March Updates

Getting to Know my Students - March 25, 2012            Best Practice
When I first began teaching, it was all about teaching the kids to strive for 100's on tests. Now I have a better sense of reality. They won't all get 100's! I do more with helping students set goals for that area they will have to work hard at to improve, but one that will build their confidence. We talk about the different kinds of smarts: interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, physical, musical, etc.
One student who called me names in the hallway twice at the beginning of the year has become a student I've spent a lot of time trying to understand. Some of his behavior stems from his lack of confidence with a couple academic areas. As I've worked with him on academics, his confidence has grown, his satisfaction with school increases, and the name calling ceased.

Cloud Update - March 22, 2012                    Technology, Curriculum Development
I shared the math files with my coworkers, but didn’t share at the right account (@live account), so they didn’t get the files.  I called in tech support, and met with Brianna to trouble shoot Skydrive.  I feel more confident, but know that I will need to follow these same steps a few times for them to be automatic.  I will share the last reading units today.  Hopefully, I will remember how.

Principal Retiring - March 14, 2012       A Good Principal for the Past Ten Years!
Our principal announced his retirement to us today.  It wasn’t totally unexpected; he’s been hinting for a while.  His motto has been not to micromanage, but to do everything possible to support teachers.  Here are a couple things I will remember him for.  *Taking the boy who came to me angry off the bus, to the gym and throwing a basketball with him at the start of the day.  This boy always came back smiling and was mostly fine after that.  *Processing with students and helping them to own up to their mistakes.  He was honest that changing behavior was tough, but it could be done.  *Supporting me by printing off any technology report I needed.  He could always do that quicker than I!  *Having an open door policy. 

We held our Lumberjack Day – March 9, 2012   Teacher Leadership, Best Practice, Curriculum Development
Pam set up the breakfast area, and worked with our principal for the funds and the cooks.  120 students ate quietly, and then got up and went to work!  I worked with the custodians to set up tables for making paper and for the space for the homemade paper to dry.  I also encouraged all teachers to shred paper and make slurry with their students.  Four of the five teachers did this, and I was glad that so many students had this opportunity.  The past few years, my students were the only ones to have this experience.  My husband fixed a stand to put wood on, and I brought wood in, a peavey, cant hook, crosscut saw, handsaw, a ripsaw, and an axe.  With the pictures and artifacts from CESA that I ordered, students had enough to keep them busy while they waited to saw through some lumber.  We all cleaned up at the end of the day, and we had a successful day!  I am sure we will do this again next year, and it saved us $240.00 bringing in an outside presenter.  It does take a village, though!

March 6, 2012 Update

Goal Setting Update  3/5                             Best Practice

After two weeks of goal setting, I asked the students how this was going.  I am trying make this easy management for me, and also beneficial for them.  Some students didn’t see the need for the goal.  Others felt it was helpful.  One student who recently improved in math was in favor of having the goal.  Another student who is working on accurate, fluent reading was also in favor of the goal.  Both have improved.  The reader had the top reading test score in the class.  I can tell both students have been working on their goals.  To be a little more helpful, if students do not have goals this week, I will brainstorm with them a goal they can work on.  This seems to be a good practice for those who have named a doable goal.

Cloud Update  3/5                     Technology, Teacher Leadership

I have no more data storage space left on our district site.  This shows how much I have contributed to the team this year!  So, over the weekend, I uploaded the last three math units to the cloud.  None of us teachers in fourth grade feel that comfortable with accessing and using information out there.  So, I’ve given everyone about three weeks to begin figuring it out.  That’s when they will need access to the files out there!

Math Prometheans      3/5                      Technology, Teacher Leadership, Best Practice

Last weekend I finished adding the student worksheets to the last three math units.  This was a goal of mine this year, and it is finished!  I am so glad that I have done this!  I find it very beneficial to go over the homework assignments in class together.  I can still find those students who did not finish it, and ask them to stay at recess to show me they understand the concepts.  It continues to free my evening time; I correct very few math pages.  Yet, I feel that I can point out any students who need support with math this year, probably better than any other year.  In fact, instead of spending my time correcting homework, I have more time to prepare for the next lesson.   I am using data from unit tests and checking in on questionable skills during Response to Intervention time.  With the adoption of Common Core this fall in math, we will go through some training this summer.  Guess what I will be doing?  Updating all nine units of math with the instructional lessons and new student worksheets!  I already know one way I can lead within my grade level for next year!  This job is not done yet.

Lumberjack Day     3/5                          Teacher Leadership

Together the fourth grade team has put together a Lumberjack Day for our students.  I ordered a lumber kit from CESA #11 so students can look at artifacts ( pictures and tools) from the early 1800’s.  I have gathered tools and logs to cut and roll.  We have passed the shredder to all classrooms so all students can shred paper, soak it, and make slurry.  On Friday all students will dress like lumberjacks, eat like a lumberjack, and participate in a lumberjack poem, reader’s theater, make paper, and do other activities.  This will be a fun and educational event.