Friday, November 20, 2015

11/20 Learning Team, WGHS

Started the day with the Learning Team meeting.  I facilitated a BreakoutEDU game on Decoding the war (seen here: www.breakoutedu.com).

Also discussed the January 4th PD day and Middle School Progress Reports.


After I had a lunch meet with a team at Webster University.

I then went back to WGHS to:



11/19 Character Ed CSIP, MS Science, DLT, 1st Grade, Google 101

Started the day at Edgar Road with the Character Ed (R and R) CSIP team. Agenda found here.

  1. Review the CSIP - Questions/Clarifications
  2. Review Marzano feedback from last year (Summary)
  3. Next steps with Action items (divide and report back)
  4. When's our next meeting?
  5. How will we celebrate?


Headed over the WGHS to meet with a couple meetings:
1.  The Middle School Science Teachers were working together.  Agenda found here

  • Check in
  • Task completion for the year
  • Future Meeting drafts
  • Standards-Based Assessment
  • Engineering Design Progression
  • Department time
  • After Implementation Timeline

2.  The 1st grade teachers were using curriculum time in 324.

I stopped in the DLT meeting to review and simulate a crisis scenario.  We also discussed the pending posting of Assistant Supt of HR.

After school facilitated the Google 101 session.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

11/17 Edgar Road, WGHS, 2nd grade SS, Bristol, Kindergarten

Started the day at the Edgar Road Faculty meeting.

Then headed over to WGHS to work with 2nd grade social Studies curriculum work.

Some of the highlights from today are:


At 1pm I went over to Bristol to work on the resources that were delivered to schools.

At times throughout the day I checked in with the Kindergarten Teachers that were working in WGHS 324.

Monday, November 16, 2015

11/16 Edgar Road, Hixson

Starting the morning welcoming students and teachers in the school...

Distributed resources to Edgar Road from SS facilitators.

Met with fine arts resource regarding lessons and connections to fine arts.

Met with Assistant Supt, building principal, ELA coordinator regarding resources and the School for Today report.


Met with 5th grade teacher

Met with support staff

Designed a Science poster


Created agenda for MS SS collaboration

Created agenda for K-5 Science collaboration

Observed a teacher in 1st grade

Observed a teacher in 2nd grade

Headed over to Hixson afterschool to attend their PLC meetings.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

11/11 Edgar Road School

Started the day welcoming students and teachers in to school

Worked with a 5th grader

Worked with a kindergartener

Worked with a 3rd grader

Followed up on write up procedures

Added items to behavior document

Called some parents

Spent some time in classrooms not having to do observations

Drafted timeline to implementation of building new science kits.


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

11/10 WGHS, Steger, Maryville U

Started the day at WGHS

  • answered emails
  • hunted down software
  • packed up resources
  • shared resources
  • set up local government experience and meeting
Met with teacher at Steger to plan intelligent behaviors unit


Presented "What happens when they google you?" at Maryville

Met with Dustin Loeffler about opportunities to collaborate with WGSD science/social studies teachers.  We discussed:
  • Drone usage - 8th grade science
  • Connections for 8th grade Social Studies
  • iPad institute collaboration

Listen to "Disrupting my comfort zone"



Monday, November 9, 2015

11/9 Edgar Road

Started the day welcoming students and staff into the building

Reviewed progress on the Technology CSIP

Met with the director of Technology

Revised R and R CSIP team

Reviewed Marzano Student survey feedback

Sent social Justice Reminder for the workshop on 11/23

Prepped for MS science meeting

Prepped for MS Social Studies Meeting

Drafted SS facilitator meeting 3

Met with building principal


Thursday, November 5, 2015

11/5 Technology CSIP, ITEF, WGHS, Principia, MRH

Started the day at Edgar Road School working with the Technology CSIP team.  Agenda

Met with leaders of ITEF to discuss the grant process.

I then headed over to WGHS to:

  • Catch up on emails
  • draft Technology inventory for ERS
  • Meet with the director of Instructional technology to plan:
    • Google 101 session
    • Google Classroom session
    • Garageband session
    • There's an app for that session
Met with the team from Principia to discuss learning spaces and connecting classrooms.

Finally wrapped up the day discussing learning spaces at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School

11/4 Leadership Academy

Spent the morning on Total Engagement Techniques led by Peggy Dersch.

Spent the Afternoon at Avery Elementary

Met with colleagues in the Leadership Academy after school

11/3 Edgar Road

Started the day at a social justice meeting discussing the American Denial movie and presentations that followed.

Welcomed students and staff into the school.

Had a phone conversation with the Director of Learning at the Chesterfield day school about the movie http://mltsfilm.org/

Completed a grant

Met with 1st grade teachers about technology needs

Drafted Technology budget for the next four years based on needs/wants

Completed a formal evaluation of a teacher.

Met with building principal

Facilitated dismissal

Met with teacher as a part of the fellowship program


Monday, November 2, 2015

11/2 Edgar Road School

Started the day welcoming teachers and student in to school.

I added detail and resources to the Technology CSIP team meeting.

I added detail and resources to the R & R CSIP team meeting.

I met with the school librarian

I authored a grant for a "Learning Kiosk"

Prepped for a PreObservation for a Formal Evaluation.

Read: http://edge.ascd.org/blogpost/is-differentiated-instruction-a-useless-fad

Watched this:


Discussed Grant with Director of Technology

Met with Direct of student services.

Met with Kindergarten team about Technology...
Desire to order 24 laptops (6 per teacher) and 24 iPads.  Along with replacing two projectors.

Facilitated dismissal

Met with Teacher for Preobservation for formal eval.





10/30 PD Day

Started the morning at Hixson Middle School.

I facilitated the first session by reading the School for Today report authored by the district and hosting a discussion.

We then attended the School for Today Presentation in the auditorium

I then attended the Social Studies and Science department meetings.

Afterwords I met with the coordinators to debrief the day.

I headed over the the High School to work on:

Presentation for the Best Practices Conference
Presentation for Maryville University
Various emails and agenda drafting.

10/29 Edgar Road

Spent the day at Edgar Road school.  Worked with teachers, supported fall celebrations and school parade.

After school went to meeting at the CIC regarding the town to town competition...

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

10/28 5th Grade Science Facilitators

Today worked with 5th grade science facilitators using this agenda

We authored assessments, activities and clarified content in 3 of our new units for next year.

Also had a phone conversation with Robin Rath from Pixel Press. We hope to develop a relationship with Pixel Press and The Garage at Hudson.

After school I worked with teachers on:

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

10/26 Clark, Gateway to Change, Steger, Enteam, Steger

Started the morning meeting with a 4th grade teacher at Clark about the new curriculum and steps/resources available to support them.

Attended the #Gateway2Change conference for a couple hours.  See resources below:


Met with Assistant Principal of Steger to discuss Social Studies curriculum, direction and focus.  We also discussed Science and it's progress toward it's mission.  We wrapped up with discussion of iObservation.

Met with the team at EnTeam to discuss connections and collaborations for students and teachers.

Watch this:

Attended the World Studies Department meeting after school.


Monday, October 26, 2015

10/16 ERS

Alright, I know I've been slacking at this, but I made it a point to get back to doing this regularly.  Not for anyone else but just for me...

Here we go...

Started the day editing the ER Student tracker document

Went through emails.

Welcomed students and staff and walked around building

Played Hockey with 3rd grade.

Met with building principal to discuss:
  • Chris' goals review/revise
  • CSIP progress
    • Time to start the teams?
    • Chris: R/R, Tech
  • ER Student Tracker
    • Ready to send?
  • Progress report
    • What's up?
    • How does Chris help w/o getting in the way?
  • SLO
    • What's up?
    • How does Chris help w/o getting in the way?
  • Evaluation Grid
    • What's the next step?
  • What's coming up?

