenes in Port-au-Prince and the lack of proper aid, two Marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, decided to act. Gathering supplies and volunteers, the small group of veterans, first responders, and medical professionals deployed to Haiti in the days following the earthquake.

https://teamrubiconusa.org/

Roughly 70% of Team Rubicon volunteers are military veterans. Many of the skills gained in the military – things like emergency medicine, small-unit leadership, logistics, and experience in austere environments – translate well to disaster response. Military service does not define a Team Rubicon member, nor is it required. Many of our volunteers are pulled from the civil service sector. Firefighters, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, teachers, and mental health providers are among the diverse careers held by TR volunteers.

I was talking to Betty about this and she mentioned that Megan Dusing's sister does PR for a veteran’s organization. We found out it is none other than Team Rubicon.  Her sister made a few calls, put Megan in contact with the Chicago office....and here we have a speaker and a service project.  

The person who will be coming to our assembly:  Abigail Farthing is a former soldier who worked as a military police for the US Army.  While in the Army, Abi worked in Alaska, Washington DC and Iraq.  She comes from a military family and grew up traveling the world with her family.  She has volunteered with Team Rubicon for several years and enjoys the opportunity helping people recover from natural disasters.

Again, she will serve as our key note speaker as well as to speak about our fundraising effort for Team Rubicon, a veteran’s organization that continues to serve by helping recovery and rebuilding after natural disasters.  I am still working the details of our fundraiser and will involve students and welcome your input. 

10-27-2017

Jessica put out another fine edition of the Tiger Times.  Kids are definitely reading it as I was asked a million times what my favorite candy was yesterday.

Watch this cool video on Motivation by Author Daniel Pink who wrote the book DRIVE.  This is a new video, highlighting the book, not the one I shared previously.
http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2017/10/25/video-animated-highlights-from-dan-pinks-book-drive/


I'd like to Thank Stephen for all of the time he spent with us in Angela's absence.  I have had many compliments about his ability to work with people, problem solve, tech knowledge and sense of humor.  You will be missed.

Michael Miles in Melissa's room.



Newsletters are due on Monday...just a reminder.

OK...this is the "If you only watch/read one thing" from the blog this week.  A Burger King PSA on Bullying...yes Burger King...Powerful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnKPEsbTo9s

Thanks to Chris and Lynette for having the 5th and 6th grade talent show tryouts yesterday.  Word on the street is that there were no singing auditions, just juggling acts and the magicians.  On a serious note thanks for giving the opportunities for students to display their many talents.

The essay that a student wrote about Costco that got her into 5 Ivy League Schools and Stanford.
http://www.businessinsider.com/high-school-senior-who-got-into-5-ivy-league-schools-shares-her-admissions-essay-2016-4

Thanks to Megan D, MJ and Alex along with Ellen and Greg for serving on the District Technology Advisory Committee Wednesday Night.  We had a lot of good input from staff, students and parents.




Thanks to Matt Tylk, Corey, Dan B, Rich, Bill and Keriann for being at the Fall Sports Awards Night on Wednesday.  It was great to see students and coaches getting recognition for a job well done.

Dr. Peter H. Diamandis laws for living...I like #20, #22 and #27


Thanks to Danielle and Melissa for doing many days of auditions and posting the Cast list for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. "  I know this is just the first step in what will be a tremendous effort to put on another spectacular musical at Benjamin.