Literacy Reform

Today we looked at the work by Brockton High School in MA and how they transformed their school through literacy.

See power points from the presentation HERE.

How can we get EVERYONE on board?

Test

Something to Blog About!

Please take a look at this article.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov12/vol70/num03/Beyond-the-Scoreboard.aspx

Something to think about:
To improve the team, you don't study the scoreboard; you go out and practice. Considering the limited time educators have to do everything we must do, let's ask ourselves how much time we're spending looking at the scoreboard and how much we're spending in practice. We won't start winning until we do.

What does this mean for us????
Please blog about it!

The Talent Code

We spent some time today beginning to take a look at the book The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle.  The subtitle is Greatness Isn't Born, It's Grown.  The book is broken into three sections:
Deep Practice, Ignition (Motivation), and Master Coaching. 
Our first round of impacting quotes today circled around the struggle necessary in deep practice.
A dilemma that evolved over the discussion was:
How do we balance teacher expectations and 9th graders expectations in a way to lead to struggles but not course failures? 
We agreed to read the first section on Deep Practice though the lens of the above dilemma.
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So with our PLC, we agreed that our topic is:
Differentiated Professional Learning Communities that Impact Student Learning

Rufus is working on the beginning of a Prezi that illustrates our Collaborative Actions this Semester.
Logistical roles:
Facilities/Tables:  Pat
PLC Name Signs:  Cheryl
FloorPlan:  Brittany
Feedback Form:  Electronic and Paper - Katie

So What?
Teacher Feedback form still to be developed.

PLC's: Increasing Professional Growth

As I visit each PLC teams  that I have selected to share time with, I see how teachers are working collaboratively and sharing ideas. I can feel the synergy that surround the room. It is such a great feeling to see growth happening right then and there. Most of the teachers are so passionate about their work that they don't realize that they are creating this energy in the meeting room. And all for the love of impacting student achievement. I am really pleased to feel the growth as it is happening in real time and to know that the students will ultimately benefit from their growth. PLC's at their best!!!

Colleagues are displaying a strong commitment as preparations are made for December's PLC Showcase. 
For example, one PLC is looking at options regarding extended school-home communication.  Their plan involves inviting parents to WHS one evening to participate in a motivational presentation and discuss ways to increase student success.   

This is just one instance of how plans are being developed and resources explored as teachers focus on professional learning concerning ways to really impact student understanding.  Collaborative discussions are well connected and are moving forward!

I must start with my experience from IGNITE INNOVATION yesterday at google fiber space. I had the opportunity to learn and collaborate with other educators. We had time to express how we want to have a project that would allow students to have fun with their learning styles.

During my check in with the PLC's today we had time to think and talk about how we use the PLC's teams for learning, collaboration and results.  Two of my PLC's have started to design their team work for the Wyandotte High School Showcase on Wednesday, December 12th in the Social Hall.