Friday, September 16, 2011
Assessment and Curriculum
KES just completed our first round of data team meetings. We used data from AIMSWeb, MAP, and Fountas & Pinnel. In short, we looked at assessment data from EVERY KES student. We are using this data to help ensure each student is being challenged and an individual and optimal level for success and growth. Please feel free to call or stop by the office with any questions. Thanks.
KES Open House
Thank you to all the families attending our open house. It was a great opportunity for all of us to see great student work, have fun talking, and take our chances with Mrs. Hale's obstacle course in the gym. What a great night.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
9 - 11
I remember my first Fall as a principal. It was at the old middle school (now GES). I was a lot younger. I was eager to begin my new role in education. No longer a teacher, I was now a principal. And, it all changed.
I heard about a plane accidentally flying into the World Trade Center. Oh my. No time for that now, we need to do announcements. On my way to an administrator's meeting a little while later, I heard on the radio there was another direct hit. Certainly, this was not an accident. As the day went on, it was clear; our nation was under attack. It was time for that now.
Mixed feelings. I am responsible for this school. I have a pickup truck that I can fill with bottled water and drive to New York for the relief workers. I have young children at home. Where is my place right now?
My place was to stay at the middle school. To help families and children understand the events of the day. The repercussions of those events that would last into our nation's history.
Through the next few days and throughout the following decade, GKMS students learned about 9-11 and memorialized our nation's lost. In the early years we cried. As time went by, we learned.
Today, our Kingston Elementary School students will learn about an event that happened before they were born. But, they will learn. In every classroom, KES students will learn about the events of that September ten years ago. Although too young to fully comprehend the events of that day, our students will learn, and will learn to remember.
At all GK Schools - including KES - we remember. With respect.
I heard about a plane accidentally flying into the World Trade Center. Oh my. No time for that now, we need to do announcements. On my way to an administrator's meeting a little while later, I heard on the radio there was another direct hit. Certainly, this was not an accident. As the day went on, it was clear; our nation was under attack. It was time for that now.
Mixed feelings. I am responsible for this school. I have a pickup truck that I can fill with bottled water and drive to New York for the relief workers. I have young children at home. Where is my place right now?
My place was to stay at the middle school. To help families and children understand the events of the day. The repercussions of those events that would last into our nation's history.
Through the next few days and throughout the following decade, GKMS students learned about 9-11 and memorialized our nation's lost. In the early years we cried. As time went by, we learned.
Today, our Kingston Elementary School students will learn about an event that happened before they were born. But, they will learn. In every classroom, KES students will learn about the events of that September ten years ago. Although too young to fully comprehend the events of that day, our students will learn, and will learn to remember.
At all GK Schools - including KES - we remember. With respect.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Benchmarking and Curriculum
We are off to a great start here at KES assessing student progress and implementing differentiated instruction to meet each student's needs.
How do we go about doing this? It begins with gathering student specific data. We are completing AIMSWeb and Fountas Pinnell benchmarking this week. MAP testing will be completed next week.
What do all those letters mean?
We use AIMSWeb to assess all students two times per year for universal screening (early identification). Think of AIMSWeb benchmarking as a thermometer. For most students, their temperature is in the healthy range. If a student is having difficulty with reading, this will serve as an early indicator so that appropriate interventions can be put in place. Once identified, those students are progress monitored more frequently.
Fountas and Pinnell benchmarking is done one on one with your student and their teacher. The benchmark provides levels from A to Z that will allow your student to be appropriately challenged to maximize academic growth during Guided Reading.
MAP testing is used to assess all students twice a year. MAP scores provide achievement breakdowns in all areas of Reading and Math. Your child's teacher will have the data to pinpoint areas where your child excels and areas to address for ongoing improvement.
Too Much?
While all this sounds like a lot of time spent on testing, rest assured that students are away from class work very little. AIMSWeb is a three minute screening assessment. Fountas and Pinnell is approximately 15 minutes of one on one time with your child's teacher. MAP testing is approximately two hours of testing. Over the course of two weeks, each student will spend less than 2.5 hours working on these assessments.
The outcome is well worth the time investment. Within the first three weeks of school, teachers have three data points for your child. As they analyze this data, our staff can specifically target reading materials and student work to individual instructional level.
These assessments are an example of using data to tailor and individualize instruction. Add all this information to our caring, supportive, and child-centered staff and it is easy to see why Kingston Elementary School is such a great place for kids and families.
Please feel free to stop by the office or respond to this blog with any questions or comments.
How do we go about doing this? It begins with gathering student specific data. We are completing AIMSWeb and Fountas Pinnell benchmarking this week. MAP testing will be completed next week.
What do all those letters mean?
We use AIMSWeb to assess all students two times per year for universal screening (early identification). Think of AIMSWeb benchmarking as a thermometer. For most students, their temperature is in the healthy range. If a student is having difficulty with reading, this will serve as an early indicator so that appropriate interventions can be put in place. Once identified, those students are progress monitored more frequently.
Fountas and Pinnell benchmarking is done one on one with your student and their teacher. The benchmark provides levels from A to Z that will allow your student to be appropriately challenged to maximize academic growth during Guided Reading.
MAP testing is used to assess all students twice a year. MAP scores provide achievement breakdowns in all areas of Reading and Math. Your child's teacher will have the data to pinpoint areas where your child excels and areas to address for ongoing improvement.
Too Much?
While all this sounds like a lot of time spent on testing, rest assured that students are away from class work very little. AIMSWeb is a three minute screening assessment. Fountas and Pinnell is approximately 15 minutes of one on one time with your child's teacher. MAP testing is approximately two hours of testing. Over the course of two weeks, each student will spend less than 2.5 hours working on these assessments.
The outcome is well worth the time investment. Within the first three weeks of school, teachers have three data points for your child. As they analyze this data, our staff can specifically target reading materials and student work to individual instructional level.
These assessments are an example of using data to tailor and individualize instruction. Add all this information to our caring, supportive, and child-centered staff and it is easy to see why Kingston Elementary School is such a great place for kids and families.
Please feel free to stop by the office or respond to this blog with any questions or comments.
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