*STAR* Teacher- Brian Hammond

Norman Elementary's New *STAR* Teacher is...

Brian Hammond

Physical Education

How many years have you been teaching?

This is my 9^th year at Reed City, my 7^th year teaching. My first two years I held the position of Community Education Director/Athletic Director. Then I went into the classroom at the Middle School as an 8^th grade Social Studies teacher/AD. I have been at GT Norman for the last six years as a 3-4-5 PE teacher.

What is your best memory?

I have a lot of great memories. My best memories are when I have former students come back to visit me. To see how they have grown from children to young men and women really helps to reinforce that as a teacher, I had a small part in guiding them to where they are and to where they are going in the future.

What is the funniest memory?

Unfortunately this memory is at the expense of my colleague and mentor, Doug Emington. The second and only year that we used Ferris State University’s pool for our swimming curriculum. We had spent the weeks leading up to our swim days and the actual day that we went, pounding into the kids heads that safety is of utmost importance when dealing with water/pools. Doug was putting equipment away and made a gesture jokingly to mess with the kids. When he did, he slipped on the wet pool deck, fell, and broke his nose. Nobody really saw what happened because it happened that quick. We still say that is the only real injury we have had in the 5 years we have taken our students for swim safety.

Can you share a PE best practice?

The thing that I think is important to make sure PE is a safe and productive environment are classroom rules and procedures. The gymnasium is really just a big classroom. I spend the first two weeks of every year on making sure the students know what my rules and procedures are. I stress the importance of keeping the gym a safe place to learn and what my expectations are of them as students in my classroom. It is much easier to teach in a large area when everyone knows what they are to be doing at all times. Then I can focus on teaching skills to the students and it is safe for all involved.

Share why you like being a PE teacher?

What I like the most about being a PE teacher is that my class is the one class where almost all the students like to go. My students all see me in the hall or outside of school and always want to know what we are going to do next in class. Its nice to have that kind of excitement everyday about my class. The students definitely bring great energy every single day and makes my job one of the best to have. I have many friends who are jealous of what I do.

What advice do you have for teachers just coming into the field?

My advice isn’t just for PE teachers, but for teachers in general. Make sure you have a strong classroom management plan. Students are smarter than we give them credit for. If the students know they can do or get away with something, they will. Have a plan and stick to it. Be flexible enough to adjust it as needed, all students are different, so one plan will not work for everyone.

Also, have fun, we forget this sometimes because we get caught up in the daily grind. Teaching is demanding and rewarding. Enjoy what you do, if you are having fun, it makes all the actual work you do to be a good teacher not really seem like work. 

Pictures from Brian's "Classroom"

Brian-

Thanks for sharing your students, advice and memories!

Vicky

Formative Assessment-Math: Kylene Nix

Norman Elementary 1st Grade Teacher, Kylene Nix shares Formative Assessment in a Math Lesson.

*First Part of the Formative Assessment Process...  (Watch the video)

"The most effective teaching and the most meaningful student learning happen when teachers design the right learning target for today's lesson and use it along with their students  to aim for and assess understanding."

"Learning Targets use words, pictures, actions, or some combination of the three to express to students, in terms the students understand, the content and performance they are aiming for."

-Learning Targets:Help Students Aim for Understanding in Today's Lesson

     By Connie M. Moss & Susan M. Brookhart

http://youtu.be/u60Rj-aW9WI

*Second Part of the Formative Assessment Process:

Kylene shared with her students what a #1 paper would look like, then a #2 and #3. Kylene's students knew that they needed to work very hard to try and have a #1 paper.

 Examples

Once their assignment was complete, Kylene gathered her students back at the carpet for
Peer & Self Assessment of their completed paper.

`Student's Work

New *STAR* Teacher...Pam Bloom

Norman Elementary's New *STAR* Teacher is...

Pam Bloom

Resource Room

How many years have you been teaching?

I have been a student, graduate, secretary, and teacher for Reed City Area Public Schools. I have been teaching in this district for 15 years. Presently, I teach in a Resource Room.

What is your best memory?

