Spend time creating your online schedule - due to me 4/1
Please make sure you add me as a collaborator to your Google classroom.
Friday, March 27, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
Lessons from the Field: Remote Learning Guidance from CDE website.
Part of the COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools published on March 17, 2020It is important to understand that taking teaching and learning online involves more than just uploading files and video links to a learning management system (LMS
). Teaching remotely requires a different approach. It is a skill to be learned. Educators who have taught online know that there are some specific pedagogies and practices that help make online learning effective.Pedagogy and Practices
While remote learning offers many positives (time-shifting, pace-shifting, personalization, etc.), student engagement can easily be compromised by the lack of face-to-face interaction. It is important to note that the affordances of technology and of online learning overlap in many ways with the needs of English learners and students with disabilities. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help teachers keep all students engaged while learning remotely.
- Be present as the instructor
- Instructor presence is a critical factor in the success of online learning.
- A weekly video posted by the teacher allows students to connect with the teacher’s image and voice. The video can be short, 3 minutes or less. In that amount of time, the teacher can review highlights of the previous week, and do a quick introduction of what is coming in the current week. Simple videos can be recorded by using any number of screen-casting apps such as Screencastify.
- Instructors should also be present by engaging students through asking questions and responding to questions. There are many online tools that can help teachers such as discussion boards, replying to questions, and asking probing questions of the whole class, groups, and individual students.
- Use frequent formative assessments. While present with students, it can be much easier to determine which students may be struggling with new learning. When teaching online, use free and “freemium” tools such as Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, Poll Everywhere, Mentimeter and your learning management system to gauge student learning and plan instructional moves and personalization that helps to keep all students on track. Here is a list of more formative assessment tools.
- A weekly video posted by the teacher allows students to connect with the teacher’s image and voice. The video can be short, 3 minutes or less. In that amount of time, the teacher can review highlights of the previous week, and do a quick introduction of what is coming in the current week. Simple videos can be recorded by using any number of screen-casting apps
- Instructor presence is a critical factor in the success of online learning.
- Work as a group
- Setting up an effective online learning environment can be overwhelming. It can also be isolating. Teachers should remember that they can work together to create engaging lessons and activities for students. Sharing with colleagues will reduce stress and the workload. When working with colleagues, remember you can share classes and resources through your LMS or Google Classroom. This could enable teachers to assign activities in one class from other shared classes.
- Setting up an effective online learning environment can be overwhelming. It can also be isolating. Teachers should remember that they can work together to create engaging lessons and activities for students. Sharing with colleagues will reduce stress and the workload. When working with colleagues, remember you can share classes and resources through your LMS or Google Classroom
- Focus on active learning
- Over the last decade, K-12 education has been slowly moving away from the lecture model. All of the reasons that make movement toward active learning in the face-to-face classroom a good idea also apply to the virtual classroom. To engage students who are not in the room during a lesson, teachers should consider creating a mix of:
- Robust discussions
- Collaborative work
- Video and audio clips
- Hands-on exercises
- Individual work time
- Over the last decade, K-12 education has been slowly moving away from the lecture model. All of the reasons that make movement toward active learning in the face-to-face classroom a good idea also apply to the virtual classroom. To engage students who are not in the room during a lesson, teachers should consider creating a mix of:
- Chunk content into smaller pieces
- Learning online can be more taxing physically and intellectually than learning in a face-to-face environment. Teachers should avoid frequently assigning long text passages or even long videos.
- Hold “Office Hours”
- Consider setting specific times during the day that you would be available via a web-conferencing tool. Students could check in if they have questions about assignments - or if they just need to see and hear their teacher. Here are a few free or low-cost tools:
- Create smaller groups
- Students who are learning virtually still need to make connections with others. When teachers create some of their assignments as group work, students are able to experience the continuity of their relationships. It can be more meaningful to assign students to smaller groups to review and comment upon each others’ work. Smaller groups are also more effective at ensuring that all students participate equitably.
- Be careful with your time
- As mentioned previously, teaching online can be very time-consuming for teachers. In a face-to-face classroom, when a question is asked by the instructor, one or two students might answer. When a teacher uses a discussion board online, the expectation is that all students will respond. At that point, a teacher can get lost in trying to respond to each student's response. A better strategy is to respond directly to some of the student responses. Some online teachers keep a tally to make sure that they respond to each student at least weekly, but not for every discussion assignment. Grade levels and specific needs of students will help drive how frequently to respond to each student.
- Give multimedia options for assignments
- While it can be expedient for teachers to grade quizzes and short papers, many students will be more highly engaged by assignments that allow them to create. Engagement and learning can be enhanced when students are encouraged to create content through the use of slides, videos, podcasts, blogs, data visualizations, websites, infographics, etc.
