February 23, 2015

It appears you have used Education Galaxy this past week.  (FYI-This report includes the training class on Monday on the usage report so this is not entirely “student time”) As your students work through the diagnostic part they will begin to have time to practice important standards and concepts.  The best part of Education Galaxy is the commitment to having Spanish, corrective math feedback, 4^th grade writing/grammar and 5^th grade science.  Please give me feedback so I can pass it directly back to the Galaxy Team because we will have this next year as well.

For those of you that would like a letter to send home to parents, go to the -SUPPORT menu- choose PARENT LETTER.    Also, if your class or grade level would like to have an “Alien” bulletin board to allow students to post their alien ranking to promote usage, let me know and I will provide the supplies.

February 16, 2015

I know everyone that has ever tried Go Noodle loves it. Research shows that short bursts of physical activity have positive health benefits and also lead to improved student performance.  It also has the added benefit to make your classroom fun and keeping the students wondering what you might do at your next transition. The best part is that you are completing a spiral review while the students are engaged. What more could you ask for? 

Once you sign up and pick your school, you’ll see a message at the bottom that says you have access to Plus provided by Cook Children’s.  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/02/prweb12493617.htm

I’m guessing that those who already have accounts will probably see it too if you’ve picked our school.

Language Arts/Reading:  Take at look at this on how to use it as an interactive class game with grammar that you can customize to meet your

needs:

  

http://support.gonoodle.com/knowledgebase/articles/383851-about-montana-james-gonoodle-plus

Math: Please go look at the Math Category Matrix to see all the specific skills for each grade level you can choose from.  (K-5) Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom to see it. 

http://support.gonoodle.com/knowledgebase/articles/301162-about-mega-math-marathon-gonoodle-plus

This is worth your time!

February 9, 2015

This past year the district has been moving toward PLP for teachers and PLT for students.  To me, each of these acronyms mean "things that fulfill your geeky side."  All of us have areas of our life in which we are passionate and I hope you include teaching as one of those things.  

During my career, a highlight of the month came for me when The Mailbox, a teacher's magazine dedicated to teachers sharing their ideas, came in the mail.  (On a personal note...I loved when my People or Memory Maker (a scrapbook magazine) arrived in my mail.)  

So I LOVE LOVE LOVE that multiple staff members shared with me the BLOGS they read.  I call them FREE MAGAZINES ON STEROIDS!  You can gain so much to enrich your PLP and while your enjoy your own PLT:)

See what I have on the list so far...  please email your favorites and let's add to this list.  I will be ordering your sonic drinks for this Friday, Feb. 13th:)  https://docs.google.com/a/gcisd.net/document/d/13EWSZEtA5itg5oQCCw24lGodqH8TjF74tfhpEKHihAU/edit?usp=sharing

February 2, 2015

This I Know for Sure

Lisa’s Ode to Oprah

As we journey through this year together, I know everyone feels stretched more than ever.  If you are like me, I can get bogged down in the “process” or the requirements of teaching.  When this happens we lose our footing on WHY WE TEACH.

So as we are conducting Achievement Data meetings and completing benchmarks we again are reminded that students don't all learn at the same speed. Some will need more time to learn. This aligns with all of our beliefs. We have to address their GAPS by providing targeted instruction in small groups (RTI) over time that will result in LEARNING. 

Don’t let the GAPS overwhelm you when students have many.  By addressing one GAP at a time, I promise the students make gains!!!! Sometimes you are just too close to it to see the great strides you are making.

This is my Oprah moment:

”Targeted Instruction + Time = Learning”…this WE know for sure!!

We teach so all students can learn.

I will help you find your focus for RTI groups…email me and let’s set up a time to work together.

Check out this GREAT article: The Why Behind RtI - Educational Leadership