Sept. 28, 2015

In the latest STEM Magazine Dr. Willis discusses “How to Teach Students About Their Brain”.  (Debbie sent you an email on Sept. 21^st with the link.)  Using brain research teaching strategies and explicitly discussing brain research within your classroom empowers students to become self-regulated learners with aligns with our Portrait of a Graduate.  If you LOVE this article like I do and would like to dive deeper, please let me know.  This would be a great topic for a book study! 

Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist and teacher in Santa Barbara, Calif., has combined her training in neuroscience and neuroimaging with her teacher education training and years of classroom experience. She has become an authority in the field of learning-centered brain research and classroom strategies derived from this research.  You can also find other article and webinars from Dr. Willis on the ASCD website. 

Sept. 21, 2015

Engaging & Effective iPad Practices

Here are some ideas and sample lessons that come from all grade levels in GCISD including Specials!  (PE, art and music this means you too!) Please remember, you must be logged into GCISD Schoolwires to access the links.

GCISD-Elementary 1:1 iPad Initiative  is a Google site that contains all of the resources used for 1:1 iPad professional learning used throughout the district.  This Google site has a plethora of information but today I want to highlight the “Sample Workflow Lessons”.   You will find the link in the right column near the bottom.  Select your grade level and then your just click through the samples for all subjects.  Here is a 3rd grade example:

Another amazing GCISD resource is a blog that our instructional technology coaches write.  Each week the blog has relevant connections to your classrooms.  Be sure to subscribe to the GCISD LEAD with Technology blog TODAY if you are not already receiving weekly emails with their current blog post. 

http://gcisdleadwithtechnology.blogspot.com/

Sept. 14, 2015

As I listened to several of you talk about parent conferences that have already been set up and I think about some of the questions I fielded on curriculum night, I find it interesting the same comment I hear each year from parents.  “I was not good a math either.”  “He/she is NOT a math person.” 

In the English/Language Arts worlds there are several gurus, Penny Kettle and Donalyn Miller whose passion is to teach students to FALL IN LOVE WITH BOOKS.  My personal beliefs align with both Kettle & Miller I feel that helping students find their passion is reading very tangible.  But how do we teach students to find their PASSION in math?

I read an article from August issue of STEM Magazine discussing how students perceive their relationship with math.  Often students, even those who are confident about math, do not arrive at a LOVE for math.  Professor Zahra Hazari states, “If we want to empower students and provide access to STEM careers, it can’t just be about confidence and performance.  Attitudes and personal motivation matters immensely.”  Once again MIND-SET plays a roll in being able to develop a math identity!!!  Please take time to read this article. 

FYI:  We receive this resource in an email from Candi Amos that says: 

Here is the August STEM Magazine ready for distribution as you wish.

Remember, it's PDF printable and you have unlimited distribution.



STEM Magazine August 2015 Issue

Sept. 7, 2015

Lisa’s Third Week of School Top 10 for Teachers

10-Demonstrate professionalism at all times to inspire respect from students, parents & colleagues.  If we inspire each other…we will raise the level learning for our studentsJ

9-Know your standards and TEKS.

8-Lesson plans should fulfill your purpose of delivering seamless instruction

7-Technology requires planning ahead and practice. Schedule Ben to help you and your students.

6-Mythbuster: Teachers work an 8-hour days with weekends off!!

5-Follow through is imperative on all levels.

4-Ask specific questions to gain clarity for yourself and instruction

3-Classroom management-get in control NOW!  Set expectations high so our scholars can rise to meet them.

2-Plan ahead to ease frustration.

1-Student engagement- bell to bell!!  Engaged students create less discipline problems and experience more learning.

We are off to a great start this year!! I personally think the first two weeks are the most challenging.

FYI- I appreciate your patience in the area of our “on-line” student accounts.

-Educational Galaxy will be working very soon-by Wednesday at the latest.  They will be uploading the entire school any time.
-Raz-Kids is in the process of being renewed via Debbie.

-STEMscopes should be working minus a few glitches.

-waiting on updates for GoMath, Social Studies and IXL

Aug. 31, 2015

Congratulations!!! You have survived the 1^st week of school.  As I have worked behind the scenes this past week, I have witnessed you taking care of students, parents, new teachers, colleagues and putting yourself last.

I read a great article from ASCD Express that explains Ten Things Master Teachers Do.  I will give you the short list:

·      Ask for help

·      Avoid negative people AT ALL COST

·      Have a classroom management plan AND STICK TO IT

·      Be the happiest-looking teacher in the school

·      Convince your students you care

·      Make lessons fun, meaningful, and doable

·      Avoid power struggles with students

·      Use social media appropriately

·      Act like a professional

·      Communicate with parents

http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol10/1023-breaux.aspx

All of my beliefs align with this article with one exception.  It is imperative that you take care of yourself as well.  Your personal happiness is reflective in the way you treat your students, parents and colleagues. 

I appreciate your passion to focus on teamwork and the overall success of our school.  I look forward to working with each of you this year.  Please send me an email and let’s schedule time to achieve your goals!!

Aug. 24, 2015

iPads for New Students - We will be working hard this week to prepare iPads for distribution to all students who are new to Cannon this year! Our goal is to have devices out to all 1st-5th grade students by the end of the week, however, we are waiting for additional devices to be delivered to school, so we are hoping to receive them quickly. Once all of the new 1st - 5th student devices are distributed, we will work on getting Kindergarten devices out to all teachers no later than mid-September. Thanks for your patience!

Updating Websites - This should be a priority for ALL staff. The first place parents will look for information about your classroom will be on your website. If you need any assistance with this, Ben Waits, is ready to help! Email him at benjamin.waits@gcisd.net to schedule a time for him to come help you!

Dyslexia Training Sign up- As a reminder, as part of the Superintendent's Goals this year, there is a big focus on dyslexia training for all staff. You will recall that there are 3 required dyslexia trainings. One is completed as part of your FLEX; one will be held at Cannon on 9/30 (3:15-4:45); and the 3rd is at PDEC on the following dates. Please sign up for the date that works best for your schedule.

Sessions will take place at PDEC from 4-5:30:

September 1:http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3486

September 3:http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3487

September 9:http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3488

May 18, 2015

        Being a Hurdler:  Mindset Matters! 

We are at that time of year in which each staff member becomes a hurdler. One definition of hurdling is: the act of running and jumping over an obstacle at speed. This is very stressful for some and exhilarating to others, depending on your mindset.

I want to help remind you some of the hurdles:

• Blue Literacy folders are kept in Brenda Milum’s room. It is required that BOY, MOY, and EOY SCORED writing pieces be added. If you want my help in securing the folders OR clarify the directions- please ask.
• iStation: Reading and Math ISIP for May is completed for ALL students. Please check your reports to verify that all scores are showing.
• PLPs: We will be completing 2015-2016 PLPs in your PLCs for the next 2 weeks. Please make sure you have thought about your district, campus and individual goals prior to coming. I realize that our teams are changing as we add new teachers and students to each grade level for this coming year. There are many individual goals that are universal to all teachers, no matter what content we teach. We all need to work on literacy strategies, vocabulary development, ELL support, questioning strategies, small group instruction etc.
• Eduphoria: K-2: enter reading text level & writing stages into Eduphoria for each student. 3-5: enter writing stages for all students and a reading text level if a Tier 3 student.

The biggest lesson a hurdler has to learn is that even though they may hit, stumble and even fall down due to a hurdle-they must get up and finish the race. With the right mindset, we can finish strong together-please reach out to me if I can assist you.