Any staff member may offer comments regarding their analysis of Speas data and our discussions at SIT. They will come to Dr. Reichert for posting on the blog. To react to a post, please click on comment at the bottom of the page.
Since third grade is loosing planning time due loosing Spanish twice a week. Have the media center and technology teachers pick up those classes. This would open up some wonderful possiblities. They could have one class a week and choose a story similar to their directed reading story and then compare them, or research the author and their style. Or they could take one class 2 times (3 if you include their regular class) a week for the semester and do a major project. Depending on what needs the most help, a Math enrichment lesson, or in Social Studies curriculum researching Famous Americans. There will be a multitude of possibillities for exciting learning.
I think it should be pointed out that the function of the media and technology positions is not to provide extra “planning period coverage” for teachers. It is not the media or technology position’s responsibility to “create” a lesson or project for a planning break, regardless of how exciting it might be. Both positions are here to support the curriculum but that is not the same as “covering classes.” The whole idea of the IMPACT flexible scheduling model is to free up these positions for flexible access, and to be available as much as possible for as-needed collaboration and resources, as that has been shown to have the most “impact” on student success. Simply filling up a slot so the teachers can have a planning break could be done by someone else who does not have the extra comprehensive and administrative responsibilities that are an integral and time-consuming part of the job. We don’t either one have “free time” when we are not actively teaching a scheduled class, due to the largely administrative nature of our jobs and the management of all the programs and activities that support the school. When we are not actively teaching a class, we are still doing “our jobs,” which would still have to be done, and frequently involve long hours after regular work hours. Classroom teachers are not alone in this aspect. It would not be a good use of the education, training, or time of these positions to assign them to supervise “extra” classes just because there is a gap in the planning period coverage. Putting either of us on an even more fixed schedule just to cover planning would take away from our effectiveness and limit teacher and student access to our resources and services when they need them. It takes away further from the times we are available on a “flex schedule” to meet the needs of the teachers and students when they need us. Neither of us has an assistant, except for the one-day media assistant who does part of the clerical tasks on that one day a week. While we are both happy to support the teachers with collaborative activities to support the curriculum, it is simply not a good use of our time, training, and resources to assign us to fill a spot just to cover planning or offer “enrichment,” which, on a fixed schedule would further limit any other teacher from having access to our time and resources then. Please remember that we already have a full fixed teaching schedule. We see all the classes, and we still have to do our administrative tasks as well.
I'm sorry there was misunderstanding on the third grade planning period. I never meant for classes to be "covered" I believe the students deserve to have their time in school a productive learning time. Who better to do this than a certified teacher. I agree it is more work for those positions. However, we are a small school what if our size increased by three more classes? Wouldn't those classes have to be picked up. Certainly Impact is a marvoulous idea if we lived in a perfect world but we have to adjust when reality hits us in the face. The other alternatives are to not have a planning time third grade teachers or take assistants from first and second grade to cover. Although we have excellent assistants I would not expect them to teach like a certified teacher. That also puts a burden on the first and second grade teachers. There is no easy solution. I was just thinking what was best for our students.
I think we should keep the technology position in the future. With the ever changing world of technology I can only see a greater need of this resource.
Second grade also feels that the LLI program has been very beneficial this year. We have seen growth in those students, it has helped bridge the gap in reading.
From the 4th Grade PLC meeting (some of this is a moot point now)--PLC Meeting/Grade Level Meeting 5-17-10 Multiple sessions (Kelly, Goliszek, Dagenbach) Imagine It – • If adopted, how will we restructure our schedule to meet the program’s needs? (seemed to take more than 90 minutes) • If not adopted, does that leave this money for teaching positions?
Possible Classified Positions – • ISS – needs met with time out desks in office (Old Town and Ibraham models) or in buddy classroom • Computer Lab* - if CL is kept certified, research projects completed with CL and MC as partners
Title I – • Title I positions assigned 1 to each 3-5 level in mornings • Work to reduce class size even further - responsible for grades in reading and math with NCWise grade book responsibilities • Work on grades 3-5 will be able to be at specified levels ( Jefferson model) • Full time Title I positions would then be free to assist in K-2 classrooms in the afternoons (maintaining that special schedules stay the same)
Yes, collaborative research is the goal. This is more productive when the CL (technology facilitator) and MC have flexible scheduling, as this enables them to meet the needs of classes on an as-needed basis, rather than on a fixed schedule. Instruction is more relevant in context than taught in isolation. Thanks for confirming the need for flexible scheduling and availability. Putting the MC on a fixed schedule would adversely affect availability for projects such as this and for access to the media center for open checkout, curriculum assistance, classroom use, projects, collaboration, etc.
