December 14-22, 2015

WEST DELAWARE HAWKS

Relationships  Challenging Academics  21st Century Skills

Random Thoughts....Revisions to 2016-2017 Courses

The December 7 West Delaware School Board Meeting included an agenda item to approve the 2016-2017 High School Program of Studies.  Some of the major additions or new courses which were approved:

• Accounting I and II are now dual credit courses through NICC
• Cooperative Education (formerly COOP) course was revamped to align closely to new Iowa Department of Education guidance
• Talented and Gifted will now be called Gifted and Talented to align with Iowa Department of Education guidance
• Individualized Reading is now Contemporary Literature
• Practical Writing is now Practical Writing and Career Exploration
• Intro to Communication is now Public Speaking to better align to NCAA guidelines
• World Literature is a new course
• Welding Coursework now embeds required OSHA training
• Physical Education Department objectives now align with the State of Iowa Chapter 12 guidelines

This was a major undertaking and involved much discussion and decision by each of our HS Departments.  I wish to publicly thank Karen Goebel, Libby Allen, and Shari Soppe for their numerous hours of work and dozens of drafts to coordinate the Program of Studies.

There is much work to undertake with our Program of Studies as we look to upcoming years.  As conversations were being had, I heard and felt that deeper systemic conversations which need to occur.  These are valid and impactful conversations that will continue this Spring. A few themes:

• Recognizing the impact of prerequisites across departments and buildings on a student’s future goals and developmental stages
• Providing multiple opportunities for students to enter courses as freshman as well as throughout students’ high school careers
• Developing course descriptions that are highly engaging to students and tied to skills developed in courses
• Consideration of budget and course offerings in an era of lean State appropriations

Again, the process is valid and I deeply appreciate all of the revisions brought forward.  This is a symbol of how you are taking to heart the vision of the District: Relationships, Challenging Academics, and 21st Century Skills.  You are taking a critical look at your courses to meet the task ahead. 

More information on upcoming conversations regarding courses will be shared after the Holiday Break.  

Holiday Mental Health Tips

• Take care of yourself both mentally and physically.  Children and adolescents are affected by the emotional well-being of their parent or caregivers. Coping with stress successfully can help children learn how to handle  stress better, too.    
• Make a plan to focus on one thing at a time. Try a few ideas from "mindfulness" as a strategy to balance the hustle and bustle of things like shopping, cooking, and family get-togethers during the holidays: Stop and pay attention to what is happening at the moment, focus your attention on one thing about it ,and notice how you are feeling at the time. Withhold immediate judgment, and instead be curious about the experience.    
• Give to others by making it an annual  holiday tradition to share your time and talents with people who have less than you do. For example, if your child is old enough, encourage him or her to join you in volunteering to serve a holiday meal at your local food bank or shelter or sing at a local nursing home. Help your child write a letter to members of the armed forces stationed abroad who can't be home with their own family during the holidays.    
• Remember that many children and adults experience a sense of loss, sadness or isolation during the holidays.  It is important to be sensitive to these feelings and ask for help for you, your children, family members or friends if needed.   Try to keep household routines the same. Stick to your child's usual sleep and mealtime schedules when you can, which may reduce stress and help your family enjoy the holidays.   
• Kids (and adults) still need to brush their teeth twice a day!    
• Don't feel pressured to "over-spend on gifts."  Consider making one or two gifts. Help your child make a gift for his or her other parent, grandparents, or other important adults and friends. Chances are, those gifts will be the most treasured ones and will teach your child many important lessons.      
• Most important of all, enjoy the holidays for what they are -- time to enjoy with your family. So, be a family, do things together like sledding or playing board games, and spend time visiting with relatives, neighbors and friends.   
• See more tips at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/holiday-safety-tips.aspx

Technology Tip of the Week

Data Sent Through Email May Be Accessible to Others. You Can Protect Your Data By Using a Password-Protected, Encrypted ZIP File.
If you send files through an email, others may be able to access and read the data. Rather than sending an unencrypted file, you can add it to a ZIP file archive, which can password protect and encrypt the data. After sending your file, you should call the recipient and give them the password over the phone. Never transmit the password electronically, as an electronic communication may be intercepted along with the file.

Tweet of the Week

Enjoy the Holidays - time spent with family and friends!

 

November 23 - December 6, 2015

WEST DELAWARE HAWKS

Relationships  Challenging Academics  21st Century Skills

Random Thoughts...Emotional Intelligence and Growth Mindset

As shared in earlier blogs, the HS Building Leadership Team (BLT) analyzed the results of the survey given to teachers at the beginning of the year.  This survey asked various questions regarding the culture and climate of the High School.  Themes that arose which the BLT agreed to work on:

Trust - There is strong interdependence among teachers

Communication - Teachers are expected to participate in decisions concerning students

Risk Taking - Teachers are very interested in their colleagues’ opinions concerning instruction

Collegial Awareness - Teachers seek out opportunities to observe and discuss what other teachers are teaching

***The descriptor is the desired state.

As I reflect upon strategies to present to the BLT, I reflect upon various mental models known which are possibilities for staff training.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a term used to describe the ability of an individual to recognize their own and other people’s emotions, to discriminate between different feelings and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior.  Studies have shown that people with high EI have greater mental health, exemplary job performance, and more potent leadership skills.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.

