10-02-2015

Hats off to the Road Warriors as Bill Wadman, Rich Feffer, Matt Tylk, and Doreen Thill have had many away games this week(VB 3 and Soccer 4) They are doing an awesome job with our fall sports teams along with Abby Adams and Cody Anderson for Cross Country.

Comic Books in the classroom:  Many idea and uses.  

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-minute-film-festival-comics-classroom?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_campaign=RSS

Don't forget to get your newsletter articles into Ellen today.  Thanks 

Coding in the classroom:  Lots of creative ideas including Math and ILAR integration.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/coding-in-the-common-core-tara-linney?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=coding-in-the-common-core&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=link&utm_medium=socialflow

Thanks to Angela Anthony as she meets with and recruits students who will be learning about Universal Design and Assistive Technology.  She already has a large group and will be working to narrow it down for students who will eventually be working with UIC Engineering students to develop projects to solve design problems for students who need help.  

Very Cool website with thousands of primary source documents to bring history alive!

http://docsteach.org/

Blog isn't as long this week but please take time to explore "The Article of the Week" article along with a couple of videos.  

http://www.davestuartjr.com/article-of-the-week-assignment/

9-25-2015

Thanks to Lauren D, Colleen and Rich for bringing in Kay McKeen today from scarce.  She puts on a very informational assembly for all of our 6th grade students about limiting waste and recycling/reusing materials that will help our environment.  This information will come into use on their outdoor ed trip and hopefully beyond.

Please don't forget to turn in/meet with me about your 2 growth goals by October 1st.  It has been nice to talk with so many teachers over their student data and possible goals.

Read this article with the mindset that our "customer experience" is how we work with students and parents.
https://disneyinstitute.com/blog/2015/09/customer-service-versus-customer-experience-whats-the-differenceand-why-it-matt/375/

Thanks to Michelle for bringing Newberry Award winning author Cynthia Lord in for grade level presentations.  It will be exciting for students to hear from a successful author about her experiences
and writing tips.

If you haven't met Carol Hayes yet, please stop down to the LMC and say hi.  Carol is doing her clinical hours in library science at our school.

I want to thank the hard work of Steve and Laura in the directions room.  They have had to deal with some difficult situations recently and are doing a great job with their students.

Thanks to Michelle F for securing some student prizes from scholastic that we can hand out on Friday's in return for Fish Slips.  Please continue to hand them out for students that are Being There, Making Your Day, Playing, and Choosing your attitude.

More than 400,000+ high resolution Art images, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online

Please give any boxes that you might have to Alex and Colleen for the upcoming student council food drive.

I want to thank all of our staff for working with our students on the ALICE safety training.  Those difficult conversations make all of us safer and better prepared.

Ten Great Ted Talks for Lead Learners
http://www.inc.com/laura-garnett/forget-business-school-just-watch-these-10-ted-talks.html

Please note that next Wednesday is the 5th Wednesday in September so we do not have a meeting after school.

How you can get introverted students to collaborate.
https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/how-you-can-get-introverted-students-to-collaborate?
utm_content=20153604&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

9-18-2015

It's been great getting into classes this week, yesterday Chris F, M.J. and Debbie O, were working in perfect harmony, actively supporting the students in 4th period math.   It was awesome to see all of the students needs being met with teamwork.

The next link comes from Dr. Ehrhardt.  This school found 100 year old teacher writings and drawings on old chalkboards as they were renovating.  This is really neat to see and read about.  Click on the pictures and watch the video at the end.
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/36940

Please remember that we will be on an AM assembly schedule on Monday to go over the ALICE Script with students. Detective Mowrer's discussion during our learning meeting was a good refresher and provided us information to use as talking points with our students on school safety.  I will follow up with the intercom access and Manny and Frank will be installing the secondary locks next week.

Article on Parent Teacher Conferences:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/conference-time-chatting-with-parents-nick-provenzano
Also based on teacher feedback our Finalized Conference Times are as follows:
November 3  4:00pm-7:30pm
November 5  4:00pm-7:30pm
November 12 4:00pm-7:00pm

I am looking forward on Wednesday to Jessica Adam's student presentations on simple machines that they built.  What a great idea to have parents come in and show off the Maker Space as well.

Bizarre Productivity Hacks from the worlds greatest minds:
http://www.inc.com/molly-reynolds/17-bizarre-productivity-hacks-from-the-world-s-greatest-achievers.html?cid=sf01001

Thanks to PST Team for organizing and compiling the data for our grade level data meetings.  Special thanks to Nicole for leading the charge.  Yesterday was filled with meaningful discussions on helping students based upon test scores, classroom grades and teacher input.  We are doing a lot of things to be proud of at BMS!

