Coolidge Crocodiles

Friday, August 14, 2015

Weekly Look Ahead: August 17 - 21

Coolidge Elementary Academic Goals for 2015-2016

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%
Decrease suspensions by 25%.

Word of the Week: Integrity.

Pearson's Class leads Rise N Shine All Week.

Teachers - be in the gym at 8:00 a.m. for Rise N Shine

Monday: Star assessment window POSTPONED.

Tuesday: Teacher's Meeting after school. Integrity Awards due to Hannah

Wednesday: State Department Meeting 12:30 p.m.
Leadership Meeting - Review from State Department Meeting

Thursday: Ms. Cramer out Principal Meeting

Friday: Ms. Pearson's Class Friday Finale. Integrity Awards given out.
Names for backpack food program due to Ms. Cramer.
Lesson Plans Due for next week.

Walk Thru Look-Fors

DQ 1: Providing rigorous Learning Goals and Scales

Learning Goal

Scale or Rubric

Tracking Student Progress

Celebrating the Success of students

Every classroom should have these posted everyday.

They can be written different ways for different levels of students This is not optional and is part of our Marzano Evaluations.

Have students rate themselves and tell WHY they choose that rating to a elbow buddy. If they rate themselves a 1 or 2 have them state what resources they have to help them move to the next level.

DQ 6 Establishing Rules and Procedures
www.pbisworld.com - This site will give you interventions and suggestions on classroom management.

Establishing Classroom Routines
Organizing Physical Layout of Room

Every classroom should be working on procedures as they teach. We are never done teaching procedures.

Great Expectation Look Fors:

GE 1: The teacher models desired behaviors and attitudes such as those set forth in the life principles and the eight expectations for living.

Students learn naturally by imitating models.
Students learn appropriate behavior, and develop the character that drives it, by imitating their adult mentors.

GE 2: Educators and learners speak in complete sentences and address one another by name, demonstrating mutual respect and common courtesy.

Learning to formulate complete sentences while speaking helps students develop the ability to write in complete sentences. Complete sentences are an integral part of writing.
Learning and using students’ names is a powerful way for teachers to foster both greater teacher-student interaction and greater student-student interaction

GE 12: Students assume responsibility for their own behavior. The choices they make determine the consequences.

The individual who sees himself and his situation clearly and who freely takes responsibility for that self and for that situation is a very different person from the one who is simply in the grip of outside circumstances. This difference shows up clearly in important aspects of his behavior.
In many cases students do not see school as offering them either control or challenge. However, when students have a firm understanding that an assignment is important, they are more likely to complete that work and may experience the work as being challenging. When students do not have much interest in what they are doing in school, they often choose not to do the work, thereby gaining a small measure of control.

Life Principle: Self Discipline
http://www.songsforteaching.com/davidwoodward/selfdiscipline.htm (it is downloaded here).

It's easy to be lazy
And it's fun to go wild
But when there is no one around then who's in charge?
You're the boss of what you do
You stay out of trouble
And you know how to choose

SELF DISCIPLINE
IT'S UP TO YOU
YOU’RE IN CONTROL OF WHAT YOU CHOOSE
YOU DO WHAT'S RIGHT
EVEN WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF SIGHT
WITH SELF DISCIPLINE
EVERYBODY WINS

On the field playing a game
And somebody doesn't want to play it the same
You're just about ready to blow your top
But then you tell yourself..."STOP!"

CHORUS

Its's right around 6 o'clock
You're hungry and you want a pop
Some cookies and some candy
You know they're there
Hey, mom's not looking…
Who's going to care?

SELF DISCIPLINE
IT'S UP TO YOU
YOU’RE IN CONTROL OF WHAT YOU CHEW
YOU EAT WHAT'S RIGHT
EVEN WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF SIGHT
WITH SELF DISCIPLINE
EVERYBODY WINS

Your friends all want to go out and play
They've got no homework, they're free for the day
You're just about ready to head out the door
But then you think about it
Just a little bit more....

CHORUS

SELF DISCIPLINE
EVERYBODY WINS!

Articles Worth Reading:

Google Apps for Education
https://sites.google.com/a/okcps.org/okcps-google-apps-for-education/welcome
15 Examples of Student-Centered Teaching - via @TeachThought
7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-learning-zones-classroom-veronica-lopez

Videos Worth Watching:

Clint Smith - The Danger of Silence - via @TEDTalks

Smart Kids' Life Advice - via @TEDTalks

A Pep Talk for Teachers and Students - via @IamKidPresident

Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years.
Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Friday, August 7, 2015

August 10 - 14 Coolidge Blog

“A quality teacher-student relationship means more than the combined power of all teaching and discipline techniques known to humankind.”

Establishing positive relationships with your students and creating a community where students have relationships with each other will truly benefit your classroom atmosphere. Quality relationships increases the quality of instruction and helps with classroom management.

Looking ahead:

Mon. - August 10th: Ms. Cramer out for RSA training
Ms. Barton will be out.
Ms. Hunt out 1/2 day p.m.

Tue. - August 11th: Safety Drills 9:15 a.m. Intruder drill and fire drill.

P.L.C. meetings - R.T.I. Process, Lesson Planning
Open House 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Wed. -August 12th: Great Expectations. Toni will be in the building all day.

K and 1st Epipen training during plan time.

