Week of May 12

              Thursday Thoughts May 12

10 days!  I repeat 10 more days!  There is something magical about the countdown that starts when we hit the single digits.  For many it is a countdown to true rest and relaxation.  For others it is a countdown to the close of a challenging school year.  For a few it is the countdown to the start of a new chapter in life.  This year has been rewarding, yet difficult.  We have celebrated with those who have experienced births and mourned with those who lost loved ones.  We have laughed and cried (sometimes simultaneously).  We haven't always done things the "right" way,  but we have done our best and most importantly, we have done right by kids.  Thank you for allowing me to be the "coach" of the Mustang Team once again.  You are an amazing staff and you keep me honest.  I am proud of the work that has been accomplished this year and I look forward to even greater accomplishments next year.  Have a wonderful summer!


Staff Spotlight
This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Madison Johnson.  We had a wonderful VIP breakfast for our parents last Friday and it was Madison's creative genius that made the event a big hit.  Most of us have a hard time identifying our talents, but Madison definitely operates within hers.  I can recall walking into her classroom the day before Sneak Peek this year and seeing the tepee that she had set up for her reading area.  I went into full panic mode.  The image played in my mind over and over again of a tepee falling on top of students.  Madison somehow convinced me that it was secure and I hesitantly agreed to let her keep it up.  Madison has many creative things that she does with her class; however she is constantly thinking of ways to boost staff morale as well (remember the Positive Dog bulletin board and our signature game at the holiday party).  She is a contributing member of the PBIS committee and is ready to lend her creative skills to the playground project set to take place in August.  We thank you Madison for being a team player and jumping in to make Medlock a great place to work and play.

Personalized Learning

2016 Possible Beach Reads 

          

       

          

          

          

         

        

Enjoy your time off!!!

Week of May 5

                   Thursday Thoughts May 5

Arts night was amazing!  It definitely gives me a greater appreciation for the work that English does with every K-5 student.  I also have kudos for Craig and the performances of the Chorus and Steel Drum Band.  When we immerse our students in the Arts, we unleash their creativity and set them up for lifelong success.  I often worry about the stress that we put on students and wonder what will come of it in the next decade or two.  Will society look back and regret the pressure that we put on children at such a young age?  While we have to teach the standards and prepare students for a competitive global workforce, I hope we never lose sight of the importance of educating the whole child.

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Carrie Miller.  While we did not make a big deal about our 25 year anniversary (no program or celebratory event), I would be remiss if I did not recognize Carrie Miller for her commitment to the students and staff at Medlock since day one.  Carrie's heart is and will always be with the young child.  She has patience beyond measure and she has dedicated her career to teaching and nurturing a generation of kindergarten students.  You rarely see her without a smile on her face, even after a long day with no specials.  Her quiet and gentle spirit has reassured anxious parents and calmed the most rambunctious children.  Carrie shared with me that Medlock Bridge actually began it's first year ( August 1990) at Dolvin Elementary.  It was a separate school that shared the same building.  Many classes were held in portables, including the lunchroom.  The students and staff of Medlock Bridge moved into our current building over Spring Break in 1991.  I am so thankful that Carrie has continued to be a part of the Medlock Family over the years.  Carrie we thank you for the love that you have given our students and staff for 25 years.

Personalized Learning

No Articles for the rest of the year.  Just comics to make you laugh!!

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Looking Ahead
It is confirmed that today, the State Board of Education approved a waiver of Rule 160-4-2.11 Promotion, Placement and Retention for students in grades 3-8 for the 2015-2016 school year.  Promotion and retention will not be based on Milestones Assessments for this school year. We have not received any news regarding when scores will be received.

Week of April 28

                  Thursday Thoughts April 28

We had so much fun at kickball today!  It was tough to put aside everything and come out to play on a Thursday; however once we were out there, it became therapeutic.   The amount of stress we are under (especially at this of the year) is tremendous.  Trying to close out this year, prepare for the renovations and plan for next year is insane.  In order to make it through, we have to find snippets of time where we leave campus, let it all go, laugh, have a good time and remember what is most important.  If you weren't able to make it this year, I challenge you to try and come next year.  If nothing else, it will provide comedic relief.  Thank you to all who planned the event!  We needed it. 

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Trisha Brown.   Trisha is the epitome of a team player.  Any task that is asked of her is done without complaint.  She will often come to the front desk and assist when she has a break or extra time in her schedule.  No job is too mundane.  She cares about the students and wants to please.  When Trisha has to be absent, she types detailed plans for her sub and sends them to Karen prior to her absence.  She participates in after school staff events and is truly a part of the Mustang Family.  Being a paraprofessional is definitely not a walk in the park.  Especially when you don't have a specific homeroom affiliation.  Trisha makes the best of the floater position does what is best for the school.  Thank you Trisha for your dedication to Medlock Bridge.  

Personalized Learning

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Mindset Moments: Showcasing Student Growth

www.scholastic.com

by Kriscia Cabral on March 5, 2015

Take time to reflect on student learning and create “Mindset Moments.” To learn more about mindsets in the classroom, and especially the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, please check out my earlier post on this subject, "New Year, New Mindset."
Once a week I highlight a picture book that deals with perseverance and a growth mindset connection. After the read-aloud, we discuss the character in the story, the challenges they faced, and how they used a growth mindset to persevere and grow. Below is a small collection of stories we've read this year for this purpose.

This week I wanted to take the focus off of the characters that we read about, and move it to my students and how these lessons apply to them in their daily lives.
I asked students to think about the growth mindset and all that we have learned about it so far. I asked them to share what they know with the class. I got responses that included:

• “Growth mindset is when you keep trying even when something is hard.”
• “It’s when you want to keep learning even when you know a lot already.”

After my students told me what they know about growth mindset, I asked them to turn and talk to a partner about the following questions: “Can you think of a time where you used growth mindset? How did your changed mindset help you grow?”

After the partners worked with each other for a short while, I called upon students who had an example in mind to share their stories with the class. I posted a sentence starter on the board for those who needed more prompting.
I asked students why it is important to share and learn from each other’s mindset moments. We discussed how we can go to each other for help. I also talked about how important it is to celebrate the success of others and learn from their experiences.
I wanted to keep the mindset moment energy flowing through our room. To do this, I created a poster using chart paper. I then asked students to take a moment and write down their moments on a sticky note. They could then post growth mindset moments whenever they experienced one and we could share and celebrate as a class.
Students took a few moments for some quiet think time, and then grabbed sticky notes and went for it. Not every student had something to share. Those students were encouraged to take a sticky note and write about what they are going to learn and do better.
After a few minutes of reflection time, students shared their moments with the class and then stuck them on our poster. It was empowering for them to voice their growth and exciting for us to see a peer face a challenge and succeed.

 

Plans for the Future

The mindset poster will be hanging in our room indefinitely. I plan to expand the poster when our first one runs out of room. There is so much power behind seeing other students' accomplishments in a strong visual representation. In our first attempts to share, it started as only a few voices willing to speak. By the end of our time, however, students were leaving to go home with a pack of sticky notes thinking about their growth mindset moments that they wanted to share!
It would be great to have students type up their mindset moments and create a book that documents how much they have grown throughout the year.
What might you do with your students growth mindset moments? I’d love to hear more ideas!

Thank you for reading!
Smiles,
Kriscia 

Looking Ahead

We have A LOT of events coming up in May:

5/3 2nd grade field trip

5/4- Parent Coffee for Rising 6th grade parents @ 9:00am

5/5- Arts Night 5:00pm-6:30pm

5/6- VIPS Breakfast & STEAM DAY (4th grade field trip)

5/10 CORE Meeting

5/12- Kindergarten Performance @ 6:00pm

5/17- 3rd-4th grade End of Year parties and Faculty Meeting

5/18- Pre K -2nd grade End of Year parties

5/19- 3rd- 5th Field Day

5/20- Pre K-2nd Field Day

5/23-5/26- Fifth grade week activities

I am certain that I forgot something....bear with us!

Week of April 21

                  Thursday Thoughts April 21

I have a confession to make.  I have not been practicing what I preach.  A week does not go by, that I don't have a conversation with someone about how important it is to put family first.  But often, I find myself giving my own family excuses of why I can't be present and engaged.  I sometimes feel like a hypocrite because I can give this advice to others, but I don't follow it myself.  However, life has a way of forcing you to prioritize and get back on track when you can't seem to do it on your own.  This has been the case with me.  2016 has been tough for me personally (and it is only April) but I can truly say that I am now focused on giving my family my best.  I am learning that while I try to give 100% at work each day, I HAVE to make that same commitment to my family.  They need it.  They deserve it.  I challenge you to evaluate the time that you are giving to your family.  Don't wait for life to force you to change, do it now.  Time is the most valuable thing that we have.  Make sure you are spending it with the most valuable people in your life.

Staff Spotlight
This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Alicia Craig.  Although Alicia joined us this year, you would think that she has been at Medlock for years.  Her patience with the students and her willingness to help out wherever needed are qualities that make her invaluable to our Media Center and front desk. She is often working with the parent volunteers, reading to classes and pulling resources for teachers.  Alicia is flexible, creative and a quick learner.  Of course, she will be instrumental in the monstrous effort of packing up everything in the Media Center for the upcoming renovation.  We are thankful that Alicia joined the Medlock Family this year.  Alicia, thank you for what you are doing to help our Mustangs become voracious readers. 


Personalized Learning

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Looking Ahead

Please note that beginning 2017/2018 school year, the state rule for 10 PLU hours for re-certification will officially change (right now it has been temporarily suspended).  Please review the links below for more information.

http://bit.ly/22zCQOo

http://bit.ly/1T76Yhr

Week of April 14

                Thursday Thoughts April 14

  

What a week!  In spite of challenges, we have been able to keep in mind that stressful situations don't have to break our spirit.  We have SO much to be grateful for at Medlock and we can't let things outside of our control throw us off of our game.   Our students feed off of our energy so we have to be mindful of our actions and reactions, especially during the most stressful times.  We have exactly 30 school days until the end of the year and we have to finish strong.  We must keep our spirits up to make it through the next 30 days.  Every job in this building is tough because there are so many unknowns.  But through it all, there is one "known"......we take care of each other.  We do what it takes to get the job done and we can do it with laughter and love!

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Stephanie Woods.  Stephanie does whatever it takes to support her students, the grade level and our school as a whole.  During our "Testing Turbulence", Stephanie stepped up and volunteered to come in early on Wednesday morning and assist Karen in getting the 4th grade paper/pencil tests ready for distribution.  As you know, Stephanie volunteered to run for our School Governance Council where she will be serving for the next two years.  In the classroom, she is constantly seeking ways to challenge her students.  Her students use technology in a number of different ways and she challenges herself to design and create tasks for them that highlight their creativity.  Stephanie has been committed to Medlock Bridge for years.  Her laughter and spirit make working with her fun for her grade level and her colleagues.  We are thankful for Stephanie's leadership and appreciate what she is doing for students everyday.

Personalized Learning

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Looking Ahead
Did you know that only 34% of Georgia's third graders are reading on grade level?  This and so much more information about the current state of education in Georgia can be found in this new online booklet published by the Ga Department of Education.   http://www.gadoe.org/Documents/EGF-booklet-2015.pdf

Week of March 24

                 Thursday Thoughts March 24

Tonight's blog is a huge milestone for me.  This is my 100th blog!  What started as a way to share information, feature best practices and spotlight staff members, has turned into a labor of love.  I don't take my job or the responsibility of  helping staff members grow, lightly.  Several people have told me that they look forward to the weekly blogs and some have even joked that they know to look for it around 10:00 pm each week.  I can't say how long I will continue to write a blog or if the content will change, but I will say that on at least 100 occasions over the past few years, I have been able to do what I love.  Through this blog, I have been able to recognize the hard work that you are doing, give you things that you can put in your teaching toolbox for future use and speak from my heart.  While we don't always have good days, I truly believe that there is at least one good thing that happens each day.  Thank you for giving me a reason to find something good in my day at least 100 times over the last couple of years.  I will be taking a break from the blog next week, but I will be rested and ready to share on April 14th.  

