"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." Leonardo da Vinci
This Week at UTE
I was recently reflecting on our mission statement and contemplating our vision. It is my personal mission to serve my community, state, and country and through serving them, I serve humanity. I think on some deeper level, that is why we remain in education. Those who got into it for other misguided reasons, do not last long in this business. The work is hard, nonstop, and at times heartbreaking; but we cannot forget how rewarding and crucial our work is. I believe that we can fulfill our mission through the vision of "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!". The urgency with which we work must be deliberate. We must not let a second go by without purpose and intention while we have the students with us. This week we will reflect on last week's topic: purpose; and link it to this week's topic: urgency.Definition of URGENT (Merriam-Webster Online)
1
a : calling for immediate attention : pressing <urgent appeals> <an urgent need>
b : conveying a sense of urgency
October 29th is the scheduled release of KPREP data throughout the state of Kentucky. There will be a flurry of activity and action around the scores. We cannot let this false sense of urgency by the public and media detract us from our mission and vision. We have analyzed data consistently last year and this, we know where are students are in terms of their academic progress, and we are acting accordingly. During our district data days at the end of this month, we will analyze this newest data and make adjustments as necessary. Our job will be the same after the scores are released. We are here to serve students and their families, and we will continue on our path. We have already identified root causes for less than 80% of our students scoring at benchmark on our universal assessments at the beginning of the year. The 3 most URGENT are:
1. Behavior Management
2. Student Motivation
3. Curriculum/Learning Gaps
The above root causes are our responsibility. Now, what strategies will we use to improve these 3? The leadership team met last week and came up with strategies for our 90 day plan. Please read through them and leave any suggestions or feedback you have.
Tigers on a Roll!
I had a visit from Orry in Mrs. Patton's class to read a chapter from the book Mouse and the Motorcycle to me. He read with expression and fluency and was able to answer all the questions I had for him about the content of what he read! If you have worked with Orry during his years here at UTE, this is a compliment to your instructions!
As I was walking through this week Daniel and Adam from Mrs. Williams math class shared the factors and mulitples game they were learning to play. Although they were just beginning to learn the rules, I was very impressed with the level of conversation around number they were having. Mrs. Williams has created a sense of URGENCY with her students about learning their mulitplication/division facts.
While visiting with Mrs. Clary's class, Kayleigh shared with me how she could match upper and lower case letters and make the sound that went along with the picture for the letter. Also, Aliyah shared with me the pig she was drawing from the book she had independently looked at in the classroom library center.
I had the opportunity to read Adam's and Solomon's narratives from Mrs. Patton's writing class. I was very impressed with their drafts and the effort they had put into entertaining and audience with their stories. If you have a chance to stop by and read some of the narratives from 3rd and 4th graders, you definitely should do so!
Subitizing galore! Your recognition of the URGENCY around students being able to structure number is very evident! Mrs. Rayburn did a wonderful job in leading us in that discussion during faculty meeting last week.
As I walk through classrooms this week, I am anxious to see what wonderful things continue to go on at UTE! Please make it a priority of yours to spend at least one planning period a month visiting your colleagues in action in their classrooms! I think you will be delighted and inspired as I am!
Ed News: From Doctor Holiday, Kentucky Commissioner of Education
Resources to help prepare parents and others for test score release – As we move toward the public release of the test scores from the new system, I hope you have been preparing your parents and community for what they will likely see. To assist you with that communication, KDE offers several resources including a brand new video I have done for parents to assist them in understanding the changes in Kentucky’s testing system since it moves the state from a focus on just proficiency to one of college and career readiness. To view this new video, click on the following link:
October Events:
15 - SBDM, Board of Ed. Mtg.
