Things are changing.......

Summer is in full swing!  June and July were chock full of curriculum work days and a few learning workshops.  It was enjoyable working with teachers from other grade levels I usually would not have the opportunity to work with.  Our time was EXTREMELY productive! Adopting a new Mathematics curriculum, 1:1 computers for the first time, and being part of a pilot for a new Structured Word Inquiry  program are a tall order for one grade level. I'm confident our 5th grade team will handle it like pros!

I took part in a three day workshop on Structured Word Inquiry, or SWI.  SWI examines words in a scientific way through word morphology, phonology and etymology.   What I like most about it is the level of engagement students have in the inquiry process.  Another 5th grade teacher and I will pilot SWI this school year, and we've chosen to incorporate it across all content areas.  

We will be using Eureka Math this year and I had to opportunity to learn about it through a training and curriculum work this summer.  Our team created rubrics for Mid-Module and End of Module assessment, created a calendar for lessons throughout the school year, and wrote quizzes for each topic taught.  We created pages for our Back to School night PowerPoint, as well as a parent letter that will go home with students at the beginning of the year.  

The Eureka Teacher training incorporated fluency activities in the classroom, lesson set up, pacing, and other facets of implementation.  I'm so appreciative for this training - I feel confident and excited to utilize Eureka in the classroom!

Fifth grade teachers met this summer to upload our English/Language Arts UbD into Microsoft One Note - one tool chosen to help implement 1:1 computers in the classroom.  Next week we'll check in with Technology Instructional Leaders to review and practice before the kids arrive. 

I will receive my class list in a week, and can start classroom set up on August 14.  I'll take the next couple weeks to unwind, read a little, plan a little, and "Pinterest" a lot! 

My "blank slate!"