Testing season is here...

Testing season is here...

We can't allow our emotions to get the best of us. When testing arrives, it brings a lot of extra stress which creates more emotions, whether they are good or bad. We need to stick together in these last few months, as they are the hardest of them all. We are proud of each and every one of you, and you should be of yourself and your students as well. It's time we look for joy while testing season is here. The joy of how far you've come, your students, and us as a school! We can't let testing get the best of us, the ones that truly make a difference in the students lives daily. It's the students time to shine, show joy, because they are ready...they are ready due to the effort, support, and time that you've put forth day in and day out. Most importantly we must take care of ourselves too. Get enough rest, breathe, exercise...enjoy life! During the weekends we need to unplug and recharge so we can be here for one another, as well as our students. They need us as much as you need them. We are a family, the Myakka River family that continues to move to the top!

"As educators, it's crucial to remember that we're not preparing our students to be good test takers -- we're preparing them to tackle real-life tests that they'll face once they leave our classrooms. If we don't want them to give up on themselves when things get too tough in the future, we have to build their tenacity now."

This week we start with 3rd grade ELA FSA (paper based). This test will take place in their classrooms. Please be mindful as you are traveling through the halls, Mrs. Batsel and Mrs. Barker are testing students as well. We continue testing in April, the dates are on the Friday and monthly agenda's, as well as the testing calendar I created. If you are unsure or have questions see me. 

As computer based testing approaches, please remember the labs are closed until 10:45/11:00 am. Some teachers are testing in their rooms, so be on the look out for those signs so that you are able to avoid those testing areas. 

Specials remain the same except for 5th grade. STEM will be in the cafeteria until 10:45/11:00. Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Blais are testing so the subs from the rooms they are testing will be the subs for those specials. 

Lunch times remain the same during testing as well. 

Thank you to all K-2nd grade teachers for making motivational posters for the 3rd- 5th grade classrooms. I am very excited to see how wonderful they turned out. 

All paraprofessionals are helping with testing, so you may not have them at your assigned time-thank you for understanding. Mrs. Batsel and Mrs. Barker are testing students in all three grades, 3-5, so please be understanding with their schedules. They are working on a schedule so that they are able to service the other students that they would normally see as well. 

i-Ready testing starts the last week in April. A schedule will be forth coming in the next few days. Make sure you print the April calendar, so you are aware of the upcoming events/test that will be occurring.

Tomorrow is our TMM, at 7:35 am. Please wear your new testing shirt so we are able to take a staff picture. This will be a very quick meeting!! 

Lastly, good luck. I know each and every one of you have worked endlessly in preparing our students so that they are able to do their best...you've done all the you can, it is now in their hands. We are now the supporters to motivate and encourage the students as they embark in testing. We appreciate how much time and effort you have put in daily. Every teacher at this school plays an important role making sure our students are ready. You ALL deserve a pat on the back. We worked together-as a team, and family, to make sure every Mighty Manatee is successful. Believe in yourself, believe in your students...they are ready to knock it out of the park!!

Believe and Achieve...

1. Look for the bright spots.

They’re out there.

2. I’m just a girl.

Feel free to sub in “copy machine” or “laptop cart” at your pleasure.

3. The extras don’t matter.

All you need is love.

4. Be a little crazy.

It’s the crazy ones who get things done.

5. Just another Monday.

And Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday TBH.

6. Think happy thoughts.

You were born to rock this teaching thing.

7. It’s a 24/7 job.

Find the tribe of people who get it.

8. It’s a tough gig.

But the rewards are beyond amazing.

9. Be a rebel.

Even Monday can have its rewards.

10. You’re capable of hard things.

But you also deserve your weekends like whoa.

11. Happiness begets happiness.

So work on yourself first.

12. Keep believing in yourself.

Even when the challenges seem overwhelming.

13. Your reach is eternal.

And as crazy as it sounds, you’ve got this.

14. Be brave and teach on.

Even if the copier stops working five minutes before class starts.

15. This may be a picture day fail…

But it’s my face at the end of DEVOLSON, too.

It's almost break time...

Getting Creative Before Spring Break: How to Make Class Time Count

By Monica Fuglei Creative Ideas for Classes Before Spring Break

Planning class time in the days leading up to a break is tough for teachers: students are excited and twitchy, making it difficult to ascertain whether they are able to invest in content. While some teachers stick to their regular schedule during this time, others break from their routine and loosen the rules.

Ingenious ways to make class time count before spring break

The week before spring break can be an opportunity for teachers to try new learning strategies. Here are a few creative ways to keep students engaged before they get a break from school.

Review and preview with Jeopardy and new challenges

Because a long vacation typically falls at the end of a unit, the days before a break can be used to review the last unit in creative ways: a Knowledge Bowl or Jeopardy-style competition can get students excited about thee material.

After reviewing current material, Teachhub.com recommends previewing the next unit by letting students experiment with new skills and ideas — without grading. A stress-free preview of new science, math or language material is a great opportunity for students to work on critical thinking and persistence skills.

Project-based learning

Pre-break weeks can also be an opportunity for class projects that focus on integrated learning. Consider partnering subjects like math and music or science and art to inspire students to examine an idea from multiple points of view. If projects are assigned to students in groups, they can work together to divide workloads and set and work toward goals. This can help distracted learners stay on task and provide an opportunity for leadership.

Single-day projects: Debates and mock trials

Projects students can complete in a single day are another good way to keep students focused before a break. Conducting a series of point-counterpoint debates or even a mock trial gets students excited about articulating ideas. Faced with a debate, students could explore critical thinking aspects of their studies reaching beyond what they’ve gotten from content training. For example, students could debate the most important medical invention or alternate outcomes to historical events.

In a particularly valuable pre-break week, I once presented my composition class with some preliminary evidence from the infamous McDonald’s coffee trial. Students split into teams to be judge, jury, prosecution, and defense, then did research and preparation for their portion of the mock trial.

Everyone enjoyed this activity and we learned about creating and supporting arguments in the process. Although the McDonald’s case works best for older students, younger students can conduct a mock trial based on a book like “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” or a fairy tale.

Guest speakers

Inviting a guest speaker to class can give students a fresh perspective on the subject they’ve been learning about all semester. I was once the guest lecturer at a single-day high school poetry workshop just before spring break. Students were too excited  to listen to their teacher, but the young performance poet in their midst was an attention-getting change of pace. Guest speakers are compelling — and they give teachers a little down time from lesson planning.

Reflection and goal-setting

Perhaps one of the best ways to sign off for spring break is to have students engage in self-reflection and set goals for their post-break period. Students are often quite good at assessing their own strengths and weaknesses, and this type of learner-directed activity allows students to take responsibility for their success. At the end of class time, have students identify some of their goals for the rest of the semester or next trimester.

http://lessonplanspage.com/getting-creative-before-spring-break-how-to-make-class-time-count/