UTE GOAL: Top 15% of Elementary Schools in Kentucky in Reading and Math!!!
Our first 2 days back to school were wonderful! It couldn't have been done without all of the prep and planning that we have put into it! It is a wonderful thing to see those smiling faces of our students and their parents when we have a successful week back to school. Thank you so much for your time and effort!
Education News
Please take a minute to follow the link below. Literacy Link contains a lot of very good information and ideas!Kentucky Teacher -
Back to school Literacy Link posted
Posted on 09 August 2012.
The August 2012 issue of the Kentucky Literacy Link is now posted on the Kentucky Department of Education website.
One goal of Literacy Link is to reach across the curriculum and involve all content areas in the implementation of ELA standards, so please share with colleagues of all backgrounds.
This issue of the Literacy Link, and all previous issues, can be accessed here.
The submissions deadline is always the fourth Thursday of the month at noon, however, issues often fill up before the deadline. For more information, contact MK Hardaway at (502) 564-2106, ext. 4513
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/High+School/English+Language+Arts/Writing/Literacy+Link+Newsletter.htm
Differentiated Instruction Leads to Reading Success
Ms. Shirley and Mr. Paul for making our building look like a new one! They are awesome in more ways than I can ever say! Don't forget to thank them for all they do!
Cymilee Napier for getting us moving with "Move Your Body, America"!
Debbie Gee and Sarah Hicks for jumping in to help Nancy Withrow with her library duties this week while she was dealing with a systems crash at another school!
Angela Kimbler for taking time to compliment colleagues that had assisted her at Prichard Elementary on Wednesday.
Leigh Williams and Christy Patton for assisting me with prepping for an appointment the first day of school.
David and Debbie Gee for doing all the behind the scenes work to get our Picnic on the Playground going! They bought drinks, grilled, and contacted all the other agencies who shared our evening and helped make it a huge success!
MANY OF YOU WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THIS WEEK! WE ARE BLESSED! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO A COLLEAGUE, COME BY MY OFFICE AND PICK UP A "TIGER ON A ROLL" AWARD TO SHARE WITH THEM; AND MAKE SURE TO LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN INCLUDE IT IN OUR WEEKLY BLOG!
Brain Breaks from The Michigan Dept. of Education
13th - New Early Duty Plan Begins
Move Your Body daily after announcements begins.
15th - Leadership Team Meeting 2:30 - 3:30
Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 (RTI)
20th - Grade Level PLC Schedule and Classroom Schedule Due to the office
22nd - Faculty Meeting (Emergency Plan and KEA)
29th - P:icture Day
Faculty Meeting (Sound Off Strategy, Evaluation)
Literacy Daily 5 Website
I am anxious to read your thoughtful responses to any of the items on this week's blog. I'll be looking at them all by Wednesday!
Here's to teaching every child....every day!!!
One goal of Literacy Link is to reach across the curriculum and involve all content areas in the implementation of ELA standards, so please share with colleagues of all backgrounds.
This issue of the Literacy Link, and all previous issues, can be accessed here.
The submissions deadline is always the fourth Thursday of the month at noon, however, issues often fill up before the deadline. For more information, contact MK Hardaway at (502) 564-2106, ext. 4513
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/High+School/English+Language+Arts/Writing/Literacy+Link+Newsletter.htm
Differentiated Instruction Leads to Reading Success
Tigers on a Roll!
Sarah Bowling and Sarah Hicks for getting us set up for "Move Your Body, America"! You jumped into action at the last minute when our plans had to be moved from the gym to the library and cafeteria!Ms. Shirley and Mr. Paul for making our building look like a new one! They are awesome in more ways than I can ever say! Don't forget to thank them for all they do!
Cymilee Napier for getting us moving with "Move Your Body, America"!
Debbie Gee and Sarah Hicks for jumping in to help Nancy Withrow with her library duties this week while she was dealing with a systems crash at another school!
Angela Kimbler for taking time to compliment colleagues that had assisted her at Prichard Elementary on Wednesday.
Leigh Williams and Christy Patton for assisting me with prepping for an appointment the first day of school.
David and Debbie Gee for doing all the behind the scenes work to get our Picnic on the Playground going! They bought drinks, grilled, and contacted all the other agencies who shared our evening and helped make it a huge success!
MANY OF YOU WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THIS WEEK! WE ARE BLESSED! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO A COLLEAGUE, COME BY MY OFFICE AND PICK UP A "TIGER ON A ROLL" AWARD TO SHARE WITH THEM; AND MAKE SURE TO LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN INCLUDE IT IN OUR WEEKLY BLOG!
Instructional Strategies That Work!
Brain Breaks: Don't forget to give your students brain breaks. After sitting in days of professional development ourselves this week, we were reminded how difficult it is to remain engaged for long periods of time, no matter how important the content may be. So, be a teacher of children and not just a teacher of curriculum. Utilize brain breaks whenever you can! Please choose at least one to incorporate this week in your classroom. The link below may give you some ideas, if you need them! I can't wait to participate in brain breaks going on throughout the building!Brain Breaks from The Michigan Dept. of Education
Calendar Reminders
August:13th - New Early Duty Plan Begins
Move Your Body daily after announcements begins.
15th - Leadership Team Meeting 2:30 - 3:30
Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 (RTI)
20th - Grade Level PLC Schedule and Classroom Schedule Due to the office
22nd - Faculty Meeting (Emergency Plan and KEA)
29th - P:icture Day
Faculty Meeting (Sound Off Strategy, Evaluation)
Worthwhile Websites
ASCD - Differentiated InstructionLiteracy Daily 5 Website
I am anxious to read your thoughtful responses to any of the items on this week's blog. I'll be looking at them all by Wednesday!
Here's to teaching every child....every day!!!
Our Mission: To assist each student to reach a progressively higher level of academic achievement and social and emotional development through the cooperative endeavors of responsible students, caring parents, dedicated educational staff, and an involved community.
I think the first two days were pretty good also. I saw everyone going above and beyond. All teachers doing early duty, giving up lunch breaks, helping each other with those back to school woes, staying late to iron out problems, doing webinars, etc. Being dedicated, caring, and hard working is what makes us all a wonderful school. I
ReplyDeleteI am always ready to come back to work after summer break and what better place to be than UTES!!! I enjoyed being with kindergarten and seeing the look on their faces when Mrs. Clary had them "kiss your brain!" You always know people enjoyed professional development when you see them using those strategies in their classroom. I cannot wait to use some of the new ideas in my room this year. I just hope the first few days of preschool go as smoothly as they did for everyone else. You'll know when you see me at our faculty meeting Wednesday!!
ReplyDeleteI agree everything has went well so far. I read two articles on the literacy link. One environmental literacy involved students/campers writing outside about nature and their experiences. The other Back to school ideas suggested a staff bulletin board of favorite books to encourage reading. I couldn't pick just one book though. Another suggestion was to involve high school students reading with younger students and being rewarded by a drawing for prizes.
ReplyDeleteI think the first days of school went well this year. Everyone was positive and willing to do whatever it took to make things run as smooth as possible. I love the brain breaks we have learned about! We have been using them in our classroom this week and the students enjoy those breaks and it makes it easier to get back to work and stay focused.
ReplyDeleteOver the weekend family members asked how the first couple of days went and I replied - you really can't tell the difference at UT in day number 1 and day number 100. The students always come to school prepared and ready to go. Sure we have to establish new procedures but it's pretty much business as usual. My cousin, Brett who summers in Kentucky but left this week for school in Florida listened to my conversation and remarked - "At my school (he will be in 5th grade) the first day is crazy - people running around like crazy!". So, it must happen at other schools but here at UT our procedures and expectations are in place and that makes for a smooth transition to a new year.
