Friday, November 14, 2014

Be the Best Me in the Classroom

So it is that time of year, late Fall.  The time when the newness of school has worn off and the holiday break is still a month a way.  A time when the leaves start to turn color and the complaints about the lack of student behavior, motivation, and performance begin to heat up.

I’m not going to say that the complaints are not warranted.  But I will say that in many cases the complaints are self-inflicted.

First, we have to remind ourselves that, “STUDENT PERFORMANCE IS DRIVEN BY ADULT PRACTICE.”

So when student behavior, motivation and performance take a noticeable dip, we have to take an uncomfortable look in the mirror.  And based on that look, if we find that we have let some of our practice get sloppy, tighten up just a bit.  Trust me, your students will respond when you do so.  Here is your mid-semester checklist to make sure that we are setting ourselves up to be the best teachers that we can be.

Practice

1. I Frame every lesson. Correctly.

2. I use a timer (recommended: The Fundamental Five Classroom Timer).  To make sure my warm-ups start and end on time and that I close every lesson... correctly.

3. I get into the Power Zone. A lot.

4. I Grade on the Fly. Every chance I get.

Environment

1. I get rid of all the clutter in my classroom.

2. I make sure everything in the room is neat and organized. Always.

3. I make sure the room is clean. At the beginning and end of every class.

4. I open up my blinds/curtains (if I have windows).  I keep the lights on. 

Take care of the items on this list, everyday, and things will go a lot smoother for you and your students.

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
  • Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool)
  • Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Thursday, November 13, 2014

What to Do With the Entrenched, Bad Teacher

As the LYS Nation is well aware, I (and the rest of the LYS Team) work with schools across the country.  The purpose and focus of our work – increase student opportunity, in every academic setting. Meaning we work with schools and districts that make up the entire tapestry of public education.  

Now a lot of the schools we work with aren’t in the “Want to change” group, for various reasons they are in the “Have to change” group.  The question that we often get from administrators on these campuses is what to do about the long-time disgruntled teacher who is unwilling to change.  A fair question.

The first thing I have to remind administration is that the cynical, disgruntled veteran didn’t start out the way.  He/she came about it honest.  Years of working with inadequate resources, no support, low pay, and high stress, in virtual isolation will do that to a person. Surprising - is it not?  

The cycle has to broken. The quick and easy way to break this cycle with your current disgruntled teacher is to fire him/her and replace him/her with a new teacher that has yet to be scarred and damaged by an obviously flawed system. This is an opportunist’s solution that masquerades as “Can Do, High Expectation” leadership (see M. Rhee).

Or you can break the cycle by providing instructional resources, focused training, cueing, monitoring, problem solving support and regular coaching.  This solution takes longer to implement, especially with the disgruntled teacher, but it is the fair solution.  It requires the instructional leader to reach out, explain, and give teachers the opportunity to engage, even if it is grudgingly at first.  If the teacher comes around and is coachable, he/she gets both time and coaching.

Now if the teacher refuses to use the new tools, refuses to respond to coaching, refuses to engage in a productive manner; then you have no choice but to give the teacher notice and start the termination process.  It happens. But not as often as you might expect.  Because even the disgruntled teacher wants her students to be successful.  Give the disgruntled teacher the means to make students successful in greater numbers and watch the obvious cynic transform into a potential champion... Right before your eyes.

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 
  • Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

A Reader Writes... How Many Children Must Die - Part 2

In response to the 10/31/2014 post, “How Many Children Must Die,” a LYS district leader shares the following:

First, I should start by saying I too don't like the fact that children die in our schools and streets. I also agree that a discussion is needed. However, I think setting emotion aside and embracing facts would be helpful.

For one, you state that the Second Amendment was written in a time when firearm ownership was very expensive and rare. I can't attest to the expense, but the idea that firearm ownership was rare has been sunk. Most people with the thought that gun ownership was rare rely on the book by Michael Bellesiles, Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture. The book received national praise and even received a Bancroft award from Columbia University. Liberals ran to the book as fast as they could. Unfortunately Bancroft either did not know how to use statistics or he lied, as has been demonstrated by several real researchers. In particular you may start with the William and Mary Law Review, Volume 43, Issue 5, Article 2, 2002, starting on page 1,777. Indeed the William and Mary Law Review concluded that firearm ownership was very common, and in some areas more common than Bible ownership.

Second, although you are correct that the Bill of Rights was not part of the original Constitution, that is sort of missing the point. The original Constitution would have NEVER been ratified without a prior agreement to come back and consider the Bill of Rights, according the National Archives articles on the Bill of Rights. Indeed Madison did want to include them in the original text, but the decision was made to leave them as add-ons. As such the Bill of Rights is much more than a collection of mere amendments. The Bill of Rights was part and parcel with the original US Constitution.

Last, it should be pointed out that the Second Amendment has been interpreted many times as an individual right to possess firearms for lawful purposes, including self defense, without having to serve in a militia. This was most recently upheld (again) in the Heller vs. D.C. case in 2007, which lead to all 50 states and D.C. now having some type of concealed carry process. The Heller ruling is filled with a lot of common sense.

I don't see amending the Constitution as a viable option to solve the problem of violence in our schools and streets, because frankly, as divided as the country is, an amendment is not going to happen. That leaves us with having to explore other options.

