Data :Wall" is Under Construction

 I have a dream... it is to figure out a way to track the reading levels of my 900 students for \he years that they are enrolled with us. It is all IN MY MIND... I have to figure out how to get it IN MY SCHOOL! In my mind, I have a whole room dedicated to charts with movable cards so that we can celebrate and move them up/over to the next spot with great pride and flourish! In my school, I have teachers sharing rooms and 4 classrooms in portable buildings... So for a couple of years (we are beginning a two year process of building/rezoning in my district), my Data Wall is going to have to be portable.

Today we ordered a bunch of these pocket charts:

 





 Y'all - I ordered TWENTY!! I am so excited to get them in. Plus, don't you love the black charts? That will look awesome! I'm planning to have one chart for each level.

Then I ordered a couple of boxes of these:

I am going to color code these for each grade level. I saw a GREAT example online that used the student id #s on the front and different dots for special programs on the card as well. I am definitely doing that!! On the back, I am thinking about putting their picture. We get small "sticker" pictures from our photographer. How meaningful - teachers will be moving their kiddos up to the next level and we can see their sweet smiles when we do it! We can put dots for special programs on the front and list interventions on the back, if applicable.

So, it sounds like a BEAUTIFUL idea!! Don't you think? Well, if you are wondering what has taken me so long for the data wall, it is the lack of wall space. Then, I found this:

Into the cart it went. Hopefully it can hold all of my charts. Maybe I should have bought more than one, but storage is an issue right now as well. At least I can pull the charts off of this for the different grade levels and then place them back on after we meet. (Flash forward...In two years I am going to hang them on the wall!)

So, that is my "Under Construction Data Wall" - comprised of many great ideas I've seen at other people's schools and while browsing on line. It has been rolling around in my mind for a while, and I've finally pulled the trigger.

We are focusing on DRA levels because I believe that is the KEY to their success. I am so very fortunate that I work for a superintendent that does not believe in "chasing the banner". State test scores are not how we define success in our district. However, we all still want to shine. I want my students to shine by becoming confident, life-long readers! I have never met a child who loved reading that could not pass a state test. I believe it all falls into place once we hook them on reading, don't you?

So, I will update you after my teachers complete their Beginning of Year testing and I put the "Portable Data Wall" together. I can't wait until Mid Year when we can move our little Bears on up a few more levels! Celebrations ahead!

Leadership Verses

I know that public schools are limited in their religious overtones, and I certainly respect that. In my binder, however, I keep this little chart that I created. Feel free to download it at this link: Leadership Verses
It is for your personal use, if you are in need!

I hope your year is going well!

Hooray, we made it through week one! Our school is about to hit 900 students, grades PK - 4th. We are so busy that I am amazed at how positive & flexible my people are! I am super proud of them, but I know they will sleep well this weekend. It is Saturday night and I am still in pj's with no make up. Maybe they are more productive than I am, haha.... Anyway, I whipped up these little poem cards on Friday and we put Extra gum on top of it. I know that is not too original, but it was in our tiny petty cash budget. Follow the link underneath the picture (it is my 2nd TPT item! woohoo!) and print your copy out. There is room at the end for you to sign. Have a great week 2!!

 

EXTRA praise poem

Here is something cute I am doing for my teachers. The first day is very stressful for everyone - little and big! I know that a small pack of candy isn't going to make or break them, but I hope that they will remember that I am cheering for them. We are going to have a GREAT year! I bet you will too!!

Here is the file, friends.... It is my first Teachers Pay Teachers item (it is FREE). It might be my only one, but we will see....

Click to download and enjoy...1st Day Smarties Link

Welcome

I found this cute chalkboard at Kirklands for $25. You guys. Twenty five dollars? I think I spent more than that on the chalk markers! This is a great deal, and I know we will get our $$ worth! 

This is what I have on each side. One of my first grade teachers found the "Welcome" statement on Pinterest and sent me a picture, adding that it would even cuter on a chalkboard. Her classroom is precious (!!!), so I knew she was on to something. I couldn't wait to make it happen!

Now when our families enter, this will greet them in the foyer. Registration is BUSY at Lone Star, so we will have plenty of foot traffic to see it! Love!! 💜

Summer Reading/Writing

Do you LOVE Todd Whitaker? I think he is the bees' knees, so I am excited to have these books ready for all 79 staff members upon their return. I'm spending a few weeks writing a personal note in each person's, which has been a powerful experience. So many of my staff exemplify most of the 17 things he lists that it is hard to choose just one. But I'm going to push through! 

I have a little tub (dishpan from a Target) for each staff member. My secretary and I use those for staff supplies, handouts, t-shirts, and other goodies. They look forward to getting their tubs on our 1st day back in August. I am going to put each person's book in their tub, and we will refer back to it throughout the year.

Are you sharing any books with your staff? 

Deep in the Heart

This will be our staff shirt for 2015-16. I am super excited! Getting organized for Back to School is a little like Christmas... My secretary and I love to pick out all of the goodies for our staff. We are like elves, haha!!

I love our shirt and theme: "Deep in the Heart". The reason students are successful in school is because of the connection we make with them - deep in the heart. So very important...

Also, Montgomery is the birthplace of the Texas flag, in case you didn't know...And of course we all love Chevron! 

Special thanks to CC Creations for finding the perfect shirt and creating our new design. They are super talented.