End of Year Reflection
The end of the year is quickly approaching, with discussions about the relaxing days of summer starting to sprinkle conversations. In addition to the excitement of summer mode I have heard conversations about summer reading, curriculum work and plans for next school year. Teachers by nature are always looking to improve or adjust their practice.
Reflection is a common theme this time of year as educator evaluations are completed. As you reflect on your year and teaching practice, be sure to think about the positive impact you make each day in addition to what you might want to develop.
As I finish up my second year as an instructional coach, I am reflecting as well as brainstorming ideas for how I can be more impactful. Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey. It will be anonymous and will help me as I plan for a successful third year with MURSD. Thank you as always for your support!
The end of the year is quickly approaching, with discussions about the relaxing days of summer starting to sprinkle conversations. In addition to the excitement of summer mode I have heard conversations about summer reading, curriculum work and plans for next school year. Teachers by nature are always looking to improve or adjust their practice.
Reflection is a common theme this time of year as educator evaluations are completed. As you reflect on your year and teaching practice, be sure to think about the positive impact you make each day in addition to what you might want to develop.
- What are you most proud of about your teaching practice this year?
- What practice do you think you would like to change?
- What is something you want to learn more about or are looking forward to trying next year?
As I finish up my second year as an instructional coach, I am reflecting as well as brainstorming ideas for how I can be more impactful. Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey. It will be anonymous and will help me as I plan for a successful third year with MURSD. Thank you as always for your support!
Testing Time is Approaching!
Who likes trivia or competition? This is one way I would start talking to kids about state testing. Treat it like a game. This wasn’t to get the kids nervous about getting a perfect score or put pressure on them. It was to try to encourage them to do their best and think of it in a lighthearted manner. Just like we explain the rules of a game, share strategies that can increase success, and provide models of how to play, reviewing for standardized tests can take on a similar model. Oftentimes, teachers are heard saying, “I don’t want to teach to the test but….”. So it brings to mind the question, should we teach to the test yes or no? In UDL, Now!, Katie Novak, compares standardized test prep to pre-op appointments before a procedure. Just like the doctors prepare their patients for what will happen before, during and after the procedure and why this procedure is taking place, students benefit from understanding how the tests are organized and scored and why schools are required to give them. When students realize that they have been preparing for these standardized tests throughout their education, it decreases their feelings of test anxiety and helps them feel more in control and confident in their ability to showcase their knowledge. This isn’t to say that we should focus on test prep all year by having students complete assignments that look like the format of these standardized test but to say that taking a little time before testing to prepare students for what to expect and maybe even making it fun will help ease your students’ minds and set them up for success.
If you are interested in brainstorming ways to incorporate test preparation into your classroom, let me know. I would be happy to help implement some fun activities with you.
Coaching Meeting Booking Page
Schedule a Coach Chat Form
Here are some quick ideas:
7 IDEAS TO MAKE TEST PREP FUN - Apperson
7 Fun Test Prep Activities to Up Your Test Prep Game and Engage Your Students
Who likes trivia or competition? This is one way I would start talking to kids about state testing. Treat it like a game. This wasn’t to get the kids nervous about getting a perfect score or put pressure on them. It was to try to encourage them to do their best and think of it in a lighthearted manner. Just like we explain the rules of a game, share strategies that can increase success, and provide models of how to play, reviewing for standardized tests can take on a similar model. Oftentimes, teachers are heard saying, “I don’t want to teach to the test but….”. So it brings to mind the question, should we teach to the test yes or no? In UDL, Now!, Katie Novak, compares standardized test prep to pre-op appointments before a procedure. Just like the doctors prepare their patients for what will happen before, during and after the procedure and why this procedure is taking place, students benefit from understanding how the tests are organized and scored and why schools are required to give them. When students realize that they have been preparing for these standardized tests throughout their education, it decreases their feelings of test anxiety and helps them feel more in control and confident in their ability to showcase their knowledge. This isn’t to say that we should focus on test prep all year by having students complete assignments that look like the format of these standardized test but to say that taking a little time before testing to prepare students for what to expect and maybe even making it fun will help ease your students’ minds and set them up for success.
If you are interested in brainstorming ways to incorporate test preparation into your classroom, let me know. I would be happy to help implement some fun activities with you.
