Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Focusing on Reading

Img_0104

Mrs. Damon talks with her 4th grade students today about the skills good readers use to make meaning?

What kind of questions do good readers ask?

How does the reader's prior knowledge help?

How do readers get involved as they read?

These are the skills good readers use to create meaning and understand a text.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Exploring Numbers at Novi Woods

Img_0102

3rd grade students try to figure out all the ways to calculate a number today at Novi Woods. How many different ways can you write a number?

Monday, September 26, 2011

Meadows Science

Img_0101

Mr. Cosman's class uses a variety of artifacts to discuss scientific classification. How do scientists organize the world?

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Fanfare at Novi High School

Img_0100

The Novi High School Marching Band performs at the 2011 Fanfare. The band was the final band to take the field at tonight's marching band competition.

Fanfare

Img_0099

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Students Help Superintendents Learn Technology

Img_0098

Kindergarten and 2nd grade students from Ludington attended the Superintendents Conference to share how they are using iPads in their classrooms to learn. Young students help us understand the power of technology to change and shape how we learn.

TJ Duckett Talks to Superintendents

Img_0097

TJ Duckett spoke to Michigan superintendents about flooding the world with caring and service. He said that everyone is a raindrop and together we can become a flood to change the world.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Music at Village Oaks

Img_0096

Mrs. Hurley prepares her kindergarten students to practice with the xylophone at Village Oaks.

Math at Village Oaks

Img_0094

Mrs. Siarto takes her first grade students through a math lesson this afternoon at Village Oaks.

Technology in Classrooms

Two articles caught my eye recently.  One in the Detroit Free Press and one in the New York Times both highlight the use of technology in schools.  The articles get at the promise and the perils of technology.  In Arizona, a district that has spent millions on technology admits that its test scores show little improvement.  In Michigan, a district opts to use technology because it believes that it is a "game changer."

There is no doubt that technology has become almost ubiquitous.  Walk around any high school and you will see students with phones, ipods, and earbuds.  Yet, does technology help students learn?

Technology is a tool.  But is technology like other tools?  Does technology depend on teachers for it to be effective or can students use it to change how and what they learn?

The New York Times article quotes Bryan Goodwin who says, "Good teachers can make good use of computers while bad teachers won't."

It appears that technology has the potential to be a game changer but the real game changer in education has been and probably always will be teachers.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Math at Parkview

Img_0092

Ms. Dye's class uses the Smart Board to separate polygons from non-polygons. Straight lines, no curves, no crossed lined, closed.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Novi's Equestrian Team Competes in Milford

Img_0091

Novi's Equestrian Team competed at Milford today. The Western Riding competition focuses on the rider - I think.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Village Oaks - Assembly

Img_0090

Village Oaks held an "I Love This School" assembly this afternoon. A great start to the school year.

Novi Woods Celebrates Reading and Writing

Img_0089

Today at Novi Woods 2nd and 3rd grade students who met a summer reading or writing goal were rewarded with ice cream. Thanks to the PTO who supplied the ice cream.

Mrs. Stewart Gets Math Started

Img_0088

At Deerfield math is not a quiet activity. Here Mrs. Stewart gets her students active counting by twos.

Mrs. Griesinger's Deerfield Group

Img_0087

Students in Mrs. Griesinger's class get ready to read their Scholastic News.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Varsity Men's Choir

Img_0086

Ms. Gibbons takes time to warm up the Varsity Men's Choir before starting class.

High School Geometry

Img_0085

Mr. O'Donnel works on "clock problems" in Geometry. Calculating angles by using times on a clock.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

8th Grade History

Img_0084

Do you remember the Quartering Act? You would if you were in Mr. Fenchel's 8th grade history class today.

Honors Geometry at Novi Middle School

Img_0083

Ms. Halvorsen reviews homework with her students in Honors Geometry today. Boy am I lost!

Personal Property Tax Revenue

Img_0082

Part of our school aid revenue comes from a personal property tax on business. The Governor has proposed eliminating this tax. This chart shows the revenue Oakland County school districts receive from this tax. Novi's revenue is $1,141,673 or $184 per student. At this point the Governor has not identified any replacement. This is a great concern to me. This potential revenue decrease follows a $300 decrease that we absorbed this year. Please stay informed about this proposal.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Let's Hear It For The Band!

Img_0081

The Novi High School band plays in the rain before tonight's football game. What great spirit!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Middle School Starts

Img_0079

7th grade students start the new school year in the MS auditorium. Lots of laughs and hellos.

First Day - High School

Img_0078

Students wait in the high school atrium for the start of the first day of high school.

First Bus Runs of the New Year

Img_0076

Drivers arrived early this morning to get ready for the first bus runs of the 2011-2012 school year.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Novi Home Football

Img_0075

The Novi Wildcats started their home football season tonight against Walled Lake Western. A beautiful albeit warm evening for a game.

Seven Habits Training

Img_0074

Staff from Novi Meadows and Novi Woods met today in 7 Habits training. This is a K-6 district initiative that will have a profound impact on our staff and students.