Ms. Appleyard

CogAT Scores - FIFTH Grade

We have received fifth grade ITBS scores.  ITBS score reports will be distributed in sealed envrlopes on 12/9/11. 

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test (NRT). A nationally standardized test is a test is administered to each test-taker in the same way across a specified comparison group (e.g., age groups, grade groups, etc.). Therefore, score interpretations are based on a comparison of the test taker’s performance to the performance of other students in the nation who took the same test in the same manner at the same time of year.  More questions?  Please download the following reference form with Frequently Asked Questions.    Download FAQ ITBS

4-2-1 & Inner-Outer Circle

4-2-1

• Using a graphic organizer, students independently list FOUR important ideas/facts from what they have learned.
• With a partner or their learning club, they share each idea and then pare it down/synthesize the information to the TWO ideas that capture the essence of the topic.
• As a larger group or class, share and determine the ONE big idea.

SMARTBoard File with Graphic Organizer:  Download Four-Two-One

Inner-Outer Circle

• ½ of the group make a circle facing inward
• ½ of the group forms an inner circle facing a partner
• Think of the circles as gears, with the inner circle stationary
• Teacher asks a question allowing the outer person to respond first, the inner person responds next for a total of a minute.
• Inner circle person then rotates to the right 3 people.

SMARTBoard File:  Download Inner-Outer Circle

ABC Summary & Final Countdown

ABC Summary

Students roll a letter die or draw a letter out of the hat.  OR..you could give them a letter at the beginning of the activity.  Whatever letter they have, they must speak or write a sentence about the topic and their sentence must begin with the given letter.

You may want to have students record sentences as tehy go along, or you could do this and hand it out as a study guide at the end of the unit.  A recording sheet can be found here:  Download Alphabet Summary Form

SMARTBoard File (with letter dice embedded):  Download ABC Summary with example

Final Countdown

Using a graphic organizer, students write three things they learned about the topic, two questions they still have about the topic, and one way the topic relates to something else they know ( a connection ).

SMARTBoard File:  Download Final Countdown

Thanks, Second Grade!

Second Grade students collected new and gently used books for Ringgold Primary School.  Ringgold's roof was lost during the tornado last spring and many books were lost.  HUNDREDS of books were donated in a variety of genres and reading levels.  Thank you, second grade, for making a difference!

3-2-1 & A/B Partners

3-2-1
This is a very versatile strategy.  Basically, kids list three things, then two things, and finally one thing.  Examples: 

• Three things that I remember, two things that surprised me, one thing I still have a question about.
• Three ways I can make the number 12 with addition, two ways I can make the number 12 with subtraction, and one way I can make the number 12 with multiplication.
• Three differences between the latest historical figures we studied, two similarities between the latest historical figures we studied, one question I would like to ask either of them.

SMARTBoard file:  Download 321

A/B Partners
Another very versatile strategy that takes little to no preparation.   Partner students.  One person talks non-stop for a minute (or thirty seconds - or however long you think they can) about a topic.  Partner B listens.  When the timer goes off, Partner B talks non-stop.  If you have students who need extension, you can add the rule that Partner B cannot repeat anything Partner A says.  If you need remediation, your stronger partner should speak first and then the second speaker can repeat.

SMARTBoard file;  Download A B Partners

 

Summarizing

Summarizing Strategies:  We will review a couple of summarizing strategies each week.  Teachers are encouraged to try them out and add each strategy to their "bag of tricks."  SMARTBoard files provide a brief overview along with documents you can use with your kids.

“We remember best what we experience FIRST and second best what we experience LAST.” – (Sousa, 2003)

What is summarizing?

