Language Arts Newsletter 
Week of April 10th  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Team ELA is Strong and Awesome! 


Cycle 4A Instruction Week 2:


6th-grade focus standard(s):
  • 6.RV2.4
The Big Idea:

  • Latin/Greek

  • Prefixes and suffixes

  • Grammar review

  • Argumentation review


I Can Statement(s):


I can figure out meanings of words by knowing what Latin and Greek affixes mean.


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7th-grade focus standards:

  • 7.RV.3.1

  • 7.RV.2.4

The Big Idea:

  • Figurative Language

  • Latin/Greek affixes

I Can Statement(s):


I can identify and construct figurative language.


I can use Greek and Latin roots to understand the meaning of words.

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8th-grade focus standards:

  • 8.RV.3.1

  • 8.RV.2.4

The Big Ideas:

  • Figurative Language

  • Latin/Greek affixes and roots

I Can Statement(s):


I can use figurative language to make my writing and speaking more interesting.


I can use Latin and Greek roots and affixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.


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If students don’t get it, I won’t stop until they do" — Dorina Sackman (a teacher at large)
 

6th Grade: 


1. Cycle 3C data analysis 

2. ISTEP+ resources

 


7th/8th Grades: 


1. ISTEP+ resources 

2. Identifying best answers 
 
 
 
 
Cycle 3C mini-assessments

Cycle 4A mini-assessments are ready for review. Your feedback is important.


ISTEP+ Round 2 Schedule

Day 1 - Wednesday, April 19

  • 7:30 All students to testing location - 1st period teacher

  • 7:45  Math 1 — Math 2

  • 9:25 Students released to 1st period class by the PA

  • 9:30 2 hour delay schedule begins


Day2 - Thursday, April 20

  • 7:30 All students to testing location - 1st period teacher

  • 7:45 Math 3 — ELA 1

  • 9:35 Students released to 1st Period class by the PA

  • 9:40 2 hour delay schedule begins


Day 3 - Tuesday, April 25

  • 7:30 All students to testing location - 1st period teacher

  • 7:45 ELA 2 — ELA 3

  • 9:35 Students released to 1st period class by the PA

  • 9:40 2 hour delay schedule begins


Day 4 - Wednesday, April 26

  • 7:30 All students to testing location - 1st period teacher

  • 7:45 Begin ELA 4

      8th Grade complete 

      7th Grade Social Studies Test 1 and 2

      6th Grade Science Test 1 and 2

  • 10:35 Students released to 3rd Period class by the PA

  • 10:40 2 hour delay schedule begins
 
 
 
 
 
 

The 5 Secrets of Happy Teacher Teams

___________________________________________________________________________________________By Brooke Brown 
 
 
 
 
 Does every single one of your students learn in the SAME way? More importantly, do we EXPECT them to? Well, why should a team of teaching professionals be any different?
If you think about it, why do we group our students with differing strengths and abilities in partners and small groups during instruction?
Say it with me… TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER!!!
Over the years, I’ve taught with every kind of teacher under the sun, from the Type A to Type B, from first year to seasoned veteran, from extroverted to introverted. Has every teacher had a philosophy of learning and instruction that matched my own? Absolutely not. And guess what? The world still turned, and children still learned. While what’s best for my students might differ from a teammate, we are ALL here for the kids, y’all, and our differences make us STRONGER. When teaching philosophies clash, take a breath, and choose your battles wisely. It is perfectly okay to agree to disagree. To be a happy team, we do not have to be on the exact same page of our instructional timelines at the exact same time. We DO need to make an effort to value and respect one another’s opinions and ideas.   
 
 
 
 
 I might ruffle some feathers on this one, but guys, humility is IMPORTANT, not only in the teaching profession but in leading a life of service.
This is hard for some teachers to accept, but we are NOT the experts in everything. I’m willing to put money on the fact that each and every teacher on your team has a strength that is greater than your own, and more importantly, something that you can LEARN from to help you grow in your practice. Don’t believe me? Try observing each of your teammates in their practice, preferably within their strongest instructional subject. I was not encouraged to do this until my fifth year of teaching, and I have two words for you: MIND. BLOWN. I mean, I THOUGHT I was a pretty strong teacher, but it turned out I had a lot to learn. I still embrace that mindset today, and jump at any chance to observe teachers and learn from them.
And while we’re on the subject of egos, lets touch on the joys of HAPPY team planning.
Stand on your chair and shout with me:
EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL VALUED AND IMPORTANT!
When a teammate shares his or her idea, take time to acknowledge it and thank them for sharing. Ask them to email you a copy or run you a master copy for your files. Do you have to go straight back to your classroom and use the idea immediately? No! The fact that you respected and valued that idea is what’s important, and it sets the tone that other teammates should do the same for you. Not to mention, you never know when you might need to pull the idea they shared out of your back pocket.
Your mentors are surrounding you, friends. You just have to search for their strengths and use them to better yourself. 
 
 
 
 
You become most like the five people you surround yourself with, and negativity can be contagious and toxic. It takes a BIG PERSON to take the high road and back out of gripe fests, and an even BIGGER person to keep it professional. Do your very best to not exclude teammates from important decisions or team events. Lift each other up during difficult and exhausting teaching days. Compliment, thank, and hug your teammates often. Our days can be difficult enough with students, and our teacher friends can and should be our saving grace.
Need some advice for some things that the HAPPIEST teachers do every day?
 
 
 
 
This advice was given to me by a dear friend after a particularly difficult year. Small acts of kindness go a long way, not only to foster positivity, but to win over more challenging teammates. Make a point to put others before yourself. Offer to make copies, save a seat for them at faculty meeting, or bring them an extra Starbucks every once in awhile. By all means, don’t overdo it, and don’t force a “bestie” relationship, however, showing that you care for a teammate will most certainly pay off. It’s like laying stones along a path toward trust and collaboration. This is especially true for first year teachers and teachers new to a district or building. It can be especially difficult to mesh with a new school culture, and by committing small acts of kindness, you are proving that you take time for others and are “in it for the team.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You know I’m gonna say it, because I always say it…
YOUR TEACHER FRIENDS SHOULD BE YOUR BEST FRIENDS!
Now, are they all gonna be your best friends who meet you for Happy Hour on Fridays? (Oh, how I miss the days before small children!) Probably not, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a genuine effort to connect with teammates on a personal level. Each day, try to make a point to ask each teammate about something going on in their lives, whether it be their family, or a hobby, or the fun vacation they just went on. Are they struggling with a family tragedy or illness? Text them on the weekends to ask how things are going or how you can help. My biggest “life moments” have all been celebrated with my teacher friends, and I’ve been consoled by them during my saddest moments. The kindness and compassion of my teacher friends during those moments are permanently etched in my memory. Be there for your teammates on a personal level (as well as a professional level) and your efforts will undoubtedly bring you closer.
I hope these “secrets” will encourage you to choose JOY and bring positivity to your teaching team!
Take care of each other, y’all, and savor your long weekend.
But first, go text a teammate and tell her you appreciate her.
 
 
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