Tips for Group Work

 

Hope you have a great first week of March and can really enjoy your students and build meaningful relationships!

Trevor Muir has another great article this week about how to keep students on track during group work.  We know that having students work together and learn from each other is a powerful tool, as long as they are all doing their part and collaborating!  Below is a great blog post with tools to help you manage students!!  These tools are also in his book, "The Collaborative Classroom".  I have a copy in my office if you would like to read more!

                                       Tips to Eliminate Off-Task Behavior During Group Work

Important Information: 

COLLABORATE

WIN - Thank you to everyone that gave me feedback on the changes to WIN on Friday at our faculty meeting.  Because of the feedback, we are going to wait a week (This will not start until March 6) to implement and use this week to help get everyone on board. 

    WIN Information: 

      * Students will be assigned to teachers instead of assistants.  (Some rooms will be crowded - I will do my best to spread out students.  I will be using all possible teachers!)

      * We will still meet for PLCs and schedule assistants to cover for your WIN times during the day of your regular PLC meeting.  

      * Other assistants will still be available during that time to help you either cover your class on a time you need to work with a group of students OR you can ask them to work with a small group of students.  We can also use assistants to take small groups of students outside or to the gym when appropriate.  

     * Teachers can also partner with each other to help with coverage or meet the needs of the group. 

     * Teachers will still be asked to pull students if they need help (maybe a smaller group).

     * Tests can be given in the classroom during WIN, you can send the test to Learning Lunch Room so students can take it in a quiet location, or ask an assistant to monitor students taking a test. 

     * Expectations of students during WIN (if they are not coded out) are to be quiet and mannerly.  We have been letting students check their phones during this time or play a game on their computers.  This will be the same.  

      * We will add a gradebook to teachers for attendance purposes.  

                  WIN Information (Please take the survey)

                  WIN Groups    (This is a work in progress.)   

PLC Trainining -  Phil and I wll be attending the following PLCs during the following dates to share an important TED Talk about race.  It is important that everyone attend these meetings.  If you cannot attend during your normal PLC meeting, please jump into another time!  

          February 27th - Math & Island Teams   11:54 - 12:24  Jason Barnett's Room

          March 2nd - English & Special Education Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Alyssa Howe's Room

          March 3rd - Science & Social Studies Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Vanessa Johnson's Room 

Scheduling Meetings - As we move closer to creating the master schedule, I would like to meet with all teachers to talk about your likes/dislikes and goals for next school year.  This is very helpful as we create schedules!    I think the easiest way is for me to send emails to you and try to schedule a time with each of you individually.  Be on the look out for an email and be thinking about what you would like to share!   

Grades:  The end of the grading period is FRIDAY! Please make sure your grades are entered and students get the information they need for learning.  March 3rd is the last day of the quater and report cards will come out on March 10.  

Testing:  March 1st will be SAT testing for all juniors.  This is the state test that students will take.  It will take the entire morning.  Dana is working hard to train teachers on how to take the assessment and we will be asking some of you to help cover classes or proctor.  Please talk to your juniors about the importance of this day and their attendance.  They do have to take it to graduate.  

      Reminder that all juniors will be taking a practice test on Monday (tomorrow) first period.  Please see Dana's email for details.  

CELEBRATE: 

Pep Session - We will have a Pep Session to cheer on the Commodores for sectional play on Friday.  Below you will find a copy of the bell schedule.  

Pep Session Schedule
12:28-1:08 5th Period
1:12-1:52 6th Period
1:56-2:29 7th Period
2:30-3:00 Pep Session

Lunch Winners:  Carrie Guillaume & Seth Gehlhausen won a free lunch from our faculty meeting on Friday.  Carrie and Seth, please get with Janet to schedule your lunch one day this week!

Engagement

   "The real problem with schools is not low academic achievement, but disengagement of students" - Sarah Fine

This quote has been running through my mind all week!  Sarah Fine was one of the authors of "In Search of Deeper Learning" and part of some reading many of our teachers read during our Design Thinking Training this week.  Even though the quote is hard to hear as an educator, I do believe it to be ture!  The quote isn't only talking about the students that get into trouble and don't do their homework, it is also talking about students that learn how to "play school" and are great kids and students but not truly engaged.

As I reflect on this past week, I am excited about the possibilities of change.  This change isn't only about Perry Central, but a change that is needed in every public high school across the country.  To start creating change, educators need all of the skills we have learned to be teachers to provide academic rigor, literacy, critical thinking, etc. AND create opportunities for purpose and authenticity for our students.  

 This week, 12 teachers participated in a very high level Design Thinking training for key aspects of designing engaging lessons for our students.  Key parts of this process, that we learned from High Tech High, include bringing in community partners, having students design or build or do something that is real and authentic as part of our lessons - and to find ways to create big shared experiences for students!  We also learned we need to create systems as a school for our teachers to be able to plan and design together.  The triangle to the left shows the heirarchy of engaging audiences.  When we can get our students in projects that can get people in the field providing feed back or projects that effect the world or others, we are truly creating purpose and a love for learning for our students.  

  Friday, I attended the Governor's Workforce Cabinet meeting in Noblesville.  We met at Gaylor Electric, a large company that does work across the nation.  They were sharing how education and apprenticeships have long been a part of their company history and now they have partnered with local high schools to provide training on their company floor!  Students 16 and older come there to earn industry certifications, build products for them, get paid and eventually have the opportunity to work for their company - making a very healthy wage.  They also host over 50 interns throughout the year.  I also love how they are focusing on employability skills even in their company!  

These opportunities are not new concepts to us, but the fact that they promote this flexibility and work across the state is exciting - along with bringing education and business together.  We know that strong academic skills plus technical skills equals success for our students (really all of us).  Education truly changes the world and creating these models of learning can truly help all students succeed.   Our world is changing quickly and the skills our students need are changing.  It is time to rethink how we assess students, create opportunities for authentic and purposeful learning and truly engage students in this work.  It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time, but I know our team will find a way!

(You will see these post-its on the old nurse's office wall this week.  This is our brainstorming protocol that Design Thinking takes us through to really brainstorm about what our students can think, build or do.  We then spoke about engagement and community partners that could help us bring these ideas to life.  

Part of the Design Process is also making our learning visible - both student and teacher learning.  Visibility of learning helps create more creativity, accountability, excitement among our learning community and a way to show outsiders the expectations of our work!  That is why we are posting this portion of our learning, today!)

Important Information: 

COLLABORATE: 

Faculty Meeting - Due to a conflict with RECN training and SAT Training for teachers, we are going to move our faculty meeting to this coming Friday, February 24 at 7:30 a.m.  We are going to have some special guests (students) help us learn more about ChatGPT along with some educational protocols.  I know it is Friday - so we will try to have a great breakfast!

Book Study - We are looking for people interested in studying the book, "In Search of Deeper Learning" together and start thinking about systems, mindsets and beliefs need to be present to provide our students deeper, engagning learning experiences.  Anyone that has a passion for this work, I would highly recommend you to sign up!  The book is really deep itself, but I think we can jig-saw it and make it more palatable for everyone's time.   Once we see who is interested, we will figure our our times to meet that work for everyone's schedule.  I can't wait!!  Book Study Sign Up

RECN Training - Tuesday, Dana, Laura, Ty and myself will be out of the building to attend our RECN meeting with our mentor schools.  Our training will be at Paoli High School this week!

PLC Trainining -  Phil and I wll be attending the following PLCs during the following dates to share an important TED Talk about race.  It is important that everyone attend these meetings.  If you cannot attend during your normal PLC meeting, please jump into another time!  

          February 27th - Math & Island Teams   11:54 - 12:24  Jason Barnett's Room

          March 2nd - English & Special Education Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Alyssa Howe's Room

          March 3rd - Science & Social Studies Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Vanessa Johnson's Room 

Scheduling Meetings - As we move closer to creating the master schedule, I would like to meet with all teachers to talk about your likes/dislikes and goals for next school year.  This is very helpful as we create schedules!    I think the easiest way is for me to send emails to you and try to schedule a time with each of you individually.  Be on the look out for an email and be thinking about what you would like to share!   

Grades:  We are two weeks away from the end of the third quarter!  Feedback is very important for learning, so ensuring your gradebook is up to date is important.  Please make sure your grades are entered and students get the information they need for learning.  March 3rd is the last day of the quater and report cards will come out on March 10.  

Testing:  March 1st will be SAT testing for all juniors.  This is the state test that students will take.  It will take the entire morning.  Dana is working hard to train teachers on how to take the assessment and we will be asking some of you to help cover classes or proctor.  Please talk to your juniors about the importance of this day and their attendance.  They do have to take it to graduate.  

