June 3 – June 7 – “The 4th Quarter”

 

Well…as I pen my last 7th Grade weekly newsletter to you I am immensely thankful for you and your contributions to making this school year so memorable. Each day was something new and exciting which brought us closer to greatness.

8th Grade focus for the end of the year

Now is a great time to introduce 8th Grade Content topics and concepts that will help your students next school year.

We are a school that has made tremendous progress in the area of instructional practice. Remember that fact and understand that we are not a movie theater or game zone and that “movie clips” or game needs to be standard aligned. If you’re going show a movie that is standard aligned check with Ms. James to ensure that we aren’t violating any copyright laws. I believe we should teach until the end.

As usual I will be heavily visible in your rooms during this time to curve the likelihood of poor student behavior.

Dates to circle on your calendar

June 5th – Rising 8th Grade Address w/ Dr. Armond

June 6th – 4th Quarter Awards – starting at 1:30pm – stay tuned for more details

Hall Matters –  

• As the end of the year nears I will be stationed at the end of the hall to monitor hallway activity during high frequency times. This is not an intervention to send students to me without documentation. Please continue to follow the student disciple protocols. (In-teaming, parent phone calls, chronic minors, and major referrals)
• First Ten, Last Ten, and now no bathroom trips after 3:35 p.m. We are have a number of issues in the bathroom with related to flooding the bathroom and wet paper towels all over the bathroom.
• (Repeat) Remember to be at your doors to welcome students each core. It’s the best way to set the tone before they enter your classroom. Be the thermostat to your room.

• (Repeat) Please do not leave your class unattended for any reason. News reports from back home are surfacing that the teacher was out of the room when this incident occurred. Don’t take the chance thinking OUR kids would never do that.

Areas of growth

• Student bathroom frequency. Please monitor who’s going and when they are going.
• Students continue to stand in your doorways and in the hall at dismissal. The expectation is that students should be seated until their bus or mode of transportation has been called.

Referral details – Make sure it’s a referral with the appropriate documentation.

Be sure to utilize your chronic minor forms and parent contact documentation. Are we problem solving how to keep students in their classes?

Lunchroom Matters

7th Grade will eat in the classroom on Mondays

*Monday Classroom Meetings*

Topics: (it’s okay to play devil’s advocate) – prep some engaging questions to drive your discussions.

• Show your class the video below – Challenge your students to answer or reflect on the questions below. 
• What are your expectations for your 4th Quarter report card? What are your expectations for the ELA, Math, SS, or Science End of grade tests or NC Finals?
• How can I change this week and make it better than the last week?
• What motivates me to do well or behave in school?
• How can I influence others to pursue greatness?

Teacher Reflection & Humor

 

 

 

January 6th – January 12th

Stalk forward!!!

One of the most impressive things that I have seen is the precision in which wild and domesticated cats stalk prey. Each step is a calculated risk that brings them closer to a desired target. As we begin 2019 let’s use each day to stalk the goals listed in our PDPs, our personal goals, or daily goals that are going to lead us to unprecedented growth as a grade level. When things seem like they aren’t going well…pause regain your mettle and then keep stalking (moving) forward. Some steps may mean you have to try something new or discontinue a practice that worked in previous years. Consider your preparation of lesson plans, your handling of difficult student relations, and your collaboration in PLCs, each is an opportunity to stalk forward. Stalk forward!!!

 

“S

Instructional Matters – Refer to the “Stormcation” Forecast
Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
Current lesson plans should be submitted on time by our designated deadline. If you are going to be late please notify me.

Hall Matters –  
Class Transitions
Great time to review the beginning of the year expectations for lining up outside of your classrooms.

Bathroom Cleanliness & Conduct
Let’s discuss with our students the expectation of keeping our bathrooms clean during the school day. Be mindful of who’s going and how long they’re going.

