8th Graders notoriously struggle when they have to talk to each other about literature. The “Say Something” technique guides them in their conversation. I love listening to them! @anglooney98 Andrew @ComalWrites #oneteamallin

And….literature circles today! @anglooney98 @ComalWrites Andrew #oneteamallin

Brilliant 8th grade statement of the day: “Johnny doesn’t mean anything. He’s fictional. It’s the AUTHOR that means that!” Love hearing them talk to each other! @ComalWrites Andrew @ComalLueck @anglooney98 #oneteamallin

Rotational Conversations! Fantastic strategy to help students discuss companion texts. Andrew @anglooney98 @ComalWrites @ComalLueck #oneteamallin

Using the concept of “cowbell” to explain adding that extra somethin’-somethin’ to writing. The kids get it! @ComalWrites Andrew @anglooney98 Kaye Guidry Wendi Langlinais

Now this is what a rough draft needs to look like…a place to experiment with thoughts and words. It doesn’t all work (yet), but I guarantee that it will come together in the end! Andrew @ComalWrites @ComalLueck @anglooney98

Stations for our humanities collaboration! Andrew @ComalWrites @anglooney98

Mapping out the different levels of meaning. I’m loving the conversations! @anglooney98 Andrew @ComalWrites

For early release, the kids are writing descriptions of strong emotional experiences…the others have to guess. AMAZING! So much cowbell! Wendi Langlinais @ComalWrites Andrew @anglooney98

Training students to talk to each other about their thinking is an ongoing process. The Final Word is another strategy to help practice that skill. Andrew @ComalWrites @anglooney98

In ELA 8, we worked right up to the last minute, despite a few complaints. Two of my sweet boys conveyed their feelings about this in a poem. They make me laugh!@anglooney98 Andrew @ComalWrites Wendi Langlinais

MVMS faculty and staff breaking bread together. It’s wonderful to teach and work with people who are professional, supportive, and fun to be around! #comalisd #todayincomal #togetherwethrive #growinggreatness @anglooney98 Comal ISD

MVMS at Job Alikes - a great time for not only collaboration, but calibration. ELA and SS are adding insight as to how they can work together and both grow….while having fun at the same time! @anglooney98 #comalisd #todayincomal #togetherwethrive #growinggreatness

MVMS Humanities - Both ELA and SS are working with connections in writing. How can common terminology lower student confusion, and in effect, create a smoother path to growth? @anglooney98 #comalisd #todayincomal #togetherwethrive #growinggreatness

One more chance to make sure the MVMS faculty all know how we’re going run the show. T minus 3 days! Exciting! @anglooney98 #growinggreatness #todayincomal #togetherwethrive

And just like that, summer is over! These classrooms are already full of students and teachers excited about 23-24! @anglooney98 #growinggreatness #comalisd #togetherwethrive #todayincomal

You know your school is successful when the staff is so in sync that they dress alike! @anglooney98 #growinggreatness #todayincomal #thrive

Kid on their feet for pep rally. The noise is deafening….Go Hawks! #todayincomal #growinggreatness

7th grade teachers are calibrating today. The discussions resulting from this activity makes better writing teachers and better writers. @anglooney98 #comalisd #todayincomal #togetherwerhrive #growinggreatneas

It looks like the concrete for the new gym is getting poured today. Wow, we sure need that space! I wonder if they’ll let me put my initials in it?!? @anglooney98 #todayincomal #comalisd #togetherwethrive #growinggreatness