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Who's in the "100 club"? This guy..Mr. Todd Peladeau♡

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Who's in the "100 club"? This guy..Mr. Todd Peladeau♡

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Posted by Martha

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It's a start...Happy Martin Luther King, jr. Day

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It's a start...Happy Martin Luther King, jr. Day

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Posted by Martha

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I have the garden up and going for all of second grade!  It has been an amazing addition to our Science a couple times a week!  They love it!

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1.  Moving my room to be with the other second grade teachers has been way beyond successful.  The ability to communicate and collaborate, as well as share resources on a daily basis is a blessing.

2.  Using the remind app has been a very successful way to communicate with my parents.

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Two of my successes have been:

Math has always been held after we come in from recess (10:50 ish) and it has been a struggle to get the children focused/engaged. I like to do group instruction first then break into centers and small group. Welllll….this has been frustrating to say the least and I never feel like I have addressed the topic and it seems super rushed!

So...I know have incorporated math into our morning center which allows me to introduce the topic in small group, engaging activities and I can assess!! Then we break into small groups after lunch and it has worked out so well!

The other success I have had is in the area of technology...I utilize it so much more than I ever have!! I went back through all of my instructional books from my credential  program and I have to say...it is so useful in the classroom!!

My goals for spring: Get enrolled/find info about induction program, take a new course/workshop pertaining to technology.

That about it for now

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  I was inspired by "The Book Whisperer," (a book I chose from the Matrix- thank you Joe)  to change the way I organize my pull out reading groups. I shared with Nickie my dilemma. Where to start?  She suggested choosing one grade level. I chose 5th grade.  My goal for our 5th grade readers was for them to read books and  enjoy reading.  I give readers the  choice  to  choose their own books to read. I'm there with a few choices if  they need a little help  and their peers may make a recommendation too. I greet them at the door, they come in, get a drink, and read. I read too. We share out at the end. Sometimes I listen to a student read -(informal  assessment) or help with a vocab word. We have a Celebrations chart that students write their names on when they finish a book.  It's my favorite time of day. There is something magical happening here.  It fills my heart with joy. The room becomes peaceful, quiet, and calm.  BTW,  assessments show that  this has been an effective pullout model. This group of 5th graders has made great reading progress - .6 growth. 

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  I was inspired by "The Book Whisperer," (a book I chose from the Matrix- thank you Joe)  to change the way I organize my pull out reading groups. I shared with Nickie my dilemma. Where to start?  She suggested choosing one grade level. I chose 5th grade.  My goal for our 5th grade readers was for them to read books and  enjoy reading.  I give readers the  choice  to  choose their own books to read. I'm there with a few choices if  they need a little help  and their peers may make a recommendation too. I greet them at the door, they come in, get a drink, and read. I read too. We share out at the end. Sometimes I listen to a student read -(informal  assessment) or help with a vocab word. We have a Celebrations chart that students write their names on when they finish a book.  It's my favorite time of day. There is something magical happening here.  It fills my heart with joy. The room becomes peaceful, quiet, and calm.  BTW,  assessments show that  this has been an effective pullout model. This group of 5th graders has made great reading progress - .6 growth. 

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coming back to Columbia this year has been a blessing, I missed working at your school.  There seemed to be a ton of assessments/work left over but taking each day at a time and getting through to help each child do the best with resources in the setting they are in.  Been a sweet pleasure to work with all of you.  Thanks for your help & patience- Debbie G, Suzanne M.,  Tina C, Molly M., Amber Brennan.  So thankful to have Martha in your (Brennan's)
classroom. She is doing a wonderful job!! Welcome Mikaela H. I knew you would be an asset to Columbia Elementary.

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1) UDL-Planning my lessons through the UDL lens has been one of my priorities this year. I believe that it is our job to teach students in the way that they learn, not expect them to learn in the way we teach, and UDL is the best way to achieve that. I have thus far only been able to take baby steps but it has had an amazing effect on my students. When my lessons are UDL driven I find that my students are far more engaged and they comprehend and retain the information better. UDL based lessons level the playing field for all of my students giving them the security they need to fearlessly explore the information in front of them ad show me what they know in a way they understand.