- Here are some tools that students can use to create:
- Best Tech Creation Tools from Common Sense Education
- 20 Best Online Creation Tools for Students
- Best Tech Creation Tools
- While it can be expedient for teachers to grade quizzes and short papers, many students will be more highly engaged by assignments that allow them to create. Engagement and learning can be enhanced when students are encouraged to create content through the use of slides, videos, podcasts, blogs, data visualizations
- Stay flexible with pacing
- In the face-to-face classroom it is relatively easy to keep students working at the same pace. The teacher can assign a task and collect the work at the end of the period. Individual learning styles, particularly when it comes to pace, will be evident in the remote learning environment. Consider these strategies:
- Have all work for the week posted by the start of the week and due at the end of the week (or even over the weekend).
- Try working with “windows of time” instead of specific due dates for some assignments.
- Be prepared to differentiate due dates for students who struggle with the rigor or style of remote learning.
- In the face-to-face classroom it is relatively easy to keep students working at the same pace. The teacher can assign a task and collect the work at the end of the period. Individual learning styles, particularly when it comes to pace, will be evident in the remote learning environment. Consider these strategies:
- Other tips:
Friday, March 6, 2020
March 6, 2020
At SV we hold community circles weekly or daily depending on the need of our classes, we teach character education lessons daily, we hold RJ circles, we have implemented PBIS. Please reflect on these practices if your class is having a difficult time during unstructured time. What processes can you refine to better support your students. REMEMBER behavior does have to be taught and modeled.
Data from February:
80 good news referrals and 20 referrals. It was very interesting most of these referrals were for physical altercations.
Please welcome and if you see them on campus introduce yourself:
Danny Rodriguez our new tech support person. My name is Danny Rodriguez and I have been informed recently that I will be the new site tech at Suisun Valley. I have been with TSS since 2016 being assigned at K.I Jones , Sheldon Academy, B.Gale Wilson and now Suisun Valley, but I started working for FSUSD in 2014 as a Bilingual Para Educator at Crystal Middle School and Crescent Elementary. A few of you may have already met me or seen me walk by. I assure you that I will get to all of you ASAP. I take great pride in what I do and I'm hoping that I can be as good of a Tech for all of you as Nick surely was. Due to Zone changes a handful of Techs were moved around (Nick and I being part of that group) but I will do my absolute best to resolve any Tech issues you all may have. I will see you all very soon.Nick has moved on to AHS. We will miss him.
Cathy Heil our new para support in RSP. Born and raised in Fairfield. Attended Oklahoma State University and majored in Agriculture. Love playing sports, especially volleyball.
I was born and raised in rural Solano County, spending my days tending to my goats, sheep, rabbits, cows, chicken, and swine, which I raised as projects for 4-H. I am currently a Licensed Vocational Nurse with experience in inpatient and outpatient care, urgent care, long term care, mental health, and developmental disabilities. I find that a smiling face and a simple "thank you" are the biggest reward a person can ask for.
Observable Fish Moments at SV:
Be There: Thank you Carole and Ariel for being prepared for academic conferences. Thank you Sarah for organizing our ELPAC testing.
Play: Have a great weekend! Thank you Heather H. and Jamie for organizing a fun AR party! Thank you Ariel and Carole for hosting books and bagels today.
Choose your attitude:
To actually choose how you respond to life, not just react, you must be intentional. Ask yourself throughout the day, "What is my attitude right now? Is it helping the people who depend on me? Is it helping me to be most effective?" NO EXCUSES!!
Make Their Day: Have lunch with a student who is having discipline problems during unstructured time. Giving this extra attention could change their attitude. Thank you sunshine for organizing our after school social today.
Friday, February 28, 2020
February 28, 2020
I will be going to visit my cousin’s wife this weekend with my sisters. She had cancer about two years ago and it has been in remission. It just recently has come back in full force. They have two kids. One is 7 years old and the other is 4 years old. This cousin of ours lived with us with his mom and little brother when our mom died for about two months. He is very near and dear to our heart. My heart goes out to him and his family.
MORE ON ENGAGEMENT! Until we are at 100%, we will CONTINUE this conversation as high levels of engagement directly link to higher achievement, lower off task behavior, and all around happier students! How do we get students to make class discussions more engaging so that they are focused on the learning AND master content? Check out THIS LINK to try 5 easy ways to make your class discussions more engaging!
Observable Fish Moments at SV:
Be There: When people need you, they need you. Setting aside distractions and judgments to be fully present is a sign of respect. It improves communication and strengthens relationships.
Play: You can be serious about your work without taking yourself too seriously. Play is a mindset more than a specific activity. It allows you to throw yourself with enthusiasm, creativity and CURIOSITY, into whatever you are doing, in a way that is natural, not forced. “Playing” with ideas helps you find solutions to everyday challenges.
