The K-2 Read-Aloud!

We have been engaged in the Duval Reads curriculum created by Expeditiary Learning now for two years. We are beginning our third year of implementation and I know many still see some areas where the curriculum could be improved.

I wanted to provide some insight on the Read Aloud portion.  The Read Aloud in itself is not the core.  The purpose of the Read Aloud is to build knowledge and model how to decode and read. The Read Aloud builds background knowledge – just understand that we are beginning to build schema for students – create a file folder for children who may not have had certain experiences.  Modeling complex text  can provide these students an opportunity to build schema, which can level the playing field for many of our students.   The love for the read aloud is 100% the way you present it to students!  Embrace that 30 minutes – it should be the best part of the day – model your thoughts - “I did not understand that…let me go back and re-read”, this will encourage them to struggle and think critically. Know the text! Study it - don't be a robot! 

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Using Core Knowledge

Q12 - Employee engagement Survey Results!

Our results are in! We have increased in our engagement index, however we still have room for growth. Two notable areas are Recognition and Materials and Equipment!  Comment below with suggestions on growing and developing in these areas!

Flipping PD! Begin to Explore the Growth Mindset!

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Welcome!

Ahoy Sailors!

  Last year we began our voyage with a focus on charting our future. Our nautical charts, compasses, and sextants have directed us to dive deeper - to the deepest darkest fathoms of our instructional practices!

•      This year we will ENGAGE students in activities that require them to reflect on ideas and how they are using those ideas. Involve students in doing things and thinking about what they are doing. We will focus the responsibility of learning on learners who engage with the contents and cognitively become active in the learning process.

•  We will EMPOWER our students with the belief that with practice, perseverance, and effort, that they will have limitless potential to learn and grow.

•   We will EDUCATE with deep, rigorous instructional practices that target individual students needs through the development of our professional praxis and evaluation of student work.

  This year teach with a fire so bright that everything you do burns into your student’s souls. Teach with a nuclear submarine fire so hot that students never forget the energy that blazed through your classroom. Teach with fire!

  So submariners...clear the bridge, close the main induction, pressure the boat, rig out the bow planes, and DIVE, DIVE, DIVE into your instruction!

  All faculty and staff - be prepared for a deep sea adventure on Monday, August 7th! Join us on the Upson dock at 8:00 AM sharp as we prepare to submerge to periscope depth!

Engage, Empower, Educate

The Voyage Begins…

Summer PD

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