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Friday, February 7, 2020

Feb 10 - 14

Opportunity Statement:   Coolidge Elementary will continue to provide all students with academic, social, and emotional growth opportunities through great teaching and the utilization of our community resources.  We will maintain high expectations for all students, as well as expand our efforts to cultivate a positive school culture that encourages intellectual and social growth.”
Coolidge Vision and Mission
Our Mission:  “Educate students for lifelong learning and responsible living.”
Our Vision:  “Provide a learning environment that promotes and develops academic and
social growth.”


Mon. Feb 10 - Catch up on Benchmark Testing & IStation Testing Today.
Tues. Feb 11 - 4th, 2nd,  & 1st PLC Meetings
Wed. Feb 12 -  K & 3rd PLC Meetings Valentine's Parties
Thurs. Feb 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences P.M.  Brett out - Principal Meetings.  Smart Start
Friday. Feb 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences A.M.

Do not complain about your Observation scores if you don't collaborate in IObservation.  Remember by the CBA administration only has 5 days to complete your observation.  Here are the instructions on how to collaborate.

How, Not When

Kristin Ackerman

Issue #604
My 10-year-old is finally riding her bike independently. Some of you just read that sentence and thought, My kid started riding a bike at 4. What’s the big deal?
Well, the big deal is that regardless of how long it took—actually, maybe because of how long it took—she feels very accomplished. My stubborn kid has successfully taken on a lot of other challenges in life, but she dug in her heels and refused to practice riding her bike. She took to a tricycle at 2 and then delighted in her big-girl bike with training wheels at 3, but that was where the progression stalled out. As she got older, she wanted to hold on to the comfort of riding with training wheels.
My husband and I would nudge, and then we would downright shove by taking the training wheels off and forcing her to try. Every time we brought the bike out of the garage, our daughter would try every tactic possible to avoid the task and then cry and complain while practicing. The experience was miserable. Our practice sessions would end with all of us feeling frustrated and my daughter feeling shame. We were trying to accomplish a big task without breaking it down into small skills.
So, what changed? Leila’s big brother taught her how to skateboard. He broke the task into small chunks, encouraged her as she was successful, and coached her when she was unsure, and in one afternoon she was skateboarding all over the neighborhood. Her success with skateboarding built up her confidence.
On the heels of her success with learning a new skill, my husband took her to a nearby park with a little grassy hill, started her on the hill, and encouraged her to pedal. She was riding her bike but still a little hesitant. They continued to spend 10–15 minutes a day practicing small skills like braking, turning, and riding on dirt, gravel, and the sidewalk. As the days went by, her skills improved and her confidence grew. She is now choosing to ride daily because it brings her joy.
As a reading teacher, I know that my students need small, measurable tasks that build their ability to read independently. CAFE allows me to focus on one major pillar of reading at a time, teaching specific skills to build a reader’s ability and confidence. I know that my students are constantly working toward bigger goals, but I am teaching small, attainable skills.
May we all remember that although learning how to read is not easy for every child, we can rest assured that we are teaching effectively when we use researched and proven methods like CAFE. We know that how children grow is by teaching small skills that build toward big goals like comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary. When the goal is reached is not as important as the journey. Ten years from now it won’t matter which kids in my class learned how to read independently at 5, or 7 or 10. What will matter is that my students learned to read independently and will joyfully continue to do so for their entire lives.
Math Activity:  Graph Those Candy Hearts
Someday when my students look back on our holiday parties, they may be amused to realize that what seemed like a fun party was really just a bunch of cleverly disguised academic exercises. I chuckle at my own devious brilliance, actually.
For this activity, each child gets a box of conversation hearts and then engages in sorting, counting, graphing, etc., with the data their box provides. Students actually love this activity and are always fascinated by how much the contents of their box vary from their friends’. It’s my little Valentine’s gift to you all.

Valentines Party:  2:15 on Wednesday.  All treats must be store bought and in original packaging.

Formal Observations Continue.  Please be sure you have updated your growth plans AND completed PreConference forms and PostConference forms prior to meeting with your administrator.

Next round of Sheltered Instruction will be:
February 22 and March 7
8:30-4:00 (30 minute lunch)
Offices at Walnut Square
2219 SW 74th Street Suite 125, Room A105
Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Sheltered Instruction training provides real-life, practical strategies and best practices for enhancing and differentiating instruction English language learners in mainstream classes. Is it offered several times each school year.
Please keep in mind:
  • This is a two-day session. Please plan to attend both days!
  • There will be a 30-minute lunch break. Participants will have the option to bring a lunch and eat at this time or leave to pick something up and eat in the afternoon session.
  • Stipends are paid to OKCPS staff
  • Dress in layers and bring a charged laptop
  • Space may be limited, so please sign up on MLP to reserve a space.

Hope to see you there!



Happy Birthday
February 12 - Ms. Brett, Principal
February 15 - Ms. K. Jackson, I. Coach




Elementary ELA Year- at- a- Glance






OKCPS Math Standards by Grade Level
OKCPS-OAS Crosswalks
OKCPS Standards by Bundles
Pre-Kindergarten Standards by Bundles
Kindergarten Standards by Bundles


Elementary Math Units






OAS Science Standards by Bundle

OKCPS Science Unit Plans
(Please note: You will need your OKCPS log-in to access)


OAS for Social Studies Bundles
OKCPS Social Studies Unit Plans

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