1-26-2018

Thanks to grade level and PST teams for working through the data in our data meetings yesterday and for doing everything you can to help students of all ability levels.

Do you want your child to grow or do you want him/her to be comfortable?
http://www.davidgeurin.com/2018/01/do-you-want-your-child-to-grow-or-do.html


Roller skating is in full effect in PE.  Thanks to Jen, Lynette and Corey for making this cool opportunity happen and to Marcia and Jignasa for the band-aids. 



Benjamin Middle School had it's National Junior Honors Society Induction Ceremony Tuesday Night and it was big success.  Thanks to Jessica and Lauren for making it happen. 

Interesting change to try. Not sure if you have to get a 1950's version.
https://verilymag.com/2018/01/stop-using-screens-at-night


Monday Night we hosted a combined board meeting with several of our area school districts.  Melissa, Matthew, and the Choir/Theater/Band students blew everyone away with their talented performance.  Thanks also to Jen S for all of the hard work that went into setting up the event.

Why Pixar just leaked it's own mistakes and what we can learn from this.
https://www.inc.com/larry-robertson/pixars-biggest-mistakes-were-just-leaked-by-pixar.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter


Last night the girls JV and Varsity BB team played two exciting games against Wheaton Academy.  Thanks to Matt Tylk and Dan for their effort with this group of girls, they played fierce.  Also thanks to the all-star scoreboard team of Rich Feffer and Bill Wadman, the super security team of Michelle F and Lyn B and of course Mr T and the BMS PEP Band!



Thanks to the math teachers for watching the Eureka math webinar and to Chris F and Melissa F for watching the Discovery SS webinar as we prepare for two possible adoptions. 

Do you know what OER is? It could help Benjamin.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-heck-oer-heather-wolpert-gawron


Stephanie Knutson is engaged!  If you see her in the hallway make sure you say congrats and try not to be blinded by the gigantic rock!

11 alternatives to Popcorn Reading
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/alternatives-to-round-robin-reading-todd-finley?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow


Please remember to think about donating some experiences with your grade level students for the Foundation Trivia Night!  Time spent with you is more valuable than money and will draw bigger bids from parents than "baskets".

Learning to self-manage.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/01/learning-self-manage


Team Leaders, just a reminder that we have a team leader meeting Wednesday after school.

Alternative Plans and Completed student growth goals are due Feb 1.  Please see me if you need a short extension. 

Digital Literacy for Digital Natives
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/01/digital-literacy-digital-natives?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Usable+Knowledge
 

Michael Miles continues to amaze me when he works with the Benjamin students.  He is definitely a hidden treasure!


Going after a dream has a price. It may mean abandoning our habits, it may make us go through hardships, or it may lead us to disappointment. But however costly, it is never as high as the price paid by people who live in his/her comfort zone.
Paulo Coelho

1-19-2018

Good luck to our 6th grade students and teachers today as they take a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. 

Replace customers with students or parents:  From IKEA's staff lounge. 


Bill Wadman and a bunch of students were running the halls yesterday as he kicked off Winter Blast to get students into shape with aerobic and strength training. 

Can a Test Ever be fair?  An inside look at how standardized test are made.
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-01-10-can-a-test-ever-be-fair-how-today-s-standardized-tests-get-made


Good luck to Dan Baker, Matt Tylk and all of the boys basketball players as they embark on the SWAC Boys Basketball Tournament this weekend. 

The Benjamin Franklin Effect or How to Handle Haters.
https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/02/20/the-benjamin-franklin-effect-mcraney/


The table is forming!  The Benjamin Teacher Championship Trivia table that is.  I have a couple confirmations and a couple more hopefully on the way.  February 24th...get your seat now or you might lose out on your opportunity for glory!

Managing your attention so that time takes care of itself.
https://medium.com/the-mission/learn-to-manage-your-attention-and-managing-time-will-take-care-of-itself-66d67d0984d6


Just a clarification on the summer STEAM proposals; if you are creating a proposal you should be planning for activities that last 5 days, for the entire day.  If you have any questions do not hesitate to email or call Greg Martin. 