Supervised 5th grade recess and lunch

Fixed a teacher laptop

Set up CSIP meeting for Technology and R&R

Worked with a student having a rough day

Started reading the Remaking Learning Playbook

Facilitated dismissal.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

8/26 Edgar Road

Welcomed teachers and students into school.

Completed walkthroughs of 2nd, 1st and kindergarten.

Found a file cabinet.  Worked on trying to find keys for the file cabinet.

Met with librarian about apple adapters for iPads.

Completed work order for keys

Built prototype of professional learning request form

Met with building principal

reviewed teacher webpages, created spreadsheet, emailed teachers that need to add additional information on their website.

Met with teacher about Google Docs.

Facilitated dismissal

Met with Asst. Supt about numerous topics.


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

8/18 Edgar Road

Welcomed teahcers and students into the school.

Appeared on the announcements

Moved Science kits out of the lounge

worked on SIS issue

worked on wgcloud issue

created walkthrough resource for building principal

created video for Pick up and drop off seen here:



ate lunch with 1st grade

played outside with kindergarten

met with PE teacher

worked on google forms with SSD teacher


Monday, August 17, 2015

8/17 Edgar Road

First Day of School!!!!

Welcomed every teacher in.

Solved Technology problems

Put in tech reqs for issues

Issued Chromebooks to support staff

Installed printers on devices

Met with teacher's aides regarding Moby Max

Sat in on a few classes

Followed up with 1, 3, 5 classes about dismissal routines

Met with SSD to discuss services and case load

Met with math Coordinator about Moby Max

Met with building principal about dismissal

Facilitated dismissal


Thursday, May 21, 2015

Summer Kickoff

Welcome to Summer!

Congrats on a busy and fulfilling year.

We’ve accomplished a TON this year in science and social studies and I’m so happy to be learning alongside you as we implement exciting changes in our new curriculum.  It’s awesome.

Below is important information for completing summer work:

I can’t believe he forgot…
I guarantee I forgot something or misremember something as I’m trying to keep all the moving parts in front of us.  If I did, please just let me know!

What do I do?!?!
So, I’m working on curriculum, what do I do?  I have combed through our resources, postings on the hub and CNI server and created what will be our "TO DO" list.  I have separated each grade level and content area on slides.  Using google slides all you would need to do is go to the slide that fits the grade level and content you are working on.

Video explaining how to do this here:


SLIDES with Summer To Do list Here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14-9T5ktNdhVsXLNSrdpxkAYw4BNASIYjyzJ4cWYrDy8/edit

Change is hard!

It’s important when working with your colleagues to not only be supportive of them through this process but also help figure out what their needs are so we can be the MOST responsive as a leadership team.  Look at this graphic:


As an example, if you are overhearing someone in the louge discussing about the frustration they have with the new curriculum.  Ask them about resources, maybe they are missing something they need.  If they don’t understand why we made changes to the social studies curriculum, ask then if they know the vision for our curriculum, etc.  Be responsive, be respectful and don’t just let them and their feelings go unnoticed.

Here’s a resource to support you in leading that conversation
Leading complex change in Science: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17DlY9f05VYfaM1hbAsfyQ4uT0y4JC4jA88SvdIowXNs/edit#heading=h.y4y88i1aac1p
Leading complex change in Social Studies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMkybN9mvZJ9xNfWkMYYJFV7cCmN1tjR800FNVCPqKk/edit#heading=h.hob2f75eh8uv



Who else is working this summer?
Lots of awesome people are coming together to improve Science and Social Studies.  I put together a sort of list here in case you're nosey :-) or would like to come with with a friend/colleague.

Working on creating an assessment?
I've been thinking about assessments a lot lately.  I'd love to chat with you about it.  I'd love for you to challenge my thinking and really move us forward.  I wanted to share some of my thinking as we begin to author first draft of science and social studies assessments.  Check the video out below:

I think that's it for now.....Happy Curriculum-ing.... :-)

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

5/19 STEAM, WGHS, CO

Met with leaders of STEAM professional learning to iron out details for June 2 and 3.

