Update for Nov 17-21
There was something about this week that made me wonder “What is going on here?”.
Let me preface this by saying that I know that there are thousands of positive moments that happen each day at school and it’s these moments we remember. But this week, the problems we had to solve, or tried to solve, seemed to be overtaking the positive moments. It could also be that we have Conferences coming up and Progress Reports due -- That certainly adds to the stress.
In these moments, it seems like it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s going well.
Let me preface this by saying that I know that there are thousands of positive moments that happen each day at school and it’s these moments we remember. But this week, the problems we had to solve, or tried to solve, seemed to be overtaking the positive moments. It could also be that we have Conferences coming up and Progress Reports due -- That certainly adds to the stress.
In these moments, it seems like it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s going well.
Wednesday night, I saw a Tweet by George Couros that piqued my curiosity:
It is one of the most adorable videos I’ve ever seen (If this doesn’t make you cry, you are a robot.):
I needed to see that video this week because it reminded me that despite the times kids have where they don’t show us their best, each child is capable of so much good. It’s already built into them.
It’s our responsibility to remember that. It’s also our responsibility to focus on the positive and help students learn and grow by building off of their strengths and what they are capable of doing, not by focusing on what they cannot do.
(After watching 1 minute, jump to minute 6. Again, grab some tissues. THIS is why we teach. Because we need to never give up on finding what works for kids.)
-Herb
Videos That Inspire
“How can 1st Graders help the Earth?”:
Commercial reenacts a powerful moment in history:
Articles Worth Reading
“Talking to Learn” (EL Magazine, Nov 2014) http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov14/vol72/num03/Talking-to-Learn.aspx
“Research Shows Gains in ST Math Use” | MindShift http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/11/research-shows-some-gains-in-st-math-use/ … via @MindShiftKQED
“Making School About Connection” (Edutopia)
“Make the Most of the Maker Movement” http://edut.to/1xBZFEH via @edutopia
Upcoming Dates
Nov 17-20, 2014 BOOK FAIR!
Mon Nov 17, 2014
7pm - ADE/DCR Parent Meeting at Bradley HS
Tue, Nov 18, 2014
3:30 at ADE--First teacher steering committee meeting
7pm - Assessment and Accountability Summit, Weaver Middle School
Wed Nov 19, 2014
3:45pm - 8:15pm Parent-Teacher Conference Night
Wed Nov 26-28, 2014 No School
December
Tue Dec 2, 2014
8am - 9am Building Improvement Team mtg
Wed Dec 3, 2014
3:35-4:20 ADE/DCR Staff Meeting at ADE
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