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Megan Barnes.  Taking over a class well after the school year begins is quite a challenge.  The expectations that students, parents, the grade level and administrators have can be overwhelming.  Megan stepped in and took the time to get to know her students and her team.  She keeps students engaged at high levels and works hard to provide them with new challenges.  She loves math and science and her passion shines through in the creative activities that she plans.  You will often see her students coding with their class robots Dash and Dot.  Students in her class are buzzing about and excited about learning. Megan, thank you for the work you are doing with students.

Personalized Learning

5 Ways To Help Students Ask Better Questions

Teach Thought

by Terry Heick  March 21 2016

There’s nothing I care more about than students, and there are few things I think can serve a student better than being able to ask the right question at the right time.

In “Why Questions Are More Important Than Answers,” I said that “Questioning is the art of learning. Learning to ask important questions is the best evidence of understanding there is, far surpassing the temporary endorphins of a correct “answer.” And while I sometimes disagree with things I say after hearing or reading them later, that still holds up.

Questions are causes and effects of learning.

I saw the above graphic a few months ago while I was researching question-formation strategies. That post is still about 2/3 finished but after that long, I thought it made sense to share this graphic to kind of frame that content whenever I finally get off my keister and get it together.

Warren Berger shared it last year on edutopia, so I thought I’d help build on it by adding some strategies for each of the ideas. Note: Berger is the author of A More Beautiful Question: The Power Of Inquiry To Spark Breakthrough Ideas (affiliate link), a worthwhile read for any educator or parent, if not grade 10+ student.

If you have any you’d like to add to the mix, take to the comments, or head on over to edutopia’s original post and contribute there.

5 Ways To Help Students Ask Better Questions

1. Make it safe.

Use write-arounds, exit slips, or backchannel discussions for sharing questions.

2. Make it cool.

Publish the best questions. Have a question hall-of-fame. (I used to take huge post-it notes and hang them all over the walls and write great questions I over-heard during class–called it “intellectual graffiti.” Students loved re-reading these–especially students from other classes who’d ask “Who asked this? Who said that?,” and were often floored at my responses.)

3. Make it fun.

Create a concept-map of the short and long-term effects of a great question. Write them on post-cards and have students #hashtag instagram or twitter posts holding said cards. (Here’s an old but still mostly useful post–1oo twitter tips for teachers–with related ideas.)

4. Make it rewarding.

Give actual points for good questions. Help them ask great questions about their own lives, and create “assignments” where they have to follow-through somehow on that inquiry.

5. Make it stick.

The more authentic and non-academic the great questions are, and the more often they’re revisited (naturally and authentically), the more they will stick.

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Looking Ahead

Exciting things are happening with PBIS!  Check in with Andrea and Erin to learn about the blacktop project! 

Week of March 17

                 Thursday Thoughts March 17

This is the time of year that I refer to as March Madness.  No I am not talking about the political primaries or the NCAA Tournament (although I am sure you are working on your brackets). However, I am referring to this time period in school leading up to Spring Break.  Student misbehavior increases, parents are uncertain about testing and staff members are tired, thus a little less tolerant.  I get it.  We have two weeks until Spring Break and then approximately six weeks or so until the end of the year.  It's crunch time and the pressure is on.  As we embark on testing, school close out and of course the big summer renovation, let's be purposeful in making sure that we finish strong.  We will have to pack extra patience and positivity to make it.  But we WILL make it.  In the end, this school year will be a slam dunk (corny, I know). 

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Jennifer Birkmeyer.   This is just Jennifer's second year teaching and it is her first year teaching 1st grade.  She works hard to meet the needs of each of her students.  She seeks advice on how to help her struggling learners and is willing to try anything to help them succeed.   I have participated in SST meetings for her students and she always comes to the meetings with current data, "glows and grows" and work samples.  Parents have commented on how much they appreciate what she does to help their child improve.  And I would be remiss if I did not commend Jennifer on her attendance.  To date, Jennifer has only taken one sick day in her two years at Medlock.   If my memory serves me correctly, that was a day that she became ill at work and had to go home.  To say that Jennifer is committed to her students and our school is an understatement.    Jennifer, we thank you for the dedication and care that you take with each of your students. Now be sure to take a day off for yourself!

