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 No more blank sleeves or outdated lesson plans.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
Notable 7th Grade Educators 