2013 MLK Assembly

ALICE Training Video - Middle School Students

Art and Science of teaching chapter videos!

Thank you, Mr. Rachal!

Hello all!

A friend of mine at another school showed me one of these video for the Teachers Leader Academy and I thought I would pass along these to you. Each link is a chapter of the book The Art And Science of Teaching. If the link does not work please copy the link into your web browser.

Chapter 1 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D1Q1.flv

Chapter 2 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D1Q2.flv

Chapter 3 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D1Q3.flv

Chapter 4 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D1Q4.flv

Chapter 5 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q5.flv

Chapter 6 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q6.flv

Chapter 7 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q7.flv

Chapter 8 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q8.flv

Chapter 9 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q9.flv

Chapter 10 http://web.usd204.net/flv/?video=D2Q10.flv

Thank you,

 

Randy Rachal

Social Studies

Synthesis team

Design Question 4 Generating and Testing Hypthesis Questions and PowerPoint

AST DQ 4 Faculty Meeting.pptx Download this file

Below are the questions we used for yesterday's faculty discussion regarding DQ #4.  I've also attached the PowerPoint.

Questions to Stimulate Experimental Inquiry

 

·        What is my prediction?

·        How will I test my prediction?

·        What do I expect to see if my prediction is accurate?

·        What actually happened?

·        Did my prediction come true?

·        How has my thinking changed about the situation?

 

Questions to Stimulate Problem Solving

 

·        What is the goal?

·        What obstacle or unusual situation makes it difficult to accomplish this goal?

·        What are some ways one might overcome the obstacle or the unusual situation?

·        Which solution do I predict will work best and why?

·        What actually happened?

·        Do the results fit with my original prediction?

·        If not, how should my thinking change regarding the problem?

 

Questions to Stimulate Decision Making

 

·        What alternatives am I considering?

·        What criteria am I using to select among alternatives?

·        What do I predict will be the best alternative?

·        Which alternative came out on top?

·        Do the results fit with my original prediction?

·        How should my thinking change or remain the same?

 

Questions to Stimulate Investigation

 

·        Am I focusing on something that has to be defined better, something that happened in the past, or something that might possibly happen?

·        What do I predict I will find out?

·        What is known about my subject?

·        What are some confusions or contradictions in what is known about the topic?

·        What do I predict to be the resolution of these confusions or contradictions?

·        Did my findings fit with the original prediction?

·        How should my thinking change or remain the same?

Intruder Drill, 2/27

We will practice our intruder drill procedures tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/27.  The intruder drill will begin when I announce that we need to initiate modified lockdown procedures.

Remember, that in a modified lockdown, you

·         check the hall to make sure it’s clear,

·         make sure your door is locked,

·         check your e-mail, and

·         then continue teaching.

Once Ofc. Davis and the administrators sweep the building, we will begin an intruder drill with an announcement.  At this time,

·         Stop teaching,

·         Review the ALICE procedures with your students,

·         Talk about options and what you might due if an actual intruder were in the building.

Do not huddle in a corner during this time.  Do not practice evacuating; no one should leave the building.  You should be in an active conversation about the importance of listening for more information and making decisions for your safety based on the ALICE procedures.  So, although you will not evacuate, you must talk about when and why evacuation might be necessary and what that might look like.

During the intruder drill an announcement will be made.  Use this information to discuss how you might need to alter decisions or options based on the ALICE procedures.

I will announce when the intruder drill is over.  You should take some time to debrief this experience with your students.  Please make sure students understand the importance of the drill, the importance of listening to the teacher and to announcements as they are made, and the importance of being safe and all the ways that might be accomplished.  If you or a student needs to debrief with a counselor or principal, please let the appropriate person know.

During this drill, Ofc. Davis and the administrators will key into random classrooms.  Be prepared for this.  You will talk about what countering might look like (the “C” in ALICE), but do not practice countering in this case.

This drill is designed to be at a relatively slow pace and with some exceptions so that we can all practice these procedures carefully.  I am sharing all of this information with you now so that you can be better prepared for when the drill happens. 

Click here to review a recent blog post about intruder drills.

Let Ofc. Davis, Drs. Miller or Roberts, or me know if you have any questions.

Jason

How do I know if a student is comprehending class material?

SOFFICE-MFP13022011270.pdf Download this file

Dr. Miller shared this graphic organizer to help us think through the question: How do I know if a student is comprehending class material?

Incidentally, this is related to design question #1 from The Art and Science of Teaching.

