Focus on the Fabulous
Language Arts PLC
This week I want to recognize the amazing staff of Skoglund Middle School! On Wednesday, after our students were released at 12:30 pm, our teachers met to participate in our Professional Learning Community. Before we broke up into content area teams we reviewed the data that clearly identifies teachers as THE MOST IMPORTANT element in a student’s success. Nothing schools can do for their students matters more than giving them effective educators- Marzano. A highly effective teacher helps students learn the equivalent of a year-and- half of learning in a single year- Eric Hanushek. The research clearly states the impact that effective teachers have on student learning, and that is why we have shown such strong growth over the last couple of years. Teachers have been focused on planning and providing quality instruction on a daily basis and the students have benefitted! After our large group meeting, teachers broke up into content area teams and were directed to look at their curriculums and assessment frameworks and identify any gaps that needed to be addressed as we make our final preparations for TCAP. Our teachers have been working hard throughout the year to ensure that quality planning, instruction, and assessments have taken place and this in turn will lead to high student achievement. I was so impressed with the level of professionalism I saw as I entered each room to see how the content area groups were progressing. Whether teachers were working individually or in small groups, the level of focus and effort did not waiver. Teachers were taking time to look carefully at lessons, frameworks and curriculum to identify the areas that we need to be focusing on these next few weeks to ensure that our kids have a solid understanding of key learnings and that they are prepared.
Teacher Feature
Shirley Atencio- LA Teacher
Greetings from room 228!
It has been a whirlwind of a year. However, we have managed to accomplish many learning activities thus far.
The 6th graders have sure grown since the beginning of the year. They are beginning to take more responsibility for their learning. In our language class, they have been writing many paragraphs on persuasion. One of their main objectives is to convince others to agree on their point of view. We have also started writing poetry. Our first poem was a Name Poem. I would like to share the following poem by Jose Luna:
Jolly amazing soccer offensive troop
Ok as a great fruit chef
Sorrow only in my home
Everything else I’m happy with
Lonely at my house each day
Where do I begin with the 8th graders? I had most of these students when they were 6th graders and a wonderful transformation has occurred! These students have truly made great strides in working to have the education they desire and deserve. One of the activities we do on a weekly basis is to read a chapter in a novel. The students are required to predict what is going to happen in the next chapter, clarify words they are unfamiliar with, write down a question they may have about the chapter, summarize three main points, visualize a scene that sticks out in their mind as they read the chapter, and to connect or react to one of the events. I have been thoroughly impressed with the students making connections and reacting to the reading. I would like to share one of the student’s reactions from the last chapter we read in To Kill a Mockingbird:
“I feel bad for the children in that town that don’t have regular meals and can’t take a good shower. The kids that have all of that don’t respect what they have. Sad!” ~Selena Perez~
Many of the other students are writing comments similar to this one so I know that they must be making connections to their reading.
We have also been reading and analyzing poetry. Each day a student is required to stand up in front of his or her peers and read a poem orally. It has been a challenging practice for many of my students. First of all, many have anxiety when it is their turn, but they do it! That in itself is a great accomplishment. Another educational activity that we are all sharing is the discussion we have after the reading. The insight the students have about each poem is exceptional. I appreciate their willingness to take charge of their education!
Overall, this year has been full of wonderful experiences for my students, Mr. Allsup and for especially for me!
It has been a whirlwind of a year. However, we have managed to accomplish many learning activities thus far.
The 6th graders have sure grown since the beginning of the year. They are beginning to take more responsibility for their learning. In our language class, they have been writing many paragraphs on persuasion. One of their main objectives is to convince others to agree on their point of view. We have also started writing poetry. Our first poem was a Name Poem. I would like to share the following poem by Jose Luna:
Jolly amazing soccer offensive troop
Ok as a great fruit chef
Sorrow only in my home
Everything else I’m happy with
Lonely at my house each day
Where do I begin with the 8th graders? I had most of these students when they were 6th graders and a wonderful transformation has occurred! These students have truly made great strides in working to have the education they desire and deserve. One of the activities we do on a weekly basis is to read a chapter in a novel. The students are required to predict what is going to happen in the next chapter, clarify words they are unfamiliar with, write down a question they may have about the chapter, summarize three main points, visualize a scene that sticks out in their mind as they read the chapter, and to connect or react to one of the events. I have been thoroughly impressed with the students making connections and reacting to the reading. I would like to share one of the student’s reactions from the last chapter we read in To Kill a Mockingbird:
“I feel bad for the children in that town that don’t have regular meals and can’t take a good shower. The kids that have all of that don’t respect what they have. Sad!” ~Selena Perez~
Many of the other students are writing comments similar to this one so I know that they must be making connections to their reading.
We have also been reading and analyzing poetry. Each day a student is required to stand up in front of his or her peers and read a poem orally. It has been a challenging practice for many of my students. First of all, many have anxiety when it is their turn, but they do it! That in itself is a great accomplishment. Another educational activity that we are all sharing is the discussion we have after the reading. The insight the students have about each poem is exceptional. I appreciate their willingness to take charge of their education!
Overall, this year has been full of wonderful experiences for my students, Mr. Allsup and for especially for me!
Rewind
New Jersey Teachers
I was able to get into a number of classrooms this past week and observe quality instruction. Lisa Renner was doing a great job of actively engaging kids in the learning process when I dropped by her room! I worked with Mr. Jones to make preparations for the PLC on Wednesday and did some groundwork on the TCAP schedule. I also attended an IEP that day. Tuesday afternoon I helped with after school ZAPs and the elementary detention as Cruzita was out. Later that evening I attended the DAC and Board meetings. Wednesday morning was ICAP with the kids and that afternoon we held our PLC. Thursday I traveled to New Jersey with the Focal Point team. On Friday I helped present on teacher effectiveness to 600 NJ teachers.
Forward Focus
I will spend time this week making plans for our upcoming middle school wrestling tournament. Wednesday I will spend the day sharing data with our middle school kids in Ms. Donaldson’s room. Thursday night I will be supervising the HS basketball game against Sargent and Friday I will travel to Cripple Creek to watch the basketball teams in action again. As always, I will be reviewing lesson plans on Monday and providing feedback to specific teachers. I will also be getting into classrooms and setting up times for instructional walks.