Powerful Practices for Educators: August 2018

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Newest TCS Teachers Gather to Reflect on First Days of School

New 18-19 teachers gathered today to debrief and learn together. The group shared first days' stories, laughing and supporting one another. They reviewed the TCS District Literacy Non-negotiables and looked over the TCS Literary Canon. Breakout sessions included a discussion of the district's plan for academic vocabulary instruction and a brief tutorial regarding Google and Clever.

Thank you for the heartfelt feedback from a new teacher.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Cahaba Named One of Top 50 Schools for Reading Growth

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) recently announced that 50 schools across the state would share $1 million allotted by the Alabama Legislature during the 2018 legislative session. The 50 schools that will receive this earmarked funding were notified of their recognition for their efforts in showing the most improvement in last year’s 3rd grade reading results. Trussville's Cahaba Elementary was one of those 50 schools that showed the most improvement in last year's 3rd grade reading results!

Divided evenly, each school selected will receive a $20,000 check from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) as a way of recognizing and incentivizing teachers and students who have worked hard to achieve proficiency in reading by the 3rd grade in last year’s Scantron Performance Series Reading Assessment. There will be a special recognition and awards ceremony on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at the ALSDE after the September Alabama State Board of Education meeting. Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama legislators, and other dignitaries will be on hand to personally congratulate all 50 schools.

We are extremely proud of the progress made by those students. We also realize that it takes a village to make this type of progress, so we want to recognize the contributions of kindergarten, first, second AND third grade teachers, as well as administrators and academic coaches. Dr. Neill and our Board have provided support so that these teachers and leaders have been able to achieve this huge accomplishment.

Elementary Math Teachers Collaborate to Learn

Twenty-two elementary math teachers collaborated today with Math Coach Monica Bramlett to develop skills and knowledge of number strings.

A number string is a carefully designed sequence of problems for students to solve mentally. It is designed so that students develop a range of strategies for mental computation, explore the connections between strategies, and deepen understanding of such mathematical models as the number line. Number strings also provide opportunities for students to engage in mathematical discourse, both in describing their own strategies and connecting with the mathematical strategies of others. With a number string, the goal is to support students to think flexibly and strategically.

In a typical number string, students gather at the rug, ready to engage in mental mathematics. After each problem is written horizontally on the board, the teacher offers significant wait time to allow students to develop a solution and strategy. A few students share strategies for each problem. Each time a new strategy or idea is shared, the teacher represents the strategy using a particulat mathematical model such as an array, a ratio table, or an open number line.

Each teacher practiced facilitating a number talk with a small group after reading about and discussing the components of a number string.

The Elementary Math Teachers (EMT) Cohort meets monthly for full days to collaborate and learn together.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Kindergarten Intervention Starting Early

Specialist teachers at Cahaba Elementary began working with kindergartners today during their schoolwide intervention period. Their goal is to make sure all kindergartners can identify all letters and know the sounds of all letters within the next four weeks. They will also be working on number recognition, counting objects, and shapes.