November 15, 2024

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Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week.

I wanted to follow up on our previous discussion about implementing SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) strategies in our high school classrooms. I've been excited to see how many of you have been incorporating these techniques, and I have some additional suggestions to share.

SIOP Implementation Update

As you continue to integrate SIOP strategies into your lessons, here are some ideas to consider:

  • Science: In addition to using visual aids and hands-on experiments, try implementing more collaborative lab work where students can support each other's learning and development of academic language.
  • Math: Building on the word walls for mathematical terms and the use of manipulatives, encourage students to explain their problem-solving processes through structured pair and group activities.
  • English: Alongside the graphic organizers for literature analysis and the use of multimedia resources, incorporate more peer editing sessions where students can provide feedback using sentence starters and language frames.
  • History: In addition to jigsaw activities for group learning and the use of primary source documents with guided reading questions, create visual timelines and embed more opportunities for class discussions using discussion protocols.
  • FCS: In addition to using step-by-step visual guides for cooking demonstrations, try creating bilingual recipe cards and implementing hands-on nutrition labs with labeled food models. This will help all students, especially English learners, follow along and actively participate.
  • Automotive Technology: Building on the labeled diagrams of car parts, you can also create visual step-by-step repair guides and incorporate more hands-on demonstrations followed by guided practice sessions. This provides multiple modes of learning for your students.
  • Manufacturing: Expand on the visual safety posters with key terms and video demonstrations of manufacturing processes by incorporating more collaborative project-based learning opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge.
  • Business: In addition to the role-playing exercises for business scenarios and the use of graphic organizers for business plans, create multilingual glossaries of key business terms that students can reference.
  • Art: Alongside the word wall with key art terminology and the visual demonstrations of techniques, implement more gallery walks with guided critique sessions using sentence frames. This allows students to develop both the content knowledge and language skills needed to discuss and analyze art.
  • Instrumental Music: Use visual representations of musical notation, implement more peer teaching for instrument techniques, and create multilingual music vocabulary charts to support students' understanding and participation.
  • Vocal Music: In addition to the phonetic lyric sheets for songs in different languages, utilize physical warm-up exercises with visual guides to help all students feel comfortable participating and developing their vocal skills.
  • Construction: Expand on the safety procedure posters with visuals and the step-by-step building plans with labeled diagrams by incorporating more hands-on demonstrations followed by guided practice with peer support.

These are just a few examples, but I encourage all of you to continue exploring ways to make your content more accessible and engaging for all learners through SIOP strategies. Remember, these techniques benefit all students, not just English learners.

If you need any support or have additional ideas to share, please let me know. I'm here to help you implement these strategies successfully.

End of Semester Information

As we approach the end of Semester 1, I wanted to provide some important details:

  • Semester 1 ends on December 20
  • Semester tests will be held on:
    • December 18 - Odd periods
    • December 19 - Even periods
  • December 20 will be the semester test makeup day
  • Grades will be due before you leave for the day on December 20

This means that when we return from winter break on January 2, we will be starting Semester 2. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the end of the semester or the start of the new semester, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to support you and our students through this transition.

Thank you all for your continued dedication and hard work. 

Important Upcoming Dates

  • November 15: Trimester 1 Ends, Grades are due on Monday at 8:30.
  • November 18: 4:00 pm Semester 1 PASS Plans Due
  • November 18: 8:00 am Trimester 1 Grades Due
  • December 1: New Course Proposals Due
Enjoy the weekend!

Mark

Assistant Principal's Happenings


Grateful for our team, 

Moss


Upcoming Activities


Tuesday, November 19
4:00 pm Girl Wrestling @ Western Christian

Thursday, November 21
All State Music - Ames

Friday, November 22
All State Music - Ames

Saturday, November 23
All State Music - Ames
10:00 am Girl Wrestling @ Ridge View

Tuesday, November 26
10:00 am Girl Wrestling @ Humboldt
5:00 pm Boys Swimming vs. Spencer

Monday, December 2
3:30 pm JV-Varsity Boy/Girl Bowling vs. SC West

Tuesday, December 3
4:30 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball @ Spirit Lake
6:00 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ Spirit Lake
7:30 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ Spirit Lake

Thursday, December 5
5:30 pm JV-Varsity Boy/Girl Wrestling @ CB AL

Friday, December 6
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. SBL
5:30 pm Freshman Boy Basketball vs. SBL
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. SBL
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. SBL

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