Vision Screening
January 14 we will facilitate our annual grade level vision screening by teams in the Multipurpose Room. Cover with your students what to expect (If you are unsure what to expect please consult a team member who taught 7th Grade last year)

Classroom Matters
Take a look at what happens when consistency meets clear expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKRC-uekgr8

Setting the Tone – Classroom Expectations 

Lunchroom Matters
Don’t let down your expectations here. Finish this week with vigor!

Student PLC – Pause. Look. Clean. – Be sure to remind your students to “PLC” before they leave the tables.

Teacher Humor & Reflection –

December 17th – December 21st

Happy Christmas Break Week #2!!! This is your 7th Grade Meteorologist Bennie Bradley with the forecast for the week

Well, it’s great to be back in the building and back to work for the final school week of 2018. Now I don’t want anyone to be alarmed but due to our week long break we have arrived at one of the toughest weeks during the school year “the last week before winter break.” So in tribute to Winter Storm Diego and our week long break this week will be called “Stormcation .”

In the video above you witnessed how Winter Storm Diego developed into the storm that unfortunately derailed our well laid plans for the finish of 2018. With that being said I want to provide you with a forecast for the week December 16 – December 21st.

“Stormcation” Student Forecast 
*Spotty student attendance – Winter Vacation Plans
*Classroom, Bathroom, Hallway expectation amnesia
*Stronger front of “the reluctance to get to work”
*A major disturbance in the area of focus across the grade level
*A Hallway-wide Incubator Warning for the week – Impulsive reactions will be more     prevalent

“Stormcation” Teacher Forecast
*Patchy fog of classroom idleness leading to student misbehavior
*Possible chance for activities that are not standard based or curriculum aligned –       (Christmas movies, holiday crossword puzzles, and impromptu holiday parties)
*A dangerous upper level disturbance of students playing games or watching movies on    their devices
*Extreme possibility for not following lesson plans due to thoughts of Christmas Vacation
*Increased chance of frustration due to the outbreak of student expectation amnesia

Let’s be “Stormcation Chasers” and continue executing our visibility during transitions, executing classroom transitions on time, and emotionally prepared for the “Stormcation Student/Teacher Forecasts. 

Instructional Matters – Refer to the “Stormcation” Forecast
Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
Current lesson plans should be submitted on time by our designated deadline. If you are going to be late please notify me.

Hall Matters – Refer to the “Stormcation” Forecast 
Class Transitions
We REALLY need to be on time with classroom transitions this week due to the “Hallway-wide Incubator Warning.”

Bathroom Cleanliness & Conduct
Let’s discuss with our students the expectation of keeping our bathrooms clean during the school day. Be mindful of who’s going and how long they’re going.

Classroom Matters

Setting the Tone – Classroom Expectations

Lunchroom Matters
Don’t let down your expectations here. Finish this week with vigor!

Student PLC – Pause. Look. Clean. – Be sure to remind your students to “PLC” before they leave the tables.

Teacher Humor & Reflection –

 

*Remember to check your calendars for grade level updates and events.

 

November 5 – November 9

 

Instructional Matters

Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
Current lesson plans should be submitted on time by our designated deadline. If you are going to be late please notify me. 
Hall Matters 

• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade for last week would be a another … A+ (Phenomenal job last week!)
• Classroom Lines
  Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.Classroom Doors
• Your classroom doors should be locked at ALL TIMES during the instructional day. Door windows should also be clear of obstructions. (Major improvement here)
• As a reminder the only time you are excused from Encore transition duty is during IEP/504 Meetings. You are required to notify your teammates and Mr. Bradley prior to the transition if you are not going to be at your duty station.Classroom Matters
• Transition your class to their next activity by using the message feature on on www.classroomscreen.com
• If you using video clips during your instructional practice and are looking for a tool that will allow you to stop video clips to teach or review content then you MUST check out EdPuzzle –www.edpuzzle.com
• Help your students study content vocabulary using Flash card Machine – https://www.flashcardmachine.com/
• Through your parent communication be sure to remind parents/guardians of our field trip permission slip deadline (Tuesday morning). – Nov. 6th – 11 a.m.
• Remember we will depart the hallway from the top to the back and board the buses in that order on Tuesday’s field trip. We will sit as team as much as possible on the field trip. Changes to this plan may occur due to the size of the auditorium.Lunchroom Matters 
• I will need a count of how many students will need lunches for the field trip during planning on Monday. Please ask your students if they will bring or order a lunch for tomorrow.
• Be sure you guide your students through the lunch lines
• PLC – Pause. Look. Clean. – Be sure to remind your students to “PLC” before they leave the tables.
• Remember table washers and sweepers NO LONGER EXIST – Help your classes be mindful of their eating areas.Teacher Humor & Reflection 
• What your students need to hear (Click here to watch the video) 
• In preparation for Thursday’s Grade Level meeting…
  1. Collaborate as a team on what you think you students need to hear
  2. Select a team member who will recored the SW Middle School version of “What  a student at SW Middle needs to hear”
  3. Record your team video (3 min. – telling your students what they need to hear  from you as their teachers)
  4. Each team will present their video on Thursday during planningTeam Updates
• November 15th was the day that received the most votes for our 7th Grade Parent Night. (Thank you for your votes)
• As a team begin brainstorming what you would like to cover in your individual classrooms on Parent Night
• Email team student concerns you would like for me to talk about on our 2nd Quarter Student Grade Level Assembly. Send me some recognitions that would like for me to mention as well.

October 29th – November 2nd

Instructional Matters
Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
Current lesson plans should be on your doors each Monday. No more blank sleeves or outdated lesson plans.
Be sure that we have made a confirmed parent/guardian contact of students who are in jeopardy of earning a failing grade. Let’s ensure that there are no surprises.

Hall Matters 

• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade for last week would be a another … A  (So much better this week)
• Classroom Lines
  Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.

  Classroom Doors

• Your classroom doors should be locked at ALL TIMES during the instructional day. Door windows should also be clear of obstructions. (Much better last week) 
• As a reminder the only time you are excused from Encore transition duty is during IEP/504 Meetings. You are required to notify your teammates and Mr. Bradley prior to the transition if you are not going to be at your duty station.

  Classroom Matters

• Transition your class to their next activity by using the message feature on on www.classroomscreen.com
• If you using video clips during your instructional practice and are looking for a tool that will allow you to stop video clips to teach or review content then you MUST check out EdPuzzle –www.edpuzzle.com
• Help your students study content vocabulary using Flash card Machine – https://www.flashcardmachine.com/
• Check out the SW Middle School Twitter page for our slow chat this week. – @SWMiddleCowboys – (Twitter handle/name)
• Start working on field trip procedures for our upcoming symphony trip – Nov. 6th – 11 a.m.

  Lunchroom Matters 

• Be sure you guide your students through the lunch lines
• PLC – Pause. Look. Clean. – Be sure to remind your students to “PLC” before they leave the tables.
• Remember breakfast is grab and go on our Interim Assessment days. Be prepared for students to arrive with food/drink
• Remember table washers and sweepers NO LONGER EXIST – Help your classes be mindful of their eating areas.

  Teacher Humor & Reflection https://youtu.be/qlaE7E4xVnU

October 21 – October 27

 

I would like to say thank you to all of our team that encouraged me to take the time away to enjoy my daughter’s recruiting visit and not focus on work. It was a great trip and we’ll find out what UNC-Pembroke’s offer will be in November. Stay tuned…

While on the way down to UNC-Pembroke Jada and I were listening to a podcast (well I was I think Jada was watching Netflix) on operating in your profession while chasing a consistency of quality. Quality was defined as breaking down your day to day tasks into small components and that you execute with a high level of quality. So as an educator there are so many things that make up what we do during the week that determines how much quality we will see. One of the most important of those things is our dedication to quality preparation. This week let’s focus on our preparation for instruction, transitions, meetings, meeting deadlines, or making parent phone calls.