WIN Group Locaiton Change - Due to a shortage of coverage for WIN groups, we are going to move all of the juniors to one location.  The new WIN location will be the high school library.  Pam Wright and Kacey Dyer will be covering this group.  This started on Friday, but will be in full force starting Monday!

FFA Week:  FFA Dress Up days next week are: Monday: Dress like a cowboy; Tuesday: Dress Patriotic (Red, White, and Blue); Wednesday: Dress up as your favorite career; Thursday: Blue & Gold (FFA Shirt); Friday: Dress up as a Farmer (wear your Carhartt).    (Jeans week for everyone!  Dont' forget about the FFA teacher breakfast!)  

CREATE: 

* Mrs. Schwoeppe's Business Classes will be meeting with Domonic Poggi from the Indiana Small Business Development corporation.  Domonic is going to share with business their role in the local economy and how to create a business plan.  Mrs. Schwoeppe's classes are creating a business plan to present back to the ISBDC as they begin to start their own t-shirt business!

* Josh Craney is taking a mini-bus of students to the Conexus Indiana Enterprise Gathering in Indianapolis on Thursday.  Students and Mr. Craney will connect with other students and teachers from across the state!  

10 Ways to Get Students' Attention without Raising Your Voice - Trevor Muir

Most teachers have been through this exact scenario: You try to start class with a line like, “Okay everyone, we’re going to get started.” And a couple students might glance up at you, indignant that this adult is bothering them. So a little louder you say, “Everyone! Time to start class!” This gets the attention of a few more students, but still the majority of kids keep talking to each other, ignoring the fact that their teacher is in the front of the room with a face that is becoming redder and redder. Finally, you lose your temper, RAISE YOUR VOICE, the room goes quiet, and you are left feeling a little embarrassed, and even more, frustrated that it takes yelling to get your class’ attention.

Struggling to start off class or return from a group activity is a challenge every teacher faces. However, as important as it is to get your students’ attention and be as efficient with time as possible, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are 10 ways to get the attention of even the noisiest group of students without raising your voice or losing your cool.

1. Use a Timer

Structuring the time students spend in your class can help eliminate the chaos of getting their attention. If you have a screen in your room, project a timer for each activity they are working on. That way, students can see how much time is left and when they will need to redirect to the teacher. If you have an Amazon Echo in your room, you can tell Alexa to set a timer for ___ minutes. This way, there will be no surprises when you have to get your class’ attention (and Alexa can call them back for you).

2. Stand in the Middle of the Room

Use proximity to students to your advantage. If you are standing at the front of the room, you may be close to the students in the front, but a whole classroom away from kids in the back. When getting their attention, stand in the middle of the room where you are closer to every student. If there is a certain group of students who have more trouble redirecting, stand near them when calling the class’ attention.

3. Utilize Awkward Silence

This one can be difficult at first, and it can seem counterintuitive to stand in the middle of the room and say nothing. However, this is possibly the best way to get your class’ attention. Here’s how you do it: Say one time, “Okay everyone, I need your attention.” Then stand and wait. It will probably not get instant results the first time, but students will notice you standing there waiting for their attention, and like magic, will give it to you. You’ll see students turn and quiet each other and do all of the work for you.

I’m not sure if it's because students are embarrassed by making their teacher stand quiet for so long or it's some type of teacher-Jedi-mind-trick, but pretty soon the time you have to stand quietly vanishes. Kids know you will stand until you have their attention, making them feel awkward, and so give attention immediately.

4. Use Call and Response

This a great culture building technique that makes getting the class’ attention fun and familiar. The teacher has a regular call-out to students, and students know how to respond when they hear it. For instance, the teacher could say something like, “What’s up What’s up?!” and the class responds, “You know what’s up!”

Other call and response ideas: Teacher: “Everybody say Ay Yo!” Students: “Ay yo!”
Teacher: “Holy moly!” Students: “Guacamole!”
Teacher: “Alright now stop!” Students: “Collaborate and listen!”

Or my favorite: Teacher: "Waterfall!" Students: "Shhhhhhhh (sound of waterfall)." 

You get the idea. It’s a fun way to grab attention and get everyone on the same page.

