On Friday, I spent the whole day with Goodwin teachers - one of my very favorite things to do! Working in Student Achievement Teams, the teachers discussed children who did not make benchmark on recent literacy and math assessments and developed plans to provide additional instruction to make sure each child reaches the goal. Meetings like these make me so proud to be a member of the Goodwin community. Our teachers are creative and focused. They believe every child can do exceptional things and they work together to make sure that happens. They talk about ways to group children of similar needs and identify the best approaches to meet those needs. They talk about ways to extend learning for those who have already met the goal. Most importantly, they do this as a team!
Most of the time, children simply need someone to reteach a skill in a different way or they need a little more time to understand the concept. Sometimes, a more specialized approach is needed. When this happens, parents are contacted and details of the plan are discussed.
We hold these meetings every six weeks as part of our approach to the state's SRBI (Scientifically Research Based Instruction) initiative. While the classroom teachers meet, your children are involved in great science, health, social studies, and Spanish activities. Teachers who do not have classroom duties, run those activities. After all, it really does take a village.
If you want to learn more about SRBI, follow this link to see the State of Connecticut's Parent Guide. http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/cali/family_guide_to_srbi.pdf
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
It finally feels like Autumn!
Finally, a crisp autumn day!
Your children have settled into their school routines already and so many wonderful activities are going on in the classrooms. Many of the classes have started their writer's workshops by asking students to list things that they love, favorite memories, or ideas that interest them. These lists are often put into heart shapes and kept within the child's writing folder as a reference for those days when a child just isn't sure what to write about. Our students are filled with so many wonderful ideas - I can't wait to hear the stories that these ideas generate.
As a staff, we have talked quite a bit about achievement and high expectations for all. In fact, this topic was a major focus of our professional development last year. As adults, we can all probably recall that one special teacher who had faith that we could do it and pushed us to be our best. Unfortunately, many of us also recall those experiences when an adult's words or actions made us feel that we weren't good at something. I know that I avoided singing in public for the longest time because a choral teacher told me in 6th grade that I wasn't a strong enough singer to join my friends in the after school chorus program! I still remember it! (and I will not tell you how long ago that was!!)
At Goodwin we believe that every child is capable and competent. In fact we think they are each exceptional! Here's a link to a video from Research for Better Teaching that we watched last year that explains how achievement is based on effective effort. Every child, without exception, can do well with the right effort and attitude. We are working hard to make sure your children know that we believe in them. We know they can do anything they work hard at and we can't wait to see the great things they will do this year! Let me know what you think of the video...
http://www.rbteach.com/rbteach2/Flash/VideoPlayer/Streamer/EBA/eba_video.asp
Your children have settled into their school routines already and so many wonderful activities are going on in the classrooms. Many of the classes have started their writer's workshops by asking students to list things that they love, favorite memories, or ideas that interest them. These lists are often put into heart shapes and kept within the child's writing folder as a reference for those days when a child just isn't sure what to write about. Our students are filled with so many wonderful ideas - I can't wait to hear the stories that these ideas generate.
As a staff, we have talked quite a bit about achievement and high expectations for all. In fact, this topic was a major focus of our professional development last year. As adults, we can all probably recall that one special teacher who had faith that we could do it and pushed us to be our best. Unfortunately, many of us also recall those experiences when an adult's words or actions made us feel that we weren't good at something. I know that I avoided singing in public for the longest time because a choral teacher told me in 6th grade that I wasn't a strong enough singer to join my friends in the after school chorus program! I still remember it! (and I will not tell you how long ago that was!!)
At Goodwin we believe that every child is capable and competent. In fact we think they are each exceptional! Here's a link to a video from Research for Better Teaching that we watched last year that explains how achievement is based on effective effort. Every child, without exception, can do well with the right effort and attitude. We are working hard to make sure your children know that we believe in them. We know they can do anything they work hard at and we can't wait to see the great things they will do this year! Let me know what you think of the video...
http://www.rbteach.com/rbteach2/Flash/VideoPlayer/Streamer/EBA/eba_video.asp
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Hopes and Dreams
Each year we ask our students to talk about their goals for the year. Their hopes and dreams speak volumes about what they want to accomplish this year. Many of our fourth graders hope to become better leaders or better role models. They write about hoping to reach an advanced level in writing or mathematics. One hopes to become an even better scientist by studying and working hard. The younger students have simpler goals. They may hope to read harder books, tell time or learn to multiply. Still others dream of becoming artists, nurses or policemen. Two kindergarten responses were among my favorites this year. One little girl hopes to have a sleepover... her classmate's dream is to draw caterpillars!
My hope and dream is that all of these wonderful little people grow up to become amazing adults- adults who are caring, fun-loving, bright, inquisitive, and capable. My goal is to make sure we do everything we can here at Goodwin to achieve that dream!
My sincere thanks for your patience as we iron out the bus routes. It has been a long day for many of your children and the district is working with the bus company to improve the runs as quickly as possible so we can get children to school on time and back home at a reasonable time. We should begin to see some improvement early next week.
My hope and dream is that all of these wonderful little people grow up to become amazing adults- adults who are caring, fun-loving, bright, inquisitive, and capable. My goal is to make sure we do everything we can here at Goodwin to achieve that dream!
My sincere thanks for your patience as we iron out the bus routes. It has been a long day for many of your children and the district is working with the bus company to improve the runs as quickly as possible so we can get children to school on time and back home at a reasonable time. We should begin to see some improvement early next week.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
What a wonderful start!
It's been such a great first day. After the delay we all dealt with due to Hurricane Irene, the staff has been just as eager to get here as your children have been! Everyone came in smiling and ready to go. I just finished watching our kindergarteners get through their first lunch time... phew! It's always such a jolt to remember how much we need to teach starting from day one... luckily we know by the end of the week even our five year olds will be acting like pros in the cafeteria!
I hope to see all of you tomorrow evening at Open House at 5:30. Ice cream social and a special dedication of our playgoround will follow at 6:30. See you then!
I hope to see all of you tomorrow evening at Open House at 5:30. Ice cream social and a special dedication of our playgoround will follow at 6:30. See you then!
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