Curriculum Connections...
Happy TGIF to the most amazing staff on the planet! Congratulations to all staff who were involved in the testing this week... the ELA is DONE! Thank you to our amazing teachers in Grades 3, 4 & 5 who worked so hard this year to implement sound instructional strategies to address the standards and give the children meaningful learning experiences. I can honestly say the amount of formal test prep that took place this year was less than last year and that is an awesome thing! Our goal for next year... even less test prep and even more student centered learning! Also, a special thank you to our Grades K, 1 & 2 teachers for laying such a solid foundation in the areas of reading and writing workshop - our kids could not meet and exceed expectations without your efforts, which built upon one another each year! BEST TEACHERS EVER!!!
As we reach the April break and then speed into May, I am hoping that we can make the time for more Project Based Learning Opportunities for our children! At this point we have a little more flexibility with all the state testing behind us! We can take a topic or concept, like learning about a foreign country or fractions, and empower the children to present their learnings in a way that is most meaningful to them... not everyone has to do the same thing or in the same way! Maybe we can have students from the upper grades teach students in the lower grades something new they have learned! Maybe a children could create a commercial explaining what they have learned about a topic using iMovie! Maybe a child wants to write a e-book and publish it online... or start a blog or create a 3D piece of art or write an anthology of poetry about a given topic. The possibilities are endless and my hope is that we can give our children voice and power in their own learning!
Finally, I hope everyone has an amazing Spring Break and happy holidays to anyone celebrating. I am looking forward to some much needed time with my family but I will also be officially starting my dissertation study and finishing my book... let the games begin! :)
As we reach the April break and then speed into May, I am hoping that we can make the time for more Project Based Learning Opportunities for our children! At this point we have a little more flexibility with all the state testing behind us! We can take a topic or concept, like learning about a foreign country or fractions, and empower the children to present their learnings in a way that is most meaningful to them... not everyone has to do the same thing or in the same way! Maybe we can have students from the upper grades teach students in the lower grades something new they have learned! Maybe a children could create a commercial explaining what they have learned about a topic using iMovie! Maybe a child wants to write a e-book and publish it online... or start a blog or create a 3D piece of art or write an anthology of poetry about a given topic. The possibilities are endless and my hope is that we can give our children voice and power in their own learning!
Finally, I hope everyone has an amazing Spring Break and happy holidays to anyone celebrating. I am looking forward to some much needed time with my family but I will also be officially starting my dissertation study and finishing my book... let the games begin! :)
Please note that this Fast Friday Focus will cover the next two weeks so please hold on to it for the schedule of the weeks!
Over the last week, as I walked around the building, I spotted these awesome things in honor of NO WORKSHEET WEEK CHALLENGE...
- Adam had his students involved in a really fun activity this year where they created a HUMAN CLOCK! The students, and I, had a chance to lay out on the floor and one person was the little hand while the other was the big hand and the rest of the class had to figure out the time based on where the hands were positioned - AWESOME learning activity that tapped into so many learning styles!
- Allison had the children involved in a great partnership activity where they had to try and convince each other to have the other one give them something they wanted with solid and convincing reasons! For example, one child tried to convince the other to buy him a computer with some really strong and valid reasons. The dialogue was interesting to watch and the concept is a sophisticated one!
- Ilene had the children in Carolyn's class playing a Spanish Memory game where they had to match the appropriate picture of a food with the word for the food. The children were so actively engaged and having a blast - LOVED watching that experience!
Tech Tip of the Week...
One of the most important aspects of the whole teaching and learning process is the power of feedback! Feedback, for whatever reason, is often viewed as a negative thing when in fact is an opportunity for us to learn and grow... and for our kids to learn and grow. With that in mind, check out this inforgraphic that spotlights 7 Things To Remember When Giving Feedback - great stuff!
SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK...
Monday, April 7
Kids' Korner
During the ELA State Test, the child who was being tested in my office stopped and said, "Mr. Sinanis, I bet there are grown ups who would have trouble with this test!" LOL! Very true and they work for the State Ed Department! :)
Pics of the Week...
SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK...
Monday, April 7
"A" Week
Tuesday, April 8
Faculty Enhancement Opportunity- 3PM in the Library for all teachers & reflection time!
Wednesday, April 9
Shared Decision Making Committee Meeting at 3PM
Kindergarten Parent Orientation - 7pm
Kindergarten Parent Orientation - 7pm
Thursday, April 10
CST at 1:20pm
Steven Kellogg visits Grades K - 2 in the Library!
Jericho Hall of Fame - 7pm at the JPL!
Steven Kellogg visits Grades K - 2 in the Library!
Jericho Hall of Fame - 7pm at the JPL!
Friday, April 11
Happy TGIF!
Tony at PENN!
Tony at PENN!
Wednesday, April 23
"B" Week
Board of Education Meeting (rescheduled)
Board of Education Meeting (rescheduled)
Thursday, April 24
CST at 1:20pm
Friday, April 25
Happy TGIF!
Carvel Ice Cream Sale
Grade 2 on a Trip!
Carvel Ice Cream Sale
Grade 2 on a Trip!
Kids' Korner
During the ELA State Test, the child who was being tested in my office stopped and said, "Mr. Sinanis, I bet there are grown ups who would have trouble with this test!" LOL! Very true and they work for the State Ed Department! :)
Pics of the Week...
Check out Cantiague's Week in Tweets - click on the following link to see our Pics of the Week...
Adam- I loved the human clock idea! I passed by the main office while you doing this activity with the kids. It looked like so much fun!
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