Thoughts on Labels, Hope, and Being Kind
I've called parents crazy or unreasonable. I'm sure most of us have done this at one point in time. However, I listened to a teacher podcast this week that hypothesized that perhaps parents get mad and yell at us because they actually care about us and just want us to be our best. What?!?!? I almost turned the podcast off. However, I kept listening and what he said was interesting. How many of us have cheered on our favorite teams, worn their gear, and loved them at their best and then turned around and yelled and screamed when they lost? We're mad because we've lost hope. Hope is what keeps us all going. Hope that we can get better. Hope that we can be a team. Hope that we can be supported.
We are entering a difficult season. Everyone is tired. We are excited for break. Holidays can bring a lot of difficult emotions for people. So get some rest. Be kind to yourself and others. Grant yourself some grace.
Trusting Readers Book Study
Book meeting 2:
We discussed Chapter 1: All Roads Lead to Independent Reading. We had a great discussion about trust and engagement in the literary classroom. Here were some many takeaways.
- The right anchor chart can provide visuals that support engagement and expectations.
- "Engagement in learning is one of the major contributors to student achievement."
- "Trust plays a key role in this work, as trusting relationships between students and teachers are the foundations of thriving classrooms that intentionally invite engagement in reading."
- Beware of emphasizing time alone when thinking about reading stamina. Instead view stamina as a by product of deep engagement. When this occurs, so does meaning making.
Our next book study date is November 21st.
What to expect:
We will meet twice per month for 30 minutes each time
Everyone reads at their own pace, please attempt to keep up
Safe zone: this is where we can ask questions and discuss to deepen our understanding
Practice respect
Be willing to participate
PBIS
Change in Meeting Date: Due to conferences our PBIS meeting will be November 30th.
PBIS Meeting Dates: 1/18, 2/15, 3/14, 4/11, 5/23
We meet at 8:05 in the Staff Lounge.
Thank you for all of your help on Clubs! The next dates are Thursday, December 14th at 2:20 and Friday, January 12th at 2:20. After this, we will switch clubs again.
PBIS Positive Club Feedback
I loved clubs! The kids loved clubs as well. They had fun interacting and moving rooms. I think some students weren't sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised.
Everyone seemed to find their classroom fairly well! Students were engaged and excited to be at their club.
Students were excited to come to a club that they signed up for. They enjoyed having extra time to do something that they truly enjoy.
Students arrived on time, my group was a manageable (9), I had plenty of room to have a yoga session
Students were excited about a REAL DOG and sharing about their own pet. We learned about how dogs communicate. Time was good amount. Most kids found their way to us.
The safeties coming to help my class get to their destination was a huge help! During the playdoh club the students were engaged and excited to be there.
The kids were so excited, and happy to build and interact!
All went well, students’ feedback was positive.
Students were all engaged and happy to be there. They loved Chauncey and the surprise show and tell with their own pets.
Kids had fun
Kids came down at the right time. Small group which was good.
All of the students in my group were able to get to my classroom quickly and safely, the transition process seemed smooth overall. Group size was decent, it helped having 5th graders who knew how to make bracelets so I could help the kindergarten students. My students were excited about going to their clubs and shared they enjoyed them when they returned!
PBIS Clubs Areas for Improvement
I don't think things really need to be adjusted, but I would prefer that we keep them at the end of the day. I think my kiddos would have a very difficult time coming down and regrouping after clubs--having to teach content after that would be difficult. Maybe we can include a description of the club when we take the survey again? This way kids know exactly what to expect in their club?
If possible, I think it would be beneficial to have a couple more floaters near the end of the club. With the bracelet making club, it would be helpful to have an additional body in the room to tie bracelets at the end of our time together, as trying to get 30 students bracelets on them near the end was a little bit of a challenge.
Some students after experiencing their club were not a fan of it. So the ability to switch clubs and be flexible might be needed.
If the group gets too big I would need a bigger space, but it was great for today!
It was a bit crazy in the hallway before. But now they know where to go so it will be better the next time. It was helpful having someone in the hallway to assist the onces who forgot, got lost, or running crazy.
Play doh needs more tools and being able to use more than one color at a time especially for the older students.
Nothing really! It seemed to go great and I have some ideas for next time.
Just making sure all teachers release students at the same time and no earlier than scheduled time, I had students waiting outside my room a few min before I released my class.
If I could changed anything it would be the space we had. I would have preferred more open space if possible but we made it work 😊
I need easier games and more kindergarten freindly such as Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Memory, etc. The kids struggled with the puzzles and the other games. Also, the sub had a hard time with classroom management since the kids were not into the games.
We will need additional beads, especially the bigger beads for kindergarten and 1st grade students. We may need to look into different string or have additional helpers to tie the bracelets at the end as well.
Shout Outs
Thank you to Erika, Dane, and Wendy for assisting with a difficult parent meeting.
Thank you to Kristyl for serving as acting administrator on Monday.
Thank you to Kim for leading the Crisis Team this week.
Thank you to Wendy for teaching first grade on Friday afternoon.
Thank you to Patty for staying late to help with a behavior plan.
Thank you to Becky for checking on me after a difficult parent interaction.
Parent Shout Outs:
I would like you give a shout out to Mrs. Bannon. She is patient, kind and loving. "Mrs. Bannon ALWAYS saves the day." ❤
Thank you to Mrs.Bannon for going above and beyond making sure my son has all of the resources and help necessary to be successful in and out of the classroom.
My son, Michael, had Mrs Wheaton last year. Michael is now in the 3rd grade. Michael’s grandfather generally picks my children up from school. However, on November 10, I picked the kids up from school. Mrs. Wheaton was dismissing her class and noticed Michael not walking with his grandpa and asked Michael where his grandpa was before recognizing me. My heart was warmed, and as a parent it makes me so much more comfortable knowing that teachers are watching out for anything out of the ordinary. My schedule doesn’t allow me to pick up my kids during the school week, and I feel very comfortable with the watchful eyes of the staff at Parsons. Just wanted to shout out to Mrs Wheaton that we appreciate her and are thankful for her! -Michael & Hillary Calvird
Staff Shout Outs: Thank you for the new shout outs!
Thanks to our Third Grade Team for always supporting us with our constant questions about this year’s 4th graders. We love you!
Britt (Gurney) has handled many difficult convos with parents and kiddos this year and has done so with so much grace and understanding. You are incredible!
A big thank you to Dane for helping my kiddos with Math while I was out! It meant so much to have that extra help and support when I wasn't feeling well, especially from the math expert!
Who would you like to Shout Out? Fill out the form here.
Orange Frog
Brittney will keep Spark for a few more days but start thinking Brittney! We will announce Orange Spark on Tuesday.
Spark Student of the Week: Ryan Chamberlin
Ryan is always asking if he can help. He loves to help Mr. Ed in the lunchroom or with beautifying our school. He has just joined our Peer to Peer program as a mentor for younger students. Keep up the good work Ryan!
- What brings you joy? Seeing people smile and helping people out
- How do you bring joy to others? Preparing by putting a smile on people's face. I use our class quote "If someone doesn't have a smile, give them one of yours."
- Who is someone that brings joy to you? My great grandma because she's 90 years old and still smiling.
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