FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 Essential Question #4: What will we do if the students aren’t learning? Upcoming Events Choose LOVE Week Monday, April 20th Split Lunch Schedule Tuesday, April 21st Choose LOVE Week Assembly Split Lunch w/ Assembly Schedule NHS Induction 6:00 pm in the LMC Wednesday, April 22nd Early Release PLC 12:00 in the LMC Thursday, April 23rd STAT Schedule Opening Night for Romeo & Juliet 7pm in the Auditorium Friday, April 24th Split Lunch Schedule Romeo & Juliet 7pm in the Auditorium End of 12 Week Grading Period Obviously student behavior can get in the way of student learning. In visiting classrooms, I have seen certain classroom cultures create an environment where misbehavior is almost non-existent. At the same time, I am aware that often times there is a certain mix of students which can create a challenging learning environment. Here are some strategies to create a culture where student learning is possible (ASCD resource: 1. Remember that authoritative beats authoritarian. Being authoritarian means wielding power unilaterally to control someone, demanding obedience without giving any explanation for why one's orders are important. Being authoritative, on the other hand, means demonstrating control, but doing so relationally through listening and explaining. Studies of effective parenting have found that children view parents who use an authoritative style as legitimate authority figures; such children are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior. The opposite is true for children of authoritarian parents (University of New Hampshire, 2012). 2. Believe that everyone can grow. Many teachers are familiar with Carol Dweck's distinction between a "growth" mind-set and a "fixed" one. When we have a growth mindset, we believe that everyone has the inner power to grow and change. Teachers aren't superhuman. There are some things we cannot accomplish. But we must ask ourselves whether we too readily write off students who try our patience as "incapable," or some similar adjective, without considering whether differentiating instruction for these students might spur change and growth. 3. Understand that power isn't a finite pie. I was a community organizer for 19 years before I became a teacher. A key lesson I learned was that power isn't a finite pie. If I share the power I have, that doesn't mean I'll have less. In fact, the pie will get bigger as more possibilities are created for everyone. Power struggles are at the root of much misbehavior. William Glasser (1988) believes that students have a basic need for power and that 95 percent of classroom management issues occur as a result of students trying to fulfill this need. Having more power actually helps students learn. Giving students choices—about their homework, assignments, how they're grouped, and so on—leads to higher levels of student engagement and achievement (Sparks, 2010). 4. Be flexible. Being flexible might be the most important thing teachers can "do" to help students who challenge us—in fact all students—to get past whatever challenges of their own they confront. Three practices help me differentiate instruction and classroom management in a way that helps everyone. ASB Stuff Choose Love Week April 20th – 24th Gold Bricks: As part of Choose Love Week, the ASB Leadership students have asked staff to write positive things on Reminders gold bricks that will be displayed on campus. They can be about specific students, classes, and staff members or they can be about the students or staff Keep Students Until the Bell Staff, please do not allow your students to leak out of your room early. in general. Submit Gold Bricks to either Havig’s mailbox or to Kristin in the library. Kristin also has extra Gold Bars. Elections: Elections for Executive ASB Leadership positions Email Check your email & make sure your inbox isn’t full. ID Badges Wear your ID Badges on a daily basis! and class presidents are coming up as well as the selection process for class officers. Applications will be available starting Monday, April 20th in the ASB Office. If there are any students you think would make an excellent ASB Leadership students, please encourage them to apply. Also, each candidate must have three recommendations from staff, so you may be asked to complete one. Learning Targets Learning Targets need to be communicated on a daily basis. Please make sure you are clearly using another strategy evident to the students Classroom Culture Our Classroom Culture needs to be based on relationships, respect, trust, safety, and passion. Summer School (APEX) Program While our hope is that no student will fail classes, it is inevitable that some will. Counselors now have information on summer school -- please send students our way if they are asking or you know they could benefit from this program. Students' Work Ethic Affected By Peer Groups, Desire To Be Popular Interesting article on OPB: http:// www.npr.org/2015/04/16/4 00052239/students-workethic-affected-by-peergroups-desire-to-be-popular 8th Grade Open House 2015
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