Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

11/27-12/1

Welcome back!  I hope everybody had a restful Thanksgiving Break.  I look forward to seeing our students working above and beyond our own expectations.  Remember we will never know what they actually can do unless we push our students within their zone of proximal development.  As I observe instruction, I have had discussions with staff about differentiation of instruction.  This can only be done if we also implement common assessments and we truly know where our students are.  Please be prepared to have discussions about how formative assessments have influenced your differentiation of instruction.

PBS Character Counts- November

• Please remember to teach our lessons based on the monthly focus
• Focus on Hallway and Office Expectations
• Character trait focus on gratitude
• Link to PBS folder containing expectations lessons and year-long calendar

Recess Duty-

Group A

Important Dates-

• Tuesday, 11/28 picture retakes
• Wednesday, 11/29 Schoolwide PLC in room 9 @ 1:00
• Friday, 12/1 PTO Movie Night @ 5:00 pm
• FYI- I am trying to set up an ILT release for the end of the week and release for teachers the following week to work more on common assessments aligned with the Critical Concepts

Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

11/13/17-11/17/17

As we move forward in November, I am noticing more small group instruction to support students with a variety of needs.  I appreciate the use of data to inform your instruction with your students.  I also appreciate how you have implemented the strategies of annotating the text and note-taking.  

Instructional Focus-

This week I will continue to observe instruction with the lens of student engagement.  When you are teaching consider the opportunities for students to show overt evidence that they are engaged (talking, writing…..). Are students asked to collaborate with a strategic partner direct instruction?  Are students annotating or taking notes when they are reading?   Do you direct students to collaborate on a task you have given them?

PBS Character Counts-November

• Please remember to teach our lessons based on the monthly focus
• Focus on Hallway and Office Expectations
• Character trait focus on gratitude
• Link to PBS folder containing expectations lessons and year-long calendar

Recess Duty-

Group D

Upcoming Important Dates

11/13-11/17 Conferences and book fair all week

11/15 Certificated PREP

11/20-11/24

Thanksgiving Vacation

Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

11/6-11/10

I appreciate staff utilizing data to support decisions in guided reading groups.  As you continue your Guided Reading Groups, it is critical to continue to utilize data to inform your instruction.

 ILT-Thank you for working so diligently during our release this week.  As you continue your planning based on the Critical Concepts, please continue to utilize the proficiency scales to calibrate your expectations, tasks, and formative assessments.

The Continuum of Literacy Learning-

When reviewing our stock in The Continuum for Learning Literacy, the Instructional Media Center shows that all staff received a copy 2-3 years ago.  Unless you are new to Crown Point this year, we will not be getting copies from the IMC.  I am asking that you take a deeper look in your professional library in your classroom or at home to see if you have a copy.  This book is critical for running your Guided Reading groups.  I appreciate your efforts, it is a very expensive book.  I will also have Jesse check our stock again.

Instructional Focus-

This week I will observe instruction with the lens of student engagement.  When you are teaching consider the opportunities for students to show overt evidence that they are engaged (talking, writing…..). Are students asked to collaborate with a strategic partner direct instruction?  Are students annotating or taking notes when they are reading?   Do you direct students to collaborate on a task you have given them? 

PE-

One final reminder.  Your schedule will need to reflect 200 minutes every two weeks or 100 minutes every week.  If you are having PLAY PE part of your minutes, you will need to be instructing with the PLAY PE staff (co-teaching).

Recess Duty-

Group C

Upcoming Important Dates

11/6-11/10-Tra-Viecia prints report cards this week

11/7 Classics for Kids Concert at Balboa Theatre (see master calendar), staff meeting 2:30-3:30 in room 9

11/8  PLC

11/9 Classics for Kids Concert at Balboa Theatre (see master calendar)

11/10 Veteran's Day- Holiday

11/13-11/17 Conferences all week

11/15 Certificated PREP

11/20-11/24

Thanksgiving Vacation