Month: December 2018

A Little Birdie Told Me!

Seth E. Berg on

Safe. Respectful. Responsible.

Greetings, Meadow Brook Partners!

[Scattered through this post you will see some links to #ThinkMBE Tweets that allow you to see into your kids’ classrooms and help us share our story of safe and joyful learning at Meadow Brook.  Also, we’ve added a new feature to this blog through which you can engage with our @ThinkMBE twitter feed in the sidebar menu to the right.]

It’s hard to believe that we’ve turned the corner into December!

As I reflect on the start of the 1819 school year I’m filled with pride and enthusiasm!  So many wonderful things have been happening at Meadow Brook and so many more are yet to come!

Our dedicated educators have been digging into the Teacher’s College Reading & Writing Project units of study through the Workshop Model from Columbia University (@TCWRP)  and we’ve seen some incredible results!

Kids from kindergarten to 5th grade are discovering & rediscovering their love for reading & writing each day as they engage in whole group instruction through brief mini-lessons, individual & collaborative literacy learning during independent reading & writing times that last from 30 to 45 minutes (& sometimes beyond), & dig deeper with teachers & support staff through small group conferencing & 1:1 confereing.

I’m thrilled & amazed every time I enter a Meadow Brook classroom!

One of our priorities is to share that thrill & amazement with every Meadow Brook stakeholder by implementing, reflecting on, & enhancing our communication tools & strategies.  It’s a School Improvement Plan (SIP) component & a part of our PTA School of Excellence (SOE) efforts.

Also, effective communication is critical to developing & Maintaining positive partnerships.  When we share our stories we build understanding, trust, and compassion.

Please continue to engage with this ThinkMBE blog each week (our ever-growing digital portfolio) & also, look into joining us on Twitter at @ThinkMBE (using #ThinkMBE) if you haven’t already.

Our Twitter feed is available on this blog (look to the right), and we post every day, giving you multimedia insights into how we challenge and meet the needs of every Meadow Brook student through our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).

You can share your thinking by leaving a comment on this posts, sending a Tweet to @ThinkMBE, or reaching out by phone or e-mail at your convenience.

Thank you for your partnership…in it together for the kids!

With Gratitude,

 

Seth

 

Seth E. Berg

Principal

Meadow Brook Elementary

Call: (248) 726 -4101

Click: sberg@rochester.k12.mi.us

My Reflective Journey: Berg’s Eye View

MBE WAG 1819: 12/2 – 12/8

Seth E. Berg on

Sunday, December, 2

  • Hanukkah begins at Sundown

Monday, December 3

  • No Special Events

Tuesday, December 4

  • Mr. Berg attends Anti-Racist Leadership Institute (session 3 of 4) from 8:30 AM – 3:30PM

Wednesday, December 5

  • RCS ASD Parent Support Group meets from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the MBE Cafeteria

Thursday, December 6

  • MBE Child Study Team (TEAM) Problem Solving Process (PSP) session from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Friday, December 7

  • No Special Events

Saturday, December 8

  • MBE First Lego League Jr. Robotics Teams compete at Rochester High School from 9:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Math Workshop: Instruction, Collaboration, & Creativity!

Seth E. Berg on

A Message From Ms. Reeves (2nd Grade Teacher & Meadow Brook Hero!)

Our math workshop consists of a mini lesson, a journal page or an activity that aligns with the concept covered during the lesson, and then a variety of math games that the students can participate in that require them to use the math strategies that we have been studying.

As an added challenge this week, the students were able to design their own math games to play.

The only requirement they had was to incorporate addition facts.

The students took their creativity to a whole new level!

Thanks to Ms. Reeves and her incredible students for sharing out about this part of their learning journey…sharing our stories builds our partnerships and strengthens our school community!

You can share your thinking by leaving a comment on this posts, sending a Tweet to @ThinkMBE, or reaching out by phone or e-mail at your convenience.

Thank you for your partnership…in it together for the kids!

Color Zones Help Kids Learn to Regulate and Restore for Focused Learning!

Seth E. Berg on

A Message From Ms. Reeves (2nd Grade Teacher & Meadow Brook Hero!)

Each morning students have the opportunity to participate in a “Color Zone” check in.

The students are able to enter the room and place their magnet in the “Color Zone” they feel they are entering the classroom in.

This allows them to take a moment to identify how they are feeling and better understand how they might react to activities or interactions that we may engage in.

Identifying how we feel is a wonderful way to take charge of our learning and our communication.

We have also brainstormed strategies that we can use in each of the “Color Zones.”  We all get sad, silly, and even angry sometimes, and we are all capable of restoring ourselves to a place of focus if we learn about how and practice what we learn.

Some of these include taking a break in the peace corner, taking deep breaths, getting a drink of water, talking to the teacher or a peer, etc.

The students have the same opportunity at the end of the day.

This allows them to reflect on their day and identify what “Color Zone” they’re leaving the classroom in.

Overall, this allows the students to self-regulate their emotions and recognize that all zones are acceptable, and that it’s the strategies that we use in those zones that are important.

With a Growth Mindset we always remember that we’re Heroes in Every Zone!

For more about the “Color Zones” click here: Color Zones of Regulation

Thanks to Ms. Reeves and her incredible students for sharing out about this part of their learning journey…sharing our stories builds our partnerships and strengthens our school community!

You can share your thinking by leaving a comment on this posts, sending a Tweet to @ThinkMBE, or reaching out by phone or e-mail at your convenience.

Thank you for your partnership…in it together for the kids!