1-31-2020

PLEASE think about stepping up and helping April present at the Feb 5th staff learning meeting on Wednesday.  I know I can count on you and you have something to contribute.

From Megan P's class.


Melissa Falkos needs clear two liter bottles people, 90 of them!  If you have any over the weekend, please bring them in for her for her science lab.  Thanks. 

Go beyond trauma and struggle to examine the liberation, civic engagement, creativity and intersecting identities of Black people during Black History Month.
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/black-history-month-teaching-the-complete-history


April, Melissa and Danielle will be working hard on Saturday as they collaborate with parents to help build some of the set pieces.  I appreciate them illustrating the point that the time and effort put into a project directly relates to end result. 

Tips for building metacognition in your students.
http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol15/num07/Tips-for-Building-Metacognitive-Muscle.aspx

Thanks to Jen Harvel who has agreed to start being our success track supervisor  starting on Monday.  She will be helping some of our 8th grade students get back on track with their academics in the afternoon.



Thanks to the 6th grade teams continued support of our ROAR program and for positively reinforcing good behavior and choices their students make. 


The physics of Jazz.

Thanks to Chris and Jessica for going to the Teach to Lead conference in March and working with Evergreen teachers.   I look forward to them sharing what they learn with all of us.  Thanks to Debbie for organizing the event. 



One of the best parts of our data meetings are the discussions that take place as we try to figure out how to help students.  We don't always agree, but everyone is always willing to do their part to help. Parental communication is a huge component of helping students in every grade level.  Working together.

9 NEW ways to use FlipGrid in the classroom.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/9-new-ways-use-flipgrid-classroom

Here is a cool resource Betty found.

The Learner Variability Navigator tool synthesizes research on a variety of factors that impact learning, and suggests research based ideas for helping students from different backgrounds. 

Link to actual Tool

https://lvp.digitalpromiseglobal.org/

Video Summary of Tool

https://lvp.digitalpromiseglobal.org/content-area/reading-pk-3/factors/sleep-reading-pk-3/summary

Thanks to all of our TA's who continue to do a wonderful job everyday in the classrooms.  I got to work with Debbie yesterday and assist some students in 5th  grade.  She was amazing and I was exhausted after one period.  Our TA's are the best!

22 Diverse Book Choices for all grade levels.  

https://www.edutopia.org/article/22-diverse-book-choices-all-grade-levels

Please check out Megan's World Read Outloud Day invitation email and consider stopping by to read or creating a flipgrid video for Feb 5.

Thanks to everyone who is on cycle and are finishing up scheduling your formal observations or continuing to work on your alternative evaluation, as well as finishing up your Student Growth Goals, Please let me know if you need any help.  

Personalized Learning: The Why, How, and What   Read the article, look at the graphic.

http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2020/01/personalized-learning-why-how-and-what.html 

Thanks to Jessica, Lauren D, Colleen, and Alex for helping our students become leaders by sponsoring NJHS and Student Council.  These groups give students great experiences to help them become better citizens and serve our school and wider community. 

1-24-2020

 Thanks to Colleen for setting up the Pizza Now event yesterday.  Students were thrilled, a lot of them shared and she raised $ for student council!

If it is easy then it probably isn't learning.  Good article
http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2019/08/if-its-easy-then-it-probably-isnt.html

Lauren D and Jessica did a tremendous job of organizing and running the NJHS Induction Ceremony on Wednesday Night.  It was also great to see Benjamin and NJHS alumni coming back to speak to the students.


I enjoyed going around to the subject area meetings yesterday and hearing the discussions and concerns about our gifted and talented students and student data in both ILAR and Math.  These conversations will help us move closer to reaching each child where they are at...no matter what section they are in.

It's not about cramming in more content...please read
https://katielmartin.com/2020/01/18/want-to-see-change-in-education-its-not-more-its-different/

Dan and Matt are back at it with our girls basketball teams, as usual they showed great teamwork, sportsmanship and skill in their victories on Thursday. (not sure if the 5th/6th grade team won)



I enjoyed getting into more classrooms this week.  I particularly liked seeing the teamwork of Lauren, Jill and Michelle as they joined forces in the LMC to help our 5th graders with their wild animal research papers.

Make their Day #fishphilosophy


Please schedule your formal observation with me if you  still need to and let me know if you have any questions on your student growth goals.

Finding Happiness in Challenging Moments.   Short Video from Shawn Achor.

Team Leaders will be talking to you soon about items we discussed in our team leader meeting on Tuesday.  I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many smart and caring people.

Best new websites for students.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/best-news-websites-for-students

A big thanks to Lauren, Chris and Melissa F who welcomed two practicum students to Benjamin from North Central College.  Please say hi to Kaileen and Elizabeth if you see them in the building.

Love this Habits of Mind Board from Megan P


As team leaders are going to be talking to you about, we have a great opportunity to send a couple of teachers to Bloomington on March 6th and 7th as part of a Teach to Lead Conference.  Please see me or Debbie LeBlanc if you are interested.  We are sending teachers from both schools to represent our district.

Relationships, Relationships...oh yeah, relationships
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55144/relationships-are-important-how-do-we-build-them-effectively-with-kids

Thanks to Ellen T and Kim for working hard and putting up with me day in and day out in the office.  I couldn't do it without you.