What does a Growth Mindset School look like?

Students are enthusiastic, hard-working, persistent learners. They take charge over their own success.  

Parents support their children’s learning both inside and outside the classroom. They partner with teachers, and respond to outreach. They worry less about advocating for their children to get good grades and focus on making sure kids are being challenged and put in the effort needed to grow. 

Teachers collaborate with their colleagues and instructional leaders, rather than shut their classroom doors and fly solo. They strive to strengthen their own practice, rather than blame others. They truly believe that all students can learn and succeed—and show it. 

Administrators support teachers’ learning. They are responsive to honest feedback, rather than defensive. They seek to build their skills, and are willing to learn from their teachers. 

Technology Tip of the Week

Data Sent Through Email Is Not Encrypted by Default. Use Secured, Encrypted Email to Ensure That Your Data is Safe.
Sending data through ordinary email is extremely unsafe; anyone who can tap into the lines between you and the recipient can look at your email or the recipient’s email and steal your information. If you need to send personal, confidential, or sensitive information through email, use a secured email service. Secured emails are encrypted and will be protected against theft. You may ask the Help Desk for guidance on how to send a secured email.

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ENJOY THANKSGIVING BREAK!!!

 

October 26-November 1, 2015

WEST DELAWARE HAWKS

Relationships  Challenging Academics  21st Century Skills

 Random Thoughts....Reflections from BLT Meeting

The High School Building Leadership Team met Thursday, October 15.  The afternoon was spent laying the foundation on a Vision of Academics and Core Beliefs for academics at the High School.

The first activity was to analyze the "Typology Survey" provided to teachers at the beginning of the school year.  After reviewing data and determining priorities, the following areas will be focus areas for the year ahead.

Trust - There is strong interdependence among teachers

Communication - Teachers are expected to participate in decisions concerning students

Risk Taking - Teachers are very interested in their colleagues' opinions concerning instruction

Collegial Awareness - Teachers seek out opportunities to observe and discuss what other teachers are teaching

- Activity taken from  “Moving Forward,” The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, P. Senge and School Culture Rewired, T. Whitaker 

As a summary activity, the BLT was asked to develop talking points and items to share with other teachers once they return.  Agreed upon items as we continue our work ahead:

- Its important to stress that PLC time is about improving instruction - not about paperwork or staying in a box.

- Provide time for staff to have discussions with a variety of other staff members will improve instruction and relationships in OUR building.

- Everyone needs to have a growth/learning mindset.

- Continue to promote communication and transparency 

As the BLT continues to provide focus and clarity in our journey ahead, future conversations will focus on:

• What are our beliefs about how children learn?
• What content do we assume is best to teach?
• How is the material best delivered?
• How is staff development best supported?

A New Design for Education

http://youtu.be/B1bOIcnVI3g

http://youtu.be/B1bOIcn//youtu.

Youth Frontiers - The Character Challenge

https://vimeo.com/142676017

Technology Tip of the Week

Social Media Apps May Broadcast Your Location. Don’t Give Apps Permission to Post This Sensitive Information.
There are many social media apps that may broadcast your location. On a smartphone, these apps will usually request access to your GPS coordinates. On the web, however, these apps may simply pick up your location from your IP address and never ask for permission. Be very cautious about this. Someone could use your location to stalk you. They could also use this information to determine when you are not home so they can rob you. Avoid the temptation to “check in” on social media.

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November 9-15, 2015

 

WEST DELAWARE HAWKS

Relationships  Challenging Academics  21st Century Skills

Random Thoughts...Developing Student-Driven Questions 
I have been thinking this past week about student reflection and agency in their learning.  Many people associate "engagement" and "reflection/agency" as synomous terms.  They are vastly different words.  Engagement, by basic observation, may simply be busy work - learning may or may not be occurring.  In contrast, reflection and agency leads towards student involvement in the process of learning.

As students partner with teachers in learning, I have considered inquiry based learning, voice and choice, and problem based learning.  All of these terms refer back to one driving force - Student Driven Questions.  Having students build a direction for their learning fosters RELEVANCE and CONNECTIONS to life.  This must be a foundational component of our learning environment.

The following information was taken from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-for-inquiry-based-learning-john-mccarthy   The accompaning video below the text can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdYev6MXTOA    If you reflect past the images of an elementary classroom and consider the instructional design, you will see the heart of Student Driven learning. 

1. The Question Formulation Technique

The Question Formulation Technique offers a starting place to teach students how to construct questions that meet their needs. The QFT is a process for coaching students on the value and pitfalls of closed-ended and open-ended questions, including where and how to use them. Use the QFT as a foundation for the other protocols shared, which can lead to rich learning experiences.

2. Chalk Talk

One challenge to generating substantive questions and ideas is getting every student's voice heard. There are lots of reasons for this, such as strong personalities dominating a conversation, a need for space to reflect, or nervousness with speaking in front of others. Chalk Talk (PDF) is effective because, at its core, it's an engaging conversation that happens in silence. All voices are honored.