Coaching Meeting Booking Page
Schedule a Coach Chat Form
Here are some quick ideas:
7 IDEAS TO MAKE TEST PREP FUN - Apperson
7 Fun Test Prep Activities to Up Your Test Prep Game and Engage Your Students
Just Keep Reading
Reading fluency is a topic that has come up in recent conversations. Research states that repeated readings of short grade level text assists with developing reading fluency, improving reading accuracy, rate, prosody, and ultimately comprehension. If you are interested in starting a fluency routine within your classroom, Brianna and I would be happy to talk with you about it. In addition, I have included a fluency routine below (from Shifting the Balance, 3-5) that you could adapt for your classroom.
One resource for fluency passages is the Lexia platform. Please view this video that will help you access fluency passages for your grade level in addition to other printable resources.
Reading fluency is a topic that has come up in recent conversations. Research states that repeated readings of short grade level text assists with developing reading fluency, improving reading accuracy, rate, prosody, and ultimately comprehension. If you are interested in starting a fluency routine within your classroom, Brianna and I would be happy to talk with you about it. In addition, I have included a fluency routine below (from Shifting the Balance, 3-5) that you could adapt for your classroom.
One resource for fluency passages is the Lexia platform. Please view this video that will help you access fluency passages for your grade level in addition to other printable resources.
Books, Books, and More Books
During the team meetings this week, Brianna and I would like to take a few minutes to explain how to borrow leveled readers and decodables. Below we have included a slideshow for you to preview. We are excited to share these resources with you and see them in the hands of Clough students.
During the team meetings this week, Brianna and I would like to take a few minutes to explain how to borrow leveled readers and decodables. Below we have included a slideshow for you to preview. We are excited to share these resources with you and see them in the hands of Clough students.
Social Emotional Learning:
Last week Dr Cohen asked us to think about “What are we doing each day to foster and grow a sense of belonging for all?”
In the past when I thought about belonging, I thought about ways to include others. Most recently, my view has morphed into how we can encourage an atmosphere where students feel safe and able to manage the increasing demands of the classroom.
Much of this comes back to learning social emotional regulation skills. These skills help students to sustain attention and increase their independence when dealing with varied emotions. A Calming Corner can be a useful space in the classroom for students to take a break and feel safe. In addition, mindfulness strategies can help with calming our bodies. When visiting classrooms, I have seen many teachers access some of these strategies on GoNoodle or Calm.
If you are interested in learning more about Calming Corners or mindfulness strategies, below I have included some links with resources/articles. In addition, I am happy to teach a lesson or help you organize a special space in your classroom for students who need to take a quick break.
Strategies for practicing mindfulness or calming strategies:
Mini-Mindful Activities - favorites are body scan and starfish - easy to incorporate in any spot
30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom - Calm Schools
This resource is amazing. It includes a script for teachers and free access to many of the songs and visuals that support the lessons. When you see * after the link the content is free.
Articles about setting up a Calm Corner:
Effectively Implementing Your Calm Corner
How to Create and Use a Calming Corner in Any Learning Environment
Peace Place - Free printable resource
Children’s Books:
30 Children’s Books to Foster Mindfulness
24 Mindfulness Books for Kids and Activities
Last week Dr Cohen asked us to think about “What are we doing each day to foster and grow a sense of belonging for all?”
In the past when I thought about belonging, I thought about ways to include others. Most recently, my view has morphed into how we can encourage an atmosphere where students feel safe and able to manage the increasing demands of the classroom.
Much of this comes back to learning social emotional regulation skills. These skills help students to sustain attention and increase their independence when dealing with varied emotions. A Calming Corner can be a useful space in the classroom for students to take a break and feel safe. In addition, mindfulness strategies can help with calming our bodies. When visiting classrooms, I have seen many teachers access some of these strategies on GoNoodle or Calm.
If you are interested in learning more about Calming Corners or mindfulness strategies, below I have included some links with resources/articles. In addition, I am happy to teach a lesson or help you organize a special space in your classroom for students who need to take a quick break.
Strategies for practicing mindfulness or calming strategies:
Mini-Mindful Activities - favorites are body scan and starfish - easy to incorporate in any spot
30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom - Calm Schools
This resource is amazing. It includes a script for teachers and free access to many of the songs and visuals that support the lessons. When you see * after the link the content is free.
Articles about setting up a Calm Corner:
Effectively Implementing Your Calm Corner
How to Create and Use a Calming Corner in Any Learning Environment
Peace Place - Free printable resource
Children’s Books:
30 Children’s Books to Foster Mindfulness
24 Mindfulness Books for Kids and Activities