...but what if it just needed more time?

It takes time to bake a cake
 If your cake is not cooking in the middle, then pop it back into the oven and cover tightly in tin foil.  The tin foil will trap the heat and help to cook the inside of your cake.  Bake for another 10-15 mins checking after 5-7 mins to make sure it's working.

It's happened to me.  I learned to use a toothpick, knife or cake tester (thank you pampered chef) to monitor if the cake is done.  It's really an easy way to formatively assess whether the cake is ready to leave the oven and become 'proficient'.

This isn't the TASTY app this is a blog about school improvement and raising achievement at Bloomer. However, I do think that this is a metaphor that works when thinking about instruction and knowing when students have learned what you've taught them.  Consider math instruction if you will.  

We often are puzzled why students aren't able to successfully navigate grade level math problems.  Math is an abstract concept.  When you are learning a topic, pure abstraction can be a good way to get lost.  It helps to find a specific, concrete meaning for the abstract ideas.  I challenge you to move students through these stages and when they get stuck or seem to not understand look toward concrete to insure understanding.

• Concrete “doing” stage: Make sure you spend time here with student evidence of solid understanding. When you have a few students who may not 'get' the math. Differentiate and give them manipulatives to use while other students move on to the next stage.
• Representational “seeing” stage: The resource takes lessons here quite quickly. When you find that you are explaining more bring in manipulatives as a scaffold to support transition.
• Abstract “symbolic” stage: Clearly this is the quickest and most efficient phase. However, kids can not move to automaticity without concrete and representational understanding. Simply memorizing will limit how they use strategies.

If you want students to 'learn' and 'understand' you need to make intentional decisions that are based on student work.  Don't rush; use your instincts and choose to bring manipulatives in when it seems that kids aren't being strategic. 

 The cake needs more time. 

Anticipation. Is making me wait!

It's time.  We know how our plan will change and will prepare to serve children five days a week. This week's blog has the purpose to encourage, update and supply you with the support and encouragement that will sustain you through this transition.

Please note the following few items to prepare you for a strong start on October 12th.

1. We will work on you IBPD during professional development today
2. Plan Time:  You will have 8 am - 230 pm Monday October 5th.  Additionally, you will have the 45 minutes each morning to plan and prepare.  You will also have your PE/Music and Art times available.
3. NO PLC this week.  This time will allow you to prepare your room, class lists etc.  I would encourage you to plan collaboratively.  If you need other time please let me know.  
4. Questions:  I'm answering them as they are posted.
5. Recess:  Please make arrangement to share duty until we can come up with a shared duty schedule.
6. Planning:  As you work with your team please focus on writing clear learning intentions and success criteria.  Review where to post them in your classroom. Focus on using them during instruction and then assessing kids using their work as compared to the success criteria.
7. Class Lists:  We will be making calls this week to discover what parents will choose as an option.  We will be making changes so class lists are balanced ie HYBRID/IN person etc.  We will work to stay near the 60-80% range.  Please note that there is a color code. Virtual. HYBRID day 1. HYBRID day 2. 5 Days

• Virtual YES/NO
• Continue HYBRID 
• Choose 5 days a week.  

You have what it takes to persevere.  

I believe in your abilities and willingness to problem solve with your team.

For the Comment Section:  What are your greatest hopes?  What are you concerned about?