“To break through creativity, we must
defer judgment. That is, learn to accept all ideas, without prejudice, and examine them
each in turn.”
-Scott Isaksen
News/Timelines/Due Dates
Super Bowl -Next Sunday night is the Super Bowl, if you care! Since some of you will be staying up to watch Denver win, Monday will be casual. Of course, I guess for you Grammy watchers last night, I should have made today casual!! I stayed up for most of it and can only say that some of the performances were interesting. I don't quite understand the two dudes in the space helmets.Seven myths about rigor – Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing seven myths about rigor in the classroom from Barbara Blackburn, author of Rigor is not a 4-Letter Word
Myth 2. Rigor means doing more.
“Doing more” often
means doing more low-level activities, frequently repetitions of things already
learned. Such narrow and rigid approaches to learning do not define a rigorous
classroom. Students learn in many different ways. Just as instruction must vary
to meet the individual needs of students, so must homework.
Rigorous and challenging
learning experiences will vary with the student. Their design will vary; as
will their duration. Ultimately, it is the quality of the assignment that makes
a difference in terms of rigor.
Excuses – When
a student is absent the goal is to get a written and signed note from the
parents. However, if you receive an
email that gives the excuse (even one that says little Johnny is sick today
please gather his assignments) forward the email to Debra Herrmann
PRIDE – PRIDE –
This Friday, January 31st, PRIDE will be an advisement class.
Last week you talked with students about goal setting. At the beginning
of this week’s lesson take a few minutes to check in with students and see if
their goals have been on their minds or if they have taken steps towards
achieving that goal.
THIS WEEK: It’s time for some team building fun and
group challenges! Students will either take on a hula-hoop challenge (6th
grade), build a paper airplane (7th grade), or take on a series of
team created challenges (8th grade) during PRIDE.
Teachers with 6th grade PRIDE groups will need 2
hula hoops per PRIDE group. Please see a PE staff member to get the
hula-hoops. (It is suggested that the PRIDE liaison or one person pick up
hula hoops for several teachers so the PE staff is not bombarded with multiple
requests – Thanks!) Please return the hula-hoops to the PE staff members
after completion of the PRIDE lesson.
Remind students to bring a silent reading book next week.
Yearbook Deal - Would you like a really good
deal? Would you like to remember this precious time with your middle
schoolers forever and ever? The week of February 3rd, Dana Griffin
will offer a one-time only special yearbook price of $25. This is a
fabulous $15 savings form the current on-line price. If you would like to
take advantage of this offer, please place your exact cash OR a check made
payable to AMMS in an envelope in her mailbox or deliver it to her room
D101. Thanks for supporting the yearbook staff!
Where is
Livingston?
Stephanie Purcell says “While it has been nice to have
Livingston live with me this week. Livingston needs to find a new
home. He has requested to live his next week with a hardworking,
supportive, and caring teacher. Those are all qualities of the dedicated
teacher we know as Rachel Luthringer. Rachel continually uses her
experience in special education to support her struggling students and fight
for their rights. She creates amazing flipcharts that are detailed and
organized and is always quick to step up to the plate when things need to be
created or revamped. She consistently stays late and comes in early to
make sure her lessons are organized and ready to go each day. Despite the
endless hours she spends here, she still finds time to volunteer at Southeastern Greyhound Adoption.
AMMS is blessed to have such a devoted teacher working
here. I am glad she is here too! For these reasons and many more,
Rachel Luthringer deserves to have Livingston’s company.
Happy Birthday
Kenny Ludlow January 27
Barbara Paulson January 29
Nathalie Bernstein February 1
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