2) My students are my family-Every day I strive to make sure my students know they are loved and part of my classroom family. Building relationships with them and taking the time to understand who they are is a top priority.  Using trauma informed practices has been a huge success in building relationships with some of my students who are a bit more of a challenge, I just have to keep reminding myself to keep going even through setbacks and frustrations.

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It has been quite a busy first trimester.

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This year I have implemented more visuals into our daily routine to help my kiddos with autism be more independent and successful. We are using “clip cards” to help the students know where to go as they rotate around their centers. When it is time to transition, they earn a clip for that center if they worked hard and had good behavior. At the end of centers they cash in their clips (take off and put away) to earn a treat on their way to recess. I am also using Edmark Reading (1:1) this year with my kids with autism and a few others who have been struggling with reading. The results have been great so far. I’m also using P.A.L.S (peer assisted learning strategies), Barton, SIPPS, as well as some great learning websites. I have seen a lot of success with all these great programs. And 100% of my students mainstream into a general education class this year! Thanks to all the teachers that take in my students and make them feel like part of your class. It helps them both socially and academically.

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This trimester I started doing a SIPPS lesson with my 3rd grade Read Live Readers before they get onto Read Live. This last week a few of them had said that they want to do a lesson instead of Read Live. That makes me feel better about re- teaching them the fundamentals on phoneme awareness😊 I have also started doing it once a week with my 4th grade Read Live Readers. 👍🏼

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I have been having an amazing time in kinder and feel so blessed by all the support especially from Mrs. Brennan and Mrs. Trent. One success has been our carpet time after lunch. The kiddos were struggling to quiet down after coming in from playing and they were a tad to wrestless to listen to a story. I started doing what I call Problem and Solution. I show the kids a 3-5 minute Disney/ Pixar movie short (the silly sometimes wordless ones that play before the actual movie) and after watching we discuss it. They have to focus to find all of the problems and their solutions. I love doing this because the kiddos have to take the time to figure out characters emotions, problems, needs etc. By the time  is all said and done they have had enough transition time to be ready to focus for carpet time. I also love that they start asking early in the morning “is it time for problem and solution yet?” and that I hear them using these terms when problem solving with their friends.

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Here's the real deal from kindergarten. Ever have one of those years where your class is such a challenge, that you question why you are a teacher?  The beginning of this year has been that kind of year for me.  So my first success is having the perseverance needed to make it to THANKSGIVING BREAK!  A break I am in  desperate need of.
My second success is finding my voice to ask for help when I needed it.  Something this Type A girl doesn't do very often. A BIG Thank YOU!!! To my partners here on the front lines, Aleta, Mrs. Trent and Miss Harris.  Sorry for all my complaining.  Suzanne, Tina, Bud, June, Joe and Nickie, I appreciate the support you have given with my little guy.  Martha, you are amazing and an answer to my many prayers.
This kiddo has moved from kicking, hitting spitting and calling us " F@%* heads" to this. Oh... that's why I teach. I remember... We have a long ways to go. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel called HOPE for both of us.  ENJOY your break with your loved ones.

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Mrs. Brennan and myself have been working with an amazing little kindergarten boy who needs emotional and behavioral support. His goal was to earn all of the puzzle pieces from a puzzle to get the grand tour of a school bus....today was that day! He earns stars on his behavior strip for popcorn,Golden Nuggets, or extra iPad time. I feel the positive reinforcements, and just a lot of TLC will continue to help him blossom.

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1. Student Engagement:  One of this years goals for me is working on creating a learning environment where students are engaged and are aware of their strengths.  To increases engagement I am having the students use hands on learning and real world problem solving and inquiry.
2. Group Work: Another one of my goals this year is to have the students be able to work in productive learning groups.  The students can currently work in groups of 2,3 or 4 towards a learning goal.

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1) Differentiation. This year's goal is to really differentiate math. I am incorporating aide's to help challenge my highs and meet the needs of my lows. My kiddos are broken into small groups often during math.My kids have been successful in class.

2) Technology. I have implemented various websites to help differentiate learning. There are many websites that hep level my students. Freckle Math, Get More Math, Benchmark Universe, etc.

