Monday, April 25

Today's Content:

• Tier 1 Priorities:  Vocabulary Ladders

• Shifting Culture: Falcon Way Update

• Reminders:  Falcon Walks & "Believe" Challenge

• Newsworthy:  Mickie Siek in FW Star-Telegram

Falcon Focus: Vocabulary Ladders

All content areas are focusing on vocabulary; this is no surprise.  So when two of our teachers stumble on the same vocabulary strategy and are singing its praises, it needs to be shared with all.  

Both Lindsey Cato and Jonie Dodson are working their way through the TAGT On Demand training, and have learned a new vocab strategy  - vocabulary ladders.  Within this application strategy, there are multiple options for students to process their learning.

Lindsey's class explained the connect of each new word to the original.

Lindsey Cato had her students identify a key academic word on the highest rung.  Then, they selected one letter from the original word and came up with related words for the lower rungs.

Afterwards, her students used the right side of the ladder to explain the connections of the new words to the original word.


Jonie Dodson's students used the same graphic organizer but worked with the vocab a little differently.  Starting with the key word, students pulled a letter from each subsequent word to come up with the new related words.  At the end, she had them write a summary that connected all of the terms together.

Jonie's class used the vocab ladder to write a summary.

Falcon Focus: Falcon Way Update

This weekend I sent out the Padlet with the notes from last week's teacher meeting.  However, I wanted to share with you the feedback we've collected from students so far.

Click on the slide to see the guidelines for discussion.

Students were asked for their opinions on how to live the CORE values on campus and improve campus culture overall.  Their responses are listed below.

Falcon Focus: Falcon Walks & "Believe" Challenge

Just a quick reminder of a couple of campus initiatives for the end of the year:

First - the Falcon Learning Walks, our structure for informal peer observation.  As we discussed on Friday, April 1st, the purpose is to provide teachers with self-determined, collaborative professional development.  You identify the type of observation that will best help you and your students, and then make it happen.

Before visiting a class, review our Learning Walk Protocols:

• Intentionally plan your observations.
• Walk in with a growth mindset.
• Observe for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Remember to be an observer and not a participant in the lesson.
• Complete the Falcon Reflection Form to let your Academic Coach know if you need any assistance.

You may review the Learning Walk handout for a more detailed refresher.  A few teachers have already completed their walks, and they were able to absorb great ideas to implement in their own classes.  Be sure to go for a walk now, while there are still a few weeks to try out something new.

Second - the "Believe" Challenge, your opportunity to reflect a student you really believe in.  The goal here is simply to let our students know just how much we do believe in them, their dreams, and their future.  If you would like to film the conversation, I am happy to assist.  Either way, please send me your names.  Let's share the love with our students! <3

Falcon Focus: Star-Telegram

As a result of their selection into the Mount Vernon trip, Mickie Siek and Watauga Middle's Elizabeth Cumbie were featured in the Star-Telegram last Friday.  The article highlights a lot of our 8th graders talking about the Constitution; there are some fantastic quotes!  Check out the article by clicking on the link below.

Click the image to go to the article in the FW Star-Telegram.

If have any questions or would like some help implementing these or other strategies, please let me know.  And remember...

It's a great day to be a Falcon!