OBOS Suggestions for 2017-18 by Betsy Balmat https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa Feedback from Staff Meeting on 2.1.17 en-us 2017-02-01 03:32:54 UTC 2017-02-01 18:16:54 UTC hello@padlet.com Assembly https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892125 Students were the most well behaved that I have ever seen them in an assembly. They were fully engaged for the most part.]]> 2017-02-01 16:34:53 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892125 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892163 The book was very dark. Kids wanted a more upbeat book.

]]> 2017-02-01 16:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892163 The Big Thing We Do https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892178 If this is the big thing we do, taking away class time from our curriculum and students, then we should spend more time up front, discussing the book, talking about the questions we might ask, looking at the slide deck before we start the book with the kids.  Not withstanding the hard work put forth by the OBOS team.  ]]> 2017-02-01 16:35:00 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892178 Book shared a story https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892224 that most could relate to, that everyone would be shocked about, that kids would learn some relevant history, and connect with theme what you do matters and that you can make a difference.  It's our best year.]]> 2017-02-01 16:35:07 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892224 The students liked https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892239 when there was an announcement to go to their OBOS classes as they often forgot. Esp. the 6th graders.
Also they LOVED having all three grades together.  
Lastly,  they asked to have a survey given to them before so they can have a voice in the selection.

]]> 2017-02-01 16:35:10 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892239 The https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892291 2017-02-01 16:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892291 Book needed a lot of explanation, it was like an extra prep. We should have a shorter book, less demanding, make a book selection that is accessible to all 3 grade levels. Only 2 weeks, not 3 weeks. It takes away from my other classes, I am behind in all of my subjects now. Just do the book, not do something else in addition, like a food drive. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892371 2017-02-01 16:35:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892371 Despite the effort to make the can food drive free from being incentive driven (ie: no mile), it felt like it did turn into a competition between classes. Some teachers gave incentives to their students (candy, hours for service, etc.) It felt uncomfortable/mixed messages. kbarber2 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892399 2017-02-01 16:35:31 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892399 The fact that the story was true was very gripping for kids. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892439 2017-02-01 16:35:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892439 Learning does not take place just through our curriculum. We teach middle school children first and our subject second. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892440 2017-02-01 16:35:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892440 Students mentioned that they would like a different genre next year https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892509 2017-02-01 16:35:42 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892509 It was helpful to have a Leadership student in my group - I put him to work and I think the students took to his leadership rather than me "bossing" them. sgeritz https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892604 thirty minutes max]]> 2017-02-01 16:35:57 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892604 My group didn't want to have discussions; they wanted to read ahead whenever we finished a little early -- to "cheat" and keep going! https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892642 2017-02-01 16:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892642 I like two weeks for 30 minutes https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892652 2017-02-01 16:36:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892652 Readers Workshop https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892662 If English is implementing readers workshop, could this be done in English]]> 2017-02-01 16:36:03 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892662 Another slide deck with video links and discussion topics would be super helpful! Loved it! https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892666 2017-02-01 16:36:04 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892666 Though it went fine for me, I still think it doesn't allow a newly formed mixed group of students and an adult to bond enough to discuss deeper character topics. It felt like a 7th class to prep for and I struggled with losing the time from my other classes. What about a schoolwide SSR time for two weeks with time to chatter about what we're reading with each other? https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892763 2017-02-01 16:36:19 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892763 Would it be beneficial to hold OBOS at a different time of the day? First period? Everyone starts the day reading the book together. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892781 2017-02-01 16:36:22 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892781 The theme fit the book, but I would have rather had the food drive after the book with my fifth period class. There is no reason we couldn't have honored Leon then and notified his family of our results. While Larry Sly is a great speaker, I resented the time he took away from hearing from Leon's family. alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892809 2017-02-01 16:36:26 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892809 I really enjoyed this experience as a new staff member. Such a neat school tradition and bonding experience. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892867 2017-02-01 16:36:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892867 Three weeks was way too long. It takes away from other academic classes. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892952 2017-02-01 16:36:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892952 "Own kids" https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892983 I would rather have kids in my classes. I do not really like the mixed classes. ]]> 2017-02-01 16:36:54 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150892983 Time https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893030 Three weeks felt really drawn out.]]> 2017-02-01 16:37:00 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893030 Very valuable experience. Powerful story. 3 weeks was a bit long. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893050 2017-02-01 16:37:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893050 I felt this was the best OBOS we have had. I would love to see this basic format moving forward https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893282 2017-02-01 16:37:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893282 The students were asking for two weeks at a longer time to meet. They also liked the theme with the book. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893320 2017-02-01 16:37:40 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893320 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893346 Please shorten time. ]]> 2017-02-01 16:37:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893346 Would love to keep it at 30 minutes but for 2 weeks instead of 3. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893472 2017-02-01 16:37:59 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893472 More summary https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893500 It would have been great to have more time to set up what the book is about... A mini summary of what they're about to get in to.]]> 2017-02-01 16:38:03 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893500 3 Weeks https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893779 Did feel long. Also, it tired me out and made the last two periods of the day more difficult.]]> 2017-02-01 16:38:38 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893779 The cards were a great way to close - my kids put alot of thought into what they wrote. The assembly was also great as closure. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893808 2017-02-01 16:38:42 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893808 Overall I thought it was powerful and a wonderful thing to do in January. I agree that 2 weeks would be best even if it means a little longer in the period. dgodfrey2 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893824 2017-02-01 16:38:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893824 This was a book that would have been better discussed in a grade level setting. The 8th graders knew far more about the subject than the 6th graders. alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893842 2017-02-01 16:38:46 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150893842 sdematte https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894144 I would have preferred to have had a group of my own kids. It was frustrating not knowing names and having to manage behavior.  Additionally I felt if I had known them already it might have generated more discussion.  They were also lacking context for this book.  I felt as though some were missing the impact and the "why does this matter". I definitely felt that this was another class of kids I had to add to my day which was tiring, but that doesn't mean I don't see the value in the program (with some tweaks).