February 25, 2013

I left school last Wednesday not really believing that we would have a snow day on Thursday . . . And yet here we are returning to school after an unexpected four-day weekend.  I suspect we may have a slow start on Monday, so I'm just sharing these updates:

March's Thinking Strategy: Using Sensory Images

March's Thinking Strategy is Using Sensory Images.  Click here to review the resources provided by our Reading Department.

Monday's Faculty Meeting

We have a faculty meeting Monday after school. The focus of this meeting is Design Question 4: What will I do to help students generate and test hyptheses about new knowledge? Click here to review last week's post about this information.

Food Trucks for Conferences

Click here to learn more about the vsiting food trucks during our spring conferences.

Hixson Middle School and the Buffalo Wild Wings Spring Bracket Challenge

Click here to read more about a new fundraiser, the Buffalo Wild Wings Spring Bracket Challenge (this is a very exciting opportunity!).

I hope you have a great week.

March Thinking Strategy: Using Sensory Images

The documents below will help you implement the reading expectation in Discovery for the month of March.

PowerPoint: This PowerPoint presentation provides detailed information about this month’s thinking strategy. This may be used as background information for the teacher, or as a prompt for classroom discussion. This month’s PowerPoint includes a think aloud and questions for discussion in the notes section. You may want to preview before using with students.

Strategy Mini-Lesson and One-Pager: This document contains background information for teachers, suggested activities for a mini-lesson, the monthly one-pager, and possible feedback teachers may provide to a completed one-pager The mini-lesson should be conducted at the beginning of the month during the first twenty minutes of Discovery.

The one-pager should be completed in Discovery class at the end of the month. Teachers may choose to have students submit the one-pagers digitally or as a hard copy. Most students should be able to complete the one-pager in the first twenty minutes of Discovery; however, there are some, especially struggling readers, who may need additional time. Students should always complete the one-pager in class to ensure an authentic response.

Thinkmark: This month’s bookmark should be able to be copied double-sided so that the back may be used as a reading log.

Reader’s Toolkit: This document contains tools that can be utilized in your content area classes to assist ALL students in using this month’s strategy. During Discovery intervention time, those students who have been identified as struggling readers will benefit from explicit instruction in using these tools. Teachers should choose at least one tool and use assigned reading from their content to teach students how to utilize the tool.

Please contact Jen or Aimee if you have any questions or are in need of support. 

Sensory Images Mini-Lesson & One-Pager.pdf Download this file

Using Sensory Images.pptx Download this file

Sensory Images Thinkmark.pdf Download this file

Reader's Toolkit - Sensory Images.pdf Download this file

Art and Science of Teaching: Design Question 4

AST Overview-DQ 4.pptx Download this file

During the February 25^th faculty meeting, we will discuss Design Question 4 from The Art and Science of Teaching: What will I do to help students generate and test hypotheses about new knowledge?  Out of all of the chapters in the Marzano text, this might be the most unfamiliar and the most challenging, particularly because, in my experience, we do not see hypothesis generating and testing much beyond what students do in science.  However, anytime you ask a student to predict, you are asking that student to hypothesize . . . Marzano gives several good ways for all teachers to leverage the power of generating and testing hypotheses in their classrooms.

The best way to prepare for the 2/25 meeting is to read chapter 4 from The Art and Science of Teaching.  I am also attaching a .ppt for you to peruse that will help you prepare for Monday’s discussion. 

I should have had this on the Network Blog this morning; however, as you might have noticed, I forgot to add this when I was doing the updating yesterday afternoon.

February 18, 2013

I would like to thank Ofc. Davis, Mrs. Peterson and Mrs. Bodi, and the department chairs for helping to plan an implement Friday's professional development day. Atlhough some of the work was a bit out-of-the-ordinary, it is all important and necessary.  If you have feedback or would like to check in about anything, please make sure we find time to do that.

Please take some time to scroll down the Hixson Network Blog to catch up on any update or information you might have missed; the only update I have follows:

New Copier Training

If you missed the new copier training, the trainer from our new company will be here this Wednesday at 12:20pm.  You might also consult the videos on this blog in the meantime.

Have a great week! I hope that your extended weekend was as productive and restful as mine. Although Thursday was a planned absence, Friday was not.  With the good fortune of a three-day weekend following an unexpected turn of events, I am ready eager to return to school.

 

Food Trucks for Conferences

Thanks to Sarah Bodi who has arranged for Sarah’s Meltdown and Sarah’s Cake Stop food trucks to be parked at Hixson during parent-teacher conferences in March!

If you are interested in order from either truck, I have attached the menu for the Meltdown.  The list for cupcakes is on the pre-order form below.  The PTO is also planning to provide food for us as well.

Click here to pre-order a meal from Sarah’s Meltdown and or to pre-order cupcakes from Sarah’s Cake Stop.

Complete the pre-order forms and then bring you money (cash only, sales tax is included) to Ms. Edwards.  All forms and money are due by 3/8.  Student council members will deliver your orders to the evenings of conferences.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Event Menu.doc Download this file

February 11, 2013

Monday's Faculty Meeting

Board members Steve Loher and Amy Clendennen will spend the first 30 minute with us.  In an effort to move through some of the Marzano information, I will give a brief presentation on design question 7 from The Art and Science of Teaching.  We will meet in the auditorium.

Friday's PD Day

More information will be forthcoming, but in the meantime, here is a rough sketch of the day:

• 8:30: Faculty Meeting, more information on format and meeting space to come
• 9am-noon: Department time (please just let me know how are going to use this time)
• 12-12:45: Lunch on your own
• 1pm: Brief faculty meeting in the cafeteria
• 1:30-3:30pm: Mindfulness Workshop

Modified Lockdown Drill

As uncomfortable as they can be, lockdown drills are a necessity.  I received a great deal of good feedback on our modified lockdown drill this week. I will work on revising the (very difficult to find) faculty handbook to include more current information about this (and other information).

This Week's Network Posts

I shared several posts this week on the Network.  Here there are as a list in case you didn't get to them:

• Click here to read about our new copiers
• Click here to review lockdown information and to see the ALICE video
• Click here for copying instructions
• Click here for printing instructions

Spring Conferences

I will be sending the link for online spring conference scheduling to parents Monday morning. 

It looks like the PTO will be providing some food for conferences.  In addition, Sarah Bodi has arranged for two food trucks to be on campus both nights.  This is will hopefully be a productive fundraiser as we are set to receive a portion of each sale.  You will have an opportunity to pre-order from both trucks (one is for cupcakes and the other is for grilled cheese and soup).  The PTO will be donating food on our behalf; however, food from the food truck will need to be purchased.

Have a great week.

Printing to New Copy Machines

Use these video tutorials to learn how to retrieve print jobs from the new copy machines. With this new system ALL print jobs sent are stored in an individuals storage box. All print jobs will require a user to enter in their password to access the print job and to print it.

1. Start by pressing Recall on the display. Then enter in your password
2. Once It has accepted your password press okay again
3. Next press the public folder button on the display
4. Then search for your name using the arrow keys or by pressing the Number search button and entering in your phone extension
5. Enter in your password then press ok
6. When your name is selected choose  the file you want to print by clicking it on the display,  Then press the print button
7. If you need more than one copy of the print job press the change output sheet button and enter in the quantity you need
8. If you have other print jobs press yes to go back to your recall box, if not press no
9. Make sure you log off of the machine before leaving, to do this simply press the Access button on the keypad 
   

1. The 1st step is to enter your copy code into the machine using the keypad
2. Then press Login on the display
3. Next press the User Box button
4. You can then search for your box using the Arrow keys on the display, using the “Search User Box function, OR enter in your Userbox number which is your phone extension. (use the keypad to enter in the number, then click apply)
5. Enter in your copy code then press ok
6. Next choose the print job you wish to print on the display and press the print button on the display
7. If you want to change the number of copies you want from the print job, simply enter the desired number using the keypad
8. When you have the desired amount in that you want printed press the start button on the display
9. Wait for your print job to be completed before removing any prints
10. Make sure to log off before leaving

New Copier Training

What: New Copier Training

Where: The Faculty Lounge

When: See Below

 

Friday 2/8

 

7^th grade team teachers during their personal plan period.

The reading department during fourth hour.

Electives, PE, SSD, and anyone else during their plan 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th hour plan.

Tuesday 2/12

 

Electives, PE, SSD, and anyone else during their 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd hour plan period.

8^th grade team teachers during their personal plan period.

How long: 20-30 minutes

Please let Dr. Heisserer know if you cannot attend during these times; it’s an easy problem to solve, Dr. Heisserer just wants to know about it.  Unfortunately, we are limited by the trainers the company provides.

New Copy Machine Instructions

Here are some quick copying tutorials and step by step directions to get your started on using the brand new copy machines.  Thanks to Jason Heisel for making these.  Once you have read the instructions and watched the videos, you may make copies.

Please remember that if there is a problem or a malfunction, contact Ms. Edwards.  Do not attempt to fix it yourself.  I will send more information about training once we have it confirmed.

