March For A Cure Challenge - Last 2 Days!

That's right only two days left to beat cancer while you visit classrooms!  Here is the last update until the final totals are announced.

Visit Classrooms... Beat Cancer!

A Reader Asks... PowerWalks and the Skeptical Teacher (The Big Picture)

A LYS Assistant Principal asks the following.

SC,

I spoke with a teacher about PowerWalks and he did not understand how these are going to improve his teaching. He wanted to see some data to show how this would improve a classroom. I said I had seen it, but had nothing to show him. How can I convince someone that wants more than just my word?

SC Response

There are several ways in which PowerWalks, when implemented correctly, improve classrooms and instruction. Here are just a few…

1. When another adult enters a classroom (as is the case with a PowerWalks visit), student on-task behavior improves.  This facilitates teacher effectiveness.

2. When administrative and support staff visit rooms more frequently (as is the case with PowerWalks), they develop a better understanding of the needs of teachers and students and become more responsive to meeting those needs. This facilitates teacher and classroom effectiveness.

3. If teachers are aware of the specific instructional practices that the campus needs to increase, then the actual PowerWalks becomes a cue for the teacher to attempt the targeted practice.  This facilitates teacher effectiveness.

4. When administrative and support staff visit rooms more frequently and collect objective data during the visit (as is the case with a PowerWalks visit), this data can be used to create game film.  This game film allows the teacher to see a picture of typical instructional practice.  With this information teachers can make targeted incremental changes to their craft that can make them more effective.

PowerWalks is a tool. Used correctly, the tool can make teachers more effective. Used incorrectly or ignored, then not much happens.

Visit Classrooms…  Beat Cancer!

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
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Asks... STAAR Review

A LYS Principal asks the following:

SC,

Just checking in to see if we’re on the right track.  We have our 18-day embedded STAAR review set up and running in our 8^th grade classes. But I’m wondering if this is the most effective way to provide additional support for struggling students.  Right now, before school we have 2-days per week we can use for additional Math support and 2-days per week for additional Reading support. Is there is any format that would be better?

SC Response

I checked with another LYS coach and here is what she shared.

The review structure is good, stick with the plan.  You should take a deeper look at the STAAR Test. Study which TEKS are assessed the most and cross reference that with your campus common assessment data. Then during the before school sessions tutor on the deepest holes that are also the most assessed, then next most assessed and so on.  That way you get the biggest bang for your buck.

Also, make sure you are have students practice with multi-step process and STAAR similar questions.  Facts in isolation work is of little use. 

Finally, don’t forget your 6^th and 7^th graders.

Visit Classrooms…  Beat Cancer!

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of March 19, 2017

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of March 19, 2017 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. My March for a Cure goal is 200 PowerWalks. (By @cfbd0ed4daab4f2)

2. Anyone can follow the crowd or turn a blind eye to injustice. It takes conviction, and courage to stand for that which is right! (By @clwilkens)

3. Hard places are hard. But they are the very things that strengthen our character and make us resilient. (By @clwilkens)

4. Stop telling kids you’re bad at math. You are spreading math anxiety ‘like a virus.’ (By @tedfujimoto)

5. "People are waking up to the fact that our public schools are under attack." (By @RachelReko)

6. Put yourself in situations where others depend on you. You won’t matter until you matter to others. (By @Leadershipfreak)

7. Texas students outperform voucher states on key academic benchmarks. (By @tasbnews)

8. Be the person people turn to when they need to get something done! (By @Leadershipfreak)

9. We must always strive to make it easier to vote, not harder. The work continues. (By @billclinton)

10. Don't forget those families who want a pool voucher to "home pool" their children. (By @RatliffT)

Visit Classrooms…  Beat Cancer!

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook