December 3 and 10 Rise N Shine Keys

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

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

social growth.”

Author of the Month:  Jan Brett  
Word of the Month:  Adventurous  Rise N Shine:  Ms. Keys

Congratulations to Jami Keys, Coolidge Teacher of the Year.

Fountas and Pinnell - don't forget to enter your F & P scores into Infinite Campus. 

• Mon. Dec 4 - District Performance Assessments. ELQA Testing - Stephanie Hinton
• Tues. Dec 5 - District Performance Assessments. ELQA Testing - Stephanie Hinton.  PLC Meetings.  Committee Meetings - Various Locations.  Leadership Meeting - Library.  
• Wed. Dec 6 - District Performance Assessments.  3rd Grade Field Trip National Western Heritage Museum
• Thurs. Dec 7 - District Performance Assessments.  Security Drill p.m. Summit Visit for 6th grade teachers to Jackson Elementary. Ms. Rapp is the teacher in charge.  Popcorn sales PTA
• Fri. Dec 8 - District Performance Assessments - F & P Celebrations for those who leveled up in F & P during specials times in gym.  All other students will go to regular specials.  Midpoint Evaluations due for all teachers.  Please be sure you acknowledge in I-Observation.  Winter Celebration at Brett's House 6:00 p.m.

• Mon Dec 11 - Regular Day
• Tues Dec 12 - Brett out.  Instructional Rounds.  Faculty Meeting Committee Reports.  Honor Choir to nursing homes
• Wed Dec 13 - Honor Choir Program,  Ice Cream Floats for faculty in kitchen off office.  Winter parties 2:30 p.m.  End of 2nd Quarter.  

 Benchmark Mark Literacy - Unit 4.  Complete Unit 4 Summarize and Synthesize/Analyze Story Elements.  By December 12th complete Unit 4 assessment in Benchmark Literacy.

How have you improved as a teacher this first semester?  Enter your response in the comment section and email it to Mrs. Brett.  

       

Everyone who has perfect attendance December 4th - December 13th (arrive on time, stay all day, don't leave early, stay for faculty meetings, etc) you will be entered into a drawing for a Visa Gift Card.  This is for certified and support staff.  The drawing will take place December 13th at 3:30 p.m. in the library.  Must be present to win.

Exit Tickets:

Hit the Mark With Digital Media Exit Cards

Exit cards can be easy—and sometimes even fun—for students to create with a variety of digital tools.

By Matt Levinson

August 20, 2013 Updated October 5, 2017

In my first year of teaching English, I had to teach prepositions to sixth graders. I fumbled around for an entry point and reached out to a more seasoned colleague, who suggested that I employ the analogy of the rabbit and the log.

The approach was simple: Draw a picture of a log on the board and a rabbit on a piece of paper and then place the rabbit in different positions in relation to the log. This would draw out the use of prepositions—“the rabbit is on the log” versus “the rabbit is in the log” or “the rabbit is beside the log.” It sounded like a sensible approach.

Rabbit-and-Log Syndrome

I went into the class and did as he had explained. The engagement of the students was off the charts. Kids were jumping out of their seats to place the rabbit in relation to the log. They seemed to be really getting it and understanding prepositions. I couldn’t believe how easy this was.

The next day, I had to leave early to coach a soccer game, so I asked my department chair if she could cover my class. She started by reviewing what we had done around prepositions the day before, and she saw several confused and puzzled faces among the students.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. One of the students replied, “We didn’t learn anything about prepositions yesterday. We learned about rabbits and logs.”

She chuckled and then moved into the lesson to make sure the students understood what a preposition was.

The following day she said to me, “I think you might need to review prepositions again,” and recounted what had happened.

That experience served as a major aha moment to me as a young teacher—I realized I needed to have some way of assessing what students were learning both as the class was unfolding and at the completion of class. So I started using exit cards—3x5 notecards for students to write down something they had learned.

I used a variety of prompts, such as a word, a question, a phrase, a haiku, a quote, a picture, etc. I gained invaluable daily data through the exit cards and recognized how critical frequent assessment is to ensuring understanding. I used the results to figure out next steps and to revisit a topic that didn’t quite hit the mark.

Digital Media Exit Cards

Today, with the explosion of digital media, teachers have so many tools at their disposal for this kind of assessment. What would a digital media exit card look like? Here are some possibilities that utilize mobile devices:

•    A short video posted to MixBit, a video sharing tool
•    A tweet that boils down the essence of the class to 140 characters
•    A photo illustrating the key learning moment posted on a class Instagramaccount
•    A question posted to a class Edmodo account inviting a continuation of the learning outside of class

The key 21st-century skill in all of these approaches is synthesis, the ability to cut to the essence of an idea or concept and communicate it in an effective, succinct, compelling manner.

For teachers, the key is how to get the learning to spill out of the classroom and continue the conversation. As the school year starts, digital tools and mobile devices are perfect resources for breaking down the walls of the classroom, gathering immediate feedback on learning, and sharing learning in social media communities.

And digital exit cards can help teachers take the pulse of what kids are learning, avoiding the rabbit-and-log syndrome of kids missing the mark on a lesson.