I have many special memories, such as the look of awe on my students' faces when they meet the service men and women who receive Care Packages and letters from us. Another warm memory are the tears of gratitude on the faces of our veterans as our students honor them for their service to our country. The excitement in the air when chicks hatch in my classroom each spring is another special memory, and of course, the pride my students have when they are able to use their math skills to sell suckers and then use that money tos send Care Packages to our service people and to donate money to community projects such as the Reed City Public Library, Osceola County Animal Shelter, Cancer Fund, etc. It is during these times that I know that the important lessons I have taught my students have reached outside the classroom walls and into the very heart of our community.

What is your funniest memory?

On my second day of teaching third grade, I was greeting my students in the hallway, when one of my young students said, "Good Morning, Ms. Blossom". "Bloom", I gently corrected her with a smile. She shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I knew it had something to do with a flower!"

Can you share a Best Practice for Reading?

I strongly believe it is important to celebrate each child's success. Each month my students decide on a monthly reading goal. They encourage each other and recommend books to read. At the end of each month, we have a celebration in honor of each one's effort and success. At the end of the school year, I also award medals and certificates recognizing students for their learning achievements and with the hope that it will encourage them to try their best the next year.

Can you share a Best Practice for Math?

I believe in daily reviews while teaching new concepts. For example, I use Math Minutes to quickly review 10 different math concepts each day. My students pretend to be detectives as they look for clues to help them solve complex problems. I also include games and activities to help them review concepts they have learned while still differentiating according to their learning abilities. I always point out situations when they will use their new skills in real life. They use all of these important math skills when they purchase and buy cartons of suckers to sell at our school.

Do you have any advice for new teachers?

It is important to build a trusting relationship with each child. Try to make learning fun, yet meaningful. For example, explain to your students why they need to know the concepts you are teaching and how they will use this information later on,. Knowing why they need to learn something, can help a student's motivation. Use real-life situations so that students can use their knowledge. Learn from and trade ideas with other teachers. 

Do your best to "Bloom Where You Are Planted"

Pictures from Pam's classroom:

Pam,

I have to be honest, I have tears of my own while I'm typing this Post. The reason is that the two servicemen in the picture above are my sons, Wade & Cody who are both in the Navy--one in England and the other in Italy.

 They have both been into your classroom to visit with your students and listen to them sing patriotic songs-and yes, both of them have had tears in their eyes before the songs were finished.

Your "Care Package" program has meant so much to so many men and women across our nation and in many other countries. I remember one year, your class sent Wade a package for his birthday when he was in the middle east. One of your students wrote him a letter and drew a picture. Wade and his whole Unit got a kick out of it and no matter what country he travels to, that picture is with him and goes on the wall. 

I also remember a few years ago when Cody was stationed in California, 18 years old and it was his first Christmas away from home. Your students sent him a box of goodies, gifts and letters. That meant so much to him. He took that package into work and shared it with his whole crew. They were so thankful not only for the food and gifts but that someone remembered them.

Did my boys need boxes of goodies? No, they have family and friends that support them. But to know that others back home were thinking about them and that are thankful for what they are doing...well, you have no idea how special that is.  There are many young men and women that have no one that send letters or boxes of gifts--How sad is that?

You have made a difference in many lives. Your "Care Package" program is a wonderful thing and my family along with many others, hope that you know that you are a special person and are appreciated.

Thanks for sharing your memories, students and advice.

Vicky

*STAR* Teacher....Julie Garner

Norman Elementary's new *STAR* Teacher is...

Julie Garner

3rd Grade

How many years have you been teaching?

25 years—3^rd, 4^th & 5^th grades

What is your best memory?

This is hard because there are so many!

I have seen so many kids come through; many now adult, that when I meet them later in life will refer back to something I did in class that really helped them. At the time I didn’t realize, but learning later that I made an impact on that child’s education provides me with a feeling of purpose.

What is the funniest memory?