15th-17th - Room Reading Extravaganza Competitions
17 - Lead Team Mtg., Faculty Mtg (Professional Growth Study Teams Meet), Classroom Rdg. Winners due to office
18 - Rdg Extravaganza School Judging, 4th & 5th Rdg. Academy, McTeacher Night, Picture Retakes
22 - Smiling Schools Dental Program
19 - Rdg. Extravaganza/ PTO Baskets/ Family Movie Night
24 - Fall/Halloween Parties, Faculty Meeting
25 - No School Tchr. Planning Day
26 - No School Mandatory PD
30 - Every Kid Votes - Mock Presidential Election
Mission Statement:
Upper Tygart Elementary will assist each student to reach progressively higher levels of academic achievement, along with social, emotional and physical development. This will be accomplished by means of responsible students, caring parents / guardians, an involved community and total dedication of the entire faculty and staff. A safe, productive and healthy school environment will be maintained at all times.
I agree that the three root causes need to be addressed. I could not find the strategies you talked about to comment on them. As far as test scores, I believe everyone here puts forth the effort no matter what the scores show. I know we understand how they will be different this year, I hope the parents have recieved the same messages we have so they don't think we are slacking off. Like all the comments on things students are doing!
ReplyDeleteSandra and I discussed the three root causes during our PLC and jotted down some suggested strategies. We realize that student motivation is a tough issue to deal with because it is the internal motivation that we believe our students need. Our school has come a long way in motivating students through the use of Tiger Tickets and Tiger Champions. We believe we could ask for assistance from some community members as a way to motivate. We have many parents that drop their children/grandchildren off for school, we believe a quick conversation with a few students would give them the realization that they are cared for and should strive for their best.
ReplyDeleteAs for test scores, I'm going to quote a famous man (Lynn Whisman) and say "I don't want to talk about it." Unlike my dad I will have to face it but hope to procrastinate for as long as possible.
We loving see students and teachers recognized for their good work on the BLOG!
The Fifth Grade teachers are focused on the "purpose" of addressing these root causes so that we may use specific strategies to improve them such as working to implement a system of accountability that holds students accountable for their learning and behavior. As far as the curriculum gaps are concerned, we have set aside a specific time in our schedule to reteach and provide small group instruction to address gaps with individual learners.
ReplyDeleteAs I work collaboratively with several teachers this year, I have noticed that behaviors of some students are having an adverse effect on the classroom dynamics. With a more precise school-wide discipline plan in the works, I believe that we will see classroom performance increase for all students. If we can get certain behaviors under control, students will be engaged in learning and responsible for their own learning.
ReplyDeleteWe also discussed the root causes during our TLC. We all agreed that a school-wide discipline plan will be a great help with maintaing discipline. I work with almost every grade level in the school. Trying to keep up with what each teacher does for discipline is very hard.
ReplyDeleteI believe the Tiger Tickets and Tiger Champions are great incentives. I also believe that we are fostering more intrinsic motivation with the type of lessons that we are using in our classes. When students are actively engaged, they are motivated to study and engage in class work because it stimulates them instead of simply completing an assignment to receive a good grade.
Jeanie and I discussed this during our PLC. The changes in the test were a major contributor I think. I hope parents realize the changes before test scores are revealed.
ReplyDeleteAs a school, we work diligently to improve discipline, motivation, and curriculum/learning gaps. But the urgency stressed by Shawn has forged us to push harded. I had the privilege to visit first and third grade. Our teachers are truly amasing. The children were engaged, understanding the concept, and enjoying learning. After the students were working in groups independently, Linsey was busy video-taping math talk and different strategy approaches used to problem solve.
ReplyDeleteI think a school-wide discipline plan will be a positive step in the right direction for our students. Consistency is the key to promoting positive behaviors. With a school wide plan, students will know what the expectations as well as consequences are for them with all adults in the building. I think we've made enormous gains in student motivation. Students look forward to daily announcements of Terrific Tigers as well as Tiger Champs, Principal's Award, and I have witnessed first hand the excitement and pride in going to Mrs. Justice's office to read to her. As I am in and out of classrooms I see students actively engaged in the purpose of the day. I hear an increased amount of talk among the students about their learning. I feel blessed to be a part of the learning going on at our school.
ReplyDelete