Personalized Learning

21 Cool Anchor Charts To Teach Close-Reading Skills

www.buzzfeed.com   September 2, 2014

Close reading is a hot topic that’s just getting hotter! Here are 21 anchor charts, bulletin board ideas and other resources that you can bring into your classroom to turn your readers into even closer readers.

Check It Off!

mshouser.com

This anchor chart captures the gist of close reading. Use the checklist format to create bookmarks or laminated cheat sheets that students can use as tools as they read.

2. Dig Deep for Meaning!

pinterest.com

This visual helps students conceptualize “digging deep” into text.

3. Stop and Think!

pinterest.com

Make this anchor chart a living document by switching out the sticky notes with examples from students’ reading and writing.

4. Annotation 101

anewdayoflearning.blogspot.com

These basic annotation marks are a good starting point for students who are learning to read with a pencil.

5. Read and Reread!

pinterest.com

Use this second-grade anchor chart to set a purpose for reading, rereading and rereading again.

6. Think-marks

lifeinfifthgrade.com

As they learn how to annotate, students can get into adding these think-marks alongside the words they’ve circled and key lines they’ve underlined.

7. How to Annotate Effectively

teachingthecore.com

Use models (like this one) to show students how to annotate and to avoid common pitfalls like the 100 percent highlighted page or the no-notes-in-the-margins annotators.

8. Annotation Helper

julieballew.com

During a first read, this anchor chart is helpful for students who need support in figuring out what to jot down. After they retell their summary (in their own words), they can write those notes in the margins.

9. Draw It!

littlebirdkindergarten.blogspot.com

This drawing annotation is a technique that could be incorporated into kindergarten, first grade or elementary special education classes to help students visualize important information as they read.

10. Step It Up!

ontheweb.rozlinder.com

This chart helps students identify exactly where they are in their close reading. At the end of each lesson, students can identify which step they’re on and what they have yet to do.

11. The Accountable Ant

scholastic.com

The Accountable Ant keeps students talking within the four corners of the text.

12. Close Reading Defined

freebie-licious.blogspot.com

Put this printable in your planning binder to remind you of the ultimate goal when you’re planning close-reading lessons.

13. Tell Me All About It

firstgradenest.com

This chart, updated with students’ sticky notes, can be used to reflect, first, how students are building their close-reading skills and then how they’re applying those skills in different lessons, contexts and texts.

14. Read Like a Detective

weareteachers.com

This poster will help you plan inventive close-reading lessons that have students zooming in on text through their reading behaviors and questions.

15. To Dos (and What Not To Dos)

pinterest.com

This teacher-focused chart will help you plan close-reading lessons with a reminder about what’s most important and what to avoid in close reading.

16. Close-Reading Spotlight

teachertothecore.blogspot.com

It can be difficult to show off student reading skills, but this bulletin board showcases how students are color coding text and finding proof in their reading.

17. Step by Step

educationtothecore.com

Students develop independence with this chart that outlines six effective close-reading steps.

18. Question Wheel

montanaheritageproject.org

Students can use the general questions in this wheel to develop their own text-dependent questions for each story or article they read.

19. TDQ on Display

pinterest.com

This bulletin board highlights the ways students create text-dependent questions, and showcases how students are applying those TDQs in their work.

20. Employing Evidence-Based Terms

elainthemiddle.wordpress.com

As students discuss and write about text, this anchor chart shows them how to use evidence-based transitions and sentence starters.

21. We’re Big on Evidence

tworeflectiveteachers.blogspot.com

This bulletin board display shows students how to cite evidence in big, bold ways.

Habitudes- (Growth Mindset)

Looking Ahead

Fulton County's Spring Teacher Fair will take place on next Friday, March 25th from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Georgia International Convention Center.  Please share this information with any friends or potential teaching candidates.