]]> 2017-02-01 16:39:28 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894144 It should be 2 weeks for 30 minutes. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894251 2017-02-01 16:39:42 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894251 When we read at home it really didn't work. Kids didn't read and didn't understand or connect with the book. I think reading it in OBOS is CRITICAL https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894310 2017-02-01 16:39:51 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894310 We're teaching more than our individual subject matters. We're teaching our kids to be good people. That's really important. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894391 2017-02-01 16:40:04 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894391 No more mixed messages, please https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894558 2017-02-01 16:40:29 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894558 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894586 We are teaching another class.]]> 2017-02-01 16:40:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894586 I wish we had an advisory period! That would have been the perfect setting for OBOS and so many other things. alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894601 2017-02-01 16:40:37 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894601 Students being asked to bring cans each day for 3 weeks, and carrying them around until period 5, seemed a little much to ask. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894678 2017-02-01 16:40:50 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894678 Have a whole faculty meeting dedicated to teaching the staff about the context, historical background, etc about the book next time so we do not need to spend so much of our own time preparing for the book https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894869 2017-02-01 16:41:19 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150894869 History https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895029 The selection this year was so educational for our students. What an important eye-opener. We should keep this lesson in mind as we move forward.]]> 2017-02-01 16:41:45 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895029 It doesn't need to feel like "another class" -- "Just" play the recordings if that's all you're up for, and the kids will still get a lot out of the book. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895314 2017-02-01 16:42:32 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895314 I hear people saying it was too long... I thought it was just right. I could see having the assembly 1 or 2 days earlier. But, the topic warranted more discussion and it was valuable. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895536 2017-02-01 16:43:03 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895536 I remember how close my 2nd period felt after STAR testing. I agree with the others who said they would rather have had their own kids than a mixed group. alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895943 2017-02-01 16:44:08 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895943 Projects / events like this are what make Stanley great. Friends who are teachers at other schools are in awe of what we do here. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895964 2017-02-01 16:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150895964 I would have loved to be with my own students. It takes some time to get to know them and then even 3 weeks is too short to bond https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150896777 2017-02-01 16:46:05 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150896777 Thank you for having this discussion with us today. This is what faculty meetings should be all about -- hashing things out with each other! https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150896859 2017-02-01 16:46:15 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150896859 Some 7th graders requested to have us pick a fantasy book for next year. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898166 2017-02-01 16:49:16 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898166 Back to the advisory comment: I am very intrigued by the Acalanes Plan to have an 'academy class' when they go to block schedule next year. That shows me that some kind of extra period is not incompatible with the block schedule alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898186 2017-02-01 16:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898186 The assembly was very moving, all was well organized, thanks. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898605 2017-02-01 16:50:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898605 Please select a book that is more up-beat. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898984 2017-02-01 16:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150898984 I appreciated the amount of discussion we had in this faculty meeting. Lately it has seemed like we are 'talked to' more than viewed as participants. alashinsky17 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150900633 2017-02-01 16:55:21 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150900633 https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150907755 Timing was good for such a rich book. We had some days to discuss and some days to "digest". Conversations spilled into my history classes which were really good and productive! The kids may want a nice and happy story but if our goal is to get them to think, that might not be the most useful.]]> 2017-02-01 17:12:33 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150907755 WCI has a school-wide SSR period every day after lunch. It encourages everyone (kids as well as teachers) to read and helps mellow the kids after lunch. People read whatever they want -- books, magazines, whatever -- but everyone is reading something. https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150933515 2017-02-01 18:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bbalmat1/kqhct5o8q6sa/wish/150933515