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 2017- 2018

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level, and know their current F & P 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%

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)

November 27th Opheim

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

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

social growth.”

Author of the Month:  Joseph Bruchac  
Word of the Month:  Strong  Rise N Shine:  Ms. Opheim

The first priority in the classroom, even over learning, should be the teacher student relationship. This relationship far outweighs any other technique created by educators to further a student’s academic achievement.

—Heather T. Forbes, Help for Billy

 I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving Break and is returning ready to finish the semester strong.  Fountas and Pinnell testing for all students should be underway.  District common assessments for Math and Social Studies or Science are scheduled for the next couple of weeks.  These assessments will be pushed to your Mastery Connect accounts.  Your Fountas and Pinnell data should be uploaded into Infinite Campus and the data cards/wall should be updated.   PreK ELQA should be continuing.  

Calendar At A Glance

• Monday Nov 27th - Grade Book Check, Lesson Plan Check.  Observations continue.
• Tuesday Nov 28th - PLC meetings.  Benchmark Review on Mastery Connect for Unit 3 Benchmarks.  We will also discuss math assessments and science assessments.  Think Thru Math Meeting 9:45 with 4th grade, 5th Gorman, 6th Hickman during PLC time.  See email for who will be covering your class.   Faculty Meeting 3:30 Library
• Wednesday Nov 29th - Regular Day.  Fall Sports Party after school for Football and Volleyball.
• Thursday - Regular Day.  Kona Ice.  Leadership meeting in the library after school.  
• Friday Dec 1st -  Regular Day.  Formal Observations should be complete, post conferences may still be occurring.  Informal Walk-Thurs resume.
• Saturday Dec 2nd - Botball Tournament at the State Fairgrounds.  

F & P Testing.... Students have made incredible Fountas and Pinnell growth –and we want to celebrate this achievement with them.  On Friday, December 8^th during their Special’s Time students who have leveled up at least 1 letter level will be invited to a special event celebration in the gym.  Students not attending will be in specials TBA.  F & P testing must be completed by Wednesday, December 6^th and entered into Infinite Campus.  Teachers will submit their students attending to Brett and Huggins.  Student data cards and the F & P wall in the conference room will also need to be updated.  

Home / Article

By Carol Moehrle

We often hear, “Look up, look to the horizon, look out.” Seldom do we hear, “Look in.”

Looking out gives us a perspective toward the distance and what lies beyond our reach. Looking out implies looking toward the future. It gives us the dream of a new beginning and what is not yet seen.

Looking in is a critical exercise in understanding yourself as you interpret the happenings around you. If you want to enjoy and experience the future to its fullest, you must know what you possess on the inside.

Looking in requires us to hold still and focus on the present, the now—the feelings, the energy, the emotions that influence everything we view as we look out.

When we calm ourselves enough to look within, we find the space to create new beginnings and the strength to move forward.

Don't forget to look in.

b-Resilient

Faculty and Staff Winter Holiday Celebration at Brett’s House.

Friday, December 8th 6:00 p.m.  Please come and bring a snack to share.  If you want an adult drink you will need to bring that too.  Limited Space – no children.  Please RSVP to Brett

In the comments section please include take-aways from either how to help students boost their memory, how to build positive relationships with students,  or helping them become resilient.  

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• Everyday a child reads something they choose to read.
• Every child reads accurately
• Every child reads something they understand.r
• 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 2017- 2018

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level, and know their current F & P 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%

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)

November 13 and 20th Rise N Shine Ms. Goodall

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

Our Vision:  “Provide a learning environment that promotes and develops academic and social growth.”

Author of the Month:  Joseph Bruchac  

Word of the Month:  Strong  Rise N Shine:  Ms. Goodall

• Mon Nov 13 - Regular Day.  Observations continue.
• Tues Nov 14 - PLC Meetings:  Please bring an example of your most rigorous center work for most ELA and Math.  Bring enough copies for your team and admin (3).  5^th and 6^th – bring an example from your subject matter.  Faculty Meeting:  Committee Meetings - Various Locations.  Be sure you attend.
• Wed Nov 15:  Picture Retakes a.m. Pull Lexia Reports
• Thur Nov 16:  Nelson out - Library Meeting.  Brett Out - Principal Meeting.  5th Grade Field Trip.  
• Fri Nov 17:  Regular Day
• Mon Nov 20:  Gun Safety Assembly - Please see calendar invites.
• Tues Nov 21:  Instructional Rounds during PLC.  Potluck Lunch in Leveled Book Room.  No Faculty Meeting - Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break.  

     As we prepare continue our journey through the holiday season (which as teachers we know begins with Halloween and doesn't end until after the winter holidays) I pause to reflect on the daily challenges and rewards we experience working with children and adults daily.  

     Teaching manifests in tears, hugs, smiles, laughter, chants, high-fives and many other joyful emotions that teachers and kids display daily in most classrooms. I've seen tears and great joy and heard concern, as teachers talk about their kids and a child who needs extra help, a child who can't sit in their seat and be still, a child who appears to be absent of attention span. But those same students eventually shout with infectious joy "I get it, I get it"!!