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This has been a great year so far! 1. We have continued to begin our mornings with greetings, connection and movement.
Our transitions are much smoother and everyone knows the routines and rhythm of our day.
2. Collaborating with my grade level team has been wonderful.  I especially love the unhomework we are using and the Remind app.

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First, I really like the morning handshakes.  It makes me feel more connected to the kids.  Those seconds give me a pretty good snapshot of who is tired, who is grumpy, and who is joyous.  The touch (fist bump, or handshake) affords a different level of connecting than just standing at the door and saying good morning. 

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First, I really like the morning handshakes.  It makes me feel more connected to the kids.  Those seconds give me a pretty good snapshot of who is tired, who is grumpy, and who is joyous.  The touch (fist bump, or handshake) affords a different level of connecting than just standing at the door and saying good morning. 

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Second, I'm trying a Google coding program for music and I am learning with the kids.  The first day was rough, but now kids are settled in and they really like it. I'm going to have them do a project with what they are learning. I'm also going to try quizlet for math definition mastery.  Breann gave us some hints for using that program.

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1. As I get to know this group of kids, I am remembering to  check in with them in the mornings. Not just the morning greeting but letting them have a connection. If I give them the 5 minutes to share or express something they seem to feel a little calmer and ready for our schedule.
2. UDL : Giving the students a choice to how they want to work on some projects and I am seeing some growth! All of this is in tiny, little, baby, steps but I will take it!

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1. I have been collaborating on a regular basis with other music teachers in our county and it has motivated and energized me.
2. I have been using Google Classroom with some of my band classes. It gives me one more point of contact, since I only see them twice a week, and it's engaging for the kids!

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June's School Wide Reading Growth Grade K-4

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June's School Wide Reading Growth Grade K-4

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Red - Scaled score or GE (grade Equivalent)  of  Grades K-4
Blue- Growth of SIPPS/ReadLIVE/ Small Group Readers

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1. UDL: I have been trying some UDL lessons in my DIT classes and I really like it. The students like to make the choices and I see growth.
2. Quizlet: Quizlet is so fun and the kids love it!!! Super engaging

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Breann showed me how to use google forms to create science tests and post them in google classroom.

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STAR Assessments show School-Wide Growth in Reading!
Grades 5-8
Red- Average Growth for Grade Level Readers
Blue - Growth for Readlive Readers, Book Club Readers, Leveled Readers, and Reading Rewards READERS

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1) Reading groups with the fourth graders have been a lot of fun.
2) Learning about inclusion through conference and reading books and articles.

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One: allowing students more freedom to explore with equipment.
Two: Understanding how trauma plays such a huge role in the development of our students.

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- seeing staff push themselves and embracing new pedagogy!  There are some really great things going on in many rooms
- Attending a CUE for administrators conference really fueled me with great ideas to streamline my work and help support all staff and students

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Student growth and collaboration- Lauren Edward

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Student growth and collaboration- Lauren Edward

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Individual student growth (big and small) in the area of focus, attendance, and effort has been a HUGE encouragement to myself, students, and their families :)  Also, we are becoming better (as a class) at small group collaboration - especially during math - which is exciting to see!

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1) UDL is changing the way I do everything in my classes and it is affecting my students motivation. Plus it is exciting trying to implement this kind of thinking. "[You] make us feel comfortable in our own skin" quote from one of my 8th graders. 

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1) UDL is changing the way I do everything in my classes and it is affecting my students motivation. Plus it is exciting trying to implement this kind of thinking. "[You] make us feel comfortable in our own skin" quote from one of my 8th graders. 

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2) QUIZLET!!!!!!!!! Students are engaged and learning.

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One: Taking an Interactive Workshop about Trauma Treatment for Kids - Healing the body through play. Not a huge fan on play therapy but learned a lot of new strategies.
Two: making my room into a more interactive self-regulation strategy room.

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One success so far is my center time! I really feel like my students have understood how to rotate and to not interrupt my small group time. This is a huge change from last year.
Another success has been finishing my first master's course last month (4 more to go!). I bit off more than I can chew, but I am plugging along. ;)
Happy Break Everyone!!!

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The first thing that has made life better for my students is Moby Max. They all love it and it gives them and me useful information as to their growth.