Happy Friday to everyone as we head into the final weekend of January... I cannot believe it is going to be Groundhog Day on Tuesday as we kick off February! So exciting to know that we are speeding towards the 100th Day of school - what an amazing year of learning it has been from the integration of the Maker Space movement to our experiences with different tech resources such as AudioBoom, Google Apps, etc. to the continued development of reading and writing workshops... it has been an AWESOME year and I am reminded on a daily basis about how lucky I am to be a lead learner here at Cantiague!
I want to take a moment to thank everyone for welcoming our guests from Port Washington and Lynbrook on Thursday. We visited many classrooms and they were able to talk to many teachers and students about the Genius Hour experience and needless to say, they were blown away. The one comment both principals made (separately) was how incredible the culture of the building was and that the positive tone at Cantiague permeated every space and interaction. They couldn't get over the healthy relationships that existed between adults and children. I know we have talked a lot about culture but it is incredibly reassuring to know that even our visitors can quickly get a feel for what it means to be part of the Cantiague community - thank you!
On another note, just a reminder that we should definitely be implementing our Digital Citizenship curriculum (scroll down to the reminders for the link) so we can educate our children about make sound digital choices. A friend recently pointed out that our digital footprint has become the new resume and thus we have to be conscious of everything we do and post online - starting from a young age. Bottom line is, education is power so let's empower our children with the education they need to be positive digital citizens!
Finally, please take a few minutes between now and Tuesday to go to the app store and download a couple of the apps associated with the Sphero ball robots (click here for some app recommendations) because we will be playing with them at the FEO this coming Tuesday. There will be Spheros for EVERY classroom, which will be a great launch to our soon to be released Mobile Maker Space. Feel free to start Googling how different schools are using Spheros (here is one informative link) to enhance the educational experience. This week's FEO will be an awesome one between Michelle's presentation on databases and the Spheros - let's get ready for some fun!
#EDUWINS for the week included...
- Enjoyed visiting so many different classrooms to see how Genius Hour has unfolded in Cantiague over the last two years - it was truly AWESOME! We spent time with Jessica, Rande, Melanie, Adam, Carly, Nancy, Donna, Christine, Allison, Marissa & Ally where we saw Genius Hour manifest in so many different ways but with one common thread... the kids were excited and engaged the entire time! I am so impressed by all of your (including everyone not listed above) efforts to integrate this child centered experience because I think it is important and powerful for all learners - BRAVO!
- Kudos to Dale, Clare and Aimee on the 5th Grade Winter Concert - it was truly awesome! The kids performed beautifully and had a great time - it was fun and moving at the same time! Thank you to #Cantiague Team Music for helping inspire, nurture and motivate the musician in each of our kids!
- While visiting the Library with Michelle I had a chance to check out some of the audio book trailers/reviews created by our children in the upper grades and I was really impressed with their products! They successfully used Audioboom to create a 30 second book trailer that was then turned into a QR that anyone could access. Definitely take a few minutes to bring your kids down with some devices that have QR readers so they can check out the book trailers - they are worth your time!
Tech Tip of the Week...
Now that Google Classroom and the Chromebooks have really taken off, I thought everyone might love this Database of Chrome Apps and Extensions - there is SO MUCH we can do with Google for free - check them out!
Blogs Worth Reading...
Seeing Families as "Co-Creators" of our Schools by Larry Ferlazzo
The Most Underrated Trait of a Great Leader by John Spencer
Inquiry Based Learning (5 min. video) by Ralston Elementary School
Staff Reflection/Blog...
Our latest post comes from Julie, Alayne & Caitlin - our amazing ENL Team! It is part of a series
ENL: A Close Look
Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) can be frustrating for teachers at times. We know how it feels to be bombarded with meeting the daily classroom demands. At Cantiague, we have seen a big change in our student population. Since September, 8 new students have entered into our ENL program. Often times as educators we expect our ELLs to understand and perform given tasks at hand and they are unable to do so. We must think about how we would feel if we were to go to school in another country and not know the language. As teachers, we try to respond to the needs of these students and here are expectations for ELLs depending on their proficiency level and below are a few reminders/tips for teaching ENL students. Although, not one approach is guaranteed we hope you will at the very least find them helpful. We are always available and happy to help aide student success.
English Proficiency Level Expectations
Entering
Students should be able to…
• listen
• draw
• move
• choose
• point
• mime
• act out
Emerging
Students should be able to…
• name
• group
• categorize
• compare
• label
• respond
Transitioning
Students should be able to…
• recall
• define
• explain
• restate
• summarize
• describe
Expanding
Students should be able to…
• analyze
• create
• defend
• debate
• predict
Commanding
Student is reaching English language mastery
ENL Student Checklist
1. Motivate students by providing background knowledge2. Speak a little more slowly (not louder); Avoid idioms
3. Demonstrate
4. Visuals, graphic organizers and pictures to make connections
5. Use simplified language
6. 5-8 most important vocabulary words from the lesson (word bank)
7. Shorten length of writing assignments
8. Electronic dictionaries to translate (we have)
9. Outline lessons (key concepts)
10. Accommodations – pairing, small peer groups
11. Incorporate technology
Monday, February 1
"B" Week
All teacher plan books due to Tony by Thursday!
Tuesday, February 2
FEO - All Staff - Library @ 3PM
Wednesday, February 3
Kindergarten Gym& Me (Brotman & Grossman at 8:45am; Thomas at 9:30am)
PD with JoEllen - Gr. 4 & 5 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
PD with JoEllen - Gr. 4 & 5 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
Thursday, February 4
Incoming Kindergarten Registration
PD with JoEllen - Gr. 2 & 3 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
CST @ 1:20pm
Cultural Arts!
Friday, February 5
PD with JoEllen - Gr. 2 & 3 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
CST @ 1:20pm
Cultural Arts!
Friday, February 5
Incoming Kindergarten Registration
PD with JoEllen - Gr. K & 1 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
Gr. 3 is on a trip today - be safe & responsible
Happy TGIF!
PD with JoEllen - Gr. K & 1 in the 2nd Comp. Lab
Gr. 3 is on a trip today - be safe & responsible
Happy TGIF!
Reminders...
- Don't forget to implement lessons from our Digital Citizenship Curriculum... access it here!
- Our next whole staff FEO will be Tues. Feb. 23rd - district-wide grade level team meetings!
- Don't forget that PTA Health Awareness Week is coming up next week... mark your calendars because there will be a Spirit Day each day!
- We should be wrapping up F&P testing - please get those data points to Lisa and Maureen so we can figure out what kids might need reading support!
- Our mobile MakerSpace is almost up and running... info to come soon!
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