Every day at Walton Middle School, outstanding teaching and learning occurs campus-wide. Yet, WMS' amazing teachers don't often have the opportunity to venture beyond the four walls of their own classrooms. They don't feasibly have the time in their structured day to get out and observe the inspiring teaching that brings learning to life down the hallway or even just next door. This year, as one of WMS' professional learning initiatives, teachers are participating in peer-to-peer observation cycles--opportunities that allow them to observe and grow by watching other teachers in action. The first cycle of the school year is taking place on Tuesday, September 24, and Thursday, September 26, when substitute teachers cover one class period for each participating teacher, during which the teacher travels to another classroom within their subject area to observe. While there, they seek ideas to implement with their own students, ponder compelling questions about the lesson, and consider constructive suggestions regarding instruction and, thereby, student learning. After the observation, the teacher team will confer, sharing specific thoughts about the lesson, using a guided observation and reflection form. Because individual reflection yields growth, the observed teachers will also make note of how to strengthen instruction as a result of the valuable feedback. This school year, WMS teachers are practicing the philosophy that "the best professional development is the teacher down the hall"--living out the school's "We, Not Me" motto for the A+ tribe. Submitted by Kristen Nelson
Cover Picture: In sixth grade social studies, Mr. Tracie Jordan takes a seat to observe and learn from his partner Mr. Paul Baur.
Who is that sitting at Ms. Angela Reinke's desk? It's Mrs. Greer Harvell--jotting down notes about Ms. Reinke's engaging eighth grade science lesson.
Mrs. Alison Shoaf discusses a math-related bell ringer for her eighth grade Unique Skills students while Mrs. Karley Leach thoughtfully looks on.
Mrs. Karley Leach takes a corner seat in Mrs. Alison Shoaf's eighth grade Unique Skills class, gaining new ideas she might implement with her own students
Freeport Elementary flipped their classrooms for Rock the House Day on September 19, 2019. Each grade transferred their classrooms around a learning theme.
Students in Kindergarten celebrated Johnny Appleseed with fun activities including apple tasting. Students and teachers dressed like Johnny Appleseed. First grade students explored bats based on their reading of Stella Luna. They loved an echolocation activity, stem activities with flying bats and reading with flashlights.
Second grade walked a runway like movie stars with descriptive adjectives and number bonds. The students and teachers loved dressing for the runway.
Third grade students became surgeons and surgically decomposed numbers using the distributive property and enjoyed travelling through the regions of the United States. Other fantastic events included a library tour through Washington D.C, Mrs. Saltsman's drum circle outside, mining for syllables, and many EPIC activities!
Submitted by Stacey Bruning
Walton County School District has several open positions in the Student Services and ESE Department. Please click the following link to apply:
https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/employment
We look forward to hearing from you!
In September, the Kindergarten classes at West DeFuniak Elementary learned about the five senses. The students in Mrs. Davis' and Mrs. KcKee's classes loved examining, exploring, and of course tasting different varieties of apples!
Students used all 5 of their senses to enjoy the apples but they especially enjoyed the tasting part of the experiment!
Mossy Head School students, families, and staff came together for an exciting night of dinner, classroom visits, and math! Families gathered for dinner. Then, students took their families to show off their classrooms and visit with their teachers. The whole school gathered back together for some math station fun. Mr. Greg Tang Jr. and Mr. Jared Saavedra targeted building students' knowledge of critical math strategies and skills, while also giving them a chance to practice those strategies and skills in fun and engaging ways. They encourage both parents and students to think about numbers in new and fun ways together. Submitted by Allie Blanton
Mossy Head School enjoyed another round of math strategy and skill building activities. While teachers met with Greg Tang Jr. for professional learning, students participated in math activities with Jared Saavedra. Both students and teachers learn strategies that help build number sense and fluidity. submitted by Allie Blanton
