Bravo Zulu!
Bravo Zulu Jennifer Browning at CHOICE! Without the usual office support for our programs Jenn has stepped up her game wonderfully last week that I must give praise. While we work out the details of reorganizing Alt Ed support, Jenn will be our money person crunching all budgets for both New Start and CHOICE, and managing the financial processes which include payroll, 
purchasing, pcard, travel, ASB and grant funds…a lot of work, and a lot to learn in a short amount of time. This week Jenn showed she is well on her way, working hard to get the training and access she needs to hit the ground running with her new responsibilities. Furthermore, she gets my additional praise and a big Bravo Zulu for holding our payroll and money shops together while learning this week, truly a hands-on and on the job learning curve which she has taken so well. Thank you Jenn!
purchasing, pcard, travel, ASB and grant funds…a lot of work, and a lot to learn in a short amount of time. This week Jenn showed she is well on her way, working hard to get the training and access she needs to hit the ground running with her new responsibilities. Furthermore, she gets my additional praise and a big Bravo Zulu for holding our payroll and money shops together while learning this week, truly a hands-on and on the job learning curve which she has taken so well. Thank you Jenn!Instructional Point: The Rotating Seminar
This week I want to share a fascinating classroom practice I saw during observations this week. First I will share that the activity was conducted by two of our teachers, Mr. C Alexander at New Start, and Ms. N Starkey at CHOICE. Thank you for letting me see the rotating seminar method in action. (I have only seen this in east coast schools before.)
The Rotating Seminar can be used for review or sharing new information learned amongst students. It encourages small group work, choice in learning and gets students moving around the classroom. The model can be used after a mini lesson for set up and during the break out portion of a workshop instructional model in the classroom.
In planning, 4 - 6 stations are assigned with a “main idea” attached. In what I saw this week with Casey and Nicole’s classes, each station had a math problem or formula which was to be discussed, practiced and a solution found by the students who chose whatever station. Students had a set amount of time at stations, at which they would rotate by choosing which table they wanted to work at next. Students had choice, but they were accountable to check off each station.
The teacher work during the active seminars was to monitor time and call for rotation when time was had. During each mini-session, teachers move amongst the tables coaching students and assessing individual student’s participation and knowledge in each of the given idea stations. The teacher also identifies and assigns students to share out when the class comes together at the closing portion of the period.
Active, moving, choosing, helping each other and engagement are all hallmarks of this learning activity. The Rotating Seminar is a great strategy to watch students and assess their learning and engagement levels. It is simple to plan, and a lot of good learning, assessment and activity “bang for your buck”, so to speak.
Best yet, the Rotating Seminar can be applied in any discipline and is appropriate for all secondary grade levels. It’s fun. Try it out in your class and let me know how it goes!
PCT This week.
This week PCT is Team Time. It is self-directed to work with your building colleagues in collaboration. The time is not to be used individually. Power Session planning at New Start with a peer would be a good example of how to use your PCT this week. I look forward to walking around both sites and seeing what you and your colleagues are working on for PCT this week!
The Week Ahead…PCT This week.
First and foremost on my mind are monthly staff meetings for us all to get together (New Start on Wednesday, and CHOICE on Thursday). Hard to believe it is November (middle November) already. Student Led Conferences are also in the air and will be occurring next week. We will discuss expectations for conferences at each staff meeting. My schedule for the week follows…
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
CH / NS /CH/ ERAC | New Start / ERAC | NS / CH / NS | CHOICE | New Start / ERAC |
Nov 14 | Nov 15 | Nov 16 | Nov 17 | Nov 18 |
CH Advisory re: Bullying NS Rounds CH M/PSO Pres. District PBIS (ERAC) | Planning Time Library Install Meeting District Principals Meeting (ERAC) | NS Film Fest CH PBIS Meeting NS Staff Meeting | CH Presentations and Classroom Rounds CH Staff Meeting Screen Office Asst. Applications (ERAC) | NS PBIS Meeting Becca Update PCT Team Time Weekly/Andrea Love District RTI Planning (ERAC) |
Thank you for some of the great teaching I’ve seen in classes this week. Thank you for helping keep our offices running during our time of supports transition. You are a wonderful team for which I am so thankful and proud. Have a great week, and see you at staff meeting!
Mike
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