Fed-Ex Day: March 20th

In preparation for Tuesday afternoon’s portion of the In-Service, please watch the videos below from author Daniel H. Pink. The ideas stem from the work of his book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.

***Watch from 5:00 minutes on……..

RSA Animate — Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

TASK: Write your sentence! After you complete your sentence, post it here: http://corkboard.me/XPvBwofE1B
Read the following key points from Drive and consider how they relate to your professional work as well as how they can help shape what we do with students.

1. Autonomy – self direction in your work

* We want ENGAGEMENT with the job (or with learning in the classroom), not just compliance
* Ways to provide autonomy include choices in:
-Task – choose the product to work on
-Technique – decide how you would like to complete the task
-Team – choose who you would like to work with
-Time – decide how you will use time to meet your goals

2. Mastery – the desire to get better at what we do
-Practice musical instruments over the weekend; why are you doing it?
-Running marathons? Why? You’re not getting paid
-Think of the many things you want to achieve in your role as teacher – we all want to be better at what we do!

3. Purpose – an overarching reason for doing the work we do
-What is our transcending purpose?

Today, your task is to be self-directed in your learning. Be productive. Live your sentence. Ask, am I better today than yesterday? Seek mastery in your role. Remember our ultimate purpose. The only rule? You must deliver. A product…a project….ideas….actions.

Daniel Pink calls providing this autonomous time for innovation a “Fed-Ex Day”…..employees choose what to work on, with whom, and however they’d like. The only rule? They must deliver something: a new idea, a better process, a refined lesson plan….etc.

As you work today, consider the following:
* Task – choose tasks that will benefit and impact student learning
* Technique –  Design your lessons and activities and project work in your own way, so long as the end result is a benefit to students.
* Team – Work with anyone you want to work with this afternoon – you do not need to work with your grade level teams. Consult with the many knowledgable people in our school! Individuals that choose not to collaborate will still be responsible for ‘delivering’. Consider the importance of collaborative efforts!
* Time – Use your time as you see fit. You’re free to head home at 2:20pm.

Last Task: Deliver! Before Friday, please complete the following Google Form. We will use this information to share at our next faculty meeting the things we’ve created & accomplished this afternoon.


Week 29: 03/19/12 – 03/23/12

Spring Break always arrives at the perfect time of the year! As we head into the final five days of school prior to the break, I’m hopeful that students & staff will take full advantage of their time away from Kennedy. For some, it will give them time to recover from any illness they may be suffering from, and for others it is time they can dedicate to spending with family and friends. Regardless how you plan on spending the break, I hope you soak up every single second and come back re-energized for the home stretch!

Monday, March 19th:
SLC Swimming

Tuesday, March 20th:
Teacher Institute Day (no student attendance) <—-click for agenda
(A paper copy of the agenda is also in your mailbox) 

Wednesday, March 21st:
SLC to Super Laundry
SEL Common Plan
SCOTY Awards Ceremony @ West Leyden HS (4:00pm)
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm (LMS)

Thursday, March 22nd:
Happy Birthday Sharon Heitz (*red bus driver*) 🙂
K-3 Field Trip to Muvico to see The Lorax  <–click for a Lorax PDF Unit Carrie shared from Pinterest.
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm 

Friday, March 23rd:
Spirit Assembly @ 9:00am (Responsibility)
1st Grade Young Authors Day @ 12:40pm
Ice Cream for Kennedy School for Pennies for Patients

(03/25) Happy Birthday Diane Serio
(03/27) Happy Birthday Lindsay Dudal
(03/29) Happy Birthday Eric Humbles 

The latest edition of Educational Leadership features some great articles about reading.
Check out:

Dismantling the myth of learning to read and reading to learn
Every Child, Every Day

Also, did you know that you can now access Discovery Education resources from your iPad with their new iPad app/mobile login? Just go to this link on your iPad and log-in with your Discovery Education username & password. The iPad access works with educator accounts, giving you another way to use your classroom iPads with engaging curricular content.
 

