Bonfire Hearts

Last week in our faculty meeting, we took a look at our stated Mission.  I cannot think of a better time to do so: midway through the year when things are really rolling and we are all getting ready for midterms while also trying to get ready for Christmas . . . sure, why not this time of year.  A time when we need to stop and reflect about where we are and where we are going.

As I was reading through teacher's postit notes of the five attributes they wanted to be readily recognizable in a graduate from our school, I was encouraged by what I saw.  They quickly listed things like, confident and ready, courageous and secure, thoughtful and compassionate, as well as test ready and proficient.

I was encouraged by this because these are the things I want for our kids at Collins High School. I want them to be intelligent, but not just in academia.  I want them to be talented, but not just in the arts.  I want them to be successful, but not just in sports.  I want them to be ready, but not just for college.  I want them to have "grit," to know how to overcome short term failures.  I want them to be empathetic, to love their fellow man.  But for this to happen, our kids must believe that there is something great for them at the end of it all . . . they must "EXPECT THE GREATER REWARD!" Their hearts have to be as big as bonfires . . . but they need a spark to light that bonfire.  That's where we come in!

I heard a question this weekend that asked, "How does a craftsman explain his vision to a child?"  To extend the analogy to that of a common woodworker, a maker of toys, let me paraphrase for you something I recently read:  

The toy maker, in his wisdom, does not give the children a perspective that they cannot fathom.  Therefore it is rare for the children to clearly see the forest for the trees, or the trees for the lumber, or the lumber for the wooden toy.   The toy maker does not fret over explanations; he does not veer from his course.  For he alone has the perspective of what his creation will reveal.     

Our students cannot fathom ALL that is out there for them.  Our teachers were put in this position, in this school, because they help kids dream.  So we must encourage them, challenge them, love them, push them, nurture them, correct them . . . not for our benefit, but their own.  As teachers at Collins your heart must be a bonfire, radiating with light and heat, ready to ignite another and inspire a dream.

As we go through this process of creating our mission, let's remember that we are teaching the whole child.  We want them ready and believing they can overcome any adversity, pass any test, play any instrument, win any contest . . . because their hearts are on fire, because they are Titans!

Monday Memo 12-1-2013

If you want to see a group of teenagers live out this quote, get to Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 EST.  Something special is getting ready to happen!  As we go through this Championship Week, let's ALL embrace this momentum and channel this positive energy toward propelling our school forward.  We will have a pep rally on Friday afternoon.  Go Titans!

Instructional Focus:  Our focus for this month is goal setting.  We begin this week by focusing on our daily goals in our classrooms . . . our Learning Targets.  At MLCHS, the way we do things requires students to know what they are to learn before the lesson begins and prove that they learned it before they leave the room.  We do not "fly blind" in the classroom.  We will be defining what a target is and is not during our time together on Tuesday.  Prior to Tuesday, take a look at this article from Educational Leadership:  

Midterms:  Talk to your students about the importance of studying for your midterm.  Encourage study groups in any way you can.  Remember, you are teaching them how to prepare for your midterm.  Many have never done this before and need to learn this from you.

Grades:  Parents will be checking grades this week.  Carve out some time to get your grades fully updated.  Remember, we do not penalize students with an excused absence.  TableTop Wednesdays should be assigned to students with missing work.  Is your grade book a "zero free" zone?

Quote of the Week:  "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."  -Lou Holtz

I've seen so many signs in the past two weeks that we are moving!  We are carrying the load effectively and efficiently.  There is real momentum here at Collins.  We need to take some time to celebrate that in the past two weeks:

• Our XC teams earned two state championships.
• Our 8th grade KYA team had a bill that made it to the Governor's desk
• Our 8th grade KYA rep was named Governor for the next year
• Our Cheerleaders advanced to Nationals
• Our Academic Team continues to roll in matches
• Our arts programs are not only growing in size, but producing great works
• Our language department has students really thinking about working in other countries
• Our JROTC program . . . wow.  Not only did they put on a great Veterans Day Program, but they also are providing color guard for many groups around the area.
• Our FFA is hosting the regional leadership conference . . . again
• We took 15 ACT packets to the bus lot offering them to juniors on the last day to sign up for the December ACT test.  10 of them signed up.
• We already have 100 seniors College or Career Ready.  Some are both.  

Our programs will continue to grow as long as they are led by good people who are doing things for the right reasons.  What we are seeing is evidence of great kids being around great adults for four years.  

CCR:  The numbers shared by Mrs. Settles last week are EXCITING!  Collins HS saw twenty four more students prove that they were college ready by passing the Compass test in either math, reading or English.  Some of these students now have the academic portion of their Career Readiness attempts as well.  This is a great number; but more impressive are the overall numbers that moved a step closer to proving "readiness."

These students who have not made it have a very clear target.  They can take some time to reflect on one or two things they must do between now and the next assessment to improve.  But their target remains the same.  It has not moved.   They can get there.  We can help them.

(Junior teachers, now would be a great time to remind your kids of the way to avoid the CCR math and reading courses)

Goal Setting:  With four weeks to go in the semester, what are your goals with your students?  Have you talked with them about your Midterm exam?  8th and 9th grade teachers are setting MAP growth goals with their kids.  I was in a math teacher's room watching this happen.  The students are focused.  Again, they are given a clear target and they are shooting for it.

