10-12-2018

Congratulations to our Cross Country Team for a stellar job yesterday at our conference tournament at Harvest Christian and good luck to our Benjamin Volleyball and Soccer teams this weekend as they compete in the conference tournament. 

Thanks to Melissa for organizing the 7th grade field trip to the Art Institute in Chicago.  Mixing culture and fun is always a good combination.


How mistakes help students learn.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-mistakes-help-students-learn?linkId=100000003717532


April Tepe and her Medieval STEM 8th graders, made paper ...yes made paper and then analyzed and tested  it for drawing surface, flexibility and ability to be cut cleanly.  Students came away with some great understandings of ways to improve the process the next time.

20 ways to show your kids (the ones at home) that you are proud of them.
http://redtri.com/easy-words-of-encouragement-for-kids/?utm_source=commonsensemedia.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_twitter


Thanks to Tony and Frank for getting the Green Screen wall painted outside of Sherry's and inside of Angela's room.  One of many things that they do on a daily basis to keep our school running smoothly.

Even mild physical activity improves memory.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180924153424.htm


Thanks to Megan P, Betty and Megan D for starting an adult book club for Benjamin teachers!  What a fun idea.



I am looking forward to the reveal of the 2018-2019 theater production this morning.  Annie?  Wicked? Cats? Lion King?  Mary Poppins?  Spiderman; Turn off the Dark?

How to use the movie Black Panther in the classroom?
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/03/black-panther-classroom


Congratulations to Betty for receiving tenure at Tuesday's board meeting!

Please join the PTA if you haven't already.  Best $5 you will ever spend.

Why graphic novels belong in all libraries.
https://pernillesripp.com/2018/10/10/why-graphic-novels-belong-in-all-of-our-libraries/


Thanks to all of the SS teachers for meeting after school on Wednesday to discuss or new TCI product.  We were able to share  positive experiences, tips, ask questions and give me concerns.

Good article about teens being bullied on Instagram.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/10/teens-face-relentless-bullying-instagram/572164/

A huge thank you to Sherry Anderson for facilitating a conversation between Alex and one of his spanish speaking families.  We appreciate your expertise and your willingness to help.

When's the last time you were as happy as this dog?

Thanks to Alex, Jen H, Heather F and Lori for meeting with Claire from SASED to streamline some strategies.  Working together to meet the needs of the students is why we are here!

Drawing can help you think and focus better, even if you are bad at it.
https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/learning-draw-think-better-learn-smarter-and-be-less-distracted-


Thanks to Laura Morgan and Tim Morton for handling a difficult situation on Wednesday with one of their students.  Also, thanks to Todd and Nicole and Melissa for lending a hand.

Very cool writing prompt generator.  Hit "shuffle" and watch the magic happen.
https://diymfa.com/writer-igniter

10-5-2018

A big congratulations to Laura Pfanenstiel, Deb LeBlanc and the Evergreen staff on Evergreen being named a National Blue Ribbon School.  This is the highest honor and much deserved.

The self-reflection sandwich...see what's on it.
https://leadershipfreak.blog/2018/10/04/the-self-reflection-sandwich/


Thanks to everyone for turning in their student growth goals.   I will provide you a signed copy and let you know if I have any questions.  Most of you I met in a brainstorming session and had those worked out.

Our Benjamin Foundation Fall Fest is Sunday October 21st.  This is a great event to bring your family to (for young kids), volunteer at or to bake for.  Put it on your calendar.

Chris will be piloting a new news broadcast club.  This will basically take the place of Friday announcements.  Students will put together a small news show of a current event, our announcements the weather and the W.O.W.  This will require everyone's help to make this successful.  The basics are that they will film it Wednesday morning and you will be sent a link Friday morning that you will click on and play through you computer/interactive projector/Ben Q at 7:42am.  Please make sure you take the steps to have the link ready on time and make sure your class is quiet and listening/watching as they do for me everyday for announcements.  Since I won't be doing announcements on Fridays I will be able to walk around and watch them from a different classroom each week.  Thanks for your help and more detailed information will be coming from Chris.

Thanks to Matthew for taking some of our band students to Vandercook school of Music for a one day Band Fest last weekend where they were able to learn and compete.


Thanks to Greg and Betty for the excellent presentations they gave for our learning meeting on Wednesday.  I know that I came away with some knowledge that will help keep our computers safe and tools that will help our EL population  see success.

8 ways to reclaim a sense of joy when teaching.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/reclaiming-sense-joy?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter

Ellen and Kim did a great job as usual organizing and setting up our Octoberfest. Nothing beats food, friends, and conversations.

4 teaching moves that promote a growth mindset in all readers. (has videos as well)
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/47856/four-strategies-that-promote-a-growth-mindset-in-struggling-readers


Just an FYI the new state testing company officially purchased the PARCC content.  So the questions will be exactly like they were previously.  We will just need to see how the new system delivers them electronically. More information will be provided as I receive it.

The big list of classroom discussion strategies.
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/speaking-listening-techniques/


Thanks to Chris, April, Lyn, Sherry, Keriann, Melissa R and Bill for doing an outstanding job with their students when Dr. Ehrhardt, the school board and myself visited their classrooms on Wednesday.  We saw a lot of engaged and active student learning!



Lauren, Colleen and Melissa R are having Scarce come in to give the 6th grade students a presentation on the importance of recycling.  This is a great experience for these students.

Connected to that presentation Tim is working with all of the custodians to make sure that they are going to start properly recycling everyday.  From our standpoint we need to make sure that we as a staff are recycling and making sure the students recycle properly.  You will be receiving an email from me with the proper recycling information that is coming straight from our waste management company.  This will serve as a great reference guide and reminder on what can be recycled.  Let's commit to doing our part as we have a lot of garbage that can now be reduced by following this process.

A year from now you may wish you had started today." -- Karen Lamb

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." -- Walter Elliot

9-28-2018

Sherry's class put on some pretty complicated Rube Goldberg machine demonstrations on Wednesday  This lesson is a great example of student engagement, problem solving, group cooperation and creativity. 

How to teach self-regulation (an important skill).
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-teach-self-regulation



We had a good showing of current and former parents, students and board members show up for our Community Open House last night.  Special thanks to Mark and Jim for staying to show off the science labs and to Lauren and Jessica for setting up the 12 NJHS student tour guides.  Many complements were given about the facilities and the student guides. 



We are having a good amount of students show up at the doors before the ending bell each day.  A good amount of them I have traced to leaving the maker space early from study skills classes.  Please have students report back to your study skills class before the last bell after using the maker space.
 
Make learning part of your job. 
https://hbr.org/2018/09/make-sure-everyone-on-your-team-sees-learning-as-part-of-their-job

There has been a lot of student problem solving done by all stakeholders lately.  Yesterday was a perfect example of PST team, admin, classroom teachers, and parents working together to create plans to help students succeed. 




A big shout-out to Mark, Jim, Lauren, Chris, Nicole and Melissa for their guidance, support and feedback at our Team Leader meetings that carries over to your grade level teams. 

"At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train." -- S.L. Parker Find that extra degree.


Please make sure your newsletter is turned in to Ellen, today is the due-date.

The impact of 30 seconds!
 https://twitter.com/i/status/1045063768068239360

Have you joined the PTA yet?  What are you waiting for?



Please make sure you get your growth goals in by Monday.(If you are on evaluation cycle)  If you are doing alternative evaluation I need forms 1 & 2 and if you are doing a regular evaluation please set up your first formal observation with me.  Let me know if you have any questions. 



I was able to speak at the Student Council Meeting on Wednesday morning.  Their theme is "Following the Clues to the Leader in You"  They had a great turnout.  Thanks to Colleen and Alex for leading this group. 



I had a chance to get in a lot of classrooms this week.  I'm always amazed at the many different ways there are to engage students in learning.Thanks for leading the way!

9-21-2018

The ridiculously easy and scientific way to remember things.

https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/drawing-doodling-memory-retention-improvement-experiments.html

Thanks to everyone who stayed and worked on subject area meeting agenda items Wednesday after school. Also thanks to the math team that allowed me to steal valuable time to give the safety meeting presentation.  Please make sure you put the phone intercom number to memory or permanently by the phone.



Lauren's daughter explaining the growth mindset! (taught by her second grade teacher)

Please, please please join the PTA.  It is a wise investment, as they really work hard for our school!  I'll have forms put in your mailboxes.  Oh, and did I mention for your $5 investment they reimburse you for $50-100 of school purchases for your classroom.



Thanks to all of the coaches for working hard and putting in the extra time with the kids.  Kerry K even had to ref the Varsity volleyball game when the real ref went home with back issues. Go Bengals!

Because of the different ways our brains are wired, we all experience reality in different ways & any single way is essentially distorted. This is something that we need to acknowledge. So if you want to know what is true & what to do about it, you must understand your own brain.



We have a new state testing company!   And the winner is............... Data Recognition Corporation (DRC)!  I know you are all relieved.  Just Kidding, if you never heard of them, they are the company that runs the ACCESS testing for our EL students. More information will be upcoming as a we receive it.

5 Minutes that will make you love classical music.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/arts/music/5-minutes-that-will-make-you-love-classical-music.html



I appreciate the science teachers attention to detail as they keep us updated on the fine tuning that still needs to take place in our new labs. Your efforts are making my job easier with the architects and the construction companies.

How students can find reliable sources for reports.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/how-can-my-kid-find-reliable-sources-for-school-reports?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social


Let's hear it for our lunch supervisors. Yesterday, we had the popular walking tacos, a la carte and PTA ice cream. Next week to make your job more challenging we are going to add jugglers and carnival games!  We appreciate you getting the job done.


Growth Mindset  Life = Risk 1 minute video for a student reminder.

Thanks to Lauren and Jessica who agreed to get student ambassadors for our community open house on the 27th.  Also thanks to the science teachers who are able to stay to show off your rooms.  

Great Summary Article/Chart/Video from the lady herself, Carol Dweck.  Bookmark this link.

https://fs.blog/2015/03/carol-dweck-mindset/

Thanks to Marcia for relaying a lot of  student medical information to us lately. You are the information/communication conduit between the parents/students/teachers.

9-14-2018

How to Conference on 30 student essays.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-minute-writing-conferences



Congratulations to Melissa R and Todd who were recognized at the school board meeting on Monday.

How teachers use The Simpsons to teach Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven
http://www.openculture.com/2016/01/the-simpsons-present-edgar-allan-poes-the-raven.html



Thanks to Ellen T for putting together the unique Pizza Lunch for staff yesterday.  Everything looked great.

More from Ray Dalio on Radical Open-Mindedness
Regarding radical open-mindedness, it’s what you would do if you weren’t biased to think that your opinions are best and instead wanted to objectively weigh what you’re thinking in relation to what other smart people are thinking to raise your chances of being right.


Growth Mindset for Math Teachers (and students)!



Thanks to Melissa L for organizing and supervising the bus evacuation and thanks to all staff for being flexible with the schedule when one of the busses came late.

Just a reminder now that clubs are starting to please make sure you wait with the students until the last student is picked up.  The office will be left open in case a phone call needs to be made. 

Excellent Article given to me by Megan P on the importance of libraries.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html



Thanks to MJ who will be starting homebound tutoring next week for a 7th grade student.  Thanks to the 7th grade team for communicating with MJ to ensure the student doesn't fall too far behind. 

A new study finds that greeting students at the door increases engagement by 20%, reduces disruptions by 9% -- effectively adding 1 hour of learning per day.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/welcoming-students-smile



Colleen Morgan's students take science out of doors as they study population sampling


I was in Lauren Dunne's class and I was able to watch students give their "bag" presentations.  I love this lesson.  Students bring in a bag with three items that represent them or have meaning in their life.  What a great way to work on public speaking and presentation skills but even more it provides a safe place for students to present their true self and build classroom community. 



Thanks to all of the math and ILAR teachers who learned how to group students based on different criteria and how to pull lessons up tied to student weaknesses. It was an hour well spent.  Special thanks to Angela for organizing it and to Megan P for using her class for the demo. 



Thanks to Bill and Keriann for throwing the cross-country movie night tonight.  What a fun team bonding activity!

Podcast on a man's surviving 911 after being on the 81st floor when the plane hit the building.  Powerful 45 minutes.  (adult language)  Has other good podcasts as well. 
https://www.calfussman.com/podcasts/2018/9/10/vqndv3rxtikmdypfg4oo98z37sigfv

9-7-2018

Thanks again to everyone for the super job you did at Curriculum Night.  I've heard nothing but positive comments from parents and teachers.

5 digital tools to save time in the classroom.  (couple pretty cool ideas)
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/08/20/5-digital-tools-to-save-time-in-the-classroom/



The intruder and fire drill were well executed.  Thanks for your preparation and attention to these drills.  Also, thanks to Melissa L for organizing and scheduling all of the drills.

