Monday, May 23

Today's Content:

• Student Leadership:  Clever STUCO Campaign Posters

•  Best Practices:  TPR in Social Studies

• Shifting Culture: Falcon Way Update

Falcon Focus: Student Leadership

This past week, 34 7th graders ran for an officer position in next year's Student Council.  It was awesome to see so many students showing interest in campus leadership.  Also awesome - all the inventive energy that went into their campaign posters.  With whit and puns, this year's candidates cleverly tapped into commercials, phrases, and even infographics to humorously vie for student votes.

In case you didn't make it all the way around the building to read them, here's a quick recap of some of the quippier campaign posters.  If I missed your favorite, I apologize!

Yes, this last student got permission.  :)

  

So just who are next year's STUCO leaders?  We'll find out later today in the 7th grade Awards Ceremony.

 Falcon Focus: Total Physical Response in SS

Before the STAAR test, 8th grade Social Studies students reviewed the Bill of Rights using hand signals as memory triggers.  As covered in a previous post, total physical response (TPR) effectively helps students learn and remember different bits of information by pulling together the acting/gesturing/physical moving right side of the brain and the telling/explaining/analyzing left side. 

And it really works!  One student came back later and thanked Jonie Dodson for teaching her this strategy because she used it to help her with recall during the test.  Watch the video below of the students moving through the first ten Amendments with only minimal assistance from Jonie.  

 Falcon Focus: Falcon Way Update

As we mentioned in the faculty meeting this past Wednesday, NRMS is moving forward with the work to implement the Falcon Way from day one of 2016-17.  As always, thank you SO MUCH to all of the teachers, staff, and admin who have offered their opinions and ideas either in Falcon Way meetings, in emails, or in hallway conversations.  

This culture shift is about us - our students, our faculty & staff, and our community - and we will not be successful unless we are all on board.  This summer, the Falcon Way needs help with planning:

• Student orientation - plans & materials
• Advisory rotations - schedule & materials
• Pep rallies - creative ideas & planning
• Faculty/Staff "Get to Know You" Activities - ideas & materials

If you are interested in helping, please contact Kathryn Humer, Laurie Istook, Ann Newhouse, or Mary Terry.

Click on the slide to see the Falcon Way presentation from Wednesday's meeting.

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!