ReplyDeleteThinking about brain breaks - I purchased some great ones from Teachers Pay Teachers - see me if you are interested and I will share.
I agree with Keri, I heard several positive comments about the first few days of school. We all did the 3 things that were asked, get them here, get them fed, get them home. Even though we changed our morning routine 3 times the staff and students didn't miss a beat. I know I have had a wonderful first few days, we have danced in the morning and during science class! The students are all working hard to earn high fives, tiger tickets, and champion bracelets. I my book, we are all CHAMPS! High fives for all staff and students!! A special thanks to Mrs. Shirley for allowing me to take an EMERGENCY bathroom break! I love my job and our school. Rainbows and sunshine, Sandra
ReplyDeleteMy first few days of school have been stupendous!! I believe this has been the smoothest beginning of my career. I feel that as teachers we were well prepared for the new school year and the students responded to this by jumping right in with us.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of a new year is always getting to know my students. I have had eleven of my students previously but I am just getting to know them as fourth graders. The students I have not had previously seem just as eager to get to know me as I am to know them.
I did the Brain Break, draw the alphabet as you count, and my kids loved it. Can't wait to try more as the year progresses.
I liked the calendar reminders-I updated my schedule book. Also, I watched three videos. The first, Educating Everybody's
ReplyDeleteChildren, was enjoyable with the managed learning environment. I especially liked using Lincoln's hat for details in writing, and the books on tape center and the computer center (all have and are used in our school). The second video: On Site Capacity Building with Richard School District 2 - Consultants attended the classrooms to assist and mentor the teachers. The result was interest and teacher engagement increased and student engagement and achievement increased. (This process has been an assest in our school system for several years).
Third grade is on a roll!!! My first few days have been fantastic. I really love the organization that my kids are getting by using notebooks for each subject. I'm blessed with wonderful students and I get to work with Mrs. Hargett's awesome kids also. These kids work well together and are anxious to be engaged. I see only great things in the future for us.
ReplyDeleteBrain Breaks and Move Your Body are fun strategies that my students look forward to. I feel like my kids are excited to come to school, which makes me excited!
I really enjoy the “Get your Body Moving” video. I do this every day with my students. I am sorry Mrs. Flannery for the noise. I hope I do not fall through the floor. I followed the Literacy links. As I read the article, “I Love that New Year Smell”, it made me reflect back to last year. The author said it was ok to be out of your comfort zone and to try new things. I believe the only way we grow is to get out of our comfort zone (maybe not too much) I found out that last year. I accomplished things I never thought I could do. I hope this year is the same. Also I liked the idea from the article, “Back to School, Back to Literacy”. The idea was where every adult in the building has their picture taken with their favorite book. These photos could be displayed on the school web page or on a bulletin board. I think this would be a great idea for Family Literacy Night
ReplyDeleteI believe we are off to a great start in 5th grade as well. I as always enjoy working with my pal across the hallway, as well as the rest of the staff here at UTES! I'm very excited about our new group of students. We hope to really challenge them to go above and beyond as Tiger champions. We hope every day is as smooth and goes as well as the first few days have gone. Very happy to be a part of such a great group of teachers and staff here at the best school in the county!
ReplyDeleteChristie and Karen (Christie's computer is still down:()
I like reading articles that give new and fresh ideas that make learning more fun for the students AND teachers! As far as the first few days of school goes, I thought it was really exciting! I love seeing all the new things that teachers are doing with their decorations, and hearing of plans of activities for the year...also new ideas that I've never seen or heard about before. I'm so happy that our school is moving in such a progressive direction! Hearing other ideas, seeing others try new things, and finding creative/new-age ideas on the internet and in articles really motivates me to be a better teacher!
ReplyDeleteReading the article "I Love That New Year Smell", I believe we are off to a great start this year. We are free to take risk, to try something we never have. I am going to try to step out of my comfort zone and try a new instructional approach.
ReplyDelete