In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an
invincible summer.
--Albert Camus,
I hope everyone is hunkered down keeping warm and relaxing. I'm missing the excitement of having everyone here in the school building. I'm certain that 2014 is going to be a great one for Nuestro Mundo...let's make it happen.
Updates
- With mixed feelings of sadness and excitement, I inform you that the wonderful Becky Smith has taken a position as an advisor in the School of Ed. at the UW-Madison. While I'm excited for Becky, I know you will all agree that she will be sorely, sorely missed. She shared with me that she is looking forward to this new direction in her career, but will miss Nuestro Mundo very much. Becky's last day will be January 17th.
- The BOE meeting to discuss the charter renewal has been rescheduled for Thursday at 6pm due to the inclement weather. The vote will still take place on the 27th, meeting starting at 6pm.
- There are two video cameras that have been donated to the school. One of them is fairly old-school (with the tapes and everything), though the other is a more recent model. I will give these to Susan to keep for check out in the library.
- Read Your Heart Out is coming up again, who coordinated this event last year? Please let me know.
- There is a Bilingual Family PJ (pajamas) Fun Night at the Monona Library on Wed., January 15th from 6:15-7:15. Please share this information with your students and their families. It would be great if some teachers were able to attend (PJs optional). Snacks will be offered.
Assessment and Grade Reporting
- Quarter 2 ends on January 24th, which is a half-day for grade reporting. Please plan to have all assessments done by the morning of the 24th so that we can have that data to analyze on the 27th. I have asked more clarification from C&A and OMGE about grade reporting for Q2.
- At a minimum, please plan to administer the Fountas & Pinnel or WRAP assessments this month. These assessments are included in how our SIP is monitored.
- I'm looking to see what support we can get for this heavy assessment time.
- Winter MAP test (3rd-5th) starts the week of Jan. 13th, only the Reading test this time. Please see Erin's email and take advantage of the resources there to prepare your kids to do their best. Remember, the MAP is one of the primary ways our SIP will be monitored.
- ACCESS testing begins this week. Kristi Nelson has shared the schedule with everyone via Google Docs.
Important Dates
- Thursday 1/9--Fire Drill, Remember, this time we will likely do something to disrupt the normal drill. Get ready to think on your feet!
- 1/9 BOE Instruction Work Group to discuss the charter renewal 6pm at Doyle building
- 1/15 Josh gone all day at Principal's Meeting
- 1/20 No School for MLK, Jr. Day
- 1/21 PLC Grant Day Away
- 1-27 BOE General Meeting to vote on charter renewal, 6pm at Doyle building
- 1/30 1st Grade Teachers gone all day for Lead Teacher Teams. Josh gone in the morning for New Administrator's meeting.
- 2/5 Mondo Site Visit #3
January Birthdays!
- 4th--Eva Bilger
- 12th--Sanda Steele
- 21st--Delia Hurtado
- 26th--Emily Zoeller
- 30th--Jane Danley
On posting learning objectives/purpose (from the Marshall Memo)
9. Should Objectives Be Posted in Classrooms?
In this blog post, Grant Wiggins comments on administrators requiring teachers to post daily objectives on the wall, sometimes in the name of UbD-type backwards design of curriculum units. Some schools take it a step further: when students are asked what standard they’re working on, they chorus, “We’re working on ELA Standard B.2.a.i.” “This gets it all backwards,” says Wiggins. “The posting is the means; the end is
understanding of the meaning of the work and a way to stay on track… The aim is to ensure that students understand goals and how current activities support those goals. Ideally, then, students have perspective and see the value of the work; they understand the why of the current work in order to find it more meaningful and to facilitate purposeful learning, and they have a touchstone for gauging progress (and thus use of time).”
The best test of posting goals on the wall is whether students can answer questions like, Why are we doing this? Why does it matter? and How does it connect to previous work? If students respond, “I dunno” or “Ask the teacher,” it’s not a good sign – and it doesn’t validate the efficacy of the sign on the wall. [Far better to have provocative, well-crafted unit Essential Questions on the wall and frequently refer to them as the unit unfolds.]
“Mandating the Daily Posting of Objectives, and Other Dumb Ideas” by Grant Wiggins
, Dec. 5, 2013
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