Hello Spring
Educators from across the county have met over the course of the last several months for three of their four Community of Practice meetings this school year. A Community of Practice, or “CoP”, is a gathering of people who connect and talk about common problems and how to address and problem solve an issue. This is Inyo County Office of Education’s third annual CoP grounded in Social and Emotional Learning.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an avenue in which children and adults are able to learn, practice, and embody the skills that research has shown to increase positive outcomes in life such as: healthy relationships with others, success and achievement in academics and careers, and the abilities to navigate and deal with stressors during challenging moments in life. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes the five competencies that socially and emotionally strong people are skilled in: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making.
“It starts with us” is the theme for this year’s SEL CoP, as educators examine, listen, and share with each other the strengths they bring into their classroom and the challenges occurring in their classrooms/lives that affect them and their students. To help support educators in learning and practicing the five SEL competencies, educators are reading: The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor and Teaching with Light by Carol Pelletier Radford. Inyo County Office of Education is proud to see the strengthening of our educator’s community across the county and is very grateful for their daily support and work with our county’s youth. If you would like to learn more about SEL in our county or would like to participate in next year’s CoP, reach out to Mary Ellen Steele at msteele@inyocoe.org
Clem and Crab, by Fiona Lumbers. While searching for treasures and trash on the beach, Clem discovers a crab. Crab hitches a ride back to Clem’s house and ultimately becomes part of Clem’s school show-and-tell presentation. Clem and Crab’s story ultimately inspires her classmates to action to help clean the beach for Crab. Corresponding coloring pages are available on the publisher’s Free Stuff page. Author-illustrator Fiona Lumbers reads her book in a Waterstones video. (Preschool–grade 3)
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Show and Tell Day! Adapted by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz, illustrated by Jason Fruchter. Daniel Tiger can’t find a toy from home to bring to show-and-tell, so he decides to make something instead. Daniel transforms a shoebox, a small blanket, and a sock ball into a bed for his stuffed animal Tigey. (Preschool–grade 2)
John’s Turn, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kate Berube. This book is written from the collective student audience point of view. Young Matthew is apprehensive prior to the “Sharing Gifts” assembly, but he gathers his courage and performs a dance in front of the entire school. At the end of the performance, all of the students give Matthew a standing ovation. A corresponding teacher’s guide is available on the publisher’s website. Author Mac Barnett shares his inspiration for this book in a Candlewick video. (Preschool–grade 3)
Mr. Putter & Tabby Ring the Bell, by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard. Mr. Putter and his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry are young in spirit but old in years. They head back to first grade for a special show-and-tell presentation featuring Mr. Putter’s cat Tabby and Mrs. Teaberry’s dog Zeke. If this sounds like a terrible idea, you are right! (Kindergarten–grade 3)
My Heart Is a Compass, by Deborah Marcero. Rose wants to bring “something that had never been found” for show-and-tell. Using her imagination, Rose crisscrosses the universe guided by maps that she makes to seek out a unique object. Ultimately, she presents her maps and shares her journey at show-and-tell, which ultimately inspires her classmates to make their own maps. (Preschool–grade 3)
Our Favorite Day of the Year, by A. E. Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. On the first day of kindergarten, Ms. Gupta tells her class that during show-and-tell, each student will select their favorite day to share. “That way, the class will celebrate it with you!” The class learns about and celebrates such holidays as Eid al-Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, Las Posadas, and Pi Day. (Preschool–grade 3)
Pete the Cat: Show-and-Tell, by James Dean and Kimberly Dean, illustrated by James Dean. Pete brings his cool baseball mitt to school for show-and-tell. The mitt has been passed down through Pete’s family, and he loves to use it to play catch with his dad. At school, Pete compares his old, but much loved, mitt with the other objects that his classmates have brought in. Is his mitt cool enough? (Preschool–grade 2)
