The first day of school is meant to be a great experience, but it does not mean we have to fill the day with things to do. It does not mean we put on our entertainers outfit and try to recreate a three ring circus in our classrooms.
The first day of school means that we take our very first steps towards getting to know our students and developing ways to meet their needs. That can only happen in a meaningful and lasting way if we take things slowly. Only if we allow time to just sit, talk, listen, be. So, as you have plan the very first day of school, make time for quiet, for reflection, for conversation. Don't spend so much time for all of the things. Because in the end this isn't about how to prove how fun you will be this year or how much the students will learn, it is about showing your students that you care for them.
A reminder of 5 things to avoid as we start this school year:
1. Not asking for Help. - If you need help, ask! You will not annoy your co-workers or campus administration if you have questions. If you are struggling in an area, classroom management for example, talk to campus administration or your veteran teachers to get some ideas in order to keep the classroom a place for learning.
2. Afraid of being firm with your students. - DO NOT BE A DOORMAT. Do not be afraid to show your students that you are unhappy about their behavior. Think about the students who are missing out on instruction because of disruptions and an unsafe environment... If that doesn't make you want to take control, firm up, and do what's best for the students you may need to have a long talk with yourself.
3. Not knowing it's OK to leave the to-do list unfinished at the end of the day. - We will have days that are longer than others, but DO NOT PANIC if you leave stuff on your to-do list. Set yourself a time to go home and address your time sensitive things first. Tomorrow is another day.
4. Spending WAY to much $$$. It is very easy to offer extrinsic rewards, restock supplies yourself, and not know available resources we have at Hayes Elementary. Some ideas on keeping your hard earned money in your pocket: Limit those rewards, find the stores that have teacher discounts, utilize the teacher warehouse, ask your peers for available resources.
5. Worrying too much. - Some worry is valid, other worries are totally ridiculous. If you are investing in your students, designing reasonably effective lessons (even if they aren't as effective as they were in your head), and being diligent about identifying and fixing the things that truly aren't working, your students will learn. Even if you feel like a total failure, I can promise as someone who's been there that you're not. Keep doing your best and try to improve where you can, but don't get so hung up on the silly stuff that you are paralyzed by fear or burn out.
Generic Morning Announcement: We will discuss whether we want to continue announcements through YouTube or revert back to the way it was done when teachers used chalk boards and ditto machines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6dAG5eWCok&feature=youtu.be
*** Oklahoma State Blueprints: ***
Available accommodations for the OCCT:
A quick guide to standards and assessments:
- English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
- Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
- Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years.
- Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
- Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
- World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
- Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
- Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
- Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
- PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.
Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2015-2016:
TBD!
Videos Worth Watching:
Articles Worth Reading:
6 ways to teach growth mindset from day one of school (& a big giveaway) - via @Angela_Watson
Change Comes From Within - via @E_Sheninger
We need more misfits in #education - via @justintarte
A Long Gaze In the Mirror - via @edgeblogger
Accountability 101: For Surgeons and Teachers - via @educationweek
22 Lines a Gifted Child Hates to Hear - via @AtlasEdLearning
Facts about Principals Every Teacher Should Know - via @abouteducation
This Week in Teacher Humor: Horror Stories From the Presidential Fitness Test - via @educationweek
A Curious Teacher - Part Tw - via @stumpteacher
The Hidden Cost of Suspension: How can kids learn if they're not in school? - via @usedgov
Why I Don’t Grade My Students’ Blogs - via @kidblogdotorg
The Philosophy Behind Maker Success - via @E_Sheninger
How I used Socrative for Writing Instruction - via @JenRoberts1
Understanding and Removing Barriers - via @conprin
Monday August 3, 2015 - First day of school for the 2015-2016 school year. Dress for success and be ready to meet your new students. Normal School Day
Tuesday August 4, 2015 - Grade Level Meetings during planning time; Faculty meeting after school (Dr. Henderson will address changes to special education and a special guest) Normal School Day.
Wednesday August 5, 2015 - Normal School Day - State Required Drill at 1:00pm (Fire Drill)
Thursday August 6, 2015 - Mr. Ross at a principals meeting (8:00 am -11:00 am); Mr. Ross to TLE task force at 2:30 pm at Camelot (Central Office)
Friday August 7, 2015 - Spirit Day! Awards Assembly in the Gymnasium at 8:30 am (Practice, Practice, Practice)
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