Garland Independent School District

Diverse Community - Shared Vision - Exceptional Education

McDade Minutes
McDade Minutes

Area Directors Message
After every 10-15 minutes of teacher-driven discus-
sion, or at the completion of a major instructional
concept, have groups of 2-4 students discuss a seed
question related to the instruction or the activity.
This is a focused microdiscussion lasting between
30 seconds and 3 minutes.

4 structures that make up this fundamental practice
Frequency
Group size
Seed question
Power zone

What is a seed question?
Purpose is to guide the student conversation to-
ward the desired learning outcome.
Keeps the students focused on the content and al-
lows the teacher to determine the general level of
student understanding.

Try using this fundamental practice at your
next PLC/faculty meeting/learning meeting.
STAY POSITIVE!!!
Check out this video on YouTube:
(click control and link below to play video)
htp://youtu.be/1R2QlAnKTDw

Thank you for chipping in to help out at Austin Academy
during their time of need. I am truly blessed to be leading
such outstanding people!
Weekly Schedule
Principals,

What do learners need to succeed?
In an article Creating a Climate for Learning the following
points are made:
*For students to succeed, they need to believe that they can
learn and that what they are learning is useful, relevant,
and meaningful for them.
*They need to know that they belong in the classroom and
that they are responsible for their own learning and behav-
ior. This develops a self-directed learner who is confident in
making the information his or her own.

The following statements about effective teachers are also
mentioned in this article:
*Effective teachers believe that all students can learn and
be successful.
*Effective teachers consciously create a climate in which all
students feel included.
*Effective teachers believe that there is potential in each
learner and commit to finding the key that will
unlock that potential.

My challenge to you as the instructional leader is to create a
climate for learning for your teachers and students. Take
the points of an effective teacher and turn them into Effec-
tive Principal statements. Determine if you are providing
your teachers and students what they need to succeed.

Regards,
Janet McDade

October 9-November 9 Elementary Fall Conference Window
October 11: Family Involvement Month informaton due to Pat Mullins
Kilgo: Secondary Social Studies
Think Tank Training: Grades 3-5 @ PDC 8:30-3:30
October 12: Magnet Fair @ CCC 10:00-2:00
Internatonal Fine Arts Celebraton @ CCC 7:30
October 14-18: ITBS grades K, 1, 3, 5

October 14: Bandfest @ HBJ 6:30
October 16: Explore grade 9
PSAT grades 10-11
ASVAB grade 12
October 18: Think Tank Training: Grades K-2 @PDC 8:30-3:30
October 21: Kilgo: Elementary Math / TAKS ELA Exit Level retest
October 22: Kilgo: Elementary ELA / TAKS Math Exit Level retest
October 23: Kilgo: Elementary Science / TAKS Science Exit Level retest
October 24: Kilgo: Elementary Social Studies / TAKS Social Studies Exit Level retest
October 21-25: Logramos in BIL K, 1, 3
November 4-7: District Benchmark Testng **Teaching contnuesdo NOT stop all classes
for the testng
Meetngs/ Upcoming Events
Monday: TASSP Fall Summit The Fundamental 5
Tuesday: Global Business Visit DISD
Wednesday: 8:30-10:30 CIA Meetng
1:30- Area Director Meetng
Thursday: Targeted Interventon Plan Meetng @ PDC B06 at 8:30-10:30
Various Campuses
Friday: Personal Day
October 11, 2013
Area #1
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
Frequent, Small-Group, Purposeful Talk about
the Learning The Fundamental 5
Kudos/Happenings