Read this ridiculous article on cell phone bans in schools = student success. (can you tell how I feel about it?)

Prepped for meeting with Asst Supt.

Worked on Summer Task list: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14-9T5ktNdhVsXLNSrdpxkAYw4BNASIYjyzJ4cWYrDy8/edit#slide=id.p

Met with Asst. Supt.

Recorded this video for summer work




Made this assessment introduction

Recorded this video:





Monday, May 18, 2015

5/18 WGHS

Started the day working through emails

Worked on scheduling summer PD locations/events for Social studies and facilitators
6/16 - 324
7/7 - 324
7/8 - Bristol (following summer school)
7/16 - 324
7/20 - 324
7/22 - 324
7/23 - 324
7/24 - 324
8/6 - 324

Sent emails about combining groups...

Met with Webster University Science department about Content Specific Professional Learning for K-12 teachers.

Began list of resources for an assistant.

Worked on creating list of items that would make up our NEW science kits.

Started on Summer facilitator tasks. Seen here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14-9T5ktNdhVsXLNSrdpxkAYw4BNASIYjyzJ4cWYrDy8/edit#slide=id.p

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

5/13 ERS

Started the day welcoming students into the school.

Wrote letter to students no longer enrolled.

Worked on Summer calendar for Professional Learning.

Coordinated MySci Pickup

Sent this email:
Hey Team,

I need to coordinate MySci kit pick up.  Please make sure they are in your building’s main office by Monday 5/18.  I will coordinate with the WASHU team to ensure they are picked up that day or shortly thereafter.

Thanks for piloting!  Please make sure that your feedback has been noted on the google form.  If you have been keeping your own form of feedback, please copy and paste your notes in the appropriate form below:






If you’d like to expand our pilot next year, please make sure you reach out to me ASAP.

Met about Retreat at CIC @4240

Walked around, sat in classrooms, played at recess

Worked on 21st century Technology workshop

Monday, May 11, 2015

5/11 ERS

Started the day meeting with two 5th grade students

Met with MySci partnership liaison to discuss programming for 15-16 and beyond.

Met with 5th grade student.

Investigated Instagram

Met with Hixson teacher about Hixson Author's event.

Met with team at Bristol re: student acceleration

Further investigated Instagram

Assisted with dismissal

Worked on district PD calendar

Friday, May 8, 2015

5/7 ERS, DLT, WGHS

Started the day at Edgar Road school.  Welcomed in teachers and students.

headed over to Central office for a district leadership team meeting.  We discussed:
DLT Professional Development Focus for 2015-16
Meeting dates for 2015-16
SSD Update
Infrastructure Update
C & I Update
HR Update
Budget Update
Retreat Planning
Superintendent’s Update

Answered emails.

Finished drafting "Complex change" documents for science and social studies. Authored presentation for complex change Science

Read: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-secret-of-better-meetings-fun/


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

5/5 ERS

Started the day welcomgin staff and students into the school.

Drafted email to K-5 teachers.

K-5 Teachers,

Next year we will be implementing a new social studies curriculum K-5.  If you feel like you need support in making this transition below are some opportunities to support you and your team.
SUMMER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Our curriculum leaders throughout the district are poised and ready to share their vision of social studies with you. Sign up using this google form!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uzD_5lYGoOtaq2Un5Qf1MjH8s7uqW4gYamrnVV8C-xI/viewform
If you’re interested please sign up by 5/15!
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Need a quick overview of all the resource to support you, check out this 3 minute video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHit-okwybI
RESOURCE HUB
Our team has been (and will continue this summer) putting together  resources, advice, support, examples and cool links on our resource hub.  Check it out at http://hub.wgcloud.org
CNI SERVER
Over the summer our plan is to clean up and curate the social studies section of the CNI server.  Both the server and the resource hub (above) will replace the blue binders that sit on the shelves in your classroom.
Forgot how to get to the CNI server?  Watch this video here: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/home/how-to-use-the-cni-server
TIMELINE
Our team has been working hard to ensure this implementation is smooth.  No timeline is perfect and we’re sure we overlooked something, but we’ve put together a comprehensive list of tasks from the time we started through today. We posted our timeline here: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/timeline
ALIGNMENT
Our team has made sure that topics don’t overlap, content is covered and students are engaged in the most relevant social studies learning possible.  Check out our alignment documents here: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/home/alignment
EVEN MORE SUPPORT IN 15-16
Next year we will return to holding our grade level days where we will review the above material in-person.  We will also organize a implementation “support group” to come together to solve problems as they arise.


Recorded some videos for Edcamp Leadership

Facilitated all school walk with the principal:

Scheduled meeting with Webster University re: Content Specific PD

Scheduled meeting with Washington University re: Content specific PD

Put together budget for summer work for Science and Social Studies

Input data from Avery city government field trip

Summaries of the experience below:

Avery: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/forms/d/1vQNMW6_k_bCrzu5IePTpYiO7G0oWdo6ztF3aba1s0oI/viewanalytics

Hudson:
https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/forms/d/1epvnZ7PEWQ3nelfEZUykexom2Pf-LQzUbWQOgwehoQw/viewanalytics

Authored Social Studies document on "managing complex change" in regards to curriculum changes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMkybN9mvZJ9xNfWkMYYJFV7cCmN1tjR800FNVCPqKk/edit#

Assisted with dismissal

Monday, May 4, 2015

5/4 ERS


Started the day welcoming students and teachers into the school day.

Met with 4th grade teacher regarding summer work

Answered emails

Recorded Monday Memo for the community.

Met with 1st grade teachers regarding sections.

Met with Teacher's Aides regarding positions

Met with counselor and building principal about class rosters.

Met with 5th grade student

Met with Science kit coordinator about:
  • Science kit schedule for next year
  • materials list on MYSCI vs. what we have.

Drafted email to Science facilitators:
Hey Team,

After meeting with John and cross referencing our budget numbers, it does NOT appear as though we will be able to institute the My Sci kits.  The My Sci program is asking for $65,000 a year to provide this program for our district.  Needless to say, we can’t swing that.

So, what’s our next step:
1.  I’m working with the My Sci team to come up with an alternative. (we’re meeting on 5/11)
2.  Mary Ann is inventorying the My Sci kits to determine what’s in them that we have and what we would need to purchase to make our own
3.  Mary Ann and I are working on creating WG versions of My Sci kits
4.  I’m expanding the pilot and offering the MySci kits to more classrooms next year in transition.
5.  Mary Ann and I are working on a kit schedule that makes the most use of the resources we have and the new “kits”
6.  I’m hoping for some inspiration that would provide clarity to what teachers want.  Options could include:
  • Kits at the school to be used when needed
  • Kits for every classroom (expensive dream)
  • A small partial kit for every classroom with essentials and a check out system for larger materials.
  • A kit schedule determined for teachers at first, then as we invest in more kits a sign up form being offered
  • Teachers drafting a schedule for their year and then we build kits from that schedule.
  • Another solution I haven’t though of yet….

All in all I think we are doing what’s best for our kids and what’s best for the financial future of our district.  I’m excited for what we’ll create!

Stay tuned to more info!  Questions? Send them my way!


Supervised dismissal

After School attended IDEA meeting at Central Office.

5/1 Chesterfield Day School, ERS

Started the morning at Chesterfield day school.  Met with their Chief Academic Officer regarding shifting their practice to Standards-based versus traditional grading methods.

Afterwords headed over to Edgar Road.

Walked around to greet students and teachers.

Met with building principal.

Drafted email about science kits (see below)

Happy Friday Eagles!


I am seeking out two important pieces of information for next school year.  

1.  Is our current kit schedule STILL accurate with all the changes that have happened in your building?
2.  Does your team have any interest in expanding our MySci Pilot for science during the 15-16 school year?

Kit Schedule:
Below is the kit schedule for your school.  Is it correct in both order, number of classes and number of kits?

Clark
1st Q
2nd Q
3rd Q
4th Q
#classes
#kits
1st Grade


Water
Air/Weather
3
3/2
2nd Grade
Soil
Pebbles
Sound
Space
3
3
3rd Grade
States
Force
Ecosystem
Life Cycle
3
3
4th Grade
Rocks
Electricity
Heat/Light
Pond
3
3
5th Grade
EMS
Weather
Woods
Chem Inter
3
1

My Sci Pilot
This year teachers from around the district are piloting the My Sci units developed through Washington University (Learn more about My Sci HERE  see their lessons and activities HERE).  We’d like to offer to expand that pilot for next year if there is interest.  Below are options organized by grade level and correspond to our new curriculum to be implemented in 16-17.  Please consider piloting as a team for collaborative planning.

Grade
My Sci Kit
K
Make It Go! (Forces Unit)
Sun and Shade (Weather and Climate Unit)
Introduction to Plants and Animals (Plants and Animals Unit)
1
Birds, Beaks, and Babies (Plants and Animals Unit)
Sun and Moon (Space Systems Unit)
Putting on a Show With Light and Sound (Waves Unit)
2
Helping Seeds Travel (Interdependent Relationships Unit)
How Things Move (Forces and Interactions Unit)
Observing Weather Patterns (Weather and Climate Unit)
Tools of the Trade (Engineering Design)
3
Adapting to Change (Life and Environment Unit)
Change over Time (Life and Environment Unit)
Wind and Water Change the Earth (Shaping the Land Unit)
What is Consistent About Matter (Matter Unit)
4
Wave After Wave (Waves and Energy Unit)
What Energy Does (Waves and Energy Unit)
Earth Cycles (Processes that Shape the Earth Unit)
Using Our Senses (Survival, Senses, and Adaptations Unit)
5
From Sun to Food (Matter and Energy Unit)
What is Consistent About Matter (Structure and Properties of Matter Unit)
Our Place in the Universe (Space Systems Unit)
Using Our Resources Wisely (Earth Systems Unit)

NOTE:  These kits would be IN PLACE OF our district kits.

What I would need to know from you if you are interested is:
1.  If your team is interested
2.  Which kits you want (all of them or just pilot select ones)
3.  If you team teach you may want one kit with extra consumables, let me know the number of consumables.
4.  Which of the Webster Groves kits you would NOT need.

Once I know the above information I will work with you to finalize drop off and pick up.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

4/30 WGHS, CO, ERS

Swapped out SS resources for laminating at WGHS

Coordinator meeting at Central Office where we discussed the joys of Central Office work.

Attended a meeting at Webster U.

Headed over to ERS

  • Walked around and chatted with teachers and students
  • Answered emails
  • Finalized curriculum documents


Record video for Science:


Recorded video for Social Studies:



 Put together resources for the executive memo which included:

Graphic: Attached

Timeline: Attached and Here: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/timeline

Curriculum Documents: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/home/draft-curriculum

Alignment of Content: https://sites.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/wgsd-sciss/home/alignment

CNI Server: portal.webster.k12.mo.us

Resource HUB: hub.wgcloud.org

Science Overview Video: above

Social Studies Overview Video: above

Elementary Science NGSS and MAP standards match: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w1Jhf1hcRja3RlyHLc0RisscNXr1c5n_XLTmJv7EPLI/edit

Middle School Science NGSS and MAP standards match: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H_2HHJJpPNHGWIwG2LfRLsI_ysGHbnh6DcvdojN0Klg/edit#gid=885320103

OTHER NOTES SCIENCE:

  • Remember the conversation about Science and Natural selection, Climate Change and Genetically Modified organisms.  There are hot-button topics.
  • Science shift in focus from content knowledge to transferrable Cross cutting concepts.  
  • For science: Why Cross Cutting Concepts? The Framework identifies seven crosscutting concepts that bridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting core ideas throughout the fields of science and engineering. Their purpose is to help students deepen their understanding of the disciplinary core ideas, and develop a coherent and scientifically based view of the world.
  • In science items shifted grade levels to best align with : Units of Study in writing, resources to support implementation and local expertise.


