School Concert: Happy Tears

Our extraordinary music teacher led a beautiful school concert today. To hear young children sing one wonderful song after another truly brought tears to my eyes. Noticing the way that the music teacher creates harmony of voices and children is exceptional. I was honored to attend such a wonderful event.

Step-by-Step: The Math Year Continues

As I recalibrate the math program to meet systemwide directives and students' needs, I've once again charted the course for the days ahead including the following steps:

• Division/Problem Solving Focus
• Decimal/Problem Solving Focus (embed number facts/information students required to know)
• Fractions (embed geometry figures w/regard to fraction model making)More 
• Order of Operations/Algebraic Thinking/Systemwide Standardized Test Review
• Systemwide Standardized Test
• More fractions, Volume, Measurement, and Geometry

There's lots and lots to teach in the time given. 

Inspire

Today we'll begin the lesson with inspiration.

The inspiration will begin with a few short videos, a reminder that everyone can learn, and then looking at the learning choices and options today.

As students continue to climb the computation ladders, students will do the following:

• Some will complete and/or correct assessments
• Some will work with partners or in small groups to learn skills, mostly skills related to division with large whole numbers and decimals
• Others will work on a number of online programs to practice

The students have been terrific--everyone is giving it their best each day. The goal is to keep the positive momentum and learning going. 

Tomorrow's Focus: Teaching Math

Students still stand all along the computation continuum, yet they're making good progress.

Tomorrow we'll make a number of groups to strengthen skill and knowledge in these areas.

I'll start the lesson with a bit of a pep talk that congratulates students for their fine efforts to date. Then I'll pass back some assessments that students can correct or use for small group reteaching or review. I'll remind them that this learning demands practice and lots of it. I'll also tell them that it's important to pay attention to what helps them learn best--whose their best coach, optimal seat, corner of the classroom, and study aids?

In the afternoon the photography club leader will visit to introduce his program. I'm sure many children will be inspired to join. It will be a good day.

Opposite Sides of the Street

Sometimes you and your friends may stand in opposition on issues that matter.

This opposition can actually sever friendships. It's happened to me in times past.

Now, however, for the most part, I'm fairly comfortable with disagreement. I don't know it all, but I do have strong opinions and beliefs with regard to many essential topics and questions.

Sometimes my good friends and I disagree. I try to convince my friends with regard to my perspective, and then they, in turn, try to convince me of there's. Sometimes I change my mind, and sometimes they change their mind. There are times when we agree to disagree too.

When we cull big decisions down to the essentials we can typically find common ground.

For example when it comes to teaching teams what matters is the students--how can we serve them best?

When it involves your family, it comes down to what you value as a family--what's most important?

When it involves the school community or greater community priorities such as safety, the mission, caring for one another, and more take priority.

While we often might not think we have much say or power to affect the places where we live and work, we actually do have the power to take one step at a time to do what we believe in and to contribute to betterment.

So yes, we'll stand across the street from one another on many issues, but if we can find that common ground we can take one step after another towards the common good.