District College and Career Ready Team Meets

Our Trussville City Schools District CCRS Team met on Friday to discuss the processes each school is using to implement the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards.  The team looked at data from each school to begin the process of determining strengths and needs.  The goal of this team is to create a focused district professional development plan that provides administrators and teachers the PD, resources, and information needed to implement the new standards and assessments.  Team members include:
Beth Bruno
Betsy Schmitt
Autumm Jeter
Lisa Berry
Jennifer Cardwell
Melanie Glover
Kristi Stacks
Kelly McGough
Edra Perry
Amanda Roberts
Mindy Dennis
Donna Brumlow
Lisa Lothspeich
Charlotte Booker
Tommy Abney
Joy Young
April Chamberlain
DeAngelia Dailey
Ryan Minisman
Kim Lewis
Diane Byars
Christi Williamson

National Thank a Principal Day

NAESP is calling on fellow education organizations, educators, and supporters to recognize Friday, October 17, as "Thank a Principal Day." Let your principal know that he or she is doing a great job. 

ReadWorks

Do you know about ReadWorks?  If you are looking for articles for students to read, this is an excellent resource.  You will need to create an account, but it is free.  Click  ReadWorks to go to start.

Marzano's 13 Best Practices

This article outlines Marzano’s 13 instructional strategies and behaviors proven to increase student achievement in an online learning environment. Read this practical guide, and learn 13 proven ways to help your learners succeed
Marzano-13-best-practices

Classroom Management Strategies

Click here to check out three tips for improving classroom management and watch a video of a classroom.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/10/02/classroom-management-3-things/

Socratic Seminars

Socratic seminars provide a platform for students to think, share, listen, and learn.
Click here to watch a video on Socratic seminars.  (You do not have to register with The Teacher Chanel to watch.)

Learning about Academic Vocabulary

Outstanding professional learning was led today by Paine Intermediate reading coach, Kelly McGough, and Paine Intermediate math coach, Lisa Lothspeich.  Their instruction was based on Robert Marzano's research in his book, Building Academic Vocabulary.  On Monday, the school will begin implementing a school wide focus on academic vocabulary.  A new word will be highlighted and taught each "A" Day.  All teachers, including administrators and specialists, will intentionally teach and use the words throughout the 8-day rotation.  These words will be displayed in the classrooms, hallways, and lunchroom.  The focus will be on Tier II words that cross all contents and are often used in academic dialogue and text. These are the words that are not necessarily used in students' conversations, but are often seen in directions or test questions.Research indicates the intentional teaching of academic vocabulary will result in higher student achievement.

To read more about teaching academic vocabulary, click here.