Week 28: 03/12/12 – 03/16/12

 I’d like to share a post from Jon Gordon’s blog, entitled: The Grass Isn’t Greener

 Jon writes, “We often think that the grass will be greener somewhere else. We believe we’ll be happier & more successful anywhere but where we are. And so we pursue happiness. And chase success. Thinking one day we will magically find them. But rarely will we find happiness & success by seeking them. I’ve learned if you want success, you can’t chase it. Instead you must decide to make a difference where you are….and success will find you! I’ve learned if you want to find happiness, don’t seek it. Instead, decide to work with passion & purpose….and happiness will find you! The key to experiencing real success and true happiness is to be the seed & plant yourself. When you plant yourself where you are with a passionate desire to make a difference, you’ll grow into the influencer you were born to be. Your job is to plant yourself each day and be the best you can be and bring out the best in others.

Let’s have a great week! 

Monday, March 12th:
2nd Grade & Multiage Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium

Tuesday, March 13th:
PATS Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
*FACULTY MEETING CANCELLED!*
Reading/ELL Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm

Wednesday, March 14th:
SLC to Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robins
TAPS Common Plan

Thursday, March 15th:
Happy Birthday Ashley (House) Seidler 🙂
Talent Show Dress Rehearsal (During the School Day)
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
Talent Show @ 6:00pm-7:00pm 

Friday, March 16th:
Box Tops School-Wide Special Day: WEAR GREEN! *reminders will be in your mailboxes on Thursday*
Reading Room Plan
ISAT OFFICIALLY OVER! Whhhewww!
*Ice Cream Party for 3rd Grade*

(03/18) Pancake Breakfast Flyer 2012 @ LMS 9:00am-12:00pm  <–click link for flyer

Week 27: 03/05/12 – 03/09/12

Monday, March 5th:
Happy Birthday Debi Cesario 🙂
ISAT Begins (*There will be NO announcements during ISAT Week. Please check your email in the Kennedy Conference to see if it will be indoor or outdoor recess.*) 

Tuesday, March 6th:
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 7:30am (Room 109)
PreK Field Trip to Brunswick Bowling Zone
District Discipline Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)
Wendy’s Family Night 5:00-8:00pm

Wednesday, March 7th:
SLC to Super Low Foods
Multiage Young Author Day (Rooms 101/109)
Theme Common Plan
Kennedy SPED Family Night 5:30pm-6:30pm

Thursday, March 8th:
Kindergarten Field Trip to Field Museum
Talent Show Rehearsal @ 2:20pm
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, March 9th:
Happy Friday!

(03/11) Special Olympics Gymnastics Competition @ Palatine High School 8:30am 

**If you are not familiar with Scholastic’s Dollar Deals, you need to check them out! On occasion, Scholastic will offer a large number of their teacher resource books as electronic downloads for just $1/per book! They have a Dollar Deal sale going on now! Check it out here. Although it says the sale is valid through March 2nd, the $1 deals are still appearing! 🙂

Week 26: 02/27/12 – 03/02/12

Each and everyday, you have a choice….
To stand up and be happy, or to use your grumpy voice!
Choose, Kennedy faculty & staff, to be cheerful and to smile…
Because that optimism can take you the extra mile.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 27th:
2nd Grade Field Trip to Adler Planetarium
SLC Swimming

Tuesday, February 28th:
1st Grade Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm & 3:30pm
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)
**TEACHERS: Please submit conference schedules to the office by today.