Unlike the NRA, I am not opposed to universal background checks, or closing the gun show “loophole” so to speak. But I also acknowledge that in every mass shooting incident, the firearms have been legally obtained by someone. I also acknowledge that criminals don't care if they legally obtain firearms or not. For that matter, in some cases our own government gives guns to criminals (see Operation Fast and Furious). So, where as I don't have a problem with universal background checks, I don't think they will stop shootings.

I suppose we could explore magazine sizes. Some states limit semi autos to 10 rounds. Fine, I guess. But a magazine can be changed in 3 seconds, faster with practice. So instead of 10 30 round magazines I carry 30 10 round magazines, meaning in a really large mass shooting I have to change magazines 29 times instead of 9. I have slowed the shooter down by about 1 minute.  I don't get a warm feeling about slowing the bastard down by 1 minute.

I suppose my point is it is hard to see how, other than an outright ban and confiscation (which isn’t going to happen), a gun law solution will fix the shooting problem.

I am far more concerned about two other issues: a lack of an effective mental health care system and the how insensitive our society (especially young children) are to violence. In particular I would point out that in almost every mass shooting to date the shooter has been on some type of psychotropic medication. We don't have enough information about the Washington shooter yet, but we will see. I have to believe that a better approach to mental health may help.

I am also concerned about what media is doing to our children. Video games have progressed beyond simple first person shooters like Wolfenstein of the 1990's. Even the modern non-online playing of Call of Duty is simple compared to some games. Modern games are role-playing games, much like Dungeon and Dragons of years ago. The child develops a character, names the character, picks the attributes of the character, and then lives out fantasies online with real people. I have seen an increasing number of children transferring their online fantasies to the real world. Remember the Slenderman stabbings? Scary stuff, and no gun was involved.

Finally, why not have funding for law enforcement on every campus? We pay $100 for law enforcement to show up to three volleyball games in one evening while leaving our schools vulnerable during the day 24-7. What does that say about our priorities?

In short, I too think the issue is sad and needs discussion. I also know that there will be no substantial changes to firearms law, at least at the national level. That doesn't mean we have to sit back and do nothing, but we should focus our discussion and efforts in directions that have a hope of making a difference.

SC Response
Thank you for your reasoned, logical extension of this discussion.

One, on gun ownership at the time of the writing of the Constitution: In relative terms the cost of a firearm was more expensive than it is today, with cost in line with two months salary of a skilled craftsman. And those guns were unreliable and difficult to keep in working order. My point was more along the lines that a securing a working reliable gun then, was more difficult than it is today.

Two, I don’t think an Amendment to the Constitution is the answer.  The point was to illustrate that the Constitution can and does adapt (slowly) to the realities of the current age.  Which is part of the genius of the Founders.

It bothers me that in many states it is easier to get a gun than to vote. So like you, I believe that background checks and closing the gun show loophole are reasonable and prudent measures.  Will this stop the mass shootings? No. Will it decrease the frequency of mass shootings? Perhaps.

I am not advocating for either for a ban of guns or a confiscation of guns (I am a hunter and gun owner).  If anything I’m for mandatory education and training.  It doesn’t bother me when a lifelong hunter, soldier (current or former), or peace office (current or former) has a gun. It scares the crap out of me knowing that “Johnny Rambo” who hasn’t shot more than 5 rounds in his entire life is packing.

And yes, the lack of anything resembling adequate mental health care being available in this country is a travesty (our lack of tax dollars at work).  Which means that any attempt to reduce gun violence that does not also address this issue has little chance of success. 

Finally, I don’t think there is a short-term solution. But long term, reasonable people are going to have to take over the debate on this issue.  The solution will occupy the center. We are witnessing first hand the failure of the extremes at both ends of the spectrum.       

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 
  • Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Readers Write... How Many Children Must Die - Part 1

In response to the 10/31/2014 post, “How Many Children Must Die,” a number of readers sent in quick comments. 

A LYS Superintendent: SC, just like you I am a long time gun owner, a hunter and a school administrator. I also agree with you 110%. The time is now to seriously discuss the gun problem that is unique to the United States.

A LYS Central Office Administrator: SC, you could not be more correct. It is time for more of us to speak up. 

A LYS Inner City Principal: YES! More cheap guns and unlimited access is not the answer.  We need to quit pretending that it is.

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
  • Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Monday, November 10, 2014

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of November 2, 2014

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of November 2, 2014.

1. Ms. Ralston (BSHS) was 5 for 5 using the Fundamental 5 when I visited her classroom today! (By @LYSNation)

2. Ms. Martinez (BSIS) was 5 for 5 on using Fundamental 5 practices when I visited her class today!! Academic Touchdown! (By @LYSNation)

3. Coaching is for everyone. Not just teachers in need of assistance. It's collectively making the system better. (By @vhsaldana)

4. Overlap of The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) and SIOP reinforces good teaching. (By @DAMS56AP)

5. "You have to take your writing assignments in school seriously. Clear writing is indicative of clear thinking." (By @Chris_Basinger)

6. If you are not spending at least a 1/2 hour reading / studying research or best practices in your profession each week, you are falling behind. (By @thornell5)

7. If teachers regularly go into each other's classrooms then all of the teachers can become like the best teachers. (By @ToddWhitaker)

8. Today's Quote:  “There is no wealth like knowledge, no poverty like ignorance.” (By @DrRichAllen)

9. Do teachers enjoy when students don't pay attention during a lesson? Of course not...so why bring papers to grade during a PD session? (By @BluntEducator)

10. The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) just surpassed 67,000 copies sold! Thank you LYS Nation!! (By @LYSNation)

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 
  • Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook