crazy times....

I am so sorry it has been so long since my last blog. Times are crazy and the end of the year is approaching SO quickly. I hope you are all doing well with Annual Reviews. Remember if you need me, please let me know.

Discipline has been an issue everywhere! It seems like every day is a full moon. If any issues arise, please keep me in the loop. I'd like to be at any meetings that may result in suspension, expulsion or shortened school day. We need to always make sure we are providing all the services we need to be and that we are following the steps to the T. I'm always here for you guys-you don't have to go at it alone!

I wanted to make you all aware of some professional development that is coming up. We will be providing Behavior Tools training at Westside's SEC in the Middle School building on July 14. I'd love it if you all could come. This was a very valuable training! If you can't make it that day, but are interested, maybe we can see about adding an additional day. I'd like for each of you to go through it since behavior is becoming such a huge issue in our field.

I have some other PD days I'd like to add, but I would like to have your opinion on what you think would be most beneficial. Some would be: Direct Instruction, PRT, and data collection. If there is something else you would be interested in, please let me know and I'll try my best.

Please let me know what you think! and I also sent out a survey today about Due Process Paperwork resources. I'm anxious to know where you guys are on this issue, so get it back to me ASAP.

Today I wanted to also send you a note about differentiation. I am hearing frustration from a lot of regular education teachers regarding this. They are struggling to find a balance-how to differentiate, but not give the grade away. They are concerned that differentiating-especially for students on the lower end of the continuum may be perceived as "watering down" the curriculum.

I've been reading The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, by Carol Ann Tomlinson. It's a great resource that offers lots of real classroom examples. What I'm learning is that students need to be taking a much more active role in learning. To get them to do this, we need to find new and innovative ways to motivate students, including providing choices of activities and projects. When we can do this, learning seems to be more permanent and generalizes better to other areas. Encourage resistant teachers to start slow. Have them pick an area that they feel comfortable dipping their toe in the water. When they see the success it brings, maybe they will be more enthusiastic about continuing.

In differentiation, we need to keep our eye on the prize! Student learning is the goal.

If there is anything I can do to help you consult with your teachers, please let me know!

Have a great rest of the week.