Nuts/Bolts - Week of 5/31/16

5/31 - 6-7pm, MS Awards Night @ EDHS PAC - See you there!
6/1 - PLC Vertical
6/4 - PTA Carnival Event - Please consider attending this fun, family event! Silent auction funds teacher grants every year.

Shout Out! - BTSA Inductees + VAPA

A big shout out to our newest BTSA inductees who have officially cleared their credentials through a rigorous induction program: Bethany Curtis, Rebekah Smith, and Cari Briggs. And congrats to Chris Chi for completing year 1. 

Many thanks to our fantastic, award winning VAPA program for putting on an amazing 2nd Annual Art Show Friday night and a fabulous guest artist jazz concert @ the PAC. Lynn Magnin, Rebecca Dominguez, Gary Hung, & Jessica Schlenz. Fantastic music and visual arts and a nice sized crowd too! 

Cooperative Learning Strat - Expert Groups

Once again, I stumbled across a great resource through my normal Pinterest feed. This blogger outlined her favorite strats for cooperative learning starting with "Expert Groups". Really this is a jigsaw type strategy that chunks information into however many sections you need to, but when I read it this time I considered the various possibilities for any document based or research based inquiry. 

The Voice of the Active Learner - Education from a Digital Native's Perspective

Great video that reminds us how both keeping students engaged and keeping pace with the future of education are challenges that we as educators need to meet.

Nuts/Bolts - Week of 5/23/16

State Testing Update: ELA Complete! - Math Finishing up. Thursday, 5/26 = Make-Up Day. Students not complete will be pulled from any/all classes to complete testing.

Many events to attend this week to support our "Exemplary Arts" programs! Congrats again to the Visual & Performing Arts program for earning this prestigious award.

5/24 - 11:50am Fire Drill: Reminders: Bring NEW bag to field, NEW student accountability forms, UPDATED class rosters.
5/25 - 7pm - Jazz Jam @ PAC with Travis Jazz + YLHS Jazz + Guest Artist Eric Marienthal
5/26 - TRTV Schedule (ASB Candidates); PTA Honorary Service Awards 5:30-8:30pm @ Black Gold
5/27 - TRTV Schedule - May Broadcast
5/28 - 6-8pm: 2nd Annual MS Art Show w/performances by TRMS Orchestras, Jazz Band, and Vocal Music.

Shout Out! - Saturday School Crew!

Long overdue! A shout out to my Saturday School Crew: Vanessa, Stacy, Marita, Chris, and Jennie (Paola +1). This year, we ran 7 "Super Saturdays" for Travis students PK-8. Many thanks to this fantastic crew!
Not only does this program recoup lost ADA, but it also increases our school's attendance rate while bringing home a little extra $$ for interested teachers. 
Next year, they are anticipating increasing prep hours to make the take home $ better. Consider running just 1 next year (review session, project time, edtech with willing student guinea pigs, writer's workshop, etc.). 
Many of you work on the weekends anyways! Might as well get paid! WIN-WIN-WIN!

Tech Tip: E-Portfolios

This is a FANTASTIC article about using E-Portfolios for student work. It not only explores most of the options (including Google Sites), but also talks about the philosophy behind it. 

A great idea to consider for next school year for any subject / grade level. Pilot it with one period and see what happens? I did, and my students LOVED it! 

11 Essentials for Excellent ePortfolios

Profile of a Modern Teacher

I saw this on Pinterest and it sparked my interest. Many of the core values we believe in when we think of progressive, engaging, and impactful teaching. 

I specifically like the thematic tie to the "Growth Mindset" in embracing change, taking risks, etc. 

Dream Big! 

Nuts/Bolts - Week of 5/16

1 Month Until Summer Countdown Begins! 

5/16 - Math CAASPP Testing Begins: Please limit any/all interruptions. CAASPP Testing Schedule

5/17 - 8th Grade Panoramic 7th Period, Deadline to turn in $$ for PTA HSA @ Black Gold

5/18 - CMC Math Festival All Day (MPR), PLC - Vertical, Saltzman "Meet & Greet" Library

5/19 - WEB Students "Carnival" with 6th Graders

5/20 - 6th Grade Science Fieldtrip

Shout Out! - Chris Collins

Chris has been a fantastic addition to our staff this year. He's not only here in the capacity of a student teacher, but really has stepped up in major ways. He works closely with the Math team, develops the majority of the lesson plans, manages gradebooks, provides tutorials, and he even ran a Saturday School all on his own for Algebra students. Parents and students have responded positively to his natural teaching skill. His dedication to students and our campus genuinely earned him our shared respect. Thanks Chris for all you have done!

8 Lies Teachers Tell Themselves About Work/Life Balance

I figured this article may be fitting near year's end as we are all looking for the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel". Also, this is a great podcast that I stumbled across and might be a good one to subscribe to for inspiration.

Tech Tip: Flowcharts / Mindmaps

I'm "stealing" this post from another EdTech blogger, Richard Byrne who has a whole page dedicated to reviewing various web and app based platforms. Of those that he reviews, I am familiar with and like: "Lucidchart, a mind mapping tool that can be used in your web browser or on an iPad. The app and the website are both easy to use to create flowcharts, mind maps, and graphic organizers. Lucidchart offers a simple drag and drop interface for creating flow charts, organizational charts, mind maps, and other types of diagrams."

Nuts/Bolts - Week of 5/9

LINK: 2016 ELA / Math CAASPP Testing Schedule - Working Document

PBIS Kick-Off 2016

• PBIS Committee will be planning next year's event Wednesday 5/11.
• Please provide additional feedback by filling out this SURVEY
• LINK to last year's survey results.

5/9: 6th ELA Make-Ups - 3rd/4th Period ONLY

• Pulled from any/all classes necessary to complete CAT or PT 
• Apologies for any interruptions this may cause.

5/11: ELA State Testing Make-Ups - Grades 6-8 (Pulled from ELA Classes)
5/11: PLC = Structured PD - Fill THIS out with your location/activity

Shout Out! - Mothers/Fathers!

Happy belated Mother's Day (and early Father's Day) to all staff members! As a rookie parent, I fully recognize the time and energy it takes to maintain work/life balance. Thank you for dedicating as much time as you do to your second family at Travis Ranch! We are grateful for your commitment. \

Always remember that we value you as an individual, and firmly believe that your health and family come first! 

P.S. Thanks to the teachers who participated in the Talent Show on Friday. LINK TO VIDEO

Keeping Advanced Learners Engaged

In differentiating instruction according to the principles of UDL, there are many opportunities to challenge our more advanced learners with questions, activities, etc. Keeping them engaged poses a challenge if/when the rest of the class is not grasping a concept. I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was a good one. You could put review questions, more rigorous word problems, debate topics, journal topics, etc. Extra credit?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/450078556492175204/

A Nobel Laureate's Education Plea: Revolutionize Teaching

This article/podcast calls for universities to re-examine lecture halls at the university level. Much of what we have heard about the ineffectiveness of the "sage on stage" is true too at higher levels of education according to his research. Interesting trickle down perspective to K-12. Nobel laureate says, "I'm doing my best to understand what's going on in every one of those students' minds and challenge them and monitor how they're learning," Wieman says.

Nuts & Bolts - Week of 5/2

Teacher Appreciation Week! - Admin appreciates all you do day in and day out! So does our PTA. This FLYER will remind you all that they have planned to show their appreciation.

Emergency Bags: Thanks for participating in the "Bucket Training". Access this Google Slide for:

• Picture of what goes in which bag!
• Electronic thank you card to Jake Ching - LA County Fire: Add your own thank you with a text box. ! 

State Testing: ELA will begin testing during class this week. As a friendly reminder, to the extent possible, limit any/all interruptions.

5/2 - Teacher Talent Show Meeting 3:40-4:15pm, Band Room -- the more the merrier!
5/3 - Team Leader Meeting: Any items to add to our agenda, please let your team leader know.
5/4 - PLC Vertical Teams
5/5 - Staff Salsa Competition: FLYER
5/6 - PTA Family Night - Talent Show! Come support PTA, students, and colleagues!

Shout Out! - Brian & Marita

Brian and Marita have organized lunchtime intramural sports activities at Travis for many years. I'm always impressed by how many students they get involved. My personal favorites are Ultimate Frisbee and Basketball! 

We all recognize how much time and energy goes into coordinating these activities for our students. Just another way they both keep our students active, engaged, and motivated! 

Thanks! 

How to Coach Through the Stages of Learning

This infographic breaks down the learning process into a simplistic series of pedagogical steps, reminding us not only of the importance of formative/summative feedback but also the primary objective: unconscious competence. 

1. Determine where the person is in the learning process.
2. Coach the person according to where they are in the learning process.
3. Reevaluate where the person is in the learning process and continue to coach them towards unconscious competence.

Tech Tip: VTS "Behance"

Behance is an awesome website / app that showcases contemporary artwork; everything from typography to digital photography and illustrations. You can create your own collections (favorites). Imagine the endless possibilities! Ask teams broad, open-ended questions like: "Discuss the relationship between this art and the content we are studying?" You'll be amazed at the connections they will make. A fantastic way to integrate art, collaboration, communication, and rigor! Novel, creative, and innovative!