OTHER NOTES SOCIAL STUDIES:

  • In social studies items shifted grade levels to best align with : Units of Study in writing, resources to support implementation and local expertise.
  • Biggest shifts includes 3rd grade emphasis on local community issues, a larger emphasis on Missouri in 4th grade, American history to 5th and 6th and modern studies to 8th grade.
  • Why the C3 standards?  In the college, career and civic life framework for social studies state standards, the call for students to become more prepared for the challenges of college and career is united with a third critical element: Preparation for civi life.  Advocates of citizenship education cross the political spectrum, but they are bound by a common belief that our democratic republic will not sustain unless students are aware of their changing cultural and physical environments; know the past; read, write and think deeply; and act in ways that promote the common good.  There will always be differing perspectives on these objectives.  The goal of knowledgable, thinking, and active citizens, however, is universal.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Monday, April 27, 2015

4/27 6th Grade Science, Future Ready Set up

Worked with 6th grade science teachers on this agenda.

4/24 Avery Local Government Field trip, CO

Spent the day with Avery 3rd grade and their local government authentic learning experience.


Afterwords headed over to central office.  Met with the Assistant Supt to discuss:

  • My Sci kits
  • Science Curriculum
  • Social Studies Curriculum
  • Budgeting for next year

Thursday, April 23, 2015

4/23 Maryville U, Avery, CO, Webster U, CECH

Started the day meeting with Maryville University professor.  We discussed professional learning, innovation, creativity and teacher leadership.

Headed over to Avery to meet with the teacher of gifted programs and classroom teacher about providing support for a student who is receiving gifted support in science.

Headed over to CO to:

  • Plan Social Justice programming for 15
  • Met with Director of Technology and Instructional Technology
  • Worked on Science "Patterns" Curriculum document draft 231
Headed to Lunch with the president of webster university and a student to discuss STEM programming.

Headed over to Avery to facilitate conversation with MySci.

Then to City Hall to set up for Local Government Learning Experience tomorrow.  Also known as the chair and cooler fiasco....

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

4/22 ERS

Started the morning meeting with the ELA coordinator.

We went through the SCISS Resource Hub and added "Units of study" connections with each social studies section K-5.

Went through NSTA conference schedule to download resources from the march conference.  (Don't judge I've been busy)  Only got through the first day :-(

Met with the team at CPO Science/Frey about resources.

Worked on MAP for Jaguar 5 K after feedback


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

4/21 Discovery Ed, ERS, Avery

Started the day welcoming students and teachers in to school.

Had a Webinar with Discovery Ed about Techbook Usage.  Some screenshots below:




Met with Fine Arts coordinator about STEAM.

Headed over to Avery: Met with 5th grade at Avery re: Social Studies

Headed back to Edgar Road.

Drudged through email.

Drafted number 57 (and 58) of the Social Studies curriculum updating learning targets to match Core content.  Sent to Asst. Supt for approval before I do the rest.  Completed: Culture and Cultural DiversityTime continuity and change, People Places and Environments, and Individual Development and Identity.

Met with building principal and counselor about student placement.  Worked on Building map.

Worked on a Jaguar 5 K Map to support this one:

With this one:

Continued working on building map options.

Monday, April 20, 2015

4/20 ERS

Finalized tweaks in my "Being more productive" presentation.

Welcomed kids into school

Attended the Respect and Responsibility team meeting

Attended Jaguar Justice

Attended RTI team meeting

Attended ELA team meeting

Planned and recorded Monday Memo

Reviewed Summer SS led Professional Learning opportunities.

Attended Math team meeting

Attended Technology team meeting

Assisted with dismissal

Headed over to WGHS to swap out laminating.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

4/16 CECH Hudson/Rockhill Local Government Authentic Learning experience.

Arrived at Hudson to make sure everything worked out well.

