The Pursuit of Excellence: 3rd Week of December

Christmas is here, and it is time to take a break and spend time with our families. I hope each of you has a wonderful Christmas break. To get into the spirit, check out this video from SoulPancake. It will start your break off on the right foot. From my family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

DOK - Knowing if Kids are Learning

Click Here to see my Christmas Card
that I created on Canva.com.

Before you take off for break, take a moment and reflect on each of your students. How much are they learning? How much progress is each student making? How invested in the learning process are they?

After you synthesize this information, ask yourself this question. What is your "New Year's Resolution" for learning when those students come back in January? In other words the answers to these questions will tell you where improvement needs to be made in helping all kids learn.

Once you identify where improvements need to be made, make your plan of action to make it happen. The best ideas for a plan of action can be found from your colleagues. They can be found on Twitter, Pinterest, and other websites. There are amazing practices happening in classrooms around your school, so ask your teammates for ideas. There are unbelievable things happening around the world, and they are easy to find. By reflecting and researching, you can definitely find new and innovative ways to not only help all kids learn, but also let you know if they are learning.

@edunators

4 Questions of a PLC - Through the Eyes of Students - http://www.edunators.com/index.php/becoming-the-edunator/step-4-lesson-plan-for-learning/lesson-planning-using-the-four-critical-questions … #edchat #atplc #colchat #sblchat #ctchat 

Collaboration

Lots of teams are making adjustments to their collaboration for the spring, and it is really exciting to hear how teams will be collaborating in a way that will be more meaningful to teachers. Collaboration is about learning and working together, so it will be exciting to see how teams will be collaborating at a higher level in 2015.

Below is a great quote to remind us all about the importance of hearing input and getting ideas from all members during collaboration.

MarzanoResearch Dec 04, 8:35pm via Hootsuite

RT @April2383: "When 4 people agree on everything it means 3 of you are irrelevant!" -Ken Williams @unfoldthesoul #atplc

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Excellence in Action - TISD Band

Congratulations to 28 THS Band students for making the All Region Band this past week.
Flutes: Britni Barnes, Lela Burney Brailye Fleming, Zaria Grant, Madelyn Haden, and Natalie Trichel
Clarinets: Essence Allen, Desiree Bates, Halei Blanton, Taylor Burch (AREA), Makayla Martin, Braden Mims,
Emily Morales, and Kennedy Simpson. Contra-Clarinet: Gerardo Duran Oboe: Dena Rabius
Trombone: Cristian Chavez, Allen Morrison, Natalya Navarro, Julian Rainwater, Nathan Trichel
Tuba: Dayne Neal, Matthew O'Dea (AREA) Trumpet: Kaitlyn Hill Horn: Alex Dotson, Dilon Taylor
Percussion: Zack Haden Alto Saxophone: Arena Navarro

Matthew O'Dea and Taylor Burch advance to the area competition in January.
The area competition will determine if students make the Texas All State Band