Ms. Appleyard

Technology Help is on the Way

Curious About SMARTBoards?  Want some training?

Amy Provano, Technology Integration Specialist,  will be offering SMARTBoard training on three occasions within the next month.  Sessions will be open to one person per grade level.  Training will take place in the Reference Room from 2:30 - 4:30.  After this initial training session, participants will be able to understand how to connect the board, computer, and LCD Projector, to orient the board, and to perform some basic troubleshooting.  Additionally, participants will learn how to use the basic functions of the board and will discover many readily-available web-based resources.  Once you are approved for the class, you will need to have software loaded on your laptop.

DATES: 
September 5th
September 10th
September 17th

Blogging Support
New to Sope Creek Teachers:  Jessica Appleyard will be available in her office during your planning on Wednesday, 8/29.  You will receive your passwords, learn the basics (how to post words to your blog), and will receive cheat-sheets.  Bring your laptop to Jessica's office during your planning.

Sope Creek Veterans:  Amy Provano will be available on Friday, August 31st during your planning to help with any  blogging questions you may have.  She will have copies of cheat sheets, will have time to sit with you and walk you through the process, and to be a calming influence.  :0)   New teachers, you may stop in and ask her questions, too!  We want to be sure you have all the support you need!

Navigating PICASSO
This is a TENTATIVE date!  Be on the lookout for changes.  ALT's will be available on Wednesday, September 5th to help you navigate PICASSO, to find Math RAPS, to find resources, and to answer questions.  They will be in a location TBA during your planning time.  THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR NEW TEACHERS, but would be valuable to veterans who have not investigated PICASSO previously.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Teachers:  An Online Collaboration Tool Available to You!

Think.com is a website that allows students in your class to APPROPRIATELY communicate with one another about curriculum, to practice writing and keyboarding skills, to interact with each other about curriculum, and to create their own online learning pages.  There are several lessons available for download here: http://www.think.com/iste/.  If you are interested, please email Jessica Appleyard and she will have Amy Provano come and do a demonstration on September 7th during your planning.  You can then decide if this is a cool tool for you to use!

SIP Goals

We have one student achievement goal: 

Our priority for student learning is for all students to improve math computation.

We also have one school performance goal:
Stakeholders will utilize Performance Based Instruction to positively affect student achievement.

If you would like a handout for Open House, you can find it here:   Download sope_creek_goals.doc

If you need a PowerPoint slide, you can find it here:  Download sip_goals.ppt

Curriculum Overviews

I have pulled from GeorgiaStandards.org and created a curriculum overview for each grade level.  This may be a helpful handout to distribute at Open House! 

Download kindergarten_curriculum_descriptions.doc
Download first_grade_curriculum_descriptions.doc
Download second_grade_curriculum_descriptions.doc
Download third_grade_curriculum_descriptions.doc
Download fourth_grade_curriculum_descriptions.doc
Download fifth_grade_curriculum_descriptions.doc

Curriculum....Planning Help from the State & County

English/Language Arts Frameworks:
Frameworks are modules/UBD frameworks put together by the State to help teachers work through the GPS.  Each of the FRAMEWORKS contains Essential Questions, Enduring Understandings, some performance tasks, and examples of learning tasks

Math Frameworks:
The math frameworks are more detailed than many of the other areas.    The curriculum maps (this is a synonym for pacing guide) is really helpful!

Science Frameworks:
Note:  3rd, 4th, and 5th grades have many more materials posted here. The curriculum maps (pacing guides) are quite helpful for all grade levels, though.

Science Standards to Post:
All Science standards (K-5) have been compiled in PowerPoint slide shows by Jeanette Gray in the Science Department.  You can either print them or use them as a slide show.

GPS K-2 Science Units/Resources

$100 Gift Cards

The $100 gift Cards are here!  For more information and specifics, please see this PDF file from the DOE:  Download GiftCards08.pdf

Sope Creek teachers have been picking up their cards all week, and have got some great ideas for spending the money on resources for their classrooms.  So far, I have heard about a globe on a stand, books for a classroom library, orders already and reserved and waiting at The School Box, and teachers waiting to collaborate so they can get "the most bang for their buck."  These gift cards mean that Sope Creek will receive about an additional $7,000 in materials and supplies to enhance our classrooms!

August 8th Professional Learning Day

The County's Curriculum and Instruction division is providing a day of professional development during Pre-Planning on Wednesday, August 8th.  Each teacher will have an opportunity to work with teachers from across the county on their specific curriculum, as well as hearing from Stephen Peters, an inspirational and motivational speaker specializing in cultivating and maintaining relationships with students.

See each individual flyer for specifics and directions to locations.

Download Kindergarten.pdf
Download first_grade.pdf
Download second_grade.pdf
Download third_grade.pdf
Download fourth_grade.pdf
Download fifth_grade.pdf
Download art_teachers.pdf
Download ESOL.pdf
Download media_specialists.pdf
Download music_teachers.pdf
Download PE.pdf
Download SLP.pdf
Download Target.pdf 

Back to School Dates

New Student Registration .....  Tuesday, July 24th, 9am - 5pm

Pre-Planning....... August 6th - 10th
PTA Welcome Back Luncheon for Teachers ..... Tuesday, August 7th, 11:30 am
Professional Learning Day ..... Wednesday, August 8th, TBA
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ..... Monday, August 13th
Open House, Grades K, 1, and 2 ..... Tuesday, August 14th,  7pm
Open House, Grades 3, 4, and 5 ..... Thursday, August 16th,  7pm