How Design Thinking Improves the creative process. 
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/how-design-thinking-improves-creative-process?utm_campaign=crowdfire&utm_content=crowdfire&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter#1467621-tw#1487031553676


Mr. Johnson has started to volunteer in the maker space, this will add some guidance, direction and just a general overall resource. 

Top 10 Apps to try in 2018



Classroom Management from the Rock.
https://www.weareteachers.com/classroom-management-ideas-from-the-rock/?utm_content=1510770883&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter



I was able to pop into a lot of the curriculum work that was happening on Wednesday after school.  Thank you for working so hard to create the best foundation resources for our students.  I have reached out to Tricia from Pearson to address a couple of questions/problems that came up in those meetings. 

Collaborative Learning with structure:
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/01/collaborative-learning-structure



Our power resides not only in what we do but also in what we refuse to do.
Paul Coelho

1-12-2018

Our choir and band students did an excellent job at representing our school at the first annual WCCHS Music Festival yesterday ending in a great concert.  Thanks to Melissa and Matthew for their work in making this happen.



Thanks to all of the social studies teachers for attending the training on the SS standards and inquiry instruction from MaryEllen Daneels.  All teachers, please remember to fill out the two forms and turn in the evaluation in my mailbox today if you want PD hours for the curriculum/student growth work you did on that day.



The Foundation is looking for a Benjamin Teacher Table for Trivia Night on February 24th and for some teacher experience donations  for the event.  Come join my table for the VICTORY!  Practice starts next week!  Spouses (that are good at trivia) are encouraged to come as well. 


Here is the county wide institute offerings for March 2nd.  Thanks to Michelle F for sending it to me.  https://www.dupageroe.org/wp-content/uploads/Countywide_Institute_Day_Booklet_2018-Addendum01_10_18.pdf

Pineapple Chart is back!   Sign up in the lounge, new improved board, "Think Different"  "Just Do It"
Here is an article on why it is important to see each other teach.
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/open-your-door/

Just a reminder that student growth goals are due Feb 1.  I am currently scheduling more observations for next week if you are on cycle.

Colleen Morgan's students built great houses thinking of Energy with green houses and solar panels.  Check them out in the LMC. 


Thanks to Deb LeBlanc for her leadership and calm demeanor in our weekly PST meetings.  Professionalism at it's best.

Important article on the future of letter grades and what might take its place as top high schools and Universities are phasing out old transcripts and expectations.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/will-letter-grades-survive

Lessons and other curricula for MLK Day.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/resources-martin-luther-king-jr-day-matt-davis?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

1-5-2018

Thanks to Greg for running our Tech Integration Meeting Wednesday night and to Ellen B, Alex and Megan D for attending.  New devices will soon be in student and teacher hands to pilot for next year.

Ellen T did another SUPER job on the bulletin board, check it out if you have a chance.

Thanks to Ellen and Kim for sitting down with Color Portraits yesterday to work out some of the problems we were having. Improved service and product will follow.

Two opportunities for involvement:  I will be at the West Chicago High School Concert on Thursday night to see our band and choir students.  If anyone would like to attend a PTA meeting we have one the same night.  6:30pm in the board room.  All you would need to do is sit and listen, parents appreciate when teachers attend.  Also on Wednesday Night I will be attending the Foundation Meeting and I know they are looking for new BMS Members, attending a few meetings a year and helping to organize two events are the main responsibilities.  Let me know if you would like to attend with me.

Thanks to everyone for taking the 5 Essential survey, students will be taking it soon and please encourage parents to take it if you see any volunteering in the building.

I will check in with everyone who submitted a flexible furniture proposal.  I met with Dr. Clark yesterday and will let people know where their proposal stands.


A little different this week, all of my resources will come from books...Old School!

First one, think about the rating scale not in the sense of hiring but in making decisions in general, from Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferris:


Distinction between knowledge and skills, From PEAK Secrets From the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Ericsson.



On improvement from PEAK


On what is possible to accomplish, from Tools of Titan, Tim Ferris.



On Today's classroom,  From the Innovators Mindset, George Couros




On growth mindset, from Mindset from Carol Dweck:

On the elasticity of our brains and what it means for student's abilities: From Out of Our Minds, Sir Ken Robinson

On addressing our weaknesses from Principles by Ray Dalio: