3-24-2017

 Just a reminder that Greg will have the laptop choices at lunch today and after school for people to tryout.  Input will be taken before the decision is made for purchase.  Please make sure you provide feedback so your voice is heard.

Interesting article on what kids should know by the time they finish school from some educational experts.
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/08/what-students-should-know/497927/?utm_source=atlfb


We are moving forward in the adoption of the new ELA Program.  Pearson, My Perspectives program will be brought before the board for possible purchase.  I was able to observe a school that was using only the online platform with no book as a back-up.  The students were highly engaged and were happy to give me feedback as to the reasons they like the online platform.

Thanks to Dan for organizing the staff vs. student game.  The 8th grade boys were excited!

The age at which you peak....at everything.  article goes into explanation
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-age-for-everything-2017-3/#learning-a-second-language-is-easiest-when-youre-about-7-or-8-1




Thanks to everyone for their input on the master schedule for next year.  A decision was reached to have two sections of 5th and 6th grade special classes. In addition, we will be keeping the 1/2 time teaching position for next year. We will be moving to IMSA Fusion for our 5th, 7th and 8th grade technology special classes with a teaching assistant being scheduled in those classes for academic and program assistance. Finally, RTI Math classes were added to the existing ones for smaller class sizes with increased support.


I know grade level teams are scheduling trials for PARCC with Greg.  It is important to be able to catch the mistakes that will pop up as well as for teacher and student comfortability to have these trials.

The student musical Oklahoma was off the charts this past weekend.  The students were amazing and Melissa and Danielle put in a lot of work to make the production run smoothly.  Every year this event is a showcase for the amazing talent in our building.  Thank you.

Sometimes writing is about just sitting down and doing it.

Matt Tylk, Dan Baker, Nicole Colburn, Rich Feffer and Keriann Moore did a great job presenting the sports awards on Wednesday night.  It is nice to know that our students not only get great coaching, but great role models in their interactions with our staff.

Melissa and the choir performed beautifully Tuesday night at West Chicago High School. The students were thrilled to perform on the big stage and with the high school students.

8 ways that Middle Schools can build College and Career Readiness:
https://www.middleweb.com/34228/ms-8-ways-we-can-build-collegecareer-readiness/

We will have a summer band program for the first time this summer.  Hat's off to Mr. Turek for getting this off the ground.  I am excited to see this program take place that will strengthen our band program as a whole.

Mike D will be working in the conference room on some curriculum topics on Tuesday.   Please stop by to check-in and say hello.

How to focus in the age of distraction:


Thanks to Jen and Lynette for bringing in the Teen Decision group to work with our health students.  Having guest speakers is a great way to engage students in important information.

How to Read more when you feel like you don't have time. (Hint put your phone away)
http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2017/03/how-to-read-more-when-it-feels-like-you-never-have-time.html


We will be sending out a bike/walker permission letter soon after break to emphasize safe practices when students start riding their bikes to schools now that the bike path is officially open.

Sherry did a great job of speaking to the 6th grade students about spanish opportunities that they have next year.  Making a decision between Spanish for 2 years or study skills can be a tough decision and now they are informed!

I'm going to try this challenge after spring break.  Anybody want to try it with me?


I hope that everyone has a wonderful spring break and gets to enjoy the time with their family and friends.

3-10-2017

The 5th Grade Team did an awesome skype with Evergreen teacher Julie M who is in El Salvador right now.  They were able to ask a ton of questions and learn a lot about the country and culture.


Good luck to our Basketball Teams as the girls play in the SWAC Tournament this weekend.

Also, good luck to Alex Oda and 5th Grader Lam Truong as they enter the State Chess tournament in Normal IL this weekend.

UC Berkeley will erase more than 20,000 online lectures due to Justice Department Accessibility Order.  Interesting article on a tough problem.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/03/06/u-california-berkeley-delete-publicly-available-educational-content?utm_content=buffer77e52&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=IHEbuffer


Please remember to turn in your extra duty sign-up form for next year.  In my mailbox or email is ok.

Also, please review the end of year purchasing deadlines that were outlined in an email I sent out this week.


Please make sure that you get any important dates to Ellen T so she can get them on the "school calendar".  Thanks


How 5 post-it notes can make you Happy Confident and Successful
http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/04/post-it-notes/?utm_source=sumome&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=sumome_share


Please remember that PI Day is Tuesday.  Sign up now.

This one will take some extra time, but carve some out to check it out:  Highlights the most important research on teaching from the past year:
https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-highlights-2016-youki-terada?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Good luck to the 8th grade team at their reward trip today.  It is a good reminder that most of our students are doing what they are supposed to do academically and behaviorally.

A good reminder that the struggle is necessary.



Thanks to everyone for participating in our Learning Meeting Discussion on the Master Schedule. I really do think it was a valuable conversation that helped us understand questions and misunderstandings.   I'm sure we will find a solution that helps kids and relies on our teaching strengths.

2-24-2017

Today is the last day of the trimester.  Please make sure you have grades entered and let students know that they are switching specials on Monday.

Interesting article on the FISH blog about how negative comments are stored more quickly than positive ones into our long term memory and how we can make the positive stick.
http://www.fishphilosophy.com/four-ways-hard-wire-positive-neuroscience-fish-philosophy/?inf_contact_key=e4e1fced40f4a07238cea0ac7abda19c189aa30405342e7a0c3bd9cfd3de12af


Please send me your March 3rd agenda if you are staying "in house".  If you are going out to a conference, please make sure you have the correct paperwork (district and conference) submitted by the end of the day.




Thanks to Steve, Laura and Ellen B for making the best of a bad situation.  The room switch has taken place and everyone is functioning.  Your patience and understanding is appreciated.  Also thanks to Tim, Tony and Frank for their help.

  Pixar teaming with Khan Academy to show how all aspects of school tie into making an animated feature in Pixar in a Box.  This article is highlighting the Art of Storytelling part of this project.  Really cool.
http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2017/02/pixar-studios-offers-free-storytelling-lessons-online.html


Congrats to Mark and Colleen for coming in second and first place respectively in the Dec-a-door contest.  I know Mark is a little upset about 2nd place as he was up to 3am drawing cupids the night before judging and Colleen's parade through his room with her class singing "We are the Champions" was a little much.

NASA   A treasure trove of planets just found.  2 minute video.

Congrats to Courtney on her engagement to her fiance Joel, I'm sure this is an exciting time for both of them.

Thanks to Megan D, Melissa L and Kim G for all of the hard work they did to get ready for this weekends Foundation Trivia Night.  I'm sure Matt will do an outstanding job as MC and thanks to all of the teachers that donated prizes or who are attending.

Ten Online Research Tools Every Online Learner Should Know
https://elearningindustry.com/10-online-research-tools-every-online-learner-know


Good luck to the Girls BB teams today as they take on Leman.  I won't be at the game as I have to head to Indianapolis after school for my daughters soccer tournament this weekend.

Sometimes...

2-17-2017

Angela Anthony did a great job representing our school at the school board meeting on Monday night.  Two HOPE students explained the research they did to secure our bike racks from the AAA.

What happened when a seven year old girl applied to Google.
http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/heres-what-happened-when-a-7-year-old-girl-applied-to-google.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter



Thanks to Bill, April, Adrienne, Lauren, Colleen, Danielle, Alex, Jessica, Betty, MJ, Courtney and Jordan for all of the work they have done over the last two years to research a new ELA program.  Wednesday's conversation was valuable as we wrap this part of the adoption process over.

5 Simple Hacks to never run out of Good ideas.

https://addicted2success.com/life/5-crazy-simple-hacks-to-never-run-out-of-good-ideas-again/

Courtney, Todd, Megan, Alex, Nicole and Mark did an excellent job in the high school transition meetings that took place all day yesterday.  I am looking forward to another day of meetings on Friday.  Stop by the conference room to say hello to me if you have time.


Thanks to Michelle and Barb who will be having a Caudill Celebration today with the students that earned it through their reading minutes.  The celebration includes activities an author talk and lots of food.
The Map of Mathematics show how all of the fields of Math fit together.
http://www.openculture.com/2017/02/the-map-of-mathematics.html


Chris, Danielle, and Melissa F did a great job running the Too Good for Drugs graduation on Monday.  Special thanks to Melissa for organizing the lessons and graduation with Deputy Seward.

100 questions to promote Mathematical Discourse.  Very cool.....well if you like math it is cool.
http://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/ready-100-q-promoting-math-discourse.aspx?utm_content=buffer1a128&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.WKaAvFXyvIU


Danielle and Melissa L did a great job of having the theater students ready to shine as they performed three numbers from the musical Oklahoma for the school board on Monday night.  I am looking forward to seeing the premiere on March 17th and 18th.

273,000 works of art digitized and made available for free.
http://www.openculture.com/2015/04/rijksmuseum-digitizes-makes-free-online-210000-works-of-art-masterpieces-included.html

Deca-door mania has hit Benjamin with full force.  6th Grade seems to be in it to win it.  Hopefully Lauren, Rich and Colleen will start talking to each other again after the judging is completed.

Interesting article on Teaching Math...No such thing as a bad math student.
https://qz.com/901125/a-mathematician-has-created-a-method-of-teaching-that-is-proving-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-bad-math-student/

Hear all of Mozart with a 127 hour Playlist....in case you have some extra time on your hands
http://www.openculture.com/2015/07/hear-all-of-mozart-in-a-free-127-hour-playlist.html

Thanks to Colleen and Alex for allowing Rick from Sedexo to come in and talk to the student council kids and get their input on the lunch program.
 
Thanks to Jen for varying up the activities for Fit Club, running games in the hallway, roller hockey, outside activities, a cooking demonstration and this morning Jen Pope leading the kids in yoga.

“Don’t fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” – Bruce Lee

2-10-2017

Learning and The Brain Conference Edition

Several of our teachers will be attending the Learning and the Brain Conference a week from today.  One of the Keynote Speakers is John Hattie.  He has done incredible research on what factors have the biggest impact on Student Learning.  This edition of the Bengal Blog will be dedicated to learning a little bit about his research.

This Glossary explains influences related to student achievement published in John Hattie’s Visible Learning for teachers You can find an older list of  influences related to student achievement in Hattie (2009) Visible Learning.

https://visible-learning.org/glossary/


Hattie's 8 Mindframes for Teachers.  Short 4 minute video.

Hattie Interactive Visualization of Rankings

Here is an interactive list of Hattie's Rankings of based on effect size from his three different publications.  

http://visible-learning.org/nvd3/visualize/hattie-ranking-interactive-2009-2011-2015.html

11 Questions to John Hattie asked by teachers.  (also has short video clips of his answers)

https://visible-learning.org/2016/07/ask-professor-john-hattie-a-question/

2-3-2017

A Huge Thank You to Jim Allard, the Harvard night crew, Frank and Tim who were able to intervene last night to stop some water damage that sprang up suddenly.  All of their fast thinking and action limited the damage.

Good Article:  6 Techniques to build reading skills
https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-techniques-building-reading-skills-susan-barber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow


Thanks to everyone for making the Souper Bowl..super yesterday. Having the food days once a month is a great opportunity to eat/talk and laugh with one another.  You can have another opportunity today after school with the get-together posted in the lounge!

Resources for teaching about Black History Month.
http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2017/02/02/more-important-resources-for-black-history-month/


Great job by all of the PST staff and grade level teachers for having productive data meetings yesterday.  By working together we are helping kids grow and learn.

From the great Todd Whittaker.  Never were there truer words spoken.  I feel blessed to be working with this staff:


Please make sure you get back to Melissa if you plan on possibly donating your time or talents for the Foundation Trivia Night.  Or you could form a Teacher Trivia Superteam that would take no prisoners and go home with the coveted Trivia Trophy on Feb 25!

J.K. Rowlings on Creativity and Talent Development.
http://talentdevelop.com/1510/j-k-rowling-on-creative-imagination/

Theater Club has done an awesome job on transforming the piano box into a brickwall work of art.  Go to the Gym Lobby to check it out!

6 ways to build relationships with your students.
http://inservice.ascd.org/six-ways-to-successfully-build-relationships-with-your-students/

Thanks to Ellen and Kim for doing a great job in the office.  The school cannot function without your positive customer service and efficiency.  thank you.

Against all Odds Fair and Equitable Education for All
http://inservice.ascd.org/against-all-odds-fair-and-equitable-education-for-all/



Thanks to Michelle Fiorini for running the Cougars and Caudill reading program.  Great incentives to get kids reading!

11 Puxsutawney Phil Facts for Groundhogs Day
http://mentalfloss.com/article/54821/11-punxsutawney-phil-facts-groundhog-day?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email

Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort that I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.

Alexander Hamilton

1-27-2017

Lauren and Jessica organized a beautiful National Junior Honor Society Ceremony Wednesday night.  It is awesome to see so many new high achieving students joining this great organization.

Thanks to Alex and Colleen for organizing a trip to Feed My Starving Children for about 40 student council students.  What a great way to show kids the importance of giving back to the community.

Use Adversity to your advantage:
http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/7020


The seventh grade team will be taking the 7th graders to Main Event today for their reward trip.  I heard Jim takes no prisoners when he dominates all of the kids in Laser Tag.

Speaking of seventh grade, we are looking forward to Adrienne coming back on Monday and are grateful to Mrs. Patel for keeping the classes moving forward for the last two weeks.

5 tips to avoid teacher burn-out.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-tips-avoiding-teacher-burnout-mary-beth-hertz

Greg and Mr. Johnson are doing a great job sponsoring Robotics Club.  The kids are engaged in many different building/tech/robotic activities while also learning cooperative skills and teamwork.

Thanks to Jen for continuing Fit Club this year.  Students are coming out in droves for roller hockey and healthy cooking.

Exercise may be the way to sharpen your brain.
http://www.openculture.com/2015/11/this-is-your-brain-on-exercise-why-physical-exercise-not-mental-games-might-be-the-best-way-to-keep-your-mind-sharp.html


Michael Miles teaching our students is really a magnificent gift to our district.  Besides music skills he is able to inspire the students to be passionate about whatever they want to pursue.  Thanks to Melissa L for setting this up each trimester.

If everyone could make a concerted effort to be more visible in the halls during passing period it would be appreciated.   I know the two minutes goes by faster for you then the kids when answering an after class question or trying to organize something for the next period.  thank you

Grandfather Aged 81 surprises guitar store clerk.