Gratitude in the Classroom: October

 

October: Week Four Challenge

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. 

-E.E. Cummings

The focus for October is growing personal strengths. As educators, we have the unique opportunity to empower our students by recognizing and affirming their individual strengths and gifts.  By focusing on a child's positive attributes, we can help them increase their self-esteem in authentic and powerful ways.  We can even help our students recognize certain qualities in themselves that others have never affirmed. In addition, find an opportunity to reflect on your own strengths and talents - it's healthy to be grateful for your own gifts, too!

Some things to think about as we enter the final week of October:

• What are some of your personal strengths? These might be strengths in various roles you play - as a friend, partner, parent, child or sibling.  What strengths are evident in how you approach projects, groups, new experiences, or big tasks? (reflection on p. 20)
• Numerous studies have shown that students from marginalized populations often don't rise to their true potential due to institutional or educator biases that focus on their deficits instead of their strengths.  How can you initiate or continue to encourage underrepresented groups to engage in school?  (reflection on p. 24)
• Can you recall someone in your life who has recognized some of your personal strengths and shared them with you? Consider writing about what it felt like to be affirmed in that manner. (reflection on p. 26)
• In your experience, how does helping students identify their strengths promote their self esteem? Can you reflect on a specific student who really blossomed after you helped them appreciate their strengths? (reflection on p. 26)

Note:
The first 5 certified staff that text me a photo of their journal (doesn't have to be your reflection, but it can be) will get a fabulous prize!

SLO Reminders 25-26

SLO Reminders:

• SLO Frontline 2.0 Review - see this presentation on your own for information; let Sue know if you have questions
• ELA focus: you can choose what to measure and how to measure it 
• October 31 - SLO/PPG due by the end of the day; SAVE and NOTIFY
• Please let Olivia know if you have any questions or need any support with your SLO/PPG.
• Please come up with a way to track your SLO data - some type of spreadsheet/table that shows your baseline, mid-year, and end of year goal for each student.

Willow River Elementary

There's lots happening this week - hang in there!

Sue

 

Fall Conferences - staying focused

This fall, more than ever, teachers may need to work a little harder to keep the focus on student progress during parent-teacher conferences, especially October 14 (the day after the School Board decision).  Here are some suggestions to avoid getting side-tracked with questions about next year:

1.  Prepare an agenda

This doesn't need to be printed or posted, but in your mind, be clear about what you want to cover, and have your materials ready.  

2.  Clearly remind/communicate the meeting's length if needed

If you feel the meeting is moving away from the student's work, remind the family that you have 15 minutes to talk about their child's progress in your classroom.

3.  Lead the conversation with a student-focused approach

If the conversation moves into questions about next year, here are some suggestions to acknowledge the concern, but not lose focus on the student:

• There are a lot of unknowns right now. More information will be coming from the district in the next few weeks.
• Let me look into that and get back to you.
• There's a page on the district website with information and next steps.
• If you have additional questions, please reach out to Mrs. Hellmers and she can answer them, or guide you to someone who can.

OPTIONAL: Another suggestion to collect information ahead of time is to send home some type of survey - then you can anticipate what types of questions families may have, and be prepared to address them right away - example of Conference Questions.