Friday Focus
Bolivar Liberators
Gratitude
1. Great to be back at BHS after three days out earlier this week. Much of what I learned is affirmation of what we're doing, but it's also great to be challenged.
2. My problems are definitely just first world problems.
3. The opportunity to grow. I'm not defined by my yesterday.
2. My problems are definitely just first world problems.
3. The opportunity to grow. I'm not defined by my yesterday.
Google Classroom update
Thanks for your participation in the first couple of lessons related to our blended learning initiative. Here's what I've learned from the teacher side of this.
1. The work flow through Google Classroom works great. It's very basic, but it just plain works.
2. At first, I imagine most teachers will use devices mostly for 'substitution' (SAMR) but as we get more comfortable I'm guessing we will see other types of uses including 'redefinition.' I included an example of a video that was student created that would definitely qualify as something that couldn't be done without access to the technology.
3. When collecting responses from a Google form, the teacher won't know everyone has completed it unless they also click 'Submit' in Google Classroom. The activity with the form would be great to list instant responses during instruction.
1. The work flow through Google Classroom works great. It's very basic, but it just plain works.
2. At first, I imagine most teachers will use devices mostly for 'substitution' (SAMR) but as we get more comfortable I'm guessing we will see other types of uses including 'redefinition.' I included an example of a video that was student created that would definitely qualify as something that couldn't be done without access to the technology.
3. When collecting responses from a Google form, the teacher won't know everyone has completed it unless they also click 'Submit' in Google Classroom. The activity with the form would be great to list instant responses during instruction.
An example of what's possible when students use digital tools for learning...Let's make good art
LET'S MAKE SOME GOOD ART
Why literacy?
This month's issue of Principal Leadership (National Association of Secondary School Principals) is entirely devoted to schoolwide literacy development. Of course, I was very eager to read the articles as we are continuing to figure out how to take steps forward with literacy in our building. I haven't met anyone yet who isn't for improved literacy. But what that looks like and how to move a school culture remain challenges.
Why literacy?
1. If we want our students to have more than marginal employment, they need strong literacy. If our students want more than second-class citizenship, they need strong literacy.
2. Literacy improves all learning outcomes. Reading, writing, and thinking strategies cause better content learning. However, literacy trumps content because it is useful across all content.
3. When teachers have a shared purpose, like literacy improvement, the whole will be greater than the sum of the part. Teamwork is synergy.
4. If students are part of a strong culture of literacy, they will be better learners.
5. Strong literacy will result in less need for interventions and academic supports.
I need to hear from you on next steps with our literacy efforts. The plan that leadership team worked nearly an entire semester to develop has some great plans but the implementation is so decentralized now I feel like we don't have much focus.
I'm sure it can be frustrating to feel like you are being asked to do something with literacy but all you have is a menu (our plan) with an overwhelming number of selections that haven't even been defined all that well.
That said, I know you have tried to make efforts to build your skills with literacy and grow in this area. But we also want you to feel supported. The information you shared in the survey from this week's faculty meeting was helpful.
We are going to ask for your feedback again very soon. We are going to look at narrowing the focus of the literacy plan and really supporting the efforts in that direction.
This literacy effort will not be an overnight change. We will continuously work on building our capacity to influence culture, increase knowledge, and develop better learners.
And I only ask two things of you related to our literacy initiative: bring positive energy and a team approach. Do your best to be a learner in this area and support the efforts that are building wide.
Poor teachers care only about themselves.
Good teachers make decisions about what's best for their classroom.
Great teachers see how their decisions impact the entire school.
Thank you for being GREAT teachers!
Why literacy?
1. If we want our students to have more than marginal employment, they need strong literacy. If our students want more than second-class citizenship, they need strong literacy.
2. Literacy improves all learning outcomes. Reading, writing, and thinking strategies cause better content learning. However, literacy trumps content because it is useful across all content.
3. When teachers have a shared purpose, like literacy improvement, the whole will be greater than the sum of the part. Teamwork is synergy.
4. If students are part of a strong culture of literacy, they will be better learners.
5. Strong literacy will result in less need for interventions and academic supports.
I need to hear from you on next steps with our literacy efforts. The plan that leadership team worked nearly an entire semester to develop has some great plans but the implementation is so decentralized now I feel like we don't have much focus.
I'm sure it can be frustrating to feel like you are being asked to do something with literacy but all you have is a menu (our plan) with an overwhelming number of selections that haven't even been defined all that well.
That said, I know you have tried to make efforts to build your skills with literacy and grow in this area. But we also want you to feel supported. The information you shared in the survey from this week's faculty meeting was helpful.
We are going to ask for your feedback again very soon. We are going to look at narrowing the focus of the literacy plan and really supporting the efforts in that direction.
This literacy effort will not be an overnight change. We will continuously work on building our capacity to influence culture, increase knowledge, and develop better learners.
And I only ask two things of you related to our literacy initiative: bring positive energy and a team approach. Do your best to be a learner in this area and support the efforts that are building wide.
Poor teachers care only about themselves.
Good teachers make decisions about what's best for their classroom.
Great teachers see how their decisions impact the entire school.
Thank you for being GREAT teachers!