BARBER BULLETIN
Week of May 8-12
How well do your students REALLY know the 7 Habits?
Think about your classroom for a minute and answer the following questions:
1. Can all of your students name each of the 7 Habits?
2. Can all of your students explain what each of the 7 Habits means?
3. Can all of your students give an example of how to use each of the 7 Habits?
Muriel Summers and the staff at A.B. Combs are the original pioneers of The Leader in Me process. As such, they now have the privilege of seeing the longterm results. The first groups of students recently graduated from college. I watched a video of these young adults sharing how the 7 Habits have impacted their lives. It was inspiring! They talked about the 7 Habits being the “tools” they used in school, in relationships, and in jobs. They told stories about how they were successful because they had an end in mind or learned to practice win-win. They spoke about how they always thought of themselves as leaders. As I listened to these graduates, it became clear that they had a deep understanding of the 7 Habits. This understanding had stayed with them, even when they were no longer surrounded by a ubiquitous leadership culture. The 7 Habits had become their “Intel inside.”
Here are some of best practices to instill the 7 Habits in your students:
1. The Leader in Me Student Materials
Just as math and reading skills are taught with increasing depth and complexity each year, the 7 Habits should also be taught with increasing depth and complexity. The activity guides provide developmentally appropriate content that helps students grow each year in their understanding of the habits. If you haven’t used them before, I’d encourage you to give them a try.
2. Integrated Curriculum and Instruction
When the key principles of the 7 Habits are integrated and applied throughout the day in literature, science, mathematics, music, PE, and leadership events, students’ understanding of the habits deepens. Don't forget: www.TheLeaderinMe.org provides excellent FranklinCovey lessons, videos, literature suggestions, and favorite lessons from schools around the world.
3. Teach to Learn
The best way to learn something is to teach it. By directly teaching the 7 Habits to your students, you all benefit. Likewise, students learn by teaching. Provide students frequent opportunities to teach each other, a younger student, or someone at home.
4. Environment
Reinforce the 7 Habits in the environment—not just on the walls but in your verbal interactions—and on forms, websites, and newsletter communications.
5. Celebrate
Learning Celebrations show students what is important in your school. When everyone in the school learns a habit, show them it is worth celebrating!
6. Modeling
Model the 7 Habits yourself by practicing the habits, setting personal goals, using the language in your conversations, and setting and achieving your own goals.
Imagine the depth of understanding our students will have if the habits are directly taught each year from Kindergarten, integrated throughout the curriculum, and reinforced throughout the school.
SUMMER 2017 Read to Succeed courses
The registration window will be open from May 2nd until May 30, 2017. Because we are utilizing special revenue funds, the courses are free for Richland District Two content teachers (including Art and Music), principals, assistant principals, and superintendents only. However, if you withdraw from the course, you must reimburse the District $85.00.
The first step in the process is to complete this Google Document . This step only holds your seat until you complete the second step. The second step is to finalize the registration process once you have received a second email from me (Arthur Newton) containing final registration information. The course only counts as renewal credit.
Although the registration window closes on May 30, 2017, it is imperative that you immediately finalize the process so that you won't lose your seat in the class. You may only register for one course.
For complete information on the classes offered please see the information below.
Read-To-Succeed Online Coursework
Richland Two has contracted the SC Dept of Education to offer the necessary Read-To-Succeed online coursework. There are seven courses available during the Summer Session on a first enrolled, first served basis. Each course will have 30 seats available. If you are interested in applying for a seat in an appropriate course for the Summer 2017 session, complete the registration form by clicking on the Google Document link above.
For the Summer 2017 session, the courses being offered are:
- Reading and Writing in the Content Area: Early Childhood and Elementary
- Reading and Writing in the Content Area: Middle and High School Teachers
- Reading and Writing for Fine Arts Teachers
- Reading and Writing in the Content Area: Administrators and Non-instructional Certified Staff
- Assessment of Reading
- Instructional Practices
- Foundations of Reading: (restricted to EC, Elementary, ESOL and Special Education)
If you have any questions regarding registration confirmation, please contact Kathleen Whittle at 803-734-3738 or at Kwhittle@ed.sc.gov.
Are you coming? Let K.Barber know if you're interested!
Save the Date: June 7-8, 2017
Richland Two Institute Of Innovation (R2i2)
124 Risdon Way
Columbia, SC 29223
Imagine the Possibilities!
Taking a closer look at our school MAY events
Here are a few reminders from the district:
Teaching and learning continue to the last day of school.
Textbooks are not permitted to be collected no earlier than May 18, 2017. Units of study are taught with supplementary materials until the last day.
Library book check out will not end prior to May 18, 2017. Media center remains open until the last day of school, June 1, 2017.
Chromebooks and other student devices will be collected no earlier than May 18, 2017.
Dress codes continue to remain in effect for students and staff.
Students are required to attend school until the last day of school. Students may not be told that they do not have to come to school.
Movies, videos, etc. are not to be shown unless they directly relate to the current unit of study. Any movie, video, etc. must be previewed first by the teacher and then approved by the principal or his/her designee.
Reminder: May 31, 2017 and June 1, 2017 are half days for all elementary, middle and high school students, but full days for Richland Two employees.
What's happening this week?
Montessori consultant on campus to support Primary teachers
No staff meeting (but please consider helping write positive messages to our 3rd-5th graders at bus entrance and car rider entrance wishing them good luck on testing with sidewalk chalk!)
Tuesday: Wear JEANS if you'd like (for good luck!)
SC Ready: TDA Writing
7:00pm Board meeting
Wednesday: Wear JEANS if you'd like (for good luck!)
SC Ready: Reading
Thursday: Wear JEANS if you'd like (for good luck!)
SC Ready: Math
1st grade classes on Field Study
12:00pm IAT Wrap Up
Friday:
8:30am Volunteer Appreciation Event (students do not attend with parents)
Please wear LEADERSHIP gray shirts for Volunteer Event
1st grade classes on Field Study
Marble Slab ice cream sundaes during recess for students that sold certain # of items - tickets will be provided to students in teachers' boxes
1:45pm Montessori Community meeting