Campus Connections
January 7, 2018
Message from Jeff and Yolanda
There was no better way to kick off 2018 than with three speakers who inspired us and provided us practical techniques that we can use every day in the classroom and in our lives. Thank you to all the teachers who gave up a portion of their planning day to attend Dr. Marcia Tate’s workshop on “Engaging the Brain”. Dr. Tate reminded us that we have a better chance of learning and remembering when we are actively engaged in experiences with content. She shared 20 strategies, which are very much aligned with Marzano’s instructional strategies, for engaging students in the classroom. If you are interested in learning more about the strategies, a copy of her book “Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites” will be placed in the media center for you to check out. Our Coaches' Corner, written below, also has several takeaways from Dr. Tate's presentation. All CCPS teachers will have an opportunity to hear Dr. Tate's message sometime during 2018.
Speaking of strategies to keep students engaged, the Cuban Guy Andres Lara used physical movement, storytelling and humor as he shared techniques to motivate and inspire students and staff. He left us with some acronyms, GOYA and A.S.S. to help us on the path to accomplishing goals.
GOYA stands for Get Off Your Anatomy, & take Action no matter what. This point was demonstrated, when he asked how many people wanted $20 and held up a bill, with nearly everyone raising his or her hands. Then he asked how many would use GOYA right then to make it happen. He asked several times before a student caught on, and went up to the front of the room and took the money from him. The point of this was to show anyone can want something, but you have to get up and take action to make it happen.
A.S.S. stands for Act on Small Steps. He explained that through small steps, someone could turn the impossible into the possible. He explained that small steps help people quit less and move forward more.
It was apparent that the Cuban Guy made an impact on both students and staff as I heard from several staff and students. Below are what two of them said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the guest speaker today and wanted you to know I thought he was awesome. What a POWERFUL way to start the new year off with such an inspiring message for both students and staff.”
“He gave a basic I can attack this, I can do this message to get you motivated for the new year”. I have a lot of dreams that I want to accomplish and being able to hear his message really inspired me to begin the new year right, to get motivated and to get my spirits high to tackle all the goals I want to accomplish this year.”
Coaches' Corner
If you did not get the pleasure to hear Marcia Tate speak this past Wednesday, you missed out on a fantastic training on teaching your content in the way that human brains learn the best. Below we have highlighted easy strategies to optimize learning based on her book: Formative Assessment in a Brain-Compatible Classroom. Check out her website here: http://drmarciatate.com/20-brain-compatible-strategies-for-learning/
Brain Fact #1: Neurons that fire together, wire together.
Brains need to hear something a minimum of three times before information sticks. Each time a student reviews content, the connection in their brain is strengthened. When it comes time for the student to recall the information, he/she can easily recall the content that has been revisited more often. Repeat yourself and have them repeat the content. Make sure they are practicing multiple times in the CORRECT way. Strengthening an incorrect fact or process works against what you are trying to achieve.
Brain Fact #2: The brain reacts negatively to high stress or threat.
When a student is faced with fear, high anxiety and threat, the part of a student’s brain that is active is the emotional part. When a student feels safe and not under stress, the cognitive part of the brain is able to think. Quite often high stake tests can stress a student and cause them to under perform. A teacher can feel the pressure as well and place it back on the student, compounding the issue. Set calming music in the classroom as students enter, add appropriate humor and pay attention to overall tonality to keep learning at an optimum.
Brain Fact #3: True learning occurs when both hemispheres of the brain are engaged.
Traditionally it has been believed that the left hemisphere of the brain is what a student uses for logical and mathematical and organization. The right hemisphere of the brain is what a student uses for art and creativity. We further know that left hemisphere strategies appear to help students in doing well in school and right hemisphere strategies help students do well in real life. Students use both hemispheres and need both hemispheres to succeed. There are countries in the world that have some of the highest test scores in math and science that also are the ones that have the strongest music and art programs. Engage both sides of the brain; add projects in, and use the student’s creativity.
Brain Fact #4 – Learning Is State Dependent
We all know that the relationships between student and teacher matter, but exactly why is evident when we look at the learning environment created. When these relationships are positive students believe they are capable of meeting the demands necessary to succeed. In other words, we want students to not feel stressed about the demands and feel confident they can succeed. Give students challenging work that they can accomplish with scaffolding. Making a task too easy makes the task not worthwhile and sets the wrong tone.