Leadership Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 Campus Improvement Plan

Thurs - August 13th: Principal Meeting - RSA Training Brett Out

Fri - August 14th : Jeans Day - $1.00 with Spirit Shirts or Uniform Shirts

Lesson Plans due every Friday. Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/a/okcps.org/folderview?id=0B3X94wORxmtXfk5XaHhOWC1rWkRBYXN5QVdXNXFtQ2ZGSGExSDN6dUd5UjJOMlYyUVh2UUk&usp=sharing

Great Expectations:
Word of the Week: Integrity (next week we will have an class awards for students - think about the student in your classroom who is demonstrating integrity).
Rise N Shine: G.E. Team

Having trouble with a student's behavior? Please check out http://www.pbisworld.com. This website describes a behavior and then gives possible

Here are some ways to improve instruction, classroom management, and sustain a safe educational environment in your classroom.

1. Teaching procedures; Daily teaching of your classroom expectations rather than relying on "rules" and consequences.

2. Being consistent; Students will respond to a teacher that is constant in her daily practices.

3. Communicating in positive terms and being intentional about your tone. i.e. "Be Quiet!" is not going to produce quality results.

4. Teaching with differentiation so that all students get there needs met. Our students need it and it shows that its OK that everyone has different needs.

5. Teaching with excitement and enthusiasm!

6. Remain calm and competent in all situations. Demonstrate to your students appropriate responses when handling difficult situations.

7. Making and responding appropriately to mistakes. Students need to see you make mistakes and model being a risk taker. Show your students that mistakes are a part of the learning process.

8. Encourage reflection in your classroom; reflect upon mistakes and show your students that consequences may be present it is the behavior and not the child that you don't like.

9. Proximity control; be present and around during independent practice and throughout the school day. Proximity does not end at your classroom door. A few minutes in gym or the cafeteria will go a long way towards you and your students connecting.

FYI: The first bench mark of the year will with Star begin Tuesday. The I-pads and computer lab will be used for these tests. Ms. Cramer will be going to a training on Monday so hopefully we will know more then.

Coolidge Elementary Academic goals for 2015-2016

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%
Decrease suspensions by 25%.

Great Articles to Read:
Ted Talks: All kids deserve the best wherever they grow up. http://ideas.ted.com/all-kids-deserve-the-best-wherever-they-grow-up/
Edutopia.com - 20 tips to creating a safe learning environment http://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-create-safe-learning-environment-rebecca-alber
Edutopia.com 5 tips for classroom management for novice teachers http://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-management-tips-novice-teachers-rebecca-alber

Friday, July 31, 2015

August 3, 2015

July 31, 2015

Look ahead for August 3, 2015

Administrative Team:

Melissa Brett, Principal
Carson Cramer, Assistant Principal
Mackinley Cross, PAR
TBA, Counselor

Notes from the Principal:

"Do I belong?" is one of the biggest concerns students have in common across all grade levels. My challenge to each professional at Coolidge Elementary, and all of OKCPS, is to give your students proof every day that yours is the right class and you are the right teacher for them.

Five things to avoid at the beginning of the school year!

1. Not asking for Help. - If you need help, ask! You will not annoy your co-workers or campus administration if you have questions. If you are struggling in an area, classroom management for example, talk to campus administration or your veteran teachers to get some ideas in order to keep the classroom a place for learning.
2. Afraid of being firm with your students. - DO NOT BE A DOORMAT. Do not be afraid to show your students that you are unhappy about their behavior. Think about the students who are missing out on instruction because of disruptions and an unsafe environment... If that doesn't make you want to take control, firm up, and do what's best for the students you may need to have a long talk with yourself.
3. Not knowing it's OK to leave the to-do list unfinished at the end of the day. - We will have days that are longer than others, but DO NOT FREAK if you leave stuff on your to-do list. Set yourself a time to go home and address your time sensitive things first. Tomorrow is another day.
4. Spending WAY to much $$$. It is very easy to offer extrinsic rewards, restock supplies yourself, and not know available resources we have at Coolidge Elementary. Some ideas on keeping your hard earned money in your pocket: Limit those rewards, find the stores that have teacher discounts, utilize SNAPS, ask your peers for available resources.
5. Worrying too much. - Some worry is valid, other worries are totally ridiculous. If you are investing in your students, designing reasonably effective lessons (even if they aren't as effective as they were in your head), and being diligent about identifying and fixing the things that truly aren't working, your students will learn. Even if you feel like a total failure, I can promise as someone who's been there that you're not. Keep doing your best and try to improve where you can, but don't get so hung up on the silly stuff that you are paralyzed by fear or burn out.

Coolidge Elementary Academic goals for 2015-2016

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%
Decrease suspensions by 25%.

Weekly Look Ahead:

Word of the Week: Integrity.

GE Team leads Rise N ShineFor this week and next week -
Keys, Opheim, Burmaster, Helmick, Barton, Baker, Werito (Byers, Kummel will stay with their kids at least for this first week)Monday August 3, 2015: Rise N Shine - students will go to classrooms. Normal School Day

Tuesday August 4 2015: Grade Level Meetings during planning time, this includes specials teachers. Getting Started with IPads for PreK - 2nd grade during PLC Meetings. Faculty meeting after school. Healthy Lifestyle Presentation - Baker and Barton, LLI Kit Presentation - Baker and Schwartz. Normal School Day

Wednesday August 5, 2014: Normal School Day

Thursday August 6, 2015: Brett out of building for Principal Meeting till p.m. Normal School Day

Friday August 7, 2015: Rise and Shine in the Gym, Jeans Day. Publish your lesson plans for August 10th to the Google Drive by 4:00 p.m.

Have a GREAT first week of school!