5. Utilize “Helpful” Students

Every class has them, those students who help shhh everyone else and make sure everyone is following the rules. While sometimes a little overbearing, they can be a valuable asset to your class. When this student is trying to quiet their classmates as you stand silently at the front (see #2), make sure to thank them publicly when the class gets quiet. This shows your gratitude to that student and encourages them to continue assisting you, and also sends the message to the class of what the expectation is when the teacher is trying to get attention.

6. Have a Countdown Call-Out

Instead of calling for your class’ attention out of nowhere, give them a 5 second warning. Try saying, “With me in 5. With me in 4. With me in 3. With me in 2. With me in 1.” By the time you get to one, students will have had time to wrap up conversations or finish what they were doing and give you their attention.

7. Turn on a Special Light.

Have a light in a central place in the room, that when turned on, it means you need the class’ attention. This could be a lamp, stoplight, lava lamp, disco ball, or any other type of light that gives students a visual cue to turn their attention.

8. Play Animal Sounds.

This one is for your “auditory students.” Play mooing cows, chirping birds, or howling monkeys through classroom speakers when you need students’ attention. Not only is it funny, but it will be sure to get the attention of your students when you need it. Because let’s be honest, who is going to carry on a conversation with pigs oinking in their ears?!

*Pro tip: Let students decide what animal will be played through the speakers each day. It’s fun for them, and makes sure the whole class knows what sounds to listen for when it’s time to refocus attention.

9. Clap if You Can Hear Me

This is the timeless classic that has worked across generations. It goes like this:  Say aloud, “Clap twice if you can hear me.” Students who hear you will clap two times. Now say, “Clap 3 times if you can hear me.” More students will join in clapping. For the third time say, “Clap 11 times if you can hear me.” By now, there is no chance that there is a student in the room who does not know that you need their attention. Kids get to burn a little physical energy and you now have their attention. Timeless. Magical.

10. Build Relationships!

And the most effective of all of these attention-getting techniques is of course to build relationships with your students. When students feel trusted and respected by their teacher, they will return that trust and respect. This is why the best classroom management starts with relationships. Simply put, kids will give their attention to teachers they know care about them. So the most effective way to start class quickly and get your students’ attention is to care about them and make sure they know it.

Important Information: 

PBL Design Training  -  Monday and Tuesday several teachers have signed up for PBL Design training.  Below is the schedule.  I am excited about sharing what we learned with you!   We are going to have our meeting in the concession stand area  - lots of snacks!  Lol!  (Just kidding) Please bring your computer and creative ideas!

Monday 8:15	Jill Little
	Nancy Poehlein
	Jennifer Ball
Monday 12:00	Abe
	Abbie
	Stephanie Walsh
Tuesday 8:15	Adam
	Kris
	Sean
Tuesday 12:00	Debbie
	David
	Emma

Scheduling - Dana Harris has been working hard to get our students ready for scheduling.  It is always a big task to get everyone organized and in the right classes.  I would like to meet with everyone indivudally before we start working on the master schedule.  Your feedback always provides a great perception that helps us build the best master schedule that we possibly can.  I will be reaching out to everyone soon!

SAT Test - All Juniors will be taking the SAT exam on March 1st.  This is their required state exam.  Dana is working on the schedule and we will be sharing it with everyone soon.  This is coming up, so if you have juniors, please be talking to them about this date!

Valentines Day Surprise - The Literacy Team would like to invite ALL faculty and staff to a literacy morning full of fun!  Everyone is encouraged to meet in the elementary library at 7:15 on Tuesday Feb. 14 for a light breakfast and great information about how you can connect to great literacy resources!  See you all there!

Surprise and Delight - The Junior-Senior High School will also have a surprise and delight Tuesday morning!  Bring your sweet tooth and appetite for some of Morgan Judy's cupcakes and snacks!  Thanks to Janet for organizing!

Random Grouping Tool - Last week, I shared something I learned from Laurie Ferry, that random groups of 3 students will provide the best learning results in the classroom.  Abbie Brockman shared the free on-line tool Flippity  that will randomize student groups for you!  If you want to learn more, see Abbie!  

Learn & Leave Changes - We made some changes to the Learn and Leave location.  Please find the schedule below!  Let us know if you have any questions!

EXCEPT FOR 2ND, 4TH, & 6TH PERIODS, the Learn and Leave is now located in the corner room across from the office!

1st Period: Corner Room

2nd: Same room as always, no change.

3rd: Corner Room

4th: Library

5th: Corner Room

6th: Library

7th: Corner Room

Have a GREAT week!

Indiana Work-Based Learning

 This week, there was a great article in the Indiana Chamber BIZ Voice, the state chamber publication, about Work-Based Learning in Indiana and the goals of redesigning high school requirements.  What made it so great is that they had perspectives from business, education and the legislative body AND they all seem to be moving in the same direction!  

Below is the link to the article.  I hope you have time to look at it.  Teaching in the junior-senior high school, I think diploma requirements and our focus in education is going to continue to shift - it is important that we keep up-to-date and further our own understanding.  

Keep up all of the great work!

Indiana's Work-Based Learning  (Article)

Couple of other things that may be of interest to you.  The Indiana Association of School Principals shared these this resource with us last week: 

GPS Update- Attached is a powerpoint to provide updates to the Graduation Prepared to Succeed portal, which is the new way Indiana hopes to rate schools.  It collects a variety of data and looks at school corporations in a more wholistic view.  The state of Indiana also partnered with Gallop to capture survey data across the state to get parent's perspective on K-12 education.  The powerpoint goes through some of that data.  It is interesting because they will be using this data to make the case for changes in Indiana.  One thing they left off of the slides is that 96% of parents in rural school districts are pleased with their schools!

        Link to GPS Dashboard - you can look up Perry Central or other schools through this link.

Important Information: 

Winners!    I am not sure if we figured this correctly, but we are going with the Science Team as the PU/IU game winners.  They had a 4 point spread for the game and the closest final score.  IU played a good game, I guess!  Lol!  (I am just glad PU didn't get beat by 20!)   Science team, I will get with you for your lunch plans.

Diesel Tech Lunch and Learn - This Friday, we are hosting a Lunch and Learn for our community partners in the diesel industry.  Tim has a lot of great things happening in the shop with our students and we want our partner's feedback on the skills that are necessary for students to be successful.  Some of the students may miss part of a class to present.  Karen Strahl even made all of the students shirts - they will look so professional!

 Design Thinking Training - I set the dates for 1/2 day training for tips on how to design a PBL lesson (things we learned from High Tech High).  We will go with February 13 and 14.  I sent an email to teachers who signed up (The email will show up in your in-box at 8:00 Monday morning.)  If there is anyone else that would like to participate, please let me know. 

         STEM Grant Reminder - Reminder, you can earn $400 for completing either a Workplace Challenge OR a PBL lesson!   Below are a few items you will need to earn your cash!  Also, we will use this Tracking Sheet to keep up with all of our projects.  We will continue to fill it in together! 

      * Workplace Challenges - for WPC, we would like for teachers to fill out a Challenge Card (you will do this with the business partner) and a Reflection Card  (Would love to have 3-4 pictures)

      *  Project Based Learning - for PBL, we would like you to fill out a PBL Card and a Reflection Card  (Would love to have 3-4 pictures)

RESEARCH SAYS. . . . This week, when Laurie Ferry visited, I spent some time with her as well to try to grow in my classroom observation skills.  During my time with her, she shared new research with me (The name of the book is on my desk) where extensive research was conducted on what student grouping structures create the best outcomes.  Drum Roll please . . .

         * The best student results come from groups of 3 students that are purely randomly grouped!  This is because when we create groups for students and try to place them based on their abilities - students pick up on it everytime and they resort to their own beliefs about their ability, causing them to participate less.  Purely random groups (and showing students how you create your groups) will allow students to not feel like they fit in a category, the feel they have a chance to be with friends each time, and they perform better!  

        * What doesn't work is allowing students to pick their own groups.  This causes a lot of anxiety for students - especially as they worry about how they are perceived by their peers.  There are also kids that never get picked by their peers.  Students working alone miss out on a lot of great learning conversations!  

One of the big take-a-ways we had from High Tech High was to showcase the work that our students are doing when it comes to PBL projects.  We are going to try to start modeling this.  The 8th grade team did a Science and English PBL around Environmental Science and created podcasts on Spodifiy about what they learned.  Environmental Science matched science standards and a podcast matched many English standards, including speaking and writing informational text.  This was a great collaboration and project for this group.  

Abbie created QR Codes (Which were HUGE at HTH) so you can link quickly to student's podcasts.  We are going to hang this project in the Library Hall.  Looking forward to adding more projects this school year!