Conscious Discipline

As you know, this past Monday my family experienced the loss of our barn and animals due to a barn fire.  Even though it was just a structure and animals, it was hard to watch it all go up in flames as it was a place of pride, hard work and family time for us.

This stressful experience reminded me of the importance of conscious discipline this week. (I know, I am a nerd - but it is true!)  Conscious Discipline is a mindset that helps us move from reacting in our downstairs brain (usually irradical) to a more conscious response that comes from a regulated brain.  Even though the initial response was panic and despair, I found that I helped my family most when I took deep breaths, (prayed a little), and tried to stay calm.  I could give my calmness to my family, especially my husband, when they needed it the most.  It helped to keep our situation in perspective and know that we had so much to be thankful for.

This week, Jennifer Mitchell shared a podcast with me from Conscious Discipline that was geared towards high school classrooms.  I really enjoyed listening to it (I have posted it below in case you want to listen to it yourself.)  It reminded me of the stress that our students are under everyday.  Just where our brain states were at the time of the barn fire, students come to us worried about their grades, being the best student, getting the one correct answer, not disappointing their parents, managing peer pressures, and even worried about negative family experiences.  They are STRESSED.  It is important that we develop classrooms where students feel they have voice and they feel safe to learn.

The podcast also reminded me that students really do not develop executive functioning skills until we are 24 or older. Students are still learning how to deal with time management skills, lengthy attention spans, impulse control, and empathy.  The Conscious Discipline lady compared their brains to fluorescent lights that blink on and off - some days they can manage their skills and other days they cannot!

In the podcast, Mr. Hummer, high school teacher, talks about how he develops community by developing strong relationships for ALL students. He asks each period to reflect on their purpose in the class and how they want their classroom to be.  He also asks them to brainstorm how they want to treat each other, what tools/skills they need to keep themselves from being distracted and to be successful.  By doing this, he is developing a strong sense of community and students start to help each other manage the environment as they feel they have voice and a safe place to learn.  By writing their commitments and posting them on the wall and maintaining a safe environment, he has found much success.

I would highly recommend listening to the podcast. It is a quick listen and a great reminder of the little things we can do to help ourselves and our students.  (I just listened to it while washing dishes - so you can do two things at once!)   The podcast did remind me a lot of all of you and the caring community you have developed at Perry Central.

Podcast

Hope all of you have a great week!


Important Information: 

Early College Fun Facts: The Commission for Higher Education conducted a study on Early College programs and dual credits across the state.  The results were very positive and exciting.  I thought I would share a few fun facts with you below.  Thanks to all of our dual credit teachers for having such a positive impact on our students!

  * Students with dual credit experience are 70% more likely to go to college and complete (students with AP & Dual Credits are 93% more likely)
  * Early College & AP programs save low income students 18.7 million dollars a year/ All students $69 million dollars/ and over $62 million to the state in savings (we should ask for this money to come back to our schools)
  *  Students earning 15 credit hours or more generally demonstrate a higher rate of college going, second year persistence and first year GPA averages
  * It is important to note that Academic Honors Diplomas do carry a higher rate of success than the Core 40, do diploma type matters as well.
   * 80% of students in Perry County earn dual credit (one of the highest percentages in the state)
   * 11% of students earn AP credits in Perry County

Way to go Perry Central Early College!!!

Classroom Objectives (Learning Targets):  Remember a classroom objective (learning target) is a clear, concise description of WHAT will be learned and how it will be ASSESSED.
 Examples:
    I can explain the similarities or differences, or both, between species and phylum.  (Science)

    I can solve a multistep problem by using ________. (Operation/algorithm/formula)  (Math)

    I can participate in/contribute to a discussion about  ___________.  (Social Studies)

    I can analyze a character's development/interaction with other characters.  (English)

IReady Training - For 7th & 8th grade math and English teachers, we are going to have IReady Training on Friday, February 8th during lunch/WIN.  Please see Jamie Guillaume's email for details.  Let me know if you have any questions.

ISTEP Testing - We are getting close to the first round of ISTEP testing for 10th grade students and retesters.  Our list of retester students is minimal due to the new graduation pathway option.  We will be posting the ISTEP schedule soon!



Important Dates: 

Tuesday, February 5- Varsity Basketball vs. Southridge 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 6 - Admin Book Study Meeting, "Focus" by Mike Schmoker - 3:00 p.m. (Chapters 1-3)/  IDOE Grant Meeting for Counseling Team  1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Friday, February 8 - Homecoming   Varsity Basketball @ 5:30 p.m.