ARI Christmas Poetry
Educators were counting down the days- trying to play it cool.
The CCRS were written neatly on the board with great care,
In hopes that a stress-free vacation soon would be there.
Teachers were nestled all snug at their desks,
While visions of instructional
strategies TWIRLed in their heads.
They stared at their lesson plans to see what standard was next,
While reaching for the EQuIP rubric and more complex text.
When out in the halls there arose such a clatter,
Principals sprang from their offices to see what was the matter.
Students were actively engaged and making 5-word predictions
They stared at their lesson plans to see what standard was next,
While reaching for the EQuIP rubric and more complex text.
When out in the halls there arose such a clatter,
Principals sprang from their offices to see what was the matter.
Students were actively engaged and making 5-word predictions
Using think, pair, and share to
answer the day’s essential question.
Away to their desks, students flew with
a crash,
Tore open their books and jotted notes in a flash.
Tore open their books and jotted notes in a flash.
They spoke not a word, but continued
to write,
Adding key supporting details with RIGOR and insight.
With guidance and support, the students could really comprehend
And analyze and interpret each passage to the end.
Adding key supporting details with RIGOR and insight.
With guidance and support, the students could really comprehend
And analyze and interpret each passage to the end.
Routines and procedures put into
place
Paid off and left a huge smile on
each teacher’s face.
Then, what to everyone’s wondering eyes should appear
But a team from the State Department
became quite clear.
With a passion for student learning,
the leader was lively and nice,
They knew in an instant it must be Dr. Tommy Bice.
They knew in an instant it must be Dr. Tommy Bice.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Pam H.! Now, Yvette! Now, Heather and Carol!
On, Jill! On Tammy! On Pam R. and Lue Ella!
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Pam H.! Now, Yvette! Now, Heather and Carol!
On, Jill! On Tammy! On Pam R. and Lue Ella!
To the top of each county! To the
top of the state!
You must prepare for the next team implementation date!
You must prepare for the next team implementation date!
This turn-around training is
working you see!
Aligning standards to best
practices is truly the key!”
So the team began planning with purpose and grit,
Hoping the anchor standards would be a big hit.
Strategic teaching, key shifts, and informational text,
Trying to balance it all left them dazed and perplexed.
Chunking information and organizing thoughts in their heads,
They wanted the teachers to know this was nothing to dread.
The instruction- make it twinkle! Be explicit and merry!
Hoping the anchor standards would be a big hit.
Strategic teaching, key shifts, and informational text,
Trying to balance it all left them dazed and perplexed.
Chunking information and organizing thoughts in their heads,
They wanted the teachers to know this was nothing to dread.
The instruction- make it twinkle! Be explicit and merry!
Differentiate the lessons and use
strategies that vary!
With a statewide commitment and ALL
springing into action,
Students can accomplish their goals
with greater satisfaction.
Dr. Bice’s visionary 2020 Plan is
out there for all to be aware…
“Every Child a Graduate, Every Graduate
Prepared!”
And be ready to set high
expectations and goals come January.
May your holidays be restful,
joyous, and full of good cheer,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all
a Happy New Year!!! J
Marylynn
Williams
Autauga
County Instructional Coach
ARI
Region 8