Since third grade is loosing planning time due loosing Spanish twice a week. Have the media center and technology teachers pick up those classes. This would open up some wonderful possiblities. They could have one class a week and choose a story similar to their directed reading story and then compare them, or research the author and their style. Or they could take one class 2 times (3 if you include their regular class) a week for the semester and do a major project. Depending on what needs the most help, a Math enrichment lesson, or in Social Studies curriculum researching Famous Americans. There will be a multitude of possibillities for exciting learning.
ReplyDeleteLLI is really working for our 1st grade students and I think it is a program we should have again next year.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be pointed out that the function of the media and technology positions is not to provide extra “planning period coverage” for teachers. It is not the media or technology position’s responsibility to “create” a lesson or project for a planning break, regardless of how exciting it might be. Both positions are here to support the curriculum but that is not the same as “covering classes.” The whole idea of the IMPACT flexible scheduling model is to free up these positions for flexible access, and to be available as much as possible for as-needed collaboration and resources, as that has been shown to have the most “impact” on student success. Simply filling up a slot so the teachers can have a planning break could be done by someone else who does not have the extra comprehensive and administrative responsibilities that are an integral and time-consuming part of the job. We don’t either one have “free time” when we are not actively teaching a scheduled class, due to the largely administrative nature of our jobs and the management of all the programs and activities that support the school. When we are not actively teaching a class, we are still doing “our jobs,” which would still have to be done, and frequently involve long hours after regular work hours. Classroom teachers are not alone in this aspect. It would not be a good use of the education, training, or time of these positions to assign them to supervise “extra” classes just because there is a gap in the planning period coverage. Putting either of us on an even more fixed schedule just to cover planning would take away from our effectiveness and limit teacher and student access to our resources and services when they need them. It takes away further from the times we are available on a “flex schedule” to meet the needs of the teachers and students when they need us. Neither of us has an assistant, except for the one-day media assistant who does part of the clerical tasks on that one day a week. While we are both happy to support the teachers with collaborative activities to support the curriculum, it is simply not a good use of our time, training, and resources to assign us to fill a spot just to cover planning or offer “enrichment,” which, on a fixed schedule would further limit any other teacher from having access to our time and resources then. Please remember that we already have a full fixed teaching schedule. We see all the classes, and we still have to do our administrative tasks as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry there was misunderstanding on the third grade planning period. I never meant for classes to be "covered" I believe the students deserve to have their time in school a productive learning time. Who better to do this than a certified teacher. I agree it is more work for those positions. However, we are a small school what if our size increased by three more classes? Wouldn't those classes have to be picked up. Certainly Impact is a marvoulous idea if we lived in a perfect world but we have to adjust when reality hits us in the face. The other alternatives are to not have a planning time third grade teachers or take assistants from first and second grade to cover. Although we have excellent assistants I would not expect them to teach like a certified teacher. That also puts a burden on the first and second grade teachers. There is no easy solution. I was just thinking what was best for our students.
ReplyDeleteI think we should keep the technology position in the future. With the ever changing world of technology I can only see a greater need of this resource.
ReplyDeleteVirginia Spaventa
Second grade also feels that the LLI program has been very beneficial this year. We have seen growth in those students, it has helped bridge the gap in reading.
ReplyDeleteFrom the 4th Grade PLC meeting (some of this is a moot point now)--PLC Meeting/Grade Level Meeting 5-17-10 Multiple sessions (Kelly, Goliszek, Dagenbach)
ReplyDeleteImagine It –
• If adopted, how will we restructure our schedule to meet the program’s needs? (seemed to take more than 90 minutes)
• If not adopted, does that leave this money for teaching positions?
Possible Classified Positions –
• ISS – needs met with time out desks in office (Old Town and Ibraham models) or in buddy classroom
• Computer Lab* - if CL is kept certified, research projects completed with CL and MC as partners
Title I –
• Title I positions assigned 1 to each 3-5 level in mornings
• Work to reduce class size even further - responsible for grades in reading and math with NCWise grade book responsibilities
• Work on grades 3-5 will be able to be at specified levels ( Jefferson model)
• Full time Title I positions would then be free to assist in K-2 classrooms in the afternoons (maintaining that special schedules stay the same)
Yes, collaborative research is the goal. This is more productive when the CL (technology facilitator) and MC have flexible scheduling, as this enables them to meet the needs of classes on an as-needed basis, rather than on a fixed schedule. Instruction is more relevant in context than taught in isolation. Thanks for confirming the need for flexible scheduling and availability. Putting the MC on a fixed schedule would adversely affect availability for projects such as this and for access to the media center for open checkout, curriculum assistance, classroom use, projects, collaboration, etc.
ReplyDelete