Dias de los Muertos is celebrated until November 2nd. It's fitting then that this blog is written in celebration of those we love and thinking of our family. Specifically, we often think of those we lost on this day, however, I like to think of it as a day to enjoy our family and know that together we can accomplish so much. I guess I'm just a little melancholy because I get to see my family who lives so far away but I do know the importance of loving those around us who have made us what we are.
I believe this feeling translates to our work family also. Having a close colleague at work is the sign of a healthy culture. It is obvious to me and many of those who visit our school that that is the case at Bloomer. Last week our culture was on display when we had visitors from McGraw Hill and ESC scheduled to visit literacy. Julie had arranged to visit three classrooms that she felt would represent the work of the building. Thank you to Amy Scherb, Rachelle Opp and Heather Humbert for your time and example.
These teachers represented the sum of our parts. The whole of our work.
Amy shares content with such specificity. She uses the language of her learning intention throughout the lesson. In addition, she is constantly assessing and asking kids for clarity around her success criteria. She uses individual nuance and I know that each student is recognized as she teaches. She extends this specificity to her management also. It is a sight to behold and one that is very successful. Her DFA and CFA scores represent growth and alignment.
Rachelle's implementation of a read aloud, the precursor to the reading comprehension lesson in first grade, was sublime. The expression and natural breaks as she read to emphasize prediction and character development(her learning intention) kept students' attention the entire time. She asked kids questions exploring the success criteria about every 3-4 minutes which allowed them time to process. I loved that she taught understanding of reading rather than the content of the story.
Heather's lesson was based on writing. The level of independence was exactly what makes students grow. Kids were reading through their graphic organizers and working to write a first draft. Heather individually conferenced with students to advance and customize student learning. Conferring with students should not be underestimated. It's a perfect way to give students feedback in a lesson and allows student independence along with guided instruction.
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| Bloomer Look Fors |
You and your team are working within a culture that allows autonomy. You see the difference when you look at data and then work together to change the status quo. The examples shared are three ways that you can leverage learning.
WE are a family. We are carrying one another through rough patches and work to find clarity and success. Day by Day we are becoming the school where everyone wants to be.
WE are the SUM of our PARTS. The stronger each part gets the stronger the building gets.
Megan Millar
ReplyDeleteI contribute to the culture of our workplace by supporting my colleagues around me during their rough days to try and make the day seem a little better. I think I have nailed having learning intention and success criteria posted in student friendly language. I still need to work on using them more through the lesson as checkpoints to if the students are grasping the lesson or not.
Supporting each other is something that means so much to me. I feel that I can be a positive contributor by simply being a listener. I listen to my teammates and colleagues. In their celebrations, in their worries, in their stresses. I do my best to listen and offer support or strategies the best I can to help them if needed. When it comes to look-fors, I feel I've nailed using talk moves. I still need to work on posting some kind of anchor chart for the kids to refer to and teaching them to use them on their own throughout our lessons. However, I feel like I provide opportunities throughout my lessons frequently to use talk moves like agree/disagree and why, repeating, adding on, turn and talks, and more.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to be a part of the first grade team, where we support each other in several ways. Whether it's listening to each other's struggles, brainstorming ways to meet a struggling child's needs, or buy a cup of coffee. We also spent a lot of time in the beginning of the year working on the culture of our classrooms, in order to assure success in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI believe I've nailed the look-fors of having the learning intention and success criteria posted and used throughout the lesson. My next steps are to lessen my teacher talk and improve the student talk through the use of talk moves.
I contribute to the culture by greeting other people when I see them in the halls and around the building. I support my team by planning together and contributing honestly and positively during our meetings.
ReplyDeleteI found myself conferring with teachers when I notice students struggling to accomplish task in the music class. I gain a better understanding of the students need and I adapt modifications that encourage and help the students grow both with our relationship and with academic task.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I am positive contributor to my team by offering the knowledge of teaching these 3rd grade lessons before, parts that worked well and didn't, asking for thoughts on changing LI/SC, making copies when I can for others, and asking how they are doing. I hope that others see me as approachable if they need help or even just to vent. I feel like I have nailed posting LI/SC in student friendly language and I am working on getting them to verbalize the success criteria as they work, share, and realize their success.
ReplyDeleteI utilize PLC time with other reading interventionists to help support the work I do at Bloomer. I am lucky enough to go in and out of many rooms during the day to hear/see great learning happening.
ReplyDeleteI contribute to the school culture by talking with teachers about students and offering strategies to help when needed. I plan with different grade levels as well as my team PLC. I feel I've nailed engagement. Students know our routines and procedures and I'm using talk moves during the lessons. My next steps are getting student work with feedback posted.
ReplyDeleteI hope I contribute to our building culture by talking with teachers and helping to support the needs of our students, to be a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen to in a time of struggle. I know that Bloomer is full of caring and supportive people who are there for me when I need it.
ReplyDeleteI contribute to our building culture when I listen to others and work together to solve problems. In our high stress job, I think I provide support for my colleagues through thoughtful conversations.
ReplyDeleteI feel confident that Sam & I are able to write meaningful LI & SC in kid friendly language that are aligned with the standards. I continue to work on referencing them throughout my lessons & using them for feedback during student conferencing.
I contribute to my building culture by listening to my colleagues. I am open minded to suggestions and willing to take risks when trying a different approach that is offered. I feel confident in presenting LI&SC . I will continue look at how I can have my students reflect to self assess if they have met a Learning Target by using the Success Criteria.
ReplyDeleteOswald
ReplyDeleteI contribute to the culture of our school by supporting co-teachers and having discussions with my team about supporting each other and our students. I feel confident in writing learning intentions and success criteria. I am working on giving them feedback using that same language as the L.I. and S.C.
I contribute to the culture of Bloomer by supporting my co-teachers, staff, and all students at Bloomer. I am also doing better at asking for help for others with the many needs of my class this year. I am continuing to work on student talk moves, having students use the academic language of the LI & SC.
ReplyDeleteI contribute to the culture of our school by supporting co-teachers, those I work with and those I am surrounded by either in the classroom setting, lunchroom, etc. Extending it beyond just school talk and really being invested in them personally. This is how I like being treated and strive to do that to those around me also. I love feeling like Bloomer is my family, because it really is! I share so much with those around me and it is so refreshing to know that they genuinely care and support me throughout my life, both personal and work related.
ReplyDeleteOne look for I am getting closer to nailing is talk moves. I have been so excited to hear my students say, after turning and talking or sharing at their tables, "I heard "Sally" say..." then they repeat what their partner/table partner said. I love this! I want to continue building on this and working on those LI and Success Criteria. Not only defining the ones that are already written, but also implementing them more intentionally throughout.
I contribute to our building culture by being a positive influence for coworkers and students alike. I like to be a listening ear that can help come up with solutions to problems. I feel that my team is confident in writing the LI and SC. We are working to make them kid friendly and useable for the students throughout the lesson. I feel like I still need to be working on using the success criteria while conferring with students.
ReplyDeleteDew
ReplyDeleteI feel like I contribute to building culture by being part of a team that wants what's best for kids as well as by being a good listener to both staff and students and willing to help out in whatever way that I can.
I feel confident in using LI and am still working to use the SC throughout my lessons.