Facilitated and supported learning experience for students.  Tweets from the event seen here:




Met with teacher observers to go through the hub and support for the learning experiences.

Worked through emails.

4/15 BOT, Principal Meeting, ERS

Started the day at the Webster University Board of trustees meeting.

Afterwords I attended the Elementary Principals meeting.  We discussed:

  • Summer Enrollment
  • Personnel 
  • After School Enrichment
  • PTO Guest SPeakers
  • Elementary report card
  • Coordinator Update - Mentor Program
  • AimsWeb Progress monitoring tool

Afterwords headed over to Edgar Road to:
Helped with dismissal

Monday, April 13, 2015

4/13 ERS, Metro Theatre, Hudson, ERS

Started the day at ERS welcomed some new students and family.

Headed over to Central office to meet with Metro Theater, Fine arts coordinator and Assistant Supt.  Topic was to discuss the replacement for Hana's Suitcase for 5th grade:
Dear Mr. President
Stolen into slavery
Afflicted (Salem Witch trials)
Seedfolks
Native American story?

Headed back to Edgar Road to check in...

Then over to Hudson.  I worked with a student on her 20% time project and made some soap!











Discussed residency with a few students and the guidance counselor.

Sent reminder about Friday's Learning experience for 3rd grade social studies

Drafted and recorded the Monday message to families.

Went to recess with 1st grade.

Cleaned up papers on my desk.

Worked on Padlet for 5th grade.

Attended conference call on AFGRE Monsanto's Grant program.


Thursday, April 9, 2015

4/9 ERS, WGHS, Nipher

Started the day at Edgar Road School helping with the pancake breakfast.  It was fun!

Headed over to WGHS to:

  • Clean up google drive
  • Clean up desktop
  • Finalize Summer Work order for Edgar Road
  • Send out reminder emails.
  • Send out SS facilitator summer emails
Headed over to Nipher Middle School to meet with their Assistant principal re: FileMaker.  EPIC WIN.  I learned how to export from AIMSweb and how to match files with data.  I also learned about tabbed data, that's going to be great.

Updated summer work list and spreadsheet for ERS.

Updated science kit schedule to be shared after 4/27 board meeting.




Wednesday, April 8, 2015

4/8 ERS, Hixson

Started the day at a systems thinking meeting with myself, no one showed up :-(.  I worked on the agenda anyway.

I welcomed teachers and students into school.

I met with building principal and school secretary about summer work.

I sketched a layout to attach to work order for summer work in room 300.

Met with 3rd grade teacher.

Met with instructional coach at North Glendale Elementary.

Worked on student dashboard.  Trying to determine how to import images. (failed miserably)

Pulled some Data for the dashboard from Aimsweb and begin sorting in Excel.

Began updating paint list (submitted to facilities manager), work order and tech list.

Headed over to Hixson to collaborate on a grant.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

4/7 Bristol, ERS

Started the day at Bristol.  Tested a student for Gifted acceleration in science.

Walked to me car in a torrential downpour.  Had to go home to change. SOAKED!!!!

Finished Gifted acceleration report.  Shared with gifted coordinator.

Headed over to ERS

Did a lap checking in with students and teachers.

Met with District director of instructional technology.

Met with teacher re: room movements, furniture and work orders.

Responded to a voter commission issue.

Participated in Conversations with Secretary of State Jason Kander



Canceled buses for field trip.


Monday, April 6, 2015

4/6 ERS, Art PD, Bristol, WGHS, iDEA

Started the day at Edgar Road School.  Worked on projector bulb.

Met with District director of instructional technology

Prepped for Aides meeting

Facilitated Aides meeting Agenda here

Met with building principal and reading specialists about data dashboard and the RTI process.

Headed over to WGHS for the Art PD meeting and to share the work going on in Science and Social Studies.  They were not there.  :-(

tinkered with database trying to add student images, failed, reached out to ADE, twitter, and colleague.

Tested student for gifted at Bristol

Headed over to CO for iDEA meeting.