October 14

October 14

This is my nephew Shaan Nahal. He is currently a sophomore at Davis High School. EPSN is doing a segment on high school football players across the country and it is going to air during the Super Bowl. Shaan is Yasmeen's younger brother. Shaan was born when none of us (the aunts) had any kids so he also got a lot of our attention. Playing football has been quite the conversation in all of our households. All four of us- including his mother have been against him playing football after reading research about playing and the affect it has on the adolescent brain. Shaan has always been an athlete and loves to make people laugh- much like his mother. While in junior high when he got in trouble- my sister would call me so I could talk to him- YEP I am that aunt in the family. She is a teacher in Davis as well and was constantly talking to him that he can not be the class clown! I had my fair share of conversations with him and also told him that I would love to come to his school and hang out with him every class period :) Let's just say his behavior got better :)  Since playing football his behavior has improved. He has become a leader as  a quarterback and is becoming humble. They are focusing on Shaan because the family was against him playing football and in the end he is playing it. They want to know how football is benefiting Shaan. They also want to know if the family has changed their opinions about him playing football.  They are coming into town on October 21 to record this segment and want to interview the family and I am so bummed that I am going to miss it because I will be at the NEU conference. ESPN is focusing on 8 to 10 high schools students across the country. So if you like watching the Super Bowl- you should look for this segment on high school players. I know I will!

No Excuses University – Interventions

Culture of Universal Achievement

Collaboration

Standards Alignment

Assessment Plan

Data Analysis

Interventions

“Once children are taught what they need to learn and then assessed for their levels of proficiency, there needs to be appropriate, data-driven academic interventions to help students who are not on track to be proficient by the end of the year.  There also needs to be similar social interventions, because children who are emotionally well adjusted are much more likely to be academically successful.”

During our Academic Conferences we discussed interventions for our students.  In reviewing the data, we have moved past the excuses and how we can help them at school :)

When we review data, we focus on what the students don’t know and how we are going to provide interventions to support the students learning.

We have now completed MAP assessments.  What are you doing with the data?  What interventions have you put in place?  Here is an example:

If your student scores have low RIT score.   You are able to drill down into the results to determine on which standards the students need support in.  As an example in Math, when one drills down further into the data,  you may notice that the majority of the students struggled with expressions and equations.  A smaller number also struggled with use functions to model relationships. Then the teacher is able to develop very targeted lessons that can be delivered in a small group setting.  The teacher does not have to re-teach the entire class.  Targeted, immediate intervention will have a positive impact on student achievement.

11 Storyboarding Apps To Organize & Inspire Young Writers

www.teachthought.com/apps-2/11-storyboarding-apps-organize-inspire-young-writers

iPadifying the Writing Workshop

www.mguhlin.org/2013/10/ipadifying-writing-workshop-ipad-ipaded.html

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you Beverly, Travis, and Henry for being at our site next week. Thank you Robin and Jamie for helping out another colleague today.

Play: watch this video- it will make you smile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

Choose your attitude: It is October. it is always a stressful time of year. breath. take a moment to stay positive. You have accomplished so much already this year. Remember  we are learning together.

Make Their Day:   Fill out a good news referral. Make a positive phone call home. Make a student's day!!