Matt's Monday Memo
November 11, 2019
Good morning, Staff,
In Search of Deeper Learning: The quest to remake the American High School
Researchers Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine conducted observations and interviews of students and staff over six years from purportedly successful innovative high schools that were suggested as “leaders” in preparing students for the demands of twenty-first century life.
Sadly, they noted most students experienced rote task, lack of engagement, and “bored, disengaged compliance” in the majority of their day. Researchers asked students “Which classes are the most rigorous?” Students shared classes that asked them to digest and memorize large amounts of content and complete tasks with one a predetermined path instead of a “deeply intellectual curriculum (that) asks students to participate in finding the answers to open-ended questions through thoughtful analysis.” The gaps between the aspirations and reality where stark and reflective of national evidence of schooling in the last decade. Research reflects teacher-delivered content, use of existing formulas to a set of practice problems, and information recall dominated in contrast to doing meaningful, genuine opportunities of critical thinking and inquiry.
However, in these recommended model schools, pockets of vibrant learning settings and a “hidden curriculum” in extra-curricular allowed students to do deep learning and rise above the norm with intellectually dynamic experiences. As the authors define, powerful learning can occur over an hour or through a particular well-crafted question or practice, while deep learning occurs through accumulated in cycles of inquiry and experiences. Deep learning is less of a particular event but rather a trajectory that is a result of ambitious instruction over time.
Three highlighted elements of Deeper Learning:
· Mastery of essential skills and knowledge and what students can do with it. Think of this as our work with THRIVE and the essential standards of your course content.
· Creativity using knowledge to do something new or distinctive and the ability to act or make in the field.
· Identity is connected to who students are and what they might be that is driven by the learner’s perception of the topics relevance. It is the “ability to see a student’s core self in what they are doing or learning.” Consider the contrast between I take science versus I think scientifically.
I hope to share more as I learn more from this work and our shared work together. I think in my own teaching, my best year was when I was asked to teach a class I had not taught previously a week prior to school. While it was incredibly time-consuming, I was untethered to any prior lessons and could craft my effort in a novel manner. We should be ambitious in our planning and learning with our students to unlock our best work, particularly as we embark on PLC efforts.
Regards,
Matt
Before the school’s musical, Chicago!, the Interact Club collected $280 for UNICEF. They also volunteered recently at World Food Day. In three hours, the club packaged 53 boxes, consisting of 1,908 meals for the hungry around the world.
Retirement Q&A
December 4
Viewing Room
11:00-11:30
12:00-12:30
3:00-4:00
*2019-20 School Calendar Days & Possible Changes*
Now that cooler temperatures are upon us, we acknowledge the possibility of inclement weather days. This year, we have four (4) inclement weather days built in our high school calendar. We have also designed a plan in the event of extra inclement weather days that we are sharing with you.
The state of Missouri now requires that district submit a plan of 1,080 attendance hours each year (includes minimum of 1,044 hours of instruction and 36 hours of inclement weather plans). This year, with our late-start schedule, students will attend 1069.13 hours, including four built-in inclement weather days. To ensure that we meet the 1,080 required attendance hours, we have provided the state of Missouri with a school calendar that includes an articulated plan in the event of additional inclement weather days beyond the four we have built in. After four snow days, our amended calendar will be as follows:
5th Inclement Weather Day
May 19 and 20 shall be converted to full attendance days; final exams will take place on May 20 in the morning, and regular instruction in the afternoon.
6th Inclement Weather Day
May 21 shall be converted to a full attendance day; final exams will take place in the morning, and regular instruction in the afternoon. May 22 shall become a half-day of finals.
The potential of a revised school year will NOT affect seniors and early check-out.
It will only be necessary to amend our school calendar with any of the above recommendations IF we miss more than four days of school due to inclement weather. This revision will ensure that the district calendar is in accordance with state requirements.
Peek at the Week
- November 11: Late Start, Day 6/7
- November 11: First Day of Winter Sports: Swimming
- November 12: NHS Blood Drive
- November 13: Department Chair Meeting, 8:05 a.m.
- November 13: Mr. Webster Pageant, 7 p.m., Auditorium
- November 14/15: Staff Meeting, 2:45 p.m./7:15 a.m. (15th)
- November 16: WGHS Robotics Meet
Celebrations
Did You Know?
- Maintenance work orders: Mary Ann Schafer is the only staff member authorized to enter work orders in the system. Please email Mary Ann directly for all work orders.
- Technology Work Request: You must submit a work request on SchoolDude for any technology-related work order. Please do not just call Dan or Kyle. Enter all work orders at http://www.myschoolbuilding.com/myschoolbuilding/itdgateway.asp?acctnum=681433059. SchoolDude now requires an individual password to log into MySchoolBuilding. This individual password is in addition to the Submittal Password (which remains wgsd) used to submit requests. If you have previously submitted requests, you DO NOT need to register. If you have never used an individual password to login, click on Forgot Password? and enter your email address. You will receive an email to create a new password.
Reminders/Announcements
- All staff members are invited to the annual ChiliFest on Wednesday, November 27. Vote for the FACS department’s chili (made by students and staff)!
- Remember to visit www.statesmensports.com for the latest athletic results.
Upcoming Professional Development
- November 14: Staff Meeting
- November 21: PD Discussion