Area 2 ALT Program

Read Across America

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Friday was Read Across AmericaDay & Dr. Seuss's Birthday. Several ALTs and county personnel traveled to various elementary schools to celebrate reading. Our very own Mr. Gaddis stepped into character at Nickajack Elementary.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” ~ Dr. Seuss

“A person's a person, no matter how small.” ~ Dr. Seuss

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!”   ~ Dr. Seuss

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!” ~ Dr. Seuss

Griffin Goes Global!

Griffin's program to stop bullying made news in Japan when visitors came to speak with several classrooms.  Wow!  How cool is that?

Focusing on School Improvement

The Area 2 ALTs and Mr. Gaddis spent Friday at Everett Manor reviewing the SIP plans for the schools in area.  It was a great day of dialogue and understandings. 

 

 

A fine group...

During Annette's last official meeting with our ALT group, Nancy Larimer was gracious enough to capture our team on film.  Wow, what a great looking group we are!  hee hee hee....

Smiles are infectious!

Griffin staff who participated in their annual Secret Santa met prior to break for a last day of gathering, celebration, and fellowship.  You have to love a staff who smile this big!

Quilting Success

Ms. Tatum’s 7^th grade Health class completed a fabulous quilt assignment. Each student was assigned a drug or subject about drugs with which he/she had to research and write about the harmful effects, street names, and draw a picture. Thereafter, Ms. Tatum supplied a quilt square to transfer the information. Once finished each square was connected to convey the overall message about the reasons drugs are not the way to go. This quilt is now displayed in the Media Center.  Great Job!

Intrinsic Motivation - Simple and Easy

In the classroom, I was the teacher who constantly hung work on display - in the classroom, in the hallway, in the lobby display cases, and in the front office.  I told my students from day one,

If you feel it is good enough to turn in, I feel it is good enough to share with the community.

Hence the reason I like to include so much student work on this blog.  If teachers are working smart, if their student work is being displayed, if students are putting forth all this wonderful effort, everyone needs to know and share revel in their glory.  All students don't need trinkets and candy.  It is amazing how much a simple display of recognition can accomplish. 

I thought this was wonderful evidence of group work, reviewing the different types of expository writing, especially so close to the Georgia Writing Assessment. 

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Download the_new_georgia_writing_assessment.ppt

Great job Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Simonds, and 8th grade students!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

The students in Mrs. Elin Griffin's 6th grade language arts class created small posters tying in their verb lessons with real life activities and experiences.

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In addition, after reading informational text from Time for Kids, students paired together to develop summaries of their reading.

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Griffin Grooves to the Tune of Making Connections

Students at Griffin Middle were busy working hard this Friday afternoon, soaking in as much as they can before leaving for the weekend.  Mrs. Stephanie Hines' 8th grade language arts class, in preparation for their persuasive writing unit, were working on thesis statements.  A difficult concept and task for many students of all levels, Ms. Hines' students were making strides in narrowing their main idea to a one sentence zinger.  Using a simple formula, each variable can be included to make one cohesive sentence. 

Download the_thesis_statement.doc

translated....

topic + position + 3-4 reasons = thesis statement

Mrs. Hines' will be offering some examples as the students finish up their thesis statement proposals. 

Ms. Stephanie Clark's class were given a science literacy project - available below. (Great implementation of reading across the curriculum GPS!)  From the choices given, one student chose to asked to create/construct a character suitcase that included items that contributed to the themes and concepts of the book they read.  Specifically, one of the elements of this choice was to include 10 items that the character would back - tangible and intangible - accompanied by an explaination in the character point of view. The pictures below cannot fully explain or show the thoughfulness and effort put forth. Great job!

 

Download Ms. Clark's Science Literacy Project.doc

Hard at Work

Area 2 ALTs are working hard in order to best serve your needs!