PBIS Improvements

This week I was not able to schedule a guest teaching spot, but I did present on our school's PBIS improvements at a Grant Wood AEA PBIS regional meeting.  I am so proud of the work of this team!  The positives are definitely beginning to show.  Our behavior data shows great improvement from last year, the hallways are clearer, and teachers comment on how much better things are going overall this year.

We began by starting fresh over the summer with a new team of committed individuals.  We attend two and a half days of training with Grant Wood AEA.  We planned lessons to teach behavior expectations, re-worked the behavior matrix, and developed PD for our teachers.  When school started, teachers taught the lessons with fidelity - from going to the cafeteria to talk about lunchroom expectations to reviewing when you can and cannot use your cell phone.  Our PBIS values (Viking Virtues) are safe, responsible, and respectful.

We use V2 tickets - Virtuous Viking tickets.  Teachers hand these out to students when they see that they are displaying the Viking Virtues.  We are sure to tell the students why they are receiving a ticket and give them the praise they deserve.  These tickets can then be used at the store for various prizes including snacks, pencils, Viking apparel, and raffle prizes.  Some of the raffle prizes are most popular and do not cost anything - your table goes first at lunch, play basketball with a teacher during study hall, sit in a teacher's comfy chair, pizza with the principal, etc.

We had a fantastic all-school incentive first trimester.  If the tickets redeemed at the Viking Store filled a box, Herky and the University of Iowa cheer squad would attend our spirit assembly.  It worked!  We filled the box and students loved seeing Herky run through a giant V2 ticket and play with our school band.  The cheerleaders did a cheer and took selfies with the students.  Huge success!

This trimester we are in the middle of a homeroom challenge.  Students must first show their V2 tickets to their homeroom teacher who keeps a running tally.  The homeroom that has the most tickets at the end of the challenge will play a staff team in dodgeball!  There are prizes for second and third place as well.  Students are totally in to it.  They are checking the totals every day and reminding each other to turn in their tickets and do good things to get tickets.

The most important measure of success is the data points.  Behavior is down and especially the behavior categorized as "major."  The PBIS team has worked hard and met consistently.  We share this data with the whole staff and celebrate our success.  Teachers have bought in and are enjoying the benefits of a good system.  We still have work to do, but will take a minute to bask in the glow of a little success.  And then start thinking of our next all-school incentive!

Language Arts 7 - January 19, 2017

This week's guest teaching adventure took me to 7th grade Language Arts.  Ms. Nourski was going to be absent, so this was a perfect opportunity to jump in and teach.  Students had begun a unit on persuasive writing.  Ms. Nourski had gone over key vocabulary terms such as thesis, reason, evidence.  Today we were to read an essay and find the different parts.

We began the lesson with a DOL (Daily Oral Language).  We had to proofread two sentences.  Students did a wonderful job and even found one thing I didn't!  Students complete these every day.  It is a great way to practice writing skills, especially ones that are often found on standardized tests.  Next we reviewed the persuasive vocabulary Ms. Nourski had previously gone over.  It was a good refresher and most students seemed to understand.

Then we read a persuasive essay titled "I'll Take a Cat."  We read together as a class.  Then we talked about whether cats or dogs make better pets.  This became a slightly heated argument and students shared some funny stories about their pets.  It was interesting to learn that several students had both cats and dogs.  And just as many didn't have any pets.

Finally, students highlighted and labeled the different parts of the essay.  We reviewed some just as the bell was ringing.  A few students were confused by the thesis and the reasons.  I worked with a couple of individuals to make sure they got it.  Others highlighted a whole body paragraph claiming that the whole thing was evidence that cats are better.  I tried to convince the student that perhaps not every sentence was evidence.  But they did not back down.

I think the biggest challenge during this guest teaching experience was the variety of levels.  Some students completed the highlighting activity while we read as a class and were done with lots of time left.  Other students quickly finished and were reading other books or working on other homework.  Still others sharpened pencils three times, asked to go to the bathroom, and accomplished little to no work.  The differences of need and ability was very apparent in this class.  Luckily Ms. Nourski's sub stayed in the room and was able to work one on one with a few students while I tried to do the same.  In a perfect world, class sizes would be smaller.  Teachers today have to juggle so many different things.  The quick learners and workers were quietly talking or doing other work because they were done early.  Could they have been doing some other extension activity?  How does a teacher plan for all of this?  Could students partner up?  I don't have any of these answers.  I am impressed every day with how our fabulous teachers manage with the resources they have. I will support them with what they need and advocate on their behalf.

Practical Science - January 12, 2017

I am continuing my guest teaching adventure as we move into 2017 and my first stop was Practical Science.  This is a class for students who require more modifications and accommodations than can be provided in a general education class.  However, the class does follow the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards - just in a more modified way.  I was excited to work with Ms. Schmitt and these energetic scientists.

The students had been learning about matter and how matter can change due to chemical reactions.  On the day that I got to guest teach, we were going to complete a cool chemical reaction lab where we combine to chemicals to make flubber!  I knew the students would love it.  They had to first make observations about each chemical and record them on a chart.  Then they worked with a partner to combine them and watch the chemical reaction turn the liquids into flubber.

The students were great scientists, offering answers and following along.  They were excited to show me what they knew and to complete the experiment.  They worked very well as partners, each helping the other and encouraging them.  They were responsible workers and were amazed to see two liquids turn into a slimy solid.

The Practical Science class is small, only 9 students.  I was able to check in on each pair of students and talk with each of them.  This is valuable in a hands-on class like science.  It is obvious why other teachers wish they had smaller class sizes and were able to work more one-on-one with students.  These particular students were inquisitive, respectful, and responsible for their work.  I was impressed with how they cleaned up after the lab and helped each other, even if they weren't in the same group.  Just a great group to work with!

One Word - Believe

Inspired by other educators and principals, I decided to participate in the One Word 2017 challenge.  I have chosen Believe as my one word this year.  I had originally thought about a resolution I wanted to make and I also thought about taking my goals for the school year and doing a mid-year review.  But I chose to participate in the one word challenge and I believe it is one that truly has purpose for me.

To believe is simple yet grand.  Anyone can say they believe in something or someone.  To actually take that belief and act upon it is what makes a true believer.  I set some goals for myself this school year, including this blog and guest teaching.  Midway through the year I am continuing this goal.  I believe that this is important work.  I have spent quality time with teachers in preparation for teaching their classes.  I have gotten to teach in classrooms full of students again.  I have worked with students and shown my vulnerability as I have struggled through algebra lessons and conducting a large band.  It has been a fun experience and also one that I truly believe in.  I will continue to work toward this goal.

I believe in my students and the staff that we have at Northwest Junior High.  I finished three books during break: All American Boys, Between the World and Me, and For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood.  All three of these books had a common theme of the struggles that African American students (particularly boys) in our world today.  I believe that schools can be the catalyst for change.  Education, specifically teachers, can open up so many doors for our young people.  And the opportunities we provide for them in our schools can create change.  I believe that we have teachers who are looking for new and innovative ideas to inspire our students.  I believe that we have students who are on the precipice of change.  I believe that together we can try new things and make NWJH a place where all students feel at home and ready to learn.

I believe that this year holds great promise.  I look forward to the challenges and the successes.  I will continue to believe and to work to make those dreams come true - for me and for all those that are part of our NWJH family.  Together we can all believe!

                      

Math 7 - December 8, 2016

Another math class!  Luckily I had the opportunity to teach a couple of other times for Mr. Mayer when there was not a sub, so I had an idea of how his class works and what the routine was.  Mr. Mayer does a great job being prepared - having Smart Board lessons ready to go, essential questions posted, and the assignment ready for students.  He provides just enough time for teaching as well as time left for students do some independent practice and homework.

During this particular class I was teaching students about solving for x when there were multiple number or fractions.  I had to do a little homework and brush up on my skills.  I especially struggled when a number would be negative or positive or when to add or subtract negative numbers when isolating the variable.  The students had to help me out a couple of times!  Luckily we got through it.

This class had all types of students.  Those that were engaged and totally getting it.  They were eager to answer questions and wanted to go to the board to demonstrate their understanding.  Others were timid and not quite sure, but were still trying.  Still others were doodling and not quite sure what to do.  It was a challenge to try to engage all students, help all students, and yet keep the class moving at a good pace for those students who grasped the concept early.  Most students seemed comfortable and willing to try, even if it meant they were wrong.  It was obvious that this was a safe classroom.

Time flew by and this was a good opportunity for me to feel the pressure of time and student needs.  I am impressed by our teachers every day and this gave me a first hand look at the challenges teachers face every day.  I am grateful for the opportunity to get in the classroom and to work with the awesome teachers in our building.  They truly care about the students and want them to be successful. I hope that they see the same from me!

Learning Support - December 2, 2016

This was probably one of my most favorite classes to guest teach thus far!  A small, intimate group of students who were engaged and ready to learn.  What more could a teacher ask for?  Ms. Kipp told me that the students would know what to do and they would be ready.  They sure were.  As soon as the bell rang, the students got out their personalized folders and began their daily practice.  Each student was working on something individually.  A few were doing math problems (all different according to their needs) another was working on reading and writing skills and another was reading out loud and recording himself to monitor his fluency.  What a fantastic start!

The main focus of class was to read an article from Scholastic News about wildfires.  Ms. Kipp had asked me to remind students of pre-reading strategies and then discuss the questions at the end.  The students had several good ideas about how to get ready to read a longer article about a topic they didn't know much about.  First, we looked at the title, the glossary, and the pictures to try to predict what the story was about.  The students were insightful and used great skills.  Then we looked at the questions at the end so we would know what to look for as we read.  I didn't tell them to do any of this.  It was all what they came up with on their own!  I was impressed.

Then we read the article together.  For a group of students who may struggle with reading, they didn't hesitate to volunteer to read out loud and did a wonderful job.  They were confident with their peers and some helped each other out if they came to tough word.  The students asked questions and were definitely paying attention because they were able to answer the questions throughout the article as well as the ones at the end.  They did a really great job and I was amazed at their hard work and persistence.

We had just a little time left and I told them they could pick another article to read.  There was one about Pokemon and how the game grew so quickly.  They picked this one and were excited talking about how they have played or knew people who played.  Right before we began reading, one student said, "Shouldn't we look at the questions at the end first?"  Outstanding!  This student was on top of the pre-reading strategies and wasn't going to let the group just pass over this important step.  I was so pleased.

This class made my heart happy from beginning to end.  Classes like this make me miss teaching!  I'm sure there are days that are more difficult than others, but this class was so good -- hard working, confident - yet not afraid to ask questions, and kind to one another.  This shows the great work being done by the teacher and all of our teachers. We make it so our students want to do well and have a reason to keep working hard even when they want to stop.  I would teach this class again any day!

Thankfulness Challenge!

I was challenged by Nick Proud, principal of Garner Elementary, to "Share your thankfulness about your school, district, or classroom."  So, here goes! 

Thanksgiving is November 24 this year, so as a tribute to that date here is my Top 24 list.  

I am Thankful for...

...the amazing teachers that provide excellent learning experiences for our students every day.

...the awesome support staff (from custodians to office workers) that make me smile every day.

...the caring paraeducators that work hard for little money or recognition for our most neediest students.

...the students that remind me every day why I love this job.

...the supportive PSTO that is always willing to help with whatever our staff needs.

...Bear and the kitchen staff for bringing us delicious cinnamon rolls!

...the ILT members and IDS coaches who are leading our PLC work and who made the conference a blast.

...the PBIS team that has been recognized as a Spotlight School by Grant Wood AEA.

...the outstanding Student Council that works hard each week to promote a cause and help others.

...other administrators that I can call upon for advice and guidance.

...our parents and families that support our work each and every day.

...all of my guest teaching experiences thus far that have been so fun!

...the light I see in a student's eyes when they finally get a concept that they have been struggling with.

...the caring nature of students who stop to help each other.

...dances and activities that help us see the other side of our students.

...the creativity I see in students during Makerspace time, art, and our other electives.

...the phenomenal music I hear each day out my door as the bands, choirs, and orchestras practice and perform.

...students who say thank you when they come in for snacks.

...being able to see the children of my friends and neighbors growing into strong, smart leaders at my school.

...the joy of students as they rush out the door for a much-needed Thanksgiving break!

...volunteers who come to mentor, tutor, and spend time with our students.

...all of our students and the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and cultures that they bring.

...my own family and friends who support me as I work toward my goals.

...the chance to do the job I love each and every day.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE AND SHOW YOUR THANKFULLNESS