Text Box:   The Lion’s Den March 17, 2008  

 

 

 

Text Box: Something to Think About:   “To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living.”   -Alvin Ailey        

 

 

Text Box: School Announcements   The Shcultz Center has just announced the launch of the “Aspiring Leaders Academy.”  This academy will allow teachers who have a Master’s Degree and three years of teaching experience to obtain their Educational Leadership Certification with no cost.  Please see Dr. Coker-Daniel if you have met these two criteria and are interested in pursuing this program.  She has all program and application information.   Attached to the Lion’s Den you will find information on Florida Learn and Serve Grant opportunities.  These grants promote hands-on learning projects that encourage students to learn through service.  The grants range from $6,000 to $9,000 each year.  Please see Ms. Huffman if you are interested in working on this item.   Information on the Florida School Retirement System was placed in your box last week.  A copy of the memo is attached to this edition of the Lion’s Den.  Please make sure that you sign out your informational booklet and view the video, as stated in the memo.   The paint schedule has been revised.  The new schedule is attached to the Lion’s Den.  Please make certain you review the new schedule if your room has not been painted.   For Early Release on March 26th we will be discussing lesson plan development.  We will meet in the media center for this activity.   If you have not completed the ITTS survey please do so before Spring Break.  Please email Ms. Fenton when you have completed the survey and she will check your name of the school list.   Spring NWEA dates are April 14th through the 25th.    As we approach Spring Break teachers are asked to be ever mindful about the importance of hall duty.      Supervision makes a tremendous difference in promoting appropriate student behavior during the change of classes.   Ron Hafner will be available during TPLC meetings beginning this Thursday.   He will be giving updates on new program design and implementation.  This is being done to increase knowledge regarding best practices for the new magnet program.  Teachers who wish to get further details about planning for the new program should stop by Mr. Hafner’s office and he will be happy to give you an update!    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Rigor in Our School Knowing what rigor is and knowing how to take it to the next level in the classroom are two different things.  Here are a few suggestions to increase rigor in your classroom.  Start where you feel comfortable, and move forward as you are able. Increase the use of Primary Documents.  History has a history, and so do science and math.  Studying and reading about this history is a way to increase rigor in your subject area. Set aside some time on a regular basis to read to your students.  Choose challenging tests related to your subject area and discuss them as you go.  Stretch your students’ minds by giving them a reason for listening and an opportunity to share their thoughts. Ask open ended questions related to your unit of study.  Give students the opportunity to explore options and make decisions based on how they view and understand textual materials.   Doesn’t this sound like it could  EVEN be interesting?