Mid-October Updates

Hi Everyone,

This is a lengthy blog entry.  Take it in chunks, but please read all.
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The following quote is from an article I recently read about the important role of oral language  in literacy development:

“Not only are oral language skills linked to the code-related skills that help word reading to develop, but they also provide the foundation for the development of the more-advanced language skills needed for comprehension”

– Cain & Oakhill, 2007

This reaffirms for me that we cannot have 'reading closely and citing text' (Reading standard 1) without the accompanying 'collaborative conversations' (Speaking and Listening standard 1) in our School Improvement Plan.

This week is going to be a busy one, but in my walk-throughs, I will be looking specifically for evidence of students speaking to each other in structured, scaffolded ways.

Please click on the link at the bottom of this email to go to the blog site.  At the bottom of the blog, you can add comments.  Please consider contributing some ideas for structuring student-to-student talk in the classroom.  What works for you?

Updates:

--John's iPad returned safely and anonymously!--

--Classroom Budgets must be used by winter break, don't hesitate, use it or lose it!

--This month is Anti-Bullying Month.  The Student Council will be organizing an all-school assembly during and directly after Community Breakfast on Monday, Oct. 21st to confront bullying head-on in our school.

--3-5 teachers, Click to access Delicious, Nutritious Wisconsin curriculum.  These lessons should be worked into our instruction throughout the school year.

--

TAG Focus Groups

In preparation to draft a TAG Policy, as advised by the Transition Team, the TAG Office will be recruiting principals and teachers to participate in several focus groups. These groups will meet outside of school time. Dates and places will be before the end of October and will be announced soon. Meetings will be approximately 1 hour in length.

DLI representation would be greatly beneficial to this group.  Let me know if you are interested.

Dates to Remember

10/14

• Kindergarten PALS window opens
• Early Release (Individual Planning Time)
• Code Red procedure review at 3:30 in the lounge
• Story-Telling Night at the Monona Library

10/15

• Josh out in the a.m., Erin out all day
• Code Red at appr. 2:15

10/16

• Marj Passman from the Board of Education will visit in the a.m. interested in eating lunch with teachers in the lounge

10/17

• Josh out all day (presenting the WI Seal of Biliteracy at the WIDA Conference, wish me luck!)

10/18

• All Bucky Book orders due, please turn these in as soon as you get them this week
• 3rd Grade Field Trip in the p.m.

10/23

• Running of the Pumas

Office Updates:

CHANGES IN THE BACK OFFICE

For your convenience the following has been added to the back of the office:

-white and colored paper in the steel cabinet next to copier

-folder on the bulletin board next to the fax machine with cover sheets.

-clear bin next to the copier for items left in fax & copier (all items left in here will be recycled at the end of the month)

Becky & I will try to keep these areas regularly stocked with extras in the work room.

Please keep the back area clean as it is visible to parents and visitors. The office should always be in an impeccable condition. All piles of used colored paper should be returned to the pile of the same color. 

CLASSROOM DISMISSAL TRACKER

I have placed a bus with each classroom teachers name on it. Starting next week we will start to use them to track which classrooms have dismissed.

The idea is to stick it as you leave on the front door. I can then glance over and check to see if we are missing a classroom.

You can pick up your classroom bus on the way back to your classroom.

NEED AN ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER?

I have a few extras. Please send me an e-mail if you'd like one.

WANT LAST YEARS YEARBOOK?

Free to the first 5 who respond