Matters
Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
Current lesson plans should be on your doors each Monday. No more blank sleeves or outdated lesson plans.
Bring your DOK Reflection data to our Grade Level Meeting on Thursday. Be prepared to discuss your findings or trends. DOK-Unit-Reflection-Activity

Hall Matters 

• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade for last week would be a another … A  (So much better this week)
• Classroom Lines
  Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.
• Classroom Doors
  Your classroom doors should be locked at ALL TIMES during the instructional day. Door windows should also be clear of obstructions. (We’re struggling here)
• As a reminder the only time you are excused from Encore transition duty is during IEP/504 Meetings. You are required to notify your teammates and Mr. Bradley prior to the transition if you are not going to be at your duty station.Classroom Matters
• Want to regulate the volume during class activities? Use the microphone option on www.classroomscreen.com
• If you using video clips during your instructional practice and are looking for a tool that will allow you to stop video clips to teach or review content then you MUST check out EdPuzzle –www.edpuzzle.com
• Help your students study content vocabulary using Flash card Machine – https://www.flashcardmachine.com/
• Check out the SW Middle School Twitter page for our slow chat this week. – @SWMiddleCowboys – (Twitter handle/name)
• Start working on field trip procedures for our upcoming symphony tripLunchroom Matters 
• Be sure you guide your students through the lunch lines
• Your presence around the lunchroom is vital to enforcing the lunchroom volume expectations. This is a reminder that “teacher huddles” should be brief (1-2 minutes) and should allow you to see your students at all times. – We’re struggling with this.
• The expectations for the lunchroom have changed in effort to decrease the volume inside the lunchroom. Students conversation levels are currently too loud. Each teacher is asked to monitor their classroom volume while at your designated tables. I will monitor student volume through the serving lines.
• Remember table washers and sweepers NO LONGER EXIST – Help your classes’ be mindful of their eating areas.Teacher Humor & Reflection 

  What Would You Do?

October 14 – October 20

I ran across a Twitter chat this weekend on communication and stole a resounding quote posted by a 4th Grade teacher “Not knowing something going on in our school is an intentional decision. We penalize students by marking through their question if they leave an answer line blank. Why should we be let off the hook for not reading email?”

With that being said as “professionals” find the time to read your email and execute grade level or school directives consistently.

Last week Ms. Barber, Ms. Pfeifer, and Mr. Dlangalala had celebrations last week. Who’s bringing cake? Lol. (Seriously)

October is National Principal Appreciation Month – Let’s discuss some ideas to recognize our phenomenal Principal.

• Content Matters
  Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
  Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
  Current lesson plans should be on your doors each Monday. No more blank sleeves or outdated lesson plans.
  Bring your DOK Reflection data to our Grade Level Meeting on Thursday. Be prepared to discuss your findings or trends. DOK-Unit-Reflection-Activity
  
  Hall Matters 
• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade for last week would be a another … A- (We’re getting there!)
• Classroom Lines
  Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.
• Classroom Doors
  Your classroom doors should be locked at ALL TIMES during the instructional day. Door windows should also be clear of obstructions.
• As a reminder the only time you are excused from Encore transition duty is during IEP/504 Meetings. You are required to notify your teammates and Mr. Bradley prior to the transition if you are not going to be at your duty station.

  Classroom Matters

• Want to regulate the volume during class activities? Use the microphone option on www.classroomscreen.com
• If you using video clips during your instructional practice and are looking for a tool that will allow you to stop video clips to teach or review content then you MUST check out EdPuzzle – www.edpuzzle.com
• Help your students study content vocabulary using Flash card Machine – https://www.flashcardmachine.com/
• Check out the SW Middle School Twitter page for our slow chat this week. – @SWMiddleCowboys – (Twitter handle/name)

  Lunchroom Matters 

• 7th Grade will eat on their hallway again on Monday. (They still owe a day. Let’s drive this point home on Monday.)
• Your presence around the lunchroom is vital to enforcing the lunchroom volume expectations. This is a reminder that “teacher huddles” should be brief (1-2 minutes) and should allow you to see your students at all times. – We’re struggling with this.
• The expectations for the lunchroom have changed in effort to decrease the volume inside the lunchroom. Students conversation levels are currently too loud. Each teacher is asked to monitor their classroom volume while at your designated tables. I will monitor student volume through the serving lines.

  Teacher Humor 

• https://youtu.be/7ZRWrSMY_CY

 

 

 

 

October 7th – October 13th

Week seven is here and it promises to be an amazing one.
Remember we have Fall Pictures on Monday so the students will be a little excited.
October is National Principal Appreciation Month – Let’s discuss some ideas to recognize our phenomenal Principal.

• Content Matters
  Let’s keep studying and preparing engaging questions.
  Are you prepared for the conversation that will come from your engaging questions?
  
  Hall Matters 
• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade for last week would be a another … B+
• Classroom Lines
  Thank you for reminding your students of our straight line expectations. Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.
• Classroom Supervision
  All teachers should monitor students in their rooms at all times (at your door or in your room). Leaving students unattended to go to another colleagues’ classroom or bathroom is a practice that needs to be discontinued immediately. This is gross negligence and will be addressed directly.
• Encore Transition
  As a reminder the only time you are excused from Encore transition duty is during IEP/504 Meetings. You are required to notify your teammates and Mr. Bradley if you are going miss a transition.

  Classroom Matters

• Check out the new classroom tool shared with me this weekend at EdcampQC – www.classroomscreen.com – Great way to monitor time and communicate with your class.
• If you using video clips during your instructional practice and are looking for a tool that will allow you to stop video clips to teach or review content then you MUST check out EdPuzzle – www.edpuzzle.com
• Help your students study content vocabulary using Flashcard Machine – https://www.flashcardmachine.com/
• Classroom Walk Throughs – Depth of Knowledge Questions (DOK)
  We were on fire last week! Let’s keep growing together. We have lots of great things happening in several classrooms. Connect and share.
• Check your Flip Grid! – There’s a new prompt – What was your highlight of the week
• 7th Grade Parent Communication
  Great weekly parent newsletters last week. Remember consistency is paramount.
• Suicide Training
  Have you completed this?

  Lunchroom Matters

• The expectations for the lunchroom have changed in effort to decrease the volume inside the lunchroom. Students conversation levels are currently too loud. Each teacher is asked to monitor their classroom volume while at your designated tables. I will monitor student volume through the serving lines.
• Inconsistent Table Washers & Sweepers – Please select at two students who are going to be consistent and complete the task with accuracy.

  Teacher Humor 

• https://youtu.be/_L2X5X5SLPs

September 24 – September 28

Notable 7th Grade Educators

Thank you for your Twitter/FlipGrid responses this week. At times the work of serving students gets a bit challenging but small things like FlipGrid or Twitter challenges builds the camaraderie that will support us during the Winter and Spring months.