Brain Fact #5 – It is Easier to Retrieve Episodic Memories
When our memories include the circumstances and locations associated with the memory, it is called episodic memory. This includes the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the learning in our classrooms. When we can link learning with the conditions of the learning, the retrieval of information is greatly enhanced. An easy addition in the classroom is a visual to accompany what you are teaching.
Brain Fact #6 – Information is Learned and Remembered Best in Relevant, Authentic Environments
Making content relevant, linking problems to the real world, showing students why they need to learn something or when they will use the information increases the learning. If we want students to retain the information taught, linking to student’s real life will increase this likelihood.
Lianne and Tara
Wellness Corner
Who wants to be healthy, happy, and hungry for life? Let’s start fresh in 2018!
Coming up on Wednesday, January 17th, we will be having the BIGGEST Loser Contest! Join your colleagues for the Biggest Loser competition as a motivational kickoff! On the 17th, sign up with the school nurse, Flora Loomis with an entry fee of $10. Weigh in every Wednesday and you could win cash if you lose – weight that is. Look out for fliers around campus!
The Science Behind Happiness and Exercise (Total Wellness Magazine, March 2016)
Exercise can:
· Lower depression
· Manage stress
· Release “Happy” brain chemicals
· Be psychologically beneficial
In a nutshell, while exercise can have long term health effects on the body, you will feel almost instantaneously its mood boosting effects. If you would like more information about the science behind happiness and exercise, please follow link to the article. http://totalwellnessmagazine.org/move-well/the-science-behind-happiness-and-exercise
Donations
Staff and Student of the Month for January
Please show your Lorenzo family spirit and vote in the links below for our Staff and Student of the Month. This is your opportunity to give kudos by nominating a staff member. Of those nominated, the leadership team will select a staff member and a student from each category to honor through a certificate and special lunch in the dining hall.
Nominating a Staff or Student of the month is quick and easy. Just click on the Padlet links. Type the name of the nominated staff or student in the "Title" portion of the Padlet and post and your reasoning in the body of the post.
- 9th grade student Link
- 10th grade student Link
- 11th grade student Link (both academic and dual enrollment students)
- 12th grade student Link (both academic and dual enrollment students)
- Career and Technical Education student link (adults only)
- Adult Education student link
Happening
- Homework Club resume
- PBS prize drawing open
- NHS meeting
- PowderPuff celebration (breakfast to all players and coaches) begins at 6:30 AM in cafeteria C.
- Green Club meeting
- Leadership meeting in principal's conference room
On Wednesday January 10th:
- 1st and 3rd Block Final Exams
- Mr. Peter's class and Mrs. Mitchell's class will be attending health screenings from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at G.T.E
- PBS meeting
On Thursday January 11th:
- 2nd and 4th Block Final Exams
- Mr. Peter's class and Mrs. Mitchell's class will be attending health screenings from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at G.G.E
- Department meetings from 2:00-2:30
On Friday January 12th:
- Senior CAP and GOWN meeting with Herff Jones in Cafeteria A, B, C from 7:15-8:15. Contact person is Mrs. Barr.
- Junior Ring order meeting with Herff Jones in Cafeteria A, B, C from 8:15-8:45. Contact person is Mrs. Barr.
Kudos to . . .
- Student Services for recruiting and enrolling students for the new semester.
- Katie Sullivan for hosting a holiday celebration with games and activities for over 30 students involved in the Equality Club.
- Rita Kentros for preparing her students to be the opening act and recite poetry at the Gulfshore Playhouse prior to the performance.
- Donna Lang and Mary Ann O’Brien for attending the Gulfshore Playhouse performance and supporting the students.
- Neil Fehr and his Debate Club for performing well at Palmetto Ridge. One of the teams got their first win of the season!
- Marisol Fernandez and Jonah Nicosia for making sure that all computers were up and running prior to QB2 testing.
- Lisa Perez for organizing and collaborating with the culinary department to put on the Gifted Learner Luncheon.
- Lisa Perez for meeting and going on a tour with a potential student and parent who is interested in becoming a Mustang next year.
- All of the high school teachers for the participation in the Quarter 1 data chats.
- Vanessa Alvarez for bringing Greg Turchetta, Director of Communications, into the school to offer voluntary Twitter/Social Media training.
- Vanessa Alvarez for participating in the K is for Kids Rising Readers book grant so that our students who are involved in the book club were able to choose a free book for holiday reading.
- Vanessa Alvarez and our Book Club for hosting a Book Fair that supports LWTHS/LWTC at Barnes and Noble on Sunday.
Happy Birthday!
1/02 Leo Mediavilla
1/07 Samantha Green
1/09 Eileen Schoenknecht