Colleen Morgan is working with our grant writers to establish an edible garden on school grounds.  Thanks for stepping up to the plate for this green initiative.

Fun history of Pizza in the United States:

I'm looking forward to the Author visit from Newberry Award Winner Cynthia Lord on Friday of next week.  Thanks to Michelle for putting together this wonderful opportunity for students.

It was nice to recognize newly tenured teachers Jessica E and Michelle F along with new staff members Courtney M, Jackie P, Ryan H and Cody A at the school board meeting on Monday.  As an added bonus they got to listen to the fiscal year Final Budget presentation by Dr. Clark.  Please feel free to ask them any questions on the school budgeting and funding process!

Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.

Alfred Hitchcock (1899 - 1980)   

History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)   

Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)   

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man's, I mean.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), Following the Equator (1897)

9-11-2015

The eighth grade team is operating on a special schedule due to the showing of the September 11th film.  I know that social studies classes will spend a moment about this important day in our nations history.

Come see what a reverse dunk tank is during recesses today.  Kids will have a good time while making money for student council.  Thanks to Alex for organizing this event.

Interesting article on if a "Growth Mindset" can work in schools.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2015/07/why_a_growth_mindset_wont_work.html?intc=mrs

Michelle and Marcia had a vision and heard the truth or they spent a day testing vision and hearing for our youth, either way it was impressive and appreciated.

Barb Ogorek is asking that we start calling her by her new nickname "Major Maker" as she has been very helpful in her duties and responsibilities with the Maker Space.  We appreciate the extra effort.

5 tips for teaching and reaching the tough kids.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-for-teaching-tough-kids-josh-work?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-tips-for-teaching-tough-kids-feb-repost

Mark Caliendo has alerted me that we have 30 out of the 60 5th graders that have signed up as interested in Band this year.  Please help to encourage these students and others as Mark continues to grow our band in numbers and talent.

Thanks to Chris, Lauren and Ellen for the surprise cookie treat on Wednesday after school.  That really made a lot of peoples day.  Speaking of Wednesday, I was very impressed with the ideas and work that was put into peoples growth goals.  Please schedule a time with me to sit down with me to discuss your growth goals if you are on cycle.

Ali Partovi 3 minutes on why teaching coding to students is imperative.

As I visit classroom I continue to be amazed by the awesomeness of our teaching assistants.  You guys are rock stars!  Thank you.

Thanks to Todd and Nicole for working with the grade level teams to set up the schedule for Second Step, which is an important part of our students social emotional learning.


Thanks to Jessica and Todd for going to Evergreen to help get aimsweb testing completed.  Your willingness to Be There to get the job done is appreciated.

Ellen did a great job of putting the newsletter together.  Thanks to everyone for their efforts on this very important communication tool with parents.

Pictures honoring the 14th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nation-honors-victims-sept-11-attacks-n425461

9-4-2015

For those of you on cycle, this is your formal invitation to set up a meeting with me for evaluation this year.  Just stop by to schedule a date and time for us to meet.  When we sit down we will talk about your evaluation and the student growth component.  Please give consideration to if you are doing a traditional evaluation or an alternative.  If you are doing traditional evaluation our meeting will serve as a pre-conference for your first observation and a brainstorming session for your growth component.  If you are doing an alternative evaluation we can go over form 1 and 2 as well as brainstorm your student growth component.  When you stop by to schedule this initial meeting we can discuss the positives and challenges of both evaluation formats to help you decide which way you would like to pursue this year.  Please come to me in the next two weeks to get this meeting on our calendars.

Really good article on 4 skills to teach students(not just on the first five days of school) anytime.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/08/21/four-skills-to-teach-students-in-the-first-five-days-of-school-alan-november/

Thanks to Greg for spending the day giving a tour of the Maker Space.  It will be open for business next week and we will make announcements to inform the kids.

No Genius Left Behind

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/angela-maiers/no-genius-left-behind_b_8046806.html

Please make sure you are handing out fish slips to reward students when you see them Making someone's day, being there, playing or choosing their attitude"  Our prize drawer is restocked and we are going to have students redeem them on Friday at the end of the day.  We are working on bigger prizes for students that save their slips. We also put "off the hook" slips in the lounge so you could recognize your peers when they do something nice for you.

6 non-teaching books every teacher should read.

http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/6-non-teaching-books-every-teacher-should-read

Thanks to Alex and Colleen for running the magazine sale for student council.  Students will get a chance to reverse dunk tank(water pours on top of me from above, think Flashdance...well maybe don't think Flashdance as I am no Jennifer Beals) me on Friday, September 11th.  Teachers can also volunteer for this luxurious position. 

In case you missed the email from Greg, this is an awesome website for a virtual tour of a Space Station.

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/virtual-tour-iss/

Please make sure you have your newsletter articles in to Ellen, if you have not done so already.  

Intrinsic Motivation in Student Writing

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/intrinsic-motivation-growth-mindset-writing-amy-conley

I put some PTA Spirit Wear Order forms in the lounge.  Check it out to get some additional Benjamin Bling.

Our Wednesday Schedule for this month needs to be revised again.  Wednesday, September 9th is an early release day and Wednesday, September 16th we will have our staff learning meeting.

In case you didn't realize today is Force Friday so I will leave you with 15 quotes from Star Wars That you can Use in Everyday Life.  Feel free to use number 9 against me at anytime throughout the year.

http://www.starwars.com/news/15-star-wars-quotes-to-use-in-everyday-life

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and that you get to spend some time unwinding with family and friends. 

8-28-2015

Thanks to Melissa L for leading the training and to the special teachers for making time in the first day schedule to teach the students the Fish Philosophy.  Please make sure everyone uses the vocab and hands out some of the Fish slips to reinforce the concepts. 

New teachers(and veterans) check out these posts on Lesson and Curriculum planning.
http://www.edutopia.org/article/new-teachers-lesson-curriculum-planning-resources?utm_content=article&utm_campaign=new-teachers-lesson-curriculum-planning-resources&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link

A Big thanks to Jen and Lynette for having pictures and the magazine talks in PE classes.  This enabled the start of our school to go smoothly



The power of believing that you can improve.  Watch this! (When you have 10 minutes)
http://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en

Thanks to Tom, Frank and Manny for their help with the morning drop off/cone patrol, our students are safer because of your hard work.

Weekend Habits of Successful People:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/12-weekend-habits-highly-successful-people.html

Thanks to everyone for recycling.  This will make a big impact on our environment. 

Thanks to Ellen for putting together the menu for our fantastic barb-Q lunch on Tuesday. 

Thanks to Alex and Colleen for organizing the magazine drive that students will see today.  Profits will benefit student council.

The Benefits of Recess:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/improve-school-climate-examine-recess-jill-vialet?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-recess-jill-vialet-dyk-image-repost

 

Thanks to Mark B and Lauren D for setting the stage for the 6th grade outdoor ed trip at the parent meeting last night.  Educating the parents on the benefits of the trip and how their child will be in good hands with our teachers is really what the parents need to know. 

 

Thanks to Todd and MJ for helping me with some transportation issues.  Your hard work is paying big dividends for students.

 

I will be popping into classes today to see you guys in action.  Thanks for all of your hard work to make the start of the school year a success.  A couple of people have asked me to send them the video from the student growth presentation so I will end the blog with that.

 

6-5-2015

The Graduation ceremony went very well Wednesday night.  It could not have happened without a lot of help from everyone.  Thanks to Melissa for doing an excellent job with the choir and securing the keynote speaker for the ceremony.  Thanks to Pat and Ellen for taking the tickets at the door, and getting the tickets and programs in order.  Thanks to all of the teachers who came to the event and special thanks to Mark, Keriann, Danielle and Bill for filling in the details for me and performing flawlessly on stage.  You guys are the best!

Just one link this time:  Summer Reading and Math resources for teachers, parents and students.  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/summer-learning-resources-matt-davis?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=summer-learning-resources&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link

The seventh grade team had their students put on Fairy Tale Theater yesterday and they did a great job.  You can tell that a lot of work went into each students performance.  Great job Adrienne!

Please make sure that you look over the "check out" list so that you can be ready for Pat, Melissa and myself for your check out time.

I look forward to the award ceremonies on Monday.  We have so many great students that have worked hard and deserve recognition.

I thought the eighth grade clap-out was a great new tradition.  The students were treated like rock stars by the younger students.

The yearbooks look awesome!  Thanks to Lynn for working so hard with the small group of students who put it together.

Student schedules are going to be posted online in mid-August for students and parents to see.  We will no longer be posting homeroom lists on the windows.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Caroline, Lurana, Jill and John for their may years of service to District 25.  Your service to children, professionalism, work ethic, relationships with peers and selflessness set the gold standard for other teachers to strive for.  Thank you.

I hope to see everyone over at Pat's today after school.  It will be good to honor the retiree's, relax and joke around with everyone as the school year comes to an end.  Thanks to Pat for opening up her home.