New Day New Plan

As we have our discussions about pushing students to reach their fullest potential we need to remember who these students are. It is our job to teach them, not the students we might have had ten years ago. Remember these students are truly digital natives. We need to use the tools we have and we must remember the world they will be working in when they graduate. It is our job to lay that foundation so the middle and high schools they attend can build on that solid foundation. I have been reading a book about Schooling by design and the author made an analogy that spoke to me. He talked about teaching like athletic and performing arts coaches do. They prepare their students for the demands of the game not isolated drills. How often are our students put into the game? Do you teach all of the required skills in isolation or do you create the game situation for them?

The students we are teaching need all of these puzzle pieces if we are going to prepare them for success. They need to learn to work in groups and to collaborate with their peers. They need to utilize software, hardware and other technologies that we have all over this building. The key piece to this puzzle is you. Each student sitting in this school is counting on you. They need you to push them and to push yourself. I know I am asking a lot of you with Moodle, my blog, Mimios, Prometheam Boards and all the other technologies we have, but that is what our students need. If we use these tools and we teach our students to collaborate, think critically and creatively we will be giving them the skills they need and deserve. This will allow them to take the isolated skills we teach and transfer them into other situations. Until our students can do this the puzzle will not be complete. Do what you need to do, so you can be the puzzle piece that will complete the puzzle so every student we serve will be prepared for success in the 21st century and in the "flat" world they will be living in.

Creativity + Flexibility + problem Solving = Success

For this post scan down. I have no idea why it is posted below last weeks post. Enjoy :)

Are You ready For Some FOOTBALL?

Well the beginning of the NFL season is here. You probably fall into one of three categories... who cares...NFL widow....or bring it on!

I fall into the last category and as a Cincinnati Bengals fan I only have about two weeks of excitement before the realities of my team set in and I have to begin pulling for my other team, the Carolina Panthers. With this said, I want you all to be as excited about the "new season" that is among us here at Antioch. Remember this is just the beginning of the season. As any good team does, we have set goals. As a school we have set our Super Bowl goal of achieving Honor School of Excellence. We have also set grade level goals and benchmark targets that are all aligned with the bigger goal. It is key for any team that all players are working together with the same goal in mind. If the quarterback of the team throws 3 interceptions, or does not make decisions that are aligned with the goal it will be very difficult for the team to reach the desired destination. If a lineman on the team is not blocking it will be impossible for the quarterback to lead the team down the field. Each team is only as strong as its weakest link. It is the teammates' job to help make those around them as strong as possible.

Wednesday we had a wonderful start to our year long staff development program. During the session I pointed out to you how some grade levels had every member list something different as their strength. This is why collaboration is key. Just as in football or any other team game it takes strong communication and teamwork to reach our goal. Use those around you to improve your game. Collaborate, work together, and build that strong team chemistry that will help you through tough times. All teams stumble at some point in the season. The key is not to allow your teammates to get stuck when they are struggling.

It is my job as the "Quarterback" or leader to make decisions that will help us achieve our goal. As you know I called a huge audible with the method in which we will be utilizing our assistants. I know this is pushing many of you out of your comfort zone, but I truly believe this is what is best for the "team". As any leader it is my job to be the key communicator and supporter of the team. Sometimes a leader or coach needs to sacrifice what one team might like in order to do what is best for the "TEAM". If a team has a great defense, a coach might choose to play a slow paced game, which would not be appreciated by the offense. We have great assistants, so I need them working with students in all grades. I hope you all know my decisions are inline with the Super Bowl goal of Honor School of Excellence. I know this team will rise to the challenge and we will reach our goal.

Creativity + Flexibility + problem Solving = Success

Each of you works with children of varied ages, experiences, and abilities, but there is one common threat that we all should see. A child's mind is an amazing thing. Last night, as I was talking with my son Ryan I could not help being amazed at the way in which his mind functions. He is a typical child (way to much like me if you ask his mother) with extraordinary creativity. I was watching him create Lego ships that would be used in a battle before he had to go to bed. Watching his thought process and his problem solving abilities was fun to see in action. When I tell you I was amazed at the strategies he was using I am not exaggerating. When he realized he needed a piece that was 8 sections long and he had none remaining he was quick to say I can just use two that are 4 sections long (thanks Ms. Bush). It is this type of thinking that all our students need and we as educators need to be providing opportunities for them to solve problems, and to think outside the box. Provide your students with authentic learning opportunities that force them to use the material you are teaching. Be careful you are not concerned with students ability to memorize material and you lose focus on the importance of students ability to transfer their learning. Can your students take what you teach them and use it in their lives? This is the real challenge in education. We need to remember we teach students not content.