Week of December 4

Thursday Thoughts December 4

This week I learned something about myself.  I have difficulty living in the moment.  I am always reflecting on what I should have done or planning what should happen next.  Some of you may be able to relate.  I am slowly realizing that life is too short to miss the many moments, big or small, that we can not get back.  I can truly say that I enjoyed our celebration this morning.  I was living in the moment.  I enjoyed the smiles on students' faces, the high fives that the older children gave our little ones in the hall and the excitement that erupted when the students saw their classmates on video.  Because today was a monumental occasion, it was fairly easy to live in the moment.  However, my goal, and I challenge you to do this as well, is to find something to enjoy everyday.  I plan to find a moment each day that makes me thankful for the day.  Fretting about tomorrow is pointless (trust me....it is) and reflection is good as long as you don't dwell on the past.  Thank you for participating in today's events in order to create moments that our students will remember for years to come.

 

Staff Spotlight

I couldn't let this week go by without recognizing Paula Bell and the many hats that she wears.  When we learned about the Blue Ribbon Ceremony, I immediately turned to Paula and said, "OK-what are we going to do?"  She took the lead on creating the invitations, programs and stickers, while ordering the banners and working with numerous other staff members to make sure everything was perfect.  When an unexpected dignitary arrived for the ceremony today, she was able to quickly create a name sign and slip it onto the stage without even batting an eye.   This attention to detail is how she has been able to win accolades from the County for her bookkeeping abilities and it is how we, as a staff, have been able to depend on her to help us do just about everything.  Lunch today is yet another example of how she takes care of the details.  Paula, thank you for taking care of the staff at MBES.  We appreciate you!

 

4C's: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking Skills

 

11 Simple Ways To Start Using Technology In Your Classroom

By Jeff Dunn on September 19, 2014

If you’re on the education technology fence, you probably can’t decide which device or app is the best one to really use. You aren’t sure if you want to jump into the edtech pool with Evernote, Moodle, an iPad, a Chromebook, or some other hot new product or service. That’s because there are an overwhelmingly large number of options out there. Seriously. Take a gander at the Apple iTunes App Store and click on the education category after you’re done on Edudemic. It’s an almost limitless number of apps that could potentially help you.
And that’s just the apps. There are so many more resources out there worth taking a look at. But you’re a busy teacher and you barely have time to use your own iPad to play a quick round of Angry Birds.
What if there was some sort of time-saving handy visual that could help you dream up nearly a dozen new ways to use technology in your classroom? That’s exactly what you’ve got with this fabulous graphic below. It’s designed by the folks at Really Good Stuff to be simple to read, understand, and implement.

 

Technology Tidbits
http://statisticsonline.org/subtangent/mathionaire.swf- 
This game is great practice for 4th & 5th graders because it provides practice on a variety of math skills.  It has the same format as the Who Wants to be a Millionare gameshow.
 

News & Notes

The playgrounds are ready as of next Monday!!!!  Of course there is a catch....your students CAN NOT play on the sod surrounding the playscapes.  This is the agreement that I made so that we could use the playscapes before winter break.  The orange fencing will remain up until February because it serves as the barrier to keep students off of the sod.  Right now there is only one access/entry point for each playscape (due to the fencing).  The playscape nearest the K/1 windows is for Kindergarten through 2nd grade students.  The farther playscape is for 3rd-5th grade.  Please have students play on the structure designed for their grade level.  You may also play on the field or have students use the benches.  Of course only one grade level may go out to the play area at a time.  Please see me on Monday if you have questions.