6th block
We feel the grades should be due the week before the current dates so that the grade cards can be ready by parent teacher conferences.

We also would like technology to open the adv/elgigibility portal so advisement teachers, parents, and students can check grades.

10/17/08 - 5th period PDC
Discussions for today
-Identifying Similarities and Differences (Classifying) what have I tried using this instructional strategy, how have i assessed its effectveness?
Graphic organizers and column note taking have helped students organize, so far mostly used in formative assessment - direct obervation and questioning. Science classes are using notebooking and whiteboarding, part of what the students are being taught includes all the power words of which compare and contrast are focus words.
-Extra help for students with failing grades
The after school tutoring program is helping some students, but some are using it as an excuse to ride the latter bus home. Some students are not using the resource that is being offered.
Quarter ends October 22nd, grades are due and must be posted to Infinite Campus by October 24th to be ready for Parent/Teacher Conferences *** please note that the district server went down today, message from IT helpdesk reads ... This is a server issue on IC's end...not on our end. So we are waiting for them to fix this issue. Note: a local transformer was his during 4th period today as well.
-Do I have current lesson plans in my Lesson Plan Binder? Having current and complete daily lesson plans is a district and building-wide non-negotiable.
-Tonight is Family Nite at District Sadium, all faculty will receive free hot dogs, chips and drinks prior to the gave between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.... be there to support the team.
Good Luck to our guys. We wish them well tonight.

Items for next week and reminders:
See mailboxes for new Friday Focus for a calendar of next weeks events.
Tuesday, 3rd period, all school assembly.
Wednesday, no 2nd period, Advisement from 7:25-10:00 am for 10th grade PLAN testing.
Quarter ends October 22nd, grades are due and must be posted to Infinite Campus by Friday, October 24th to be ready for Parent/Teacher Conferences.

PS - 5th period PDC
Don't forget to put Module 1-comparing and Module 2- Contrasting into the big lesson plan binders.

11-10-08 - PD EMBEDDED - Reviewed summarizing - Planned our learning Walk - Look at the "PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT" - see MSIP Walk-Through for details.

11-10-08 5th period PD
1. Read Module 5 - "Summarizing"
-----to summarize students must analize the information beyond just reading
2. Discuss "Rule Based Strategy"
**teachers can modle the thinking process by "thinking out loud" as summaries are developed
-----to summarize
--------delete trivial & redundant material
--------substitute superodinate terms
--------select or invent a topic sentence
3. Read article - "Graduate at Grade 10"
-----Yea! We agree with the author.
4. Read Introduction to "FRAMES"
----Each summary frame consist of a series of questions directly related to a specific pattern of common information found in text.
----Using the given frames provides both the teacher and the student with a predictable structure that encouraging to students and teachers.

PDC 5th period
Reflections - Holiday season is soon approaching. 14 more class period this semester.
Stay positive!!! Look for something good.
I often feel frustration with students that would rather take a zero or suspension rather than cooperate and participate in the planned activities.
Some students are trying but even they are becoming disillusioned by seeing poor behavior rewarded and good behavior ignored.