Hampton Bays Middle School
Monday Memo #31
Asking the Right Questions
Happy Monday,
If you're anything like me, this time of year, I tend to make more time for students. Part of it, I'm sure is because I realize that our time together is slipping by, always too fast, but especially in a busy school and at a busy time of year. Additionally, however, I carve out time for and with students because, honestly, I learn so much from listening to them. Middle school kids have such great energy and such valuable insight for us. So I make sure, on a regular basis, to sit down with individual, small groups, and even sometimes large groups of students, to ask good questions, and listen for their answers. Our students make me a better Principal, so why wouldn't I use them as a resource?
I mentioned in our last Faculty Meeting, how I've been experimenting with a model called CPR (or, the Circle of Power and Respect). This is a protocol that can be used in Advisory, but can also be used in any classroom setting at any time. I'd love to spend some time with anyone who's interested in trying this out, and I'm happy to facilitate or co-facilitate this with you and your students.
Once a trusting relationship has been built with students, I find it really comes down to asking the right questions, and usually at the right times. I read this recently and thought it could make a good supplement to the questions you may be asking your students already. It's also a great resource to share with parents, who are seeking ways to connect with their adolescent children. Pass it along to anyone who you feel it might help.
25 Ways to Ask Your Kids "So how was school today?"
Without Asking Them "So how was school today?"
Thanks for a great month, amidst the assessments, etc. Let's have a great week together, for our students and with our students. I appreciate all that you do for our students and our middle school program!
Dennis