Rigor and 72 days until ISTEP+

After reviewing the Indiana College and Career Readiness Standards the first word that comes to mind is rigor.  We are not only increasing the level of activities we develop for our students, but the depth of knowledge.  Our Acuity scores indicate a need to increase the rigor in our daily teaching to ensure we meet the new standards the state has developed.  As the instructional leader it is my role to support the classroom instruction and build a culture of collaboration so all individuals, teachers and students, will succeed.  

Below you will find two blog articles addressing rigor in the classroom and Webb's Depth of Knowledge.  Without fully understanding Webb's DoK, one might think that rigor would be hitting the higher level of Bloom's taxonomy.  However, it is crucial to remember that it is not the verb that makes the task rigorous, it is what comes after the verb!  Take the challenge located in the second link and assess the tasks you assign your students!

Rigor isn't bad!

Do I create rigorous lesson plans?

Depth of Knowledge Chart

Calendar

October 27th - Acuity Make-ups; Readistep 8th grade testing

October 28th - Last day for Acuity Make-ups; Picture Re-takes; Fire Drill 1:30 p.m.

October 29th - Halloween Dance 2:30 - 4:15 (The PTSA would appreciate volunteers!); Kevin Dill Training

October 30th - Kevin Dill Training (Mr. Friend out of building);  Door Decorating Contest should be complete!

October 31st - Happy Halloween; judging of the doors will occur!

***I will be attending the NCTM (math conference) on Thursday and Friday.

Announcements

I would like to welcome Evelyn Morales to our Scott Family!  Evelyn is our new 7th grade math teacher for team 7B.  Welcome!

Same Stuff as Stars - everyone should be near Chapter 14 and administering quiz 3 on Friday.  Please continue to have students complete quizzes and continue reading.  These quizzes allow you to hold students more accountable during advisory.

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug. ~ Mark Twain

A person’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of her/his opportunities, and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of her/his difficulties. ~ Harry S Truman

Second Grading Period

It seems as though every article on twitter recently is in regards to student behavior!  I think across the country we are hitting the PEAK!  We all cannot wait for Fall Break!  I have continued to email these articles to myself in hopes of sharing them with you, but as I comb through 150 emails everyday I remind myself they may get lost in translation!  So....I have embedded them into this week's blog.  I promise they are worth your time to peruse!  I personally find myself reading in all of the wrong places, specifically while driving!  Enjoy!

Are you listening? 
Break the blues

Calendar Reminders

Acuity Testing Continues

14th RtI mtg for those interested 

15th Trammel In-service (Math), Hispanic Heritage Celebration and Faculty mtg*

17th Progress Reports**

*I have professional development information to share and updates regarding our school grade.

** I understand not all teams print out progress reports, but I want ALL students to pull up their individual grades on STI.  Student need to take ownership in their academics and we must teach how to do this.

Differentiated Learning

Last weeks data meeting focused primarily on student data and discussing how we can utilize our data packs to increase student achievement and develop lessons.  To meet this objective we must differentiate for our students to maximize success!  Below find two articles:  one for the teacher new to differentiation and one for the differentiated expert!

New to differentiation 

Looking to learn additional practices...