• Content Meetings
  In Content meetings this week I would like for everyone to be prepared to discuss their data from the first common assessment in your classes. In preparation for these conversations please have your data with you, positive/negative trends, irregularities, and remediation plans for students who failed the common assessment.
• Class Transitions
  We were better here this week. As a reminder set your classroom timer/phones to go off with five minutes to go before your scheduled class change. Our grade this week would be a… B+
  https://onlineclock.net/
• Classroom Lines
  Thank you for reminding your students of our straight line expectations. Transitions on the hall are a work in process and will require each of us to continue coaching our students.
• Classroom Supervision
  All teachers should monitor students in their rooms at all times (at your door or in your room). Leaving students unattended to go to another colleagues’ classroom or bathroom is a practice that needs to be discontinued immediately. This is gross negligence and will be addressed directly.
• Lunchroom Duty
  Review Dr. Armond’s weekly communication this week regarding our cafeteria expectations.
• Classroom Walk Throughs
  This week I will begin official observations as well as continue focusing on the questions we are asking our students. Last week I visited 11 classrooms for 15 minutes each with the purpose of just listening to the questions we are asking our students. Out of the 141 questions I heard during my classroom visits we asked 7 – Higher Order/Level 3 or 4 – Depth of Knowledge questions. The goal is for us to plan with our content areas or individually to ask more rigorous questions. Using the question stem/Depth of Knowledge diagram in your walk through feedback with tremendously help you plan to ask better questions.
• FlipGrid
  This weekend I sent a couple emails providing instructions how to participate in our grade level learning through the application FlipGrid. If you are experiencing difficulty in operating the application please let me know. 100% participation would be ideal.
• Tornado Drill/Lock down/Fire Drill
  Prepare your classes this week with the expectation that this drill will be completed with no talking in effort for staff to communicate safety information.
• 7th Grade Parent Communication
  I’d like to thank each team for their submission of their weekly parent communication. They were filled with everything from professional support information to detailed study guides. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
• Thursday’s Grade Level Meeting Agenda
  We will complete a Twitter Slow Chat on “Star Power” In preparation for this chat be sure to have access to your Twitter accounts. This should be fun.
• Interims go home this week!!!
• It’s ok to laugh…https://youtu.be/44Eo3pleqJE

Notable 7th Grade Educators

Welcome Back Team!

Thank you for your adaptability due to the changes made necessary to ensure that OUR hallway remains orderly and safe for both students and staff.

• Class Transitions
  We struggled in this area last week so again in effort to keep the “incubator” incident free set your phones/timers to indicate when you have five minutes to your transition time. https://onlineclock.net/
• Classroom Lines
  Our lines last week were much improved. Our line practice sessions are becoming less attended by students. It was great hearing your feedback as students are walking up the hall.
• Classroom Supervision
  All teachers should monitor students in their rooms at all times (at your door or in your room). Leaving students unattended to go to another colleagues’ classroom or bathroom is a practice that needs to be discontinued immediately. This is gross negligence and will be addressed directly.
• Lunchroom Duty
  Keep building those relationships with students! As mentioned in our grade level meeting your presence around the lunchroom plays a significant part in decreasing “off PATH” behavior.
• Classroom Walk Throughs
  This week I will focus on the questions you are asking in your classes. Feedback will be focused around improving your instructional practice in the capacity of asking timely questions that are designed to make students grapple with learning objectives and demonstrate their understanding of learning tasks.
• FlipGrid
  This weekend I sent a couple emails providing instructions how to participate in our grade level learning through the application FlipGrid. If you are experiencing difficulty in operating the application please let me know. 100% participation would be ideal.
• Tornado Drill
  Prepare your classes this week with the expectation that this drill will be completed with no talking in effort for staff to communicate safety information.
• 7th Grade Parent Communication
  Each team is expected to send a weekly communication to parents notifying them of upcoming tests, projects, or study guides. Each team should copy me on their weekly parent communication.
• Thursday’s Grade Level Meeting Agenda
  Mr. Anderson will be presenting information from the PowerSchool training he attended last week. Be prepared to discuss grade weights and categories.We need to discuss whether each class will facilitate “snack time.”

  Dismissal procedures – Determine who’s a car rider, bus rider, van rider, or walker. Most of the students on our hall leave on the first call for buses
  Students should be seated until YOU dismiss class. The announcement should not be their cue to leave your room.

• Interims are coming. Are you ready? Have you made your positive parent contacts?
• It’s ok to laugh…

  https://youtu.be/I1G8r-csFCU