A Reader Asks... We Need a POWER ZONE Explanation

A LYS Assistant Principal asked Lesa Cain the following question:

LC,

This is crazy, but on my campus we can’t agree on what represents the Power Zone.  If we can’t handle this, what chance do we have with the other fundamental practices? Help!

LC Response

Like Sean constantly reminds us, “Simple doesn’t mean easy.”  And for a simple concept, it is easy to get twisted up thinking about the Power Zone.  

At a recent Principals’ meeting I was attending, the Power Zone was the hot topic. There were campuses that did not consider it the Power Zone when a teacher sat at a table with a small group of students. This interpretation is incorrect.

Remember, the Power Zone is the removal of the space between the teacher and the students. With that said, when a teacher is near his or her students, teaching or monitoring, then that teacher is in the Power Zone.

A teacher can be in the Power Zone and lecture (that is teaching). A teacher can be in the Power Zone just by sitting with her students, observing them as they work.

The Power Zone is just proximity instruction, with one or more students.  No reason to over-complicate it.  

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: NASSP National Conference; The 21^st Century High School Conference  
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook