ELA Claims / Subtopics + Writing Rubrics

Literacy anchor standards are being emphasized in every content area. What are students really expected to do in ELA? Check out this free resource from "Key Data Systems" that gives a concise synopsis of the expectations at each grade level. 

Also, a number of teams this year are using writing as a summative, benchmark assessment tool. Here is a link to a shared Google Drive Folder that contains Writing Rubrics being used by teams this year. 

Step Up to Writing - 4th Edition Resources

The district is rolling out the 4th edition of Step Up to Writing resources. Thankfully, all the graphic organizers, rubrics, etc. are now available for you online. 

Click on "My Bookshelf", then click on the "Tools" tab to find SUTW 6-8 resources.

http://elibrary.voyagersopris.com/welcome.do

Username: sutw4trms

Password: sutw4trms

Bookmark this site!

Nuts / Bolts - Week of 10/26 & 11/2

• 10/28 PLC - Structured Teacher PD 
• Please fill out this FORM today (10/26) to indicate your preference. Kim Voge will be presenting the most popular topic. 
• 10/29 Positive Behavior Reward Day 
• Please read this Bell Schedule and ask questions if you have them. 
• 2nd Quarter PRIDE Cards are in your mailboxes! Distribute them 1st Period, Friday (10/30).
• 10/29 - High School Showcase Presentation @ 2nd Lunch
• Please encourage 8th grade students to attend. If possible, please release them 5 early from 5th.
• 10/30 -  End of 1st Qtr. - Minimum Day 
• 11/2 - Double AM Assembly Schedule in MPR - "Forward Momentum"
• 11/3-11/4 - 7th Graders Attending "Forward Momentum"
• 11/4 - PLC = Horizontal Teams
• 11/4 - PYLUSD Band Pageant @ Valencia 7-9pm
• 11/6 - Staff Party "Oktoberfest" @ Sandi's 

Shout Out! - Cynde Riley

This one is long overdue! Cynde Riley has earned this week's Shout Out! Our very own "Wonder Woman" simultaneously coordinated the Color Run, Red Ribbon Week, the CASL Conference, Trailblazers of the Month, YOGOWYPI Store, ASB Class, Honors Language Arts, and NJHS! I probably missed 10 other things, but we ALL appreciate ALL you do for our teachers, students, campus, and community! You ARE our ADVANTAGE!

Nuts/Bolts

October, a month of special schedules and events! 

• 10/21 PLC - Staff Meeting - Room 33a, OC Sheriff. Done by 3:05pm.
• 10/23 Color Run 
• Implore 1st period students to register by Friday! 
• Bell Schedule
• 10/29 - 1st Qtr. Positive Behavior Reward Day - Special Schedule
• 10/30 -  End of 1st Qtr. - Minimum Day - Distribute Q2 PRIDE Cards

Shout Out! - Lynn Magnin

Lynn is constantly re-evaluating her program to excite and engage her students. She has led her team's collaboration and integration of district initiatives like VTS, Close Reading, and evidence-based writing. Last year, she coordinated our school's first ever "Art Show", and she's revamped it this year to a "Celebration of Arts", showcasing the talents of our other phenomenal performing arts groups. She has also taken on the "Study Skills" class this year, and is always open to new challenges! Great job Lynn! We recognize your talents, skill, and teamwork! 

NPR: Meet The Mind-Reading Robo Tutor In The Sky

As we continue to seek out how to best meet the needs of individual learners, companies are actively developing adaptive, algorithm based software to personalize instruction for students. This article describes this emerging technology, and discusses its place, but emphasizes the complexity, beauty and mystery of how humans learn. 

Knewton might be a novel way to explore content from a different angle for students or teachers? 

Tech Tip: Shorten Links + Crafty Text

Often, we want students to jump to online resources quickly (without them having to navigate through our websites). Google Classroom is 1 option, but another handy tool is called bit.ly. Just copy/paste a long URL and bit.ly will shorten it down. The best part is -- you can customize the link. 

Next, install this Chrome extension called "Crafty Text". It will allow you to type or paste text, displaying it nice and big on your screen for students. 

Important Nuts & Bolts

• 10/14 - Earthquake Drill Protocol - Please see revised "highlighted" sections; we will be doing a "walk through" version of the drill, meaning staff WILL report to secondary assignments. 
• See SEMS Flowchart to remind yourself of your assignment. 

• 10/15 - Goals & Objectives DUE - Send to primary evaluator. 
• 10/16 - TRTV Schedule

Tips On Changing Middle School Behaviors, Einstein-Style

This article, shared by Cindy is a great reminder of the "WHY" behind our reason to be here. "Middle school teaching isn't for everyone. Some say it's the worst possible age group, but I disagree. I love it. Challenging? Yes. Frustrating? Often. Fun? Usually. Rewarding? Definitely. Insane? Sometimes."

Side-by-Side Screen Extension

There are times when teachers want to see 2 screens side-by-side for grading and other purposes. We could also teach students to use these tools when citing text. Here's some combos that might work well:

• Screen 1 = Google Doc, Screen 2 = Primary Source
• Screen 1 = Rubric, Screen 2 = Essay
• Screen 1 = Sentence Starters, Screen 2 = Padlet

Here are instructions about how to "split screens" on a Windows machine, and here's how to do it through a Chrome Extension.

Compassion + Shout Out

Many thanks to Shirleen for sharing the link to this article. It connects very closely to our shared focus this year, "Supporting All Learners" and reminds us all that compassion outweighs all instructional strategies. I'd also like to provide a Shout Out to Shirleen & Bob. Every time I visit their classrooms I'm reminded what big hearts they have! I encourage all (with their permission of course) to take 5-10min during your conference period sometime this year to visit them and connect with some of OUR exceptional students. 

Shout Out! - Curtis

This week's shout out goes to Bethany Curtis. I have only been in her classroom a small handful of times since the beginning of this year, but every time I go, she's in costume, inspiring learning through laughter. Great job Bethany! 

Shake Up Learning - GAFE Tools, Tips, & Tricks

For those of you looking to explore, discover, and learn more about Google Apps For Education (GAFE), here's an excellent "go to" resource for tutorials, ideas, etc. : Shake Up Learning

Voice and Choice!

This article from Edutopia parallels our school-wide focus in meeting the needs of diverse groups of learners. Central is the question, 'How do we develop and embrace a framework that supports creating homework or practice to meet the needs of all learners?" The author expands on learning menus and anchor activities, while providing resources for organizing tiered levels of understanding: Depth of Knowledge chart (PDF), Depth of Knowledge Question Stems(PDF), Bloom's Taxonomy, or Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix (PDF).