MMM 12/7/15

Hey All,
Thank you to those who commented last week with the question of the week.  I think Homework is something we need to look at and make sure we are assigning appropriate amounts, that it is relevant, and that it has purpose.  If it does not answer appropriately these three criteria, why are we assigning it?  Is the practice we are requiring at home, something that can take place in class?  I agree that home reading and math facts are important.  What about the other stuff?  Please think about your homework policy and we will keep the homework question on the bottom of this MMM to continue the conversation.  Here is an article to read to spur on some more thought on this issue.
One thing about a conversation via this blog, in order to make it a conversation, you can't just say one thing and never refer back to what others are saying.  Frequently check back and see what others are saying, then respond.  Make it an actual conversation.  Share what you have found in your readings.

Okay, now I get to share with all of you some of the things I've learned this week in my personal PD and reflection (Which I hope all of you do by whatever means you can).  The state government is now considering spending a lot of money on making Utah schools 1 to 1 device to student.  I think this can and will be an amazing thing for our kids here at Grovecrest.  This initiative will cost the state somewhere around 100 million dollars.  Quite a cost.  You all know I'm all about devices and the more we put the devices in the hands of our students, teach them properly, and give them a chance to create, the better prepared they will be for the next level.  In saying this, I think we need to be smart about how to spend our money.  Is this the best way to spend 100 million dollars?  Wouldn't it be better to first focus on training or PD so that we are better prepared to make these device more of a positive experience rather than a distraction.  Devices can be a distraction if not used properly and I think all of you can attest to that.  I think we need to think about how we can make these devices more of a tool than a toy before we spend a load of money to put them in the hands of every student.  We need to focus on pedagogy and learn how technology can support that.  Please make sure that when you are using technology with your students, that your activities and lessons aren't centered around the technology, but that the technology is used to support your activities and lessons.  I hope that makes sense.  I hope your week is great.  Let me know how I can support you with your ideas and what you want to do in your classes.  I know we are all about what is best for kids.

By the way, we have a new hashtag we will be attaching to all of our social media.  I'm doing this so that our parents and community can share in using it.  The hashtag is #WeRGrizzlies.  Continue to use #PawPower and #teamkid whenever you can, but make sure from now on, you use #WeRGrizzlies.

This week is Computer Science Education week.  This includes Hour of Code.  What are you all doing to support this week?  I know Emma is already planning something for Hour of Code this week and next for k-2 and at the end of year for 3-6.  Here are a few websites to help give you some ideas so you can do things in your class.
www.code.org
www.codeacademy.com

Please pay attention to the To Be Aware Ofs.  There is some important information there.

To Be Aware Of

• There is a question of the week below.  Please respond.  It is the same as last week, but we want to use it more as a conversation piece.  Please take part.
• REMINDER:  Don't ever leave a student unattended with a device or in the computer lab.  There was an incident at another school here in PG where the teacher left some students unattended and they accessed some inappropriate material.  This goes for use of chromebooks.  Make sure your instruction takes place behind the students so you can see the screen.  If there is a need to move to the front of the room, think of what you could do so you are always aware of where your students are (maybe send a student up to write on the board).  I just don't want anyone to get in trouble.
• How is edivate going for all of you?  I'm wondering if it is beneficial to you.  Are you just using video PD, creating video to collaborate about, taking courses, what?
• Keep track of what duty you have each week.  There have been a few times where there hasn't been someone out on duty.  We need to make sure the kids are safe.  Here is a link to the duty list for quick reference
• The Grovecrest Faculty Passion Project google classroom page is open and you all have been invited.  Here is a link to the page.  Our faculty mtg on the 16th will be a Passion Project faculty mtg.  We will report on where we are in the process of our projects.
• Make sure to complete your self evaluation on Observertab if you haven't already.
• Those on an evaluation schedule including the the "B" schedule, come talk to me or refer to the calendar to schedule a time to be observed if you haven't been observed the 1st round already.
• We will be having our 2nd Evaluation training meeting this Wednesday after school and Thursday before school.  We will be discussing standards 5 and 6.
• Grovecrest now has a Facebook Page.  www.facebook.com/grovecgrizzlies.  Please like and post whenever you can.  We want our community to take part in it as well.  I hope they will post using our new hashtag #WeRGrizzlies.

• Due to the learning that happened at the PLC Institute, we will be having a special joint collaboration day on Monday the 14th in the library.  Please put this on your calendars and make sure you are there for the whole time.  There is the potential for some great dialogue about what is going great at Grovecrest and what we need to improve on.

Cleaning Schedule

Sept.  Office

Oct. 6th Grade

Nov.  5th Grade

Dec.  3rd Grade

Jan.  2nd Grade

Feb. 1st Grade

Mar. 4th Grade

Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist

May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule

Refer to the schedule.  Here is a link.

Save The Date

12/7 Choir Christmas Assembly
12/7 Alio/Skyward training Sheila 1 pm
12/8 BYU PC meeting for Zack 12:30 pm
12/8 Glow Performance 6:30 pm
12/9 1st Grade Christmas Sing 6 pm.
12/11 Principal Meeting for Kyle 12-2

*Look at the Faculty Calendar on Google for other events.

Happy Birthday

12/11 Casey Johnson

Celebrations

Gotta give props to Janna Hubert and the choir.  What an amazing concert we experienced this morning.  Their concert at the Jr. High was also very awesome.
Last week our 5th grade put on a greate States Fair in the gym.  The students put a lot of time and effort into their projects and it showed.  I don't know if you noticed, but this was the first time our GrizzKids went out and tweeted.  Take a look at our twitter feed to see how they did using #GrizzKids.  Thanks 5th grade teachers and kids for a great fair and thanks GrizzKids for making it available to our community!

Great Video of the Week

Another great video from edivate. Think about how you could modify something like this to fit how you do things in your class.  By the way, there are 13 new STEM videos on Edivate.  You should all take a peek at the ones for your grade level.  https://www.pd360.com/#resources/videos/11754.

Question for the Week
What do all of you think about homework?  Why?  Purpose?  Policy?  What are your thoughts?  Respond via the comments below.

Have an Amazing week!