Wednesday, February 29th:
1/2 Day (Students dismiss at 10:55am)
No Common Plan (Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences)
Report Cards Sent Home

Thursday, March 1st:
Happy Birthday Tami Ericksen 🙂
Kennedy Singers, Room 202 & SLC/SLBC to LMS for Music In Our Schools Rehearsal
Music In Our Schools Performance @ 7:00pm (LMS)

Friday, March 2nd:
Happy Birthday Bonnie Bricker 🙂
Reading Room Plan 

(03/03) Happy Birthday Natalie Barcas 🙂

Week 25: 02/20/12 – 02/24/12

“The more that you read, the more things you will know..
the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

– Dr. Seuss

Monday, February 20th:
NO SCHOOL: Presidents’ Day

Tuesday, February 21st:
Crazy/Mismatched Socks Day!
Multicultural Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 118)
School Vision Committee Meeting @ 2:30p (Room 127)
District Discipline Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (Project Zone 1st Floor @ LMS)

Wednesday, February 22nd: 
Green Eggs & Ham Day! *WEAR GREEN*
SLC to Aldi
Assessment Common Plan

Thursday, February 23rd:
Hat Day!
1st-3rd Grade to LMS for Washington Musical (Beauty and the Beast)
Talent Show Rehearsal @ 2:20pm
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Dr. Seuss Night @ 6:00pm-7:30pm **HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE 🙂 **

Friday, February 24th:
Kubbie Gear Day! 
Spirit Assembly (Caring)
Young Authors Day (Rooms 103 & 107)
**Reminder to Non-Tenured Teachers:4th Observations Should be Scheduled/Completed by Today**

(02/26) Get Fit Day @ LMS 12:00pm-3:00pm

Check out some Dr. Seuss ideas/resources:
ObSeussed
Cat in the Hat Hundreds Chart
Dr-Seuss-Mini-Unit
Seuss-tacular-Fact-Families-Dr-Seuss-Unit-PREVIEW
Cat-and-the-Hat-CVC-Picture-Word-Match
Dr. Seuss Unit

Week 24: 02/13/12 – 02/17/12

Monday, February 13th:
*Cycle 4 Assessments This Week*
Multiage Field Trip to Adler Planetarium
SLC Swimming @ YMCA
Math & Writing Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 107)

Tuesday, February 14th:
Happy Valentine’s Day
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm

Wednesday, February 15th:
Happy Birthday Agnes Niewinski 🙂
SLC to Target
Math/Writing Common Plan
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, February 16th:
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
Community Outreach Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Teacher’s Lounge)
PEP Event @ 6:00pm (Kennedy)

Friday, February 17th:
End of Trimester 2
Reading Room Plan
Happy Birthday Mike Deany 🙂

Happy Birthday Nikki Culberson (02/19)
No School Monday, February 20th  *HERE* are some President’s Day Resources

You may know that Discovery Education (*United Streaming*) has a great selection of educational videos for your classroom. But, did you know that they also have an impressive collection (over 200 titles) of children’s picture books on video? (examples include Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Miss Nelson Is Back, Strega Nona, Office Buckle and Gloria and more!) Try searching “Reading Rainbow” to find over 100 more titles.

Book-it and Seussville have teamed up to do a live read-aloud story time with Tim Tebow. On February 15th, Tim Tebow will be live in a webcast reading the Dr. Seuss classic, Green Eggs and Ham. There are lots of printables to pump your students up for the big-day & our upcoming Dr. Seuss Week. Even if you’re not a Tim Tebow fan, this is a great way to draw your sports fans into books, or your book fans into sports 🙂

Week 23: 02/06/12 – 02/10/12

Monday, February 6th:
Happy Birthday Dina Natale 🙂
PATS Field Trip to Wonder Works
Technology Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 202)

Tuesday, February 7th:
PreK Field Trip to Stahl Family Theater
Talent Show Auditions (Students will be called down throughout the day)
Earthquake Drill @ 10:15am
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room 104)

Wednesday, February 8th:
2nd Grade & Multiage Age Buddy Activity with 7th Grade
SLC to Party City
Technology Common Plan

Thursday, February 9th:
Happy Birthday Myra Gilio 🙂
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm

Friday, February 10th:
Box Top Pajama Day!

Week 22: 01/30/12 – 02/03/12

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to cheer on our Kennedy & Washington friends who participated in the Special Olympics individual basketball competition at Deerfield High School. I’m excited to share some wonderful news! Our own Juan from 117 and Gabriella (Washington) earned GOLD MEDALS and Cassidy, Ahmed & Ana (Washington) earned SILVER! 🙂 Please join me in congratulating these talented children the next time you see them! Thank you to all the faculty and staff who made it out bright and early to support our students as they participated in this memorable event!

Soaking in today’s experience and observing how the children, families, siblings,  and spectators cheered on ALL participants made me think of this poem entitled Kids Who Are Different. The next time you look at your students, think about what you see. See where they have grown, understand their needs, see their possibilities and most of all appreciate & celebrate who they are.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 30th:
3rd Grade Field Trip (Rooms 205/206) to Museum of Science & Industry
2nd Grade Field Trip (Rooms 104/105) to P.F. Changs
Paraprofessional Meetings @ 2:30pm & 3:30pm (Teacher’s Lounge)

Tuesday, January 31st:
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 7:30am (Room 109)
Multiage Field Trip (Rooms 103/107) to P.F. Changs
8th Grade Visits with 3rd Grade for Buddy Activity
Faculty Meetings @ 2:30pm & 3:30pm (*Agenda will be emailed out Monday afternoon*)
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)

Wednesday, February 1st:
SLC to Super Low
Health/Life Safety Visit
TAPS Common Plan
District Calendar Meeting @ 3:45pm
Happy Birthday Christa Henkel 🙂

Thursday, February 2nd:
Groundhog Day! & 100th Day of School
SLBC to Super Low
Health/Life Safety Visit
3rd Grade Field Trip (Rooms 203/204) to Museum of Science & Industry
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm

Friday, February 3rd:
Pre School Screening (NO PREK STUDENT ATTENDANCE)
Reading Room Plan
3rd Grade Field Trip (Rooms 201/202) to Museum of Science & Industry

(02/04) Happy Birthday Anne Weinthaler 🙂

Week 21: 01/23/12 – 01/27/12

I wanted to share this recent blog post by Krissy Venosdale:

I don’t think anyone knows the meaning of the phrase “Only so many minutes in a day!” better than someone in education.  There is always something waiting for us. Meetings. Papers. Calls to make. Email to answer. Things to file. Things to look up. Lessons to plan. Committees. Grad classes. Tech tools to figure out. Family. Commitments. PD.   There may be days when we are stretched to the limit, feeling more like some human version of Stretch Armstrong with our arms pulled in different directions, about to break off.   But, at the end of the day, it’s true.  The things that matter?  We make time for them.   Those people that say,  ”Oh, I don’t have time for that…”  Is this an insinuation that some of us just have more time than others?   Time is not something we just ‘have,’ it’s something we make.  It’s something we make when things matter to us.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 23rd:
SLC Swimming @ YMCA

Tuesday, January 24th:
PreK Field Trip (Room 112) to Make-A-Messterpiece
RTI Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 118)
Event Planning Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 115)

Wednesday, January 25th:
HALF DAY (K-3 students dismiss at 10:55am) – In-Service Topic: RTI — Agenda will be emailed via Kennedy Conference.
1st & Multiage Buddy Activity with 6th Grade @ 9:00am
Happy Birthday Brooke Gorowski 🙂 

Thursday, January 26th:
NO PRESCHOOL
2nd Grade Field Trip (106/116) to PF Changs
Kennedy Singers @ 2:20pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Family Game Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

Friday, January 27th:
NO PRESCHOOL
Spirit Assembly (Respect)
Multiage Field Trip (101/109) to PF Changs
Kindergarten Field Trip to Disney on Ice

We’d like to welcome everyone to come cheer on our District 81 athletes participating in the Special Olympics Individual Basketball Skills Competition on Sunday, January 29th @ Deerfield High School. Opening Ceremonies begin at 8:30am.