I made a short video yesterday after school of all the positive messages and student work that students get to see in the halls.

Thanks to Michelle and Kathy for all of the work they did to help with the book-fair.  Because we passed the goal of $2500. I will be dressing up like a character from a novel on Wednesday September 12th.  I don't want to have all of the fun so Wednesday will be "dress up like your favorite character from a novel day" for all students and staff that wish to participate.  

Stress and the Growth Mindset

https://www.edutopia.org/article/science-behind-student-stress?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter

Don't forget to turn your cash into Lauren to contribute to the Social Fund.  Also, please purchase your 2018-2019 PTA membership.  

Congrats to Bill and Keriann for the wonderful job they did in hosting our first home cross country meet in the hot temperatures Tuesday afternoon.  Also thanks to all of the staff that signed up to work!

Lady Reacting to a skateboarding trick.  Pure enthusiasm and joy.

Thanks to Lynette, Corey and Jen for being flexible and allowing pictures and magazine presentations take place during PE.  Making the schedule work helps everyone and we appreciate it.  

Good article on the art of thoughtful disagreement.  

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/appreciate-art-thoughtful-disagreement-ray-dalio/

If you are on cycle this year, please start thinking about your student growth goals and setting up your first observation with me or turning in your first two documents for your alternative evaluation if you choose to go that route.  I am also available to have a planning meeting to brainstorm ideas.  

Matthew did a great job at beginning band night last night, the word is out, as it was packed with 5th grade families and West Chicago High School student volunteers.  

“Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” -- Ernest Hemingway

"I've got pretty big dreams for your kids this year"

Anonymous Benjamin Teacher

8-31-2018

Thanks to the Mindset summer team (Debbie, Laura P, Melissa L,  Megan D, Megan P, Angelica, Julie and Courtney) that put together the district presentation on Monday.  Being able to have students tap into their unused potential this year will increase their talents and skills.

Watch this 2 minute video Melissa l found as a 4 year old explains the value of reading!

Thanks to Ellen and Kim for all of the hard work they did to get everyone off to a great start to the school year.  We couldn't do it without you.



Thanks for your attention and ideas at our safety meeting this week.  We will send out a short and specific email to everyone on how we will run Thursday's lock-down drill as soon as we hear back from Officer Mowrer. 

What happens when schools prioritize Art.
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50874/what-happens-to-student-behavior-when-schools-prioritize-art


Thanks to Bill, Keriann, Matt Tylk , Corey, Dan and Kerry for all of the hard work they have put into the start of the fall sports season.  The kids will benefit from your coaching and guidance.  Special thanks to Marcia for going to the tryouts and first practices to make sure all students had their sports physical. 

If you are looking for a new great podcast.  I recommend Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell.  He has done three seasons.  Listen in your car or on the weekend when you are doing work around the house.  I have attached Episode 10 from season 3 but you can find all three seasons online or wherever you find podcasts.
http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/30-analysis-parapraxis-elvis

Thanks to Mark and Colleen for running the 6th grade outdoor ed meeting last night.  The information they provide puts many parent minds to rest on what is for many their kids first overnight trip. 



Due to Curriculum Night being scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th and that we just had a learning meeting this week, we will not have a Learning Meeting on Wednesday.  I will send a meeting schedule for the month of September soon. 

The two biggest barriers to good decision making are your ego and your blind spots. Together, they make it difficult for you to objectively see what is true about you and your circumstances and to make the best possible decisions by getting the most out of others.

Speaking of Curriculum Night, the parent letter and schedule will be going out today.  What a great opportunity to show parents how your class will be run this year and what experiences their children will have with you. 

The Holstee Manifesto:  Life-cycle video.

The Specials Team trained our newest Bengals in the FISH Philosophy yesterday.  Melissa L, Lyn and April did a great job of discussing each of the four principles. 



Matthew and Corey did a great job with Summer Band and with adding the pizzazz we needed for our opening school assembly.  Thanks

How to be remarkable.
https://seths.blog/2007/01/how_to_be_remar/

I was able to get into a lot of classes yesterday and was amazed at the job everyone was doing as they finished up going over guidelines and expectations for the year, setting the stage for student success.


Congratulations to Todd for  winning the State of Illinois, Those Who Excel Award of Merit.  Even though he downplays the significance, we are lucky to have him in our district helping our students and staff!