August 8, 2016

Our Mission:  “Educate students for lifelong learning and responsible living.”

Our Vision:  “Provide a learning environment that promotes and develops academic and

social growth.”

Attaining Learning Outcomes = Higher Achievement

Choosing Just Right Books using the 5 finger rule:

                  ***Week 2 Setting the foundation for Balanced Literacy (8/8-8/12)

  - Students learn how to select "just-right books" 

  - Students learn how to maintain the classroom book selection 

  - Students learn how to listen to each other and share effectively in small groups 

- Whole Group (Read-Aloud) (25 minutes)- Read the Read-Aloud Book  

                  - Teach and model for Small Group activity

         - Small group (60 minutes) (1 switch)  

                  - Station 1- Individual Silent Reading

                  - Station 2- Writing (open response topic)

- Closure (5 minutes)

                  - Teacher asks students how they did on station work.

The beginning of the school year is Procedures Procedures Procedures.  Those procedures include establishing procedures for independent reading.  Creating classroom  anchor charts help develop those procedures.  The Guiding Readers and Writers The First 20 Days of Teaching Independent Reading has step by step to help you develop these charts.  You received a printed copy of this, there is a Prezi and video’s on the Coolidge blog, http://coolidgecrocodiles.blogspot.com.  The bound First 30 Days of School will help you write your lesson plans for reading.       

When I visit your classroom I will be looking for anchor charts and guided reading. Walk-Thrus that don’t count will start Monday, August 8^th.  Looks Fors Include:

• Reading Is Thinking Anchor Chart
• Just Right Books
• How To Make A Good Book Choice
• Reader’s Think Marks
• How To Buzz

 Tuesday during P.L.C.’s we will begin looking at data on your students independent reading level and lesson planning.

Note:  (During first two weeks: Teacher “leans-in" and reinforces workstation routines)

• Monday:  Pearson Leads Rise N Shine.  Word of the Week Friendship.  Friendship awards Friday.
• Tuesday:  PLC Meetings.  Bring your students reading levels to the meeting as well as Guiding Readers and Writers handout and The First 30 Days handout.  We will begin tracking. All trackers up to date on Google Drive.  Students should know their independent reading level.  Open House 4:30 - 6:00. Wednesday:  Fire Drill 9:00 a.m. GE/PBIS Meeting 3:30 Turn in Friendship Award to office so we can put name on board in hallway. 
• Thursday:  E-1 Count (Physical bodies in room/class list.  Count students who are absent but not students who have never been in your classroom.)
• Friday:  Intruder Drill 9:00 a.m.  Friday Finale.

Every PLC team should be meeting weekly to group lesson plan.  Please email Mrs. Brett and Ms. Cramer with the day and time of your team meetings.  Lesson plans are due on the Google Drive by Sunday 4:00 p.m. weekly.

To Develop Every Child Into a Reader:

• Everyday a child reads something they choose to read.
• Every child reads accurately
• Every child reads something they understand.
• Every child writes something that is personal and meaningful daily.
• Every child talks with peers about reading and writing.
• Every child hears an adult reader read fluently.

Coolidge Elementary Academic Goals for 2016-2017

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level.
• Math:  Increase math achievement by 10% with 80% mastery of math facts on grade level.  
• Writing:  Increase writing proficiency by 15%
• Student Attendance:  Increase student attendance to 98%.
• Increase Faculty Attendance to 98%

Balanced Literacy:
 Week 1 Routines, procedures, and school culture (8/1-8/5)

- Key goals setting up classroom for guided reading 

- Visit and become familiar with classroom library

- Setting up a clear daily schedule that outlines the 90 minute reading block for every classroom

         - Whole Group (Read-Aloud) (35 minutes)

                  - Read the Read-Aloud Book  (Pull from school library)

                  - Teach and model for Small Group activity

         - Small group (50 minutes) (1 switch)

                  - Station 1- Response to Read-Aloud

                  - Station 2- Individual Silent Reading

- Closure (5 minutes)

                  - Teacher asks students how they did on station work.

OKCPS Literacy Standards

          1^st Grade

          2^nd Grade

          3^rd Grade

          4^th Grade

          5^th Grade

          6^th Grade

OKCPS Math Standards

          Pre-K

          Kindergarten

          1^st Grade

          2^nd Grade

          3^rd Grade

          4^th Grade

          5^th Grade

          6^th Grade

Melissa Brett | Principal

Coolidge Elementary School | Oklahoma City Public Schools

5212 S. Villa, Oklahoma City, OK 73119

(405) 587-2800

(405) 208-1581 (cell)