When a fifth grade student thought it would be funny to stop in the bathroom before math class and color hi entire face blue with a marker. He walked into class, looked at me for a reaction—which I gave him none, and said “go wash your face off, and come back when it is clean.” I secretly wanted to burst out loud, (although this is a bit mean…) I really hoped he had used a Sharpie—He didn’t L

Can you share a reading strategy/best practice?

For best comprehension, students need to read in a least-distracting setting. I encourage them to find privacy, and not choose books that are too high a reading level for them. The difficult vocabulary will cause them to lose interest.

Can you share a math strategy/best practice?

When solving word problems, go slowly. Read the final sentence again; look for key words/phrases that give a clue as to which operation to perform. Draw pictures/show work to help sort out confusion.

What advice do you have for teachers just coming into the field?

Be prepared mentally for a much more difficult job than it appears. Expect a lot more competition, going above and beyond the call of duty; being a teacher as well as a counselor; parent and nurse…yet remain committed and it will be so rewarding to see the students you have, grow-up to become successful and responsible adults.

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Thank you to all the co-workers I have had the privilege to work alongside of over the past 25 years. You are what helped me get through the hard moments, laugh at the craziness, shared experiences & ideas, and always felt like another family.

Pictures from Julie's Classroom

Julie-

Thank you for sharing your memories, advice and strategies. Most of all, THANK YOU for your dedication for the past 25 years of teaching young children. It's not always an easy job, but as you said...it is 

VERY rewarding.

Vicky

Common Core State Standards--Information that teachers need to know...

Below are some videos that will help educators understand the changes that are coming...

Common Core State Standards & Smarter Balanced Assessment

*Common Core State Standards--A New Foundation for Student Success
http://youtu.be/EBiAHMkQP2g     (2:42)

*"How the Common Core is Changing Assessment"
http://youtu.be/N6kdyqeoiSI           (12:19)

*Introduction to Smarter Balanced Item and Performance Task Development
http://youtu.be/ND4vaAqTSCk       (22:20)

Writing Strategies that meet the CCSS

At Norman Elementary, we are getting ready for our Teacher Writing Workshop so  I went to the Teacher Channel and found the 3 videos below. They are Writing Strategies that meet the Common Core State Standards. These strategies can be adapted to K-12.

Video #1- Analyzing Text as a group. 7 minutes.Lesson Objective: Engaging in large group discussion before writing.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-as-a-group

Video #2-Analyzing Text: Brainstorming before writing. 6 minutes. Lesson Objective: Engaging in small group discussion before writing.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-brainstorming

Video #3-Analyzing Texts: Putting thoughts on paper. 5 minutes. Lesson Objective: Respond to a text by analyzing an author's viewpoint.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-writing

I hope the videos are helpful and gave you some ideas to use in your classroom.

Vicky

*STAR* Teacher--Marcy Hammond

Norman Elementary's New *STAR* Teacher is...

Marcy Hammond

4th Grade

How long have you been teaching?

 12 years

What is your best memory?

 My best memory of teaching in the 4th grade is when we take our annual field trip to Ludington Big Sable Point Lighthouse  I love it when some of my student’s see Lake Michigan for the first time, climb the lighthouse to the top and play on the sand dunes. I love the excitement they show during this trip.

What is your funniest memory?

 I love it when my students share funny stories that happen to them or of things that they have done.

Can you share a best Reading Practice?

I really enjoy Reading Base Camps. We team up together and are able to target exactly what each student needs and help them in that area. Every group is working on different strategies that will increase their fluency and comprehension.

Can you share a best Math Practice?

 I differentiate my math lessons. I teach to the ability and readiness level of my students. They all work on the same concept, just at different levels.

What advice would you give to someone just going into the teaching profession?

 Learn the likes and the dislikes of all the students in the classroom. Try to understand the backgrounds of where the students are coming from. Make connections with the students on their learning levels, every child is a unique learner.

Marcy-

What a great experience you are giving your students by taking them on the field trip to see one of our great lakes, lighthouses and sand dunes. Fourth Grade always does a fabulous job with their Lighthouse Unit and we all enjoy their lighthouse displays.

Thank you for sharing your memories, best practices and your classroom!

Vicky