Thanks to all of the lunch supervisors for everything you do to maintain Law and Order in the lunchroom each day.  I appreciate it!



and now a baby eating ice cream for the first time and another trying to eat a banana...just because

1-17-2020

How's that gratitude list going? Yesterday I was grateful for our awesome teaching assistants, my paper planner (it got a workout!) and my opportunity to get in some classrooms.

Gratitude.
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/52762/how-writing-down-what-youre-thankful-for-can-be-good-for-mental-and-physical-health


Congratulations to Coach Baker and Tylk as the Varsity BB team captured second place in SWAC basketball tournament this past weekend and JV earned 4th place.


Thanks to Jessica, Jen H and Kerry for coming in on Saturday to proctor the PSAT to some of our younger students.  Thanks to Tim and Greg who are also on standby to help in case of bad weather!

Excellent article on ways kids can show kindness without sacrificing themselves.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/seven-ways-to-teach-tweens-to-give-to-others-without-sacrificing-themselves/2020/01/06/dec2ff74-0bd4-11ea-8397-a955cd542d00_story.html


I am very thankful to all of our substitutes who have been doing a tremendous job this year and thanks to Kim G for coordinating all of them for us at BMS.

Thanks to Angela who set up a google doc so that Kim G and Kim C can fill sub positions with more communication and effectiveness!  We appreciate it.

17 strategies for engaging resistant classes


Big thanks again for Michelle F for taking the time to fill out the request form that ended up winning us the 3D printer for our school.  It was nice for Ackerman/Meemic to come to our meeting yesterday and was super special that a former student was there to help present the recognition!



Thanks to Megan D for attending last night's PTA meeting.  There are still spots open for the next meeting.  It is great to have representation for everything that they have done for us.

The Power of Wait Time


Shout out to our 5th grade team for their persistence and flexibility when working with some difficult students.  Also thanks to our PST team as we have spent a lot of time problem solving, earning the name that we hold!

A rough guide to spotting bad science.


Thanks to Nicole who was working closely with two separate  students to get them the supports that they need  this week.

Please make sure you take time to respond to Dr. Woell's meeting invitation.

Take a couple minutes to watch this

Thanks to everyone for filling out the 5Essentials survey.  If you have not had time to do so yet, please try to fill it out by next week.  Thanks!

50 self-esteem boosting affirmations for teens.
https://blog.mindvalley.com/?p=8738


I had a great time presenting at Wednesday's learning meeting on being more effective with the use of a planner.  I love it when staff members  share with me how the meeting helped them to make a change, which someone shared with me yesterday about their plan to tackle a Vital task long term.
Here are the list of questions to help you prioritize tasks and I will share the presentation with my district gmail account.

1. Vital goals you should be working on today   (chipping away)

2.  What is urgent that I must get done first thing?

3.  If I could only get a few things done what would they be?

4.  Which things does your boss think you should get done? (my favorite priority question)

5.  Which items would I like to get off my list to make me feel better?

6.  What will happen to me or others if I don't get something done today ?



“The wisest are the most annoyed at the loss of time.” -- Dante Alighieri

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” -- Steve Jobs

1-10-2020

Thanks for listening to my presentation on "Falling Up" on Wednesday.  My favorite take away from the chapter was Invent a New Counterfact.  If we can all do this in our daily life it will lead to a more positive existence with growth and opportunity.  I also hope people will take up the "3 things I am grateful for" challenge. 

Check out how one of Lauren D's students is adding their STEM skills to her classroom.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1215423154702688257

Thanks to all of the teams for scheduling the 5Essentials survey with your students.  I appreciate you taking the time to fill it our yourself during your plan time. 

25 Tiny Habit changes that will make you a different person a year from now.   Some good stuff!
https://thoughtcatalog.com/kim-quindlen/2018/02/25-tiny-habit-changes-that-will-make-you-a-different-person-in-a-year-from-now/


Jessica has Intramurals back in action.  Having students that weren't on the official school team gives them an opportunity to grow their skills and have fun.



Tuesday we have the high-school counselors coming over to se our 8th grade students and we have our 5th graders going to the Paramount Theater in Aurora to see the Beauty and the Beast theater production. 

Think about sharing this student podcast challenge with your students. 

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/650500116/npr-student-podcast-challenge-home

Please remember to be working on your student growth goals if you are on cycle this year.  they are due February 1st.  Please see me if you have any questions or need to make a mid-point adjustment.

 Teaching podcasting....an actual curriculum guide. (different then the post above)
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/662116901/teaching-podcasting-a-curriculum-guide-for-educators

I am on my 9th Project-Lit book this year.  Thanks to Megan P for encouraging me (and more importantly her students) to read these great novels. 


Just a reminder that this Wednesday we have our official staff learning meeting.  April will be sending out an email about the February staff learning meeting that explains how you can help make the presentation fabulous.  I'm sure you are sick of hearing me present!

Personalized learning tied to a bigger purpose.
https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/googles-20-time

I went to the specials team meeting and they were having their weekly "thankful Thursday" meeting in which everyone tells a positive story about something that went really well this week, it could be about a lesson, a student, a fellow staff member or an experience with their family.  What an awesome idea and a great way to spend a team meeting each week.



Melissa and Matthew will be taking the 8th grade choir and band students to WCCHS on Monday.  This is by invitation and takes the place of the music festival that the high school won't be having this year due to renovations. 

A google doc that helps students analyze their growth over time. Check this out.
https://catlintucker.com/2020/01/growth-over-time/

You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read. —John Wooden