   A teacher is sometimes a hand-holder, emotions-soother, a minute-to-minute miracle worker.  Teachers give their all to the basic social and emotional lives of your kids. Some students are on the edge not knowing what they will awake to each morning other than the fact at a little after eight o'clock they will see you. 

    

Lexia Reminders:

·  Teachers logging into myLexia on Wed. to review student data, ensuring minutes and units gained as needed

·  Student Reports--click on student name, then skills report, then click on a specific skill to access detailed student skills report. Also check out the usage and progress report on the Student Overview. 

·  Link to Student Program, use with struggling student and/or after lesson, send student back to online program after. Lesson doesn't disappear from list until student has mastered online. The student program can also help students who are ahead of the curriculum. https://www.mylexia.com/mylexiaweb/app/index.html#/resources

·  Lessons, Skillbuilders, Flashcards, Stickers, Home Use Letters, Cloze Reads, Report Guide, all in Resource Hub--http://www.lexialearningresources.com/tr_core5.html

·  Training On Demand-http://www.lexialearningresources.com/tr_core5_tod.html

·  Teachers expressed a desire for more licenses. I am sharing that with Lexia folks who can converse with district personnel.  

·  Always appreciate feedback, please share survey link with teachers, https://www.lexialearning.com/data

Tech Buddies: Building Technology Skills Through Peer Teaching

See the learning on both sides when fifth graders teach computer skills to first graders.

May 3, 2017

Think Thru Math:

Lexia:

Myon:

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 2017- 2018

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level, and know their current F & P 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%

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)

November 6 Rise N Shine Ms. Navarro

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

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

social growth.”

Author of the Month:  Joseph Bruchac  
Word of the Month:  Strong  Rise N Shine:  Ms. Navarro

Formal Observations are in progress.  Please be sure you collaborate within 4 days and have your pre and post conference forms complete prior to your scheduled meeting.  Remember this is a standards based evaluation.  You must have your scales/rubrics aligned to the standards you are teaching.

• Monday - Nov 6th  1 hour faculty meeting - required.  Lexia training.  
• Tuesday - Nov 7th PLC Meetings.  We will be splitting children into groups for interventions.  Counting Bee.  State Department Site Visit
• Wednesday - Nov 8th Fire drill 10:00 a.m. Brett out P.M. for Training.    Leadership Meeting 3:30 
• Thursday - Nov 9th - Honor Choir sings at nursing homes. District 1st Grade Meeting 3:45 p.m. Victoria has training Wednesday or Thursday.
• Friday - Nov 10th - Brett out.  Veterans Day assembly - see calendar invites. Huggins has training a.m.  

Benchmark Literacy:  Sequencing Week 2

Teacher of the Year:

Coolidge Elementary has many exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teachers.  Our Teacher of the Year should inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn and strive for greatness.  Faculty Advisory - please work with Coolidge to select our Teacher of the Year.

Eligibility:

• Completed a minimum of 3 years employment as a teacher with OKCPS.
• Teaches students daily and does not have administrative duties.
• Every site is required to select a Teacher of the Year.  Please notify Mrs. Brett by Thursday, November 9th so I can turn in the name of the Coolidge Teacher of the Year.
  

Eligible Teachers:

Ms. Jamie Davis, Ms. Ariel O'Shields, Ms. Jami Keys, Ms. Christina Opheim, Ms. Toni Cappellaro, Ms. Maria Alvarez, Ms. Alyssa Southwell, Ms. Jeannie Pearson, Ms. Kimberly Hunt, Ms. Angela Peake, Ms. Debra Burmaster, Ms. Jamie Harden, Ms.Katie Barton, Ms. Jennifer Reinhardt, Ms. Cho Werito, Ms. Chelsea Barnett, Ms. Jennifer Kappel, Ms. Julie Knott, Ms. Suzanne Hobson, Mr. Mark Christian, Ms. Beth Rapp, Ms. Carissa Rone, and Mr. JL Dye. 

Imagine Learning - Think Thru Math

Grades 4th - 6th  Students should be using Imagine Math (Think Thru Math) as part of their math centers each week.
Arthur Hernandez, 6th Grade 1st Block is leading with Most Lessons Passed (16) followed closely by Josiah Medina with 14 lessons passed.
But the most lessons passed in the school - Bianca Reyes-Torres 4th Grade Ms. Harden's Class!
Imagine Math Classroom Contest: Classrooms that average 5+ passed math lessons per active student will be automatically entered into a random drawing for ten (10) $50 pizza party e-gift card award. There will be five winning classrooms posted each week. Once your class averages 5+ math lessons per active student, they are automatically eligible for subsequent weekly awards during the monthly contest. 

As students work on math and open their hearts to others, your school can be recognized for its charitable giving and sharpen their math skills – just by doing math and paying it forward!

Additional Safe School trainings have been assigned.  Please be sure you complete the assigned trainings before the due date.  (I had 4 additional trainings assigned due by December 20th).

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 2017- 2018

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level, and know their current F & P 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%

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)