It took many days of sitting and recording to take a deep dive into every student's reading, writing and math progress.  I used Screencastomatic and my assessments files to give parents a comprehensive picture of strengths and weaknesses.  The feedback was very encouraging but I need a nap.  Check out the sample video below.

This year we are teaching Common Core Standards in both mathematics and language arts.  For the past several years we have used another adoption that has been adequate for California state standards.  But an old adoption holds us to old patterns and old approaches.  

That's not to say we have abandoned all our successful techniques and strategies.  It's more like we have decided to raise the house instead of remodeling.  It's uncomfortable to look around the house and not see familiar rooms, hallways and closets.  But removing these is essential to build the new foundation required for a curriculum designed to meet the deeper demands of Common Core.  

In math, for example, we are digging deep in place value and sometimes its difficult to understand old concepts taught at a much deeper level.  But we are starting to see the foundation taking shape.  

It takes a great deal of planning before the actual foundation of a house is poured.  But once the concrete hardens, we can start building the walls.  So with Common Core.  It will take time, energy and lots of hard work from both students and teachers.

I am blessed with a great colleague in Mrs. Asencio.  We collaborate, discuss, dissect, and analyze each lesson.  We know that this year will require more time, more sweat and perhaps a few tears.  Our scholars deserve our best and we know that our efforts will pay off.

We look forward to another exciting day tomorrow.

Mr. Riggs