Thursday, February 07, 2019

Clear Priorities

What seems doable sometimes turns out to be too much. That happened this week. While the menu is good, it's simply more than we have time for, thus it's time to prioritize yet again.

Math Education

  1. Before vacation:
    1. Complete fraction projects
  2. After vacation:
    1. Prep math section of the math portfolio including volume reflections and overall reflections.
    2. Work on explicit fraction study and practice with fraction packets.
    3. Fraction assessment.
    4. Measurement, polygon review
    5. Standards review and systemwide spring assessments including MCAS
Science
  1. Physical Science Rotation beginning with teamwork focus and then including FOSS lessons and standards-based physical science lessons.
  2. Local Water Studies Presentation
  3. STEAM Team Projects
  4. Science review and MCAS
  5. Climate Change Advocacy Projects
  6. Spring Environmental Education Hike
  7. Global Cardboard Challenge Festival
Social Studies/Community Building
  1. Active recess support
  2. Class meetings
  3. Time for student support, listening, helping
  4. Kindergarten buddies
  5. Biography Project
There are a number of other initiatives that will be put on hold until summer study and next year including the following:
  • Advocacy for a better RTI model
  • Re-looking at service scheduling and support 
As I've noted a number of times, there is so much good capacity for optimal teaching and learning this year, and more than anything the focus is on meeting that potential with lots of real time efforts. 
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