Another week of testing meant another pep rally, this week it was SES fourth graders turn to be motivated by our students, faculty, staff, and parents. It also meant my schedule included monitoring a test and helping out in the process as needed. April's tech challenge is coming to an end so I spent time in classrooms assisting students and teachers as they made Gamis using the Tellagami app. Some have used it for book reviews, weather reports, and many other innovative ways. I organized, produced, and published Week 33~Southwest Weekly Recap. I have really enjoyed this aspect of my job this year, I have gotten to know a little more about our faculty and staff through this process.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey as I learn and grow!
The week started with a campus pep rally to encourage and motivate third grade students as they began state testing. The gym looked awesome! Each classroom (23) made a 6" motivational banner which we hung around the gym. We shared two motivational videos: One had every faculty and staff member in it and the other was of each classroom saying something encouraging to our campus testers. We invited families of third grade students to join us as well, it was fabulous!
I monitored five testing sessions this week. I have administered state tests for the past 21 years, and even been a campus test coordinator, so this year was very different for me, a lot less stress!
I managed to assist two fourth grade classrooms with their very first Mystery Skypes. Both classes were prepared, used critical thinking skills, and asked great questions to determine their opponent's locations (Colorado and Vermont).
The week wouldn't be a complete without organizing, producing, and publishing Week 32 Weekly Recap.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey as I learn and grow each week!
I feel I say this each week, but...it really was a busy week! There just isn't enough time in the day to complete all the tasks that are on my list, so I get to work by 6:45am, and leave most days around 5:00... I am still not able to complete my list, I think that is job security, right? I had the opportunity to sit in on meetings at a local counseling center this week. This year has definitely broaden my vision from four walls to the campus, district, and beyond. Seeing the whole "picture" come together has been quite an experience! SES hosted our final Maker Monday of the year. Since January we have opened our Makerspace eight Monday nights for SES families and community members. It was a wonderful outreach for our campus! Our SES faculty and staff have worked together to make an inspirational testing video for our students. This week I recorded the teachers singing a song ,written by one of our teachers, to the music of a very popular song, it has turned out to be the cutest video. We will show it to the students at the Pep Rally next Monday (so I am not posting it on the blog until next week). We also collaborated on a video starring each class giving a shout out of encouragement to other classes. We will premiere this video at the Pep Rally too. Each class made banners that I hung in the gym Friday afternoon. Several students came into the gym while I was working, they were so excited! I can't wait until the Pep Rally, I am not sure who is going to enjoy it more, the adults or students! A month or so ago our SES Book Club decided we wanted to host an April luncheon, that happened on Thursday. I was happy to get to decorate and organize the food etc. We had four lunch groups and also invited the district maintenance crew. I also gave the teachers a preview of the video that we will show at the Pep Rally, it was awesome to see everyone smiling and laughing together. Third grade teachers also hosted a baby shower for one our assistants, it was a great week of connecting and building relationships!
This week I also attended several meetings to discuss Innovation Week (that is fast approaching), state testing, ELL, and moving forward into next year. Of course my week would not be complete without organizing, producing, and publishing the weekly recap:
Thank you for following me this year as I learn & grow, I love my job!
What a busy week! Life is good... My week started with SES Students of the Month in the Makerspace. We collaborated to make a giant piano! The students used Scratch, Makey Makey, foil, duct tape, and banner paper. It was a wonderful learning experience for all!
We hosted third graders and their parents Monday evening for Maker Monday. This has proven to be a great way to involve our SES families on our campus.
I hosted SES first Lunch & Learn this week, it was a huge success! I decided to do it in the place of Wireless Wednesday. The theme was testing, but not what you think... stars were hanging from the ceiling, the test fairy had left a motivational note on a poster, we discussed the book "The Big Test" and how reading it aloud would open a discussion with the students to share their feelings about the test. We had a spinning wheel for prizes, pizza, and salad. Almost every faculty/staff member attended a session!
March's Tech challenge ended Thursday. I put the names of the teachers that completed the aurasma project on a spinner app then I used periscope to announce the winner.
The remainder of my time this week was spent assisting teachers with ELL and technology. I worked on our SES motivational testing video too, I think the teachers may get a bigger kick out of it than the students!
There is one element about my week that never changes: organizing, producing, and publishing the Weekly recap.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey as I learn and grow each week, I am having the time of my life!