Faculty Meeting:  On Tuesday, we will meet briefly in the Library before going to our breakout sessions.  The focus of our time will be growing in our different areas that each of you selected.  Make this time productive for all be being totally engaged in the process of growth.  We can all get a little better each day!

College Application Week:  The goal is 100%.  Figure out who the outliers are and communicate.  We will find someone who has that connection that will help seal the deal.  Even if they are going straight to the workforce, getting them in some continuing education courses makes great sense.  Let's help them figure this out.

Student Reflection

Monday Memo 11/10/13

Great Quote:  "We assume that reflection is an inherent ability in all of us and that students do this regularly; the reality is that students either don't reflect on their own learning or come to the wrong conclusions."

Our learning on Tuesday was bolstered by the comments and questions offered during the session.  YOU ARE AN AMAZING GROUP OF TEACHERS.  The encouragement you offered each other will allow us all to grow in a way that will build our students' confidence in their thinking.

The reflection time that you are requiring is habit forming.  The more students do it under your guidance, the more they will do it on their own later.  I watched a geometry teacher on a Friday afternoon get her students to reflect on their new understanding of postulates and angle relationships.  As she walked around the room encouraging and praising, she saw some misconceptions and was able to correct them before students left for the weekend.

As we work through the key elements of lesson design (workshop model), let's ALL keep practicing the art of getting our students to reflect on their learning for the previous 45 minutes of class.

Here is one more quick link on reflection:
http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/10-ways-to-encourage-student-reflection-2/

Monday Memo 1-1-12

Monday Memo 1-1-12  Just click on the title to watch our Monday Memo to start the year!

STEM Fair Highlights

10 Ways to Raise Confident Kids

Confidence is a learned trait and must be nurtured. It can be very fragile at times. Some of the greatest achievers on the planet go through bouts struggling with confidence. That is not such a bad thing. It usually leads to even greater achievements. Nonetheless, the overall goal is for our kids to feel secure about who they were created to be. The following thoughts will help guide them in that direction:



Listen

A simple task it would seem. Amazing how difficult it can be to just simply listen. Not solve, not direct and not lecture. Listen. All children will tell you what is on their mind. They only want someone to hear them. Give your child the patience and time they need from you. It will do a world of good.

Pep Squad

We all need a cheering section. A fan of who we are and what we do. Do that for your kids. Encouragement is vital in the growth of children. Go to the games, the recitals and the plays. Reward good grades. Tap your feet to the instrument they are playing.  Let them know how proud you are of their effort.

The Big Picture

Some children have outward abilities that are obvious and easy to recognize. Your son might be an outstanding soccer player for instance. However, that is not all there is to him. Make sure you affirm his other lesser seen qualities as well. Maybe he’s very kind and considerate. Generous. See the entire picture of what your child is and acknowledge it. You do not want to raise a one-trick pony.

Time Is Of The Essence

Your kids need you to be involved in their lives. That requires adjustments in your schedule. Two hours per night seeing you sit on the couch does not qualify as being involved. Teacher meetings. The occasional visit to school for lunch. One on one time doing whatever. Make time for each of your children individually as best as you can. It shows them that they matter to you.

Security Breeds Confidence

Papa Bear. That’s you. Cuddly and furry, but ferocious if need be when danger lurks. Children desperately need to feel secure. Home should be a loving and safe place. It’s your job to make it so. That seems like common sense, but so many children lack this security in their life. Parents fighting. Destructive habits. Drug abuse. A great many things can ruin the security of your child’s emotions and thusly their confidence. Stay alert and stay on duty Papa Bear.

Greater Purpose

There is a major difference between confidence and self-centeredness. Arrogance can also enter the picture. You do not want to raise little monsters to unleash on the world. There are enough of those as it is. We have a greater purpose in life by God’s design. We should be humble yet strong. Confident yet gracious. Intelligent yet compassionate. Teach them to see beyond their own desires and needs.

Catch Them When They Fall

Life isn’t always sunshine and lollipops. Downpours and hard times are always sure to come. They are the moments that test our character and define us as human beings. When disappointment or sadness come knocking for your child, be there to help them understand. Not necessarily to solve, but for support. They need those times like flowers need rain. Teach them the perspective needed to absorb these times and move forward.

Spokes In The Wheel

As adults, we are aware that we all have different talents and gifts to offer the world. We are all just spokes in the big wheel. For children, they may not see things so clearly. Your daughter might not understand why she isn’t a cheerleader and her best friend is. Your son might have a buddy who excels in math and he struggles. As Mom says, variety is the spice of life. It would be awful boring if we were all made the same. Help your children find their own gifts and to appreciate those of others.

The Power Of Positive Thinking

“Just what makes that little ole ant think he’ll move that rubber tree plant?” He had high hopes so the song goes. When our minds are focused and our spirits high, we can accomplish miracles. Positive thinking moves mountains as well as rubber tree plants. Allow your children to dream big and to never give up. Give them a pat on the rump and tell them to go get ‘em!

The Right Crowd

You are not always with your child. In fact, most of the time you aren’t. They are at school and you are at work. You are mowing the grass and they are over playing with a friend. So obviously other people have a great deal of influence on your child. Who these other people are matter very much. Peer pressure is something we talk about often on All Pro Dad. Get to know the important friends in your child’s life. Get to know their parents. Our circle of friends should be diverse and inspiring. Friends that help lift us up to greater heights. Friends that push us to be better.