Choose your attitude: To actually choose how you respond to life, not just react, you must be intentional. Ask yourself throughout the day, “What is my attitude right now? Is it helping the people who depend on me? Is it helping me to be most effective?”
Make Their Day: Simple gestures of thoughtfulness, thanks and recognition make people feel appreciated and valued. When you make someone feel good, you feel good too.
THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY, WE BUILD STRONGER
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE STUDENTS WE
TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH OF YOU - I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
Friday, February 21, 2020
February 21, 2020
Winter MAP data by grade level winter over three years. Overall our students have made the most growth in ELA compared to last year. You should be very proud of your hard work!! We did drop in math in several grade levels compared to last year.
Student engagement (one of THE MOST important things in teaching), building relationships with our students is CRITICAL to how effective we are as educators. We cannot simply close the door, turn our back, ignore the signs, or pretend that our kids DO NOT need us. They do. Plain and simple. So how can you build these relationships with 30+ students in your class? Some ways can be simple. Check out THIS ARTICLE on some of the "golden rules" of easy peasy ways to make SIMPLE connections. C'mon people.
WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A STUDENT IN YOUR CLASS???
IF YOUR STUDENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE IN YOUR CLASS, WOULD THEY SHOW UP ANYWAY??
COLLEGE ESSAY CONTEST - begins Feb. 24 and ends March 20
Have your students pick up a paper from the front office if they are interested in competing in our college essay contest or they can use any blank paper. K-8 will be asked to write an essay explaining why they want to go to college. The winners of the contest will have their essays published on the school website and read their essay at the College Week Assembly if they would like to. A drawing will be held for a Kindle Reader one for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Each grade level winner (there will be one for each grade) will receive a $10.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Let’s get excited about college!!
Read Across America: March 2: Be ready for a fun event on March 2!! I am so excited!! We have people from the district office and community coming to read to every classroom. Please have a book ready for them to read. A schedule will be emailed to you from Kristin as soon as all RSVP's have been confirmed. Students (or you) will come in their pj's or dress as their favorite character.
Here are some websites for Read Across America:
Observable Fish Moments at SV:
Be There: Be there for your students- make sure they know their RIT scores and the growth they have made.
Play: Thank you Vicky for planning our all in day.
Choose your attitude: Be positive!
Make Their Day: Thank you Tammy, Tina, Ebony, and Janet for supporting our students every day.
THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY, WE BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE STUDENTS WE TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.
Thursday, February 13, 2020
February 13, 2020
Currently the admin team is doing a book study on the book Your Students, My Students, Our Students explores the hard truths of current special education practice and outlines five essential disruptions to the status quo. Authors Lee Ann Jung, Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Julie Kroener show you how to
- Establish a school culture that champions equity and inclusion.
- The Solutions
1. Build the belief among school teams that every student has value as an individual and is worthy of time, attention, and membership in every opportunity schools and society have to offer.
2. See students with disabilities as general education students.
3. Do not assign any students to a "track"; deliver instruction to students with disabilities in the general education classroom.
4. Ensure every student receives quality core instruction every day. When students don't respond to instruction, consider changes to the instruction itself.
5. Provide every student with access to accommodations and modifications when these are needed.
6. Supply students who need support with evidence-based interventions that support the skill and help them achieve meaningful growth.
To realize authentic and equitable inclusion, we must relentlessly and collectively pursue change. This book—written not for "special educators" or "general educators" but for all educators—addresses the challenges, maps out the solutions, and provides tools and inspiration for the work ahead. Real-life examples of empowerment and success illustrate just what's possible when educators commit to the belief that every student belongs to all of us and all students deserve learning experiences that will equip them to live full and rewarding lives.
Grades 3-8: Please start practicing SBAC
It's a good time to start having students explore the CAASPP Practice & Training Tests. This will help prepare them for the CAASPP summative that they will be taking in just over 8 weeks. CDE has the California Science Test (CAST) Training Test as well. Please go to www.fsusd.org/assessment and click on the green button "SBAC Practice & Training Tests" to access the site. Students and teachers can access as a Guest at school or home. Once you get logged as Guest, you'll need to select a grade. Be sure to select Grades 5 or 8 if you want to take the California Science Test (CAST).
Observable Fish Moments at SV:
Be There: Thank you Monica, Matthew, and Rachel for teaching us mindfulness lessons that we can use in our classroom.
Play: Thank you kinder team for always giving us the joy of the Love Concert. Thank you for sewing a heart t-shirt for every student!!
Choose your attitude: Have you said anything positive about your students today? A colleague? If you did, let them know :)
Make Their Day: Thank you Sarbjit and student council for ensuring that every student receives a luv a gram today.
THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY, WE BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE STUDENTS WE TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.
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