Show and Tell, by Rob Biddulph. Welcome to the most outrageous classroom “bring and brag” scenario ever. Twenty-six second graders compete for the most impressive show-and-tell object judged by their teacher. In this out-of-this-world tale, each student tries to outdo the previous classmate, and items range from a sunflower seed to Big Ben. (Kindergarten–grade 3)
The Show-and-Tell Lion, by Barbara Abercrombie, illustrated by Lynne Avril. At show-and-tell, Matthew blurts out that he has a baby lion named Larry. After fielding numerous questions from curious classmates, Matthew finds himself way in over his head. He shares his problem with his mother, who affirms his wonderful imagination but advises that he should reveal the truth. While his classmates are disappointed, Matthew pivots to sharing a book he has written about Larry’s adventures, which is an exciting show-and-tell. (Preschool–grade 2)
Threads of Me: Kente for Show and Tell, by Erica Asante, illustrated by Chengetai Lerato Masalethulini. Ama’s show-and-tell assignment is to bring in an object that represents her heritage. Ama consults with her grandmother, who tells her the traditional story of Ghana’s kente cloth and suggests bringing in kente that has been passed down through the generations in Ama’s family. (Kindergarten–grade 2)
While the Super Bowl was a highlight for folks across the country in February, your local Community Schools initiative had its own kickoff in February. Steering committees in north and south Inyo County met to learn more about Community Schools and dig into the listening project. Students, staff, family and community members came together to share their vision, brainstorm listening methods, and identify what they want to know about our schools.
As part of a needs and assets assessment, the Community Schools listening project will entail a general surveying process of all educational partners: students, staff, family and community members. Surveys began rolling out in March and will continue into April and May. You’ll also hear about focus group opportunities and see your north and south Inyo County Community School Coordinators, Serena Johnson and Jenna Horiuchi, respectively, tabling at various events this spring.
They have been reaching out to administrators and staff at all eleven schools in the consortium to seek input and build partnerships. With a goal of 75-100% staff engagement, they ask that you take the survey when you receive it and thank you in advance for sharing your honest feedback!
To see how well your school district is doing, visit the Community Schools website. Check out the monthly newsletter while you’re there! Learn more or get involved by sending an email to Serena at sjohnson@inyocoe.org or Jenna at jhoriuchi@inyocoe.org.
All live, virtual meetings will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT
Please note that this webinar series is free
Upcoming NWOK webinars include:
April 3 - Native Women Changemakers with Debbie Reese, Ph.D. from American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)
April 17 - As Long As Grass Grows with Dr. Dina Gilio-Whitaker - Chapters 1and 2
Session 1: Overview of Indigenous Social Movements and Environmental Justice Theory
April 24 - As Long As Grass Grows with Dr. Dina Gilio-Whitaker - Chapters 3 and 5
Session 2: Western Expansion and History of the Environmental Movement
May 1 - As Long As Grass Grows with Dr. Dina Gilio-Whitaker - Chapters 4,6,7, and 8
Session 3: Centering Native Knowledge and Experience
Zoom Meeting Link: https://sdcoe.zoom.us/j/83270767133
Meeting ID: 832 7076 7133
Phone: +16694449171,,83270767133# US
The winners of the Elementary division were:
- 1st Place Kayla Bentley (6th) Home Street School
- 2nd Place Blaise Berry (5th) Owens Valley Elementary School
- 3rd Place Ruby Carter (4th) Round Valley Elementary School
The Elementary students spelled words like dormant, mellifluous, demagogue, and the winning word was precatory.
The winners of the Junior High division were:
- 1st Place Hazel Hays (7th) Home Street Middle School
- 2nd Place Aiden Pagenkopp (6th) Big Pine Elementary School
- 3rd Place Gustavo Rosas Caro (8th) Lo- Inyo Elementary School
After much fierce competition with words like spectroscopy, charlatan, abrogate, and hypochondriac, the winning word was masquerade.
Thank you to coaches Tim Steele, Melinda Dardenne-Ankringa, Meghan Fuchs, Melanie Buck, Bob Heist, Gemma Arana, and Rory Winzenread for working with their students to prepare them for the bee.
Sincerely,
Email: edservices@inyocoe.org
Website: learn.inyocoe.org
Location: 166 Grandview Road, Bishop, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 873-3262