Faculty Lounge

1. The 1st step is to enter in your copy code into the machine, using the display, not the keypad.
2. To do this, press password on the screen and then enter in your code, then press OK
3. You will need to press OK again to continue on
4. Next enter in the amount of copies you need to make (note if something is not correct the start button will not turn blue)
5. Check to make sure you have your paper in the load tray then press start
6. Please wait for your job to be completed before removing the papers. The finishing tray’s arms will lift up when the job is done
7. Make sure you log off of the machine before leaving, to do this simply press the Access button on the key pad

Library

1. The 1st step is to enter in your copy code into the machine, for quick access you can use the keypad.
2. After you’ve entered in your password press the login button located on the display
3. Next enter in the amount of copies you need to make using the keypad
4. Press start once you are ready to make your copies
5. Please wait for your job to be completed before removing the papers.
6. Make sure you log off of the machine before leaving,by pressing the Access button on the key pad

February 4th, 2013

There is a lot of important information below.  Please read it all carefully.

Intruder Drills

We will have a series of intruder drills during the month of February.  This is good practice and a mandate from the district.  I am going to describe a modified lockdown drill to you in this post and then share some information for you to review.  We will practice a modified lockdown drill this week and review the attached information at our 2/11 faculty meeting.

Modified Lockdown

During a modified lockdown drill, you check to make sure the hallway around your class is empty and that your door is locked.  You should continue teaching or working as you were.  Do not let anyone in until the lockdown is over and do not let anyone out without permission or an escort.  Here is the procedure:

• A modified lockdown is announced.
• Check the hallway to make sure it is clear (if it's not, bring the students into your classroom).
• Check to make sure your door is locked.
• Check your e-mail for further information.
• Continue teaching or working as you were.
• An announcement will be made when the lockdown is either over or if another alert is necessary.

Please make sure your students understand what a modified lockdown drill is as well.  If you have questions, please let me know.  I'll do my best to answer these for the entire staff.

Lockdown

Below is a version of the ALICE video we watcher earlier this year.  Please make sure to have reviewed the Intruder/Active Shoot Drill Discussion points by clicking here.  

February Dates

• 2/4: Department Chair School Budget Meeting.  All are welcomed, if you are interested.
• 2/5: 7pm, Orientation for Parents of Incoming Seveth Graders
• 2/11: Faculty Meeting
  • Two Board Members Visit
  • Review Lockdown Drill Information
• 2/15: PDC Full Day
  • Faculty Meeting
  • Department Time
  • Mindfulness PD as Sponsored by our Counselors
  • Given that the day will be so full, my advice is to order in or bring your lunch.
• 2/25: Faculty Meeting (We will continue with The Art and Science of Teaching)

And a Few Reminders:

• Don't forget to Click here to complete a brief (1 question) survey of Top Academic Concerns.  Your responses to this survey are important and will ultimately result in more support for our students and for you as we address these concerns as a faculty.
• In addition to the reminders about the new copiers that I shared last week (click here if you haven't had an opportuity to read it), please do not send students to make copies on your behalf.  A couple teachers asked that I add this reminder, particularly since the copiers are both complicated and delicate.

Our New Copiers

We have three brand new copiers in the building. These machines are complicated and delicate, and it is taking more time than expected to set them up.  Therefore, the copiers will not be available on Monday, as expected; in addition, the copiers will not be available for printing until each faculty computer is set up to do so. 

 

In the meantime, Jason Heisel will create a brief video about how to complete three basic functions using these new machines.  On Tuesday, they will be available for these basic functions.  I am hoping to have a representative from the company providing these machines here on Tuesday and Wednesday for training.  You may visit during your plan and/or teaming period; small groups are best.  I will let you know more information once I have dates and times confirmed from the company.  Unfortunately, this is the best we may be able to do given the timing of the arrival of these machines.

 

Until we are all trained and until we have more experience with these machines, please do not open them or attempt to fix them if they malfunction in any way.  Please contact Ms. Edwards, and she will send someone up to investigate the issue and get the machines running again.

 

As I stated, these machines are complicated and delicate (and expensive) and should be treated with the upmost care and precision if they are to work well and to last.  We are all accountable when it comes to maintaining and using these machines.  Therefore, only copy or print what is necessary for your work here at Hixson; if you have a question about how to use the machine properly, ask; if the machine malfunctions, be sure to ask for help rather than investigating it on your own (there are many handles, levers, and other interworking parts in these machines).

 

Sincerely,

Jason