I was gone last week and missed out on what I hear was a WONDERFUL squid dissection.  The kids left me letters, raving about it.  I (and a few colleagues) were receiving our final training in the GLAD model (Guided Language Acquisition Design).  This model is used primarily to teach Social Studies and Science curriculums, through pictorials, and group tasks, raising the students’ expectations in a print rich environment.  As this is a new methodology for me, I am excited to slowly weave it into our curriculum this year.  Assessments:  As we approach report card season, we are entering full swing, into reading and math assessments.