Post a topic as a statement starter or a question on chart paper for small groups. Or use roller paper that extends ten to twenty feet, so that 20-30 participants can be involved.

Participants communicate through writing with markers, asking questions and making comments to the prompt and to each other's posts.

Visually, participants create a web of ideas and questions that fan the flames of curiosity.

The time frame is approximately ten minutes.

Traditionally, the teacher collects the results at the end to use as data for later activities based on the students' contributions. A variation is to have participants review these collected thoughts to mine for ideas and questions that are further discussed and explored as part of a larger reflective experience. This second option helps students to see how their voices are valued.

3. Say Something

One challenge with reading articles or other pieces of writing is getting students to read for meaning and make connections beyond summary. Say Something (PDF) is a reading approach where students chunk a reading into smaller pieces, making comprehension easier. They dialog about specific text to uncover deeper understanding. The process ensures that all students participate and get support from each other to gain comprehension without feeling singled out.

Divide students into groups of 2-4.

Each group decides how far it will read (individually or aloud) before stopping for conversation.

While reading, students mark at least three passages. Consider using:

A checkmark for a passage that the reader agrees with.

A question mark for a quote that the reader does not understand or wants to know more about. Require that students craft at least one question per passage.

An exclamation mark for a passage that has new meaning.

After the group finishes reading the agreed-on section, the first student shares a passage and why he or she chose it. Then the next student does the same, until everyone has shared. There is no crosstalk about what was said.

The group repeats steps 2-4 until the reading assignment is completed.

This process encourages students to express themselves and explore their ideas with a group. Save the Last Word for ME (PDF) is a similar protocol, except that when students share a passage, they don't explain their ideas until after each group member has shared his or her thoughts. After the benefit of hearing everyone's contribution, the first person gets the last word.

4. Harkness Discussion

It's amazing what students come up with when the teacher is silent. Often during teacher-led conversations, some students will defer to the instructor rather than take risks with exploring their thoughts. Other students may be content to keep their rich thoughts to themselves, while the discussion is carried by a few.

The Harkness Discussion (or Spider Discussion) encourages idea generation and reflection. Prepped by a reading assignment, students sit in a circle or square. The teacher asks a question or gives a starter statement prompt for students to launch the conversation. Have students bring prepared questions for what they want to know, to be shared during the discussion. From beginning to end of the group discussion, the teacher remains silent, allowing the students' voices to carry the day.

Another benefit is providing practice with collaboration. Students are charged with encouraging everyone to share their thoughts through collegial support, which practices collaboration. As students discuss the topic, the teacher silently maps the flow of conversation by drawing lines from one speaker to the next. The intent is to capture who contributes and to what depth. After the conversation ends, have the students write a reflection about their understandings and takeaways. The writing provides data about the thinking by those who did not speak -- this time.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdYev6MXTOA

Youth Frontiers "The Character Challenge"

Technology Tip of the Week

Hackers Can Take Control of a Computer and Use It for Their Own Purposes. Keep Your Computer Secured and Learn to Recognize the Signs of Infection.
A virus or malicious program may not directly damage your computer but may instead turn it into a zombie. A zombie computer is a computer that a hacker can direct to complete certain tasks, such as attacking another target. Always keep your computer secured with antivirus protection to avoid this and complete a full system scan if you suspect your computer has been compromised. A compromised computer may begin running sluggishly, start crashing or begin performing tasks on its own such as sending out emails through your email account.

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November 2-8, 2015

WEST DELAWARE HAWKS

Relationships  Challenging Academics  21st Century Skills

 

 

Random Thoughts....An Affirmation

Megan Jack shared the image below from the conference the Instructional Coaches are attending in Denver, CO.  As Megan shared information with me, her learning from the Conference affirmed the same work we are committed to at West Delaware High School.  Understandable learning targets, descriptive feedback, student developed goals, student self-reflection, and students sharing out to others their learning are foundational components of what the High School Building Plan is consists of.  Each one of the above characteristics can be seen in the 5 Attributes from Assessment for Learning (AfL). 

Major kudos to each High School teacher for your work to dive deep into Assessment for Learning (AfL) and focus on student centered learning!

Keeping Kids in the Forefront

The past week, High School students took an active role in their school.  Student Focus Groups, Mix It Up at Lunch, and Student State Leadership Conference are various activities to help engage students in the culture and climate of the building.  Students actively engaged in the design of their learning makes for students who have high expectations for their learning.  Please continue to reflect upon:

·      Engaging students in reflecting upon their learning and how they learning

·      What assumptions do we want to make about the appropriate way to teach?

·      If we could do anything we wanted to educate kids well, what would we be doing?

Technology Tip of the Week

Cybercriminals Can Listen to Your Internet Activity. Always Use Encryption When Transmitting Sensitive Information.
Any time you send or receive data, even thru a website, others may be able to hijack and read this data. To protect yourself, use encrypted signals. Never use a wireless connection that isn’t protected and only use websites that use HTTPS when sending confidential information. Use a firewall and keep your security protection on at all times for additional protection.

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