September 12 Update

Is it me, or has this been a VERY busy start to the school year?

BTC~

I have noticed that grades 2-5 are fully immersed in their first math unit of study. I see students up on vertical surfaces, working in groups, and contributing to the synthesis. How exciting! I appreciate the work you all put into creating a space for your students to work and learn together.

In grades k & 1 I have noticed students working through non-curricular tasks, learning how to share, collaborate and work with their math manipulatives. You are creating the foundation for the rest of us! Thank you for being so thoughtful and patient with this work.

As you have heard from your principal(s), the instructional focus for this year is math, specifically revisiting, or growing our knowledge of the Building Thinking Classroom practices. Across the district k - 12 teachers will be thinking about where they are on their "Thinking Classroom" journey, and taking the next step in their implementation. I follow many forums about Building Thinking Classrooms and saved this post because it made me think of you all:

“This way of teaching is called BUILDING thinking classrooms. We are building them. They're not built, we are building them, and that takes time. On days when I get frustrated or overwhelmed, I have to remind myself that building something takes patience and mistakes, and I'm not going to get it built in a year, or 3, or 5, but I will keep building”.

New Teachers~

New teachers are accompanying me to a regional PD next week. I am excited for the opportunity to engage with you in learning more about Illustrative Math!

Data Collection~

Beginning of the year data collection has begun! Grades 3-5 are using AMath, and administering the USNS when needed for more diagnostic information on a student. Grades k-2 are administering USNS for ALL students. I am here to support you in getting this done! Use this link to my calendar if you would like support.

**Thank You**

Thank you for a great start to the school year. Personally, I have felt everyone’s enthusiasm for learning new things, or continuing to grow. Several of you have already approached me about a coaching cycle this year and I couldn’t be more excited! Once the data collection dust has settled, I am ALL YOURS!

Xoxoxo Sara