• Retelling in a succinct manner
• Actively processing instead of passively receiving
• Both oral and written

When students summarize, they must

• Keep some information
• Delete some information
• Substitute some information

Summary Techniques:

• Summarizing Frames
• Summarizing Cubes
• Inner-Outer Circle
• ABC Summary
• Summarization Pyramid
• Multiple Journal Topics
• Four-Two-One
• One Word Summary
• Final Countdown
• P-M-I
• A/B Partners
• 3-2-1
• Paired Summarizing
• The Important Thing
• The Last Word
• Ticket Out the Door
• Synectics Journal

Policy Review

All staff members are required to review and sign off on distict and state administrative rules and policies annually.  To make finding these policies easier, they are linked below.

All Policies and Rules:  http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/

List of mandatory reviews:  Download Admin Rule Checklist2011 2012

Staff Ethics and Attachment - Professional Conduct by Educators:  GBEA & GBEA 1

Code of Ethics:  Download PSC Code of Ethics 10-15-09

Code of Ethics PowerPoint:  Download Voice Over PowerPoint Ethics Presentation 10-15-09

Development, Adoption and Review of Administrative Rules (Rule A-5):  BDG

Short Term / Long Term Leaves and Absences (Focus on section B. f ( 2); Staff Attendance:  GCC & GBEBD

Athletic Concession Monies / Relations with Booster Organizations:  DFD & KJA

Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances (Certified & Classified):  GBK & GBKA

Drug Free Workplace:  GBEC

Sexual Harassment:  GBAA

Equal Employment Opportunity:  GBA

Tobacco-Free Schools:  ADC

Tutoring for Pay:  GCRD

Use of Technology Resources in Instruction:  IJNDB

Audits:  Fraud and other Corrupt/Illegal Conduct:  DIEA

Solicitation by Staff Members:  KH & GBEA

Superintendent Directives:  SD

 

 

 

Tentative Schedules 2011

Teachers, many of the documents you will need to start your year are posted below.  Please note that they may have some slight changes over the next week.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

Specials/Lunch Blocks:  Download Master Schedule Option - ELA should be taught in 2 hour block & Math in 1 hour block.
PDF of Specials/Lunch Blocks:  Download Copy of Master Schedule Option B(1)-3

Specials Schedule/Rotation:  Download Specials Schedule 2011
PDF of Specials Schedule/Rotation:  Download Specials Schedule 2011-1

Lunch Blocks - Teams will sign up for individual times within blocks:  Download LUNCH BLANK
ACTION ITEM:  At Monday's first team meeting, sign up for a slot.  Return ONE MASTER COPY to Appleyard's mailbox by Tuesday morning.

Bus Routes/Slots:  Download 2011 Bus List Master

Link to Bus Route Finder:  http://edulogwebs1.cobbk12.org/edulog/webquery/ NOTE:  They will list bus number.  You will need to use the bus routes/slots master to match the bus route or bus number to our slot.

Document to turn into office with daily afternoon transportation:  Download Bus List for teachers to complete
ACTION ITEM:  Homeroom teachers, complete list and turn into front office by NOON on August 15th.

Award Order Forms 2011

Please download, print, complete, and place in my mailbox by Friday, May 6th.

Download First Order Form

Download Second Order Form

Download Third Order Form

Download Fourth Order Form

Download Fifth Order Form

Getting Connected ... With the Wild Cats

Mrs. Grindstaff and I were fortunate to receive a visit from Wyckoff's Wild Cats on Friday afternoon.  The entire class joined us in the office to share their first Getting Connected Letter of the year.  After only seven days of school, these Fourth Graders had already accomplished a great deal!  They determined that the most important LIFESKILL that they would need to be successful in their classroom is FRIENDSHIP.  Friendship would allow them to work in learning clubs and to create a caring community.

They have also established their mini-economy, earned money, and learned about debits, credits, rent, salaries, and responsibility.  Everyone was working hard to earn a "Wow Week" and the privilege that comes along with that honor.

Thank you, Wild Cats, for sharing all of your amazing accomplishments with us.  We are so proud of all that you have already done in fourth grade and cannot wait to see how much you grow in fourth grade!