Rich Writes... Prime Time

In response to the posts on, “Prime Time,” Dr. Rich Allen writes,

“From the Beaches of Australia

Sean,

This is an oddly familiar topic. I hope that teachers and principals are listening.”

SC Response
As we point out in our training, though we work hard to make our suggestions actionable, there is a significant research base behind our coaching. This Dr. Allen is the same Dr. Allen that we credit over and over again during our presentations.

If you get a chance to work with or hear Rich, do not pass up the opportunity. Personally, a 15 minute group training session with Rich in 1997, was a significant turning point in my career. To learn more about Dr. Allen, visit his website at http://www.greenlighteducation.net/

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Submits... The Journal

Principal’s log – 12/22/09
Read that the LYS blog is going dark for a couple of days. Who cares?

Principal’s log – 12/ 23/09
Think that there must be something wrong with my e-mail, didn’t get an update today.

Principal’s log 12/24/09
Forgot batteries, have extra parts after building a bicycle, and discovered no matter how much ice cream you put on it – fruitcake never tastes good. Wonder if the LYS Nation likes fruit cake?

Principal’s log 12/26/09
Need an LYS update. Found myself debating the merits of a staff and student dress code with the dog.

Principal’s log12/27/09
Discovered the LYS blog post archive. The shakes seemed have diminished.

Principal’s log 12/28/09
The shakes have returned, maybe I’m just cold.

Principal’s log 12/29/09
Have resorted to burning central office memos for heat. Have discovered that the shakes are not temperature related, but the flames are sooo pretty.

Principal’s log 1/1/10
Called my ingrate brother-in-law a “manager.” He though it was a compliment

Principal’s log 1/2/09
Not that I care, but if there’s not a LYS post tomorrow, either Cain’s on a growth plan or Brezina and Brown are going to have some serious explaining to do.

Missed you buddy :-)

SC Response

We’re back, baby!!!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

The Christmas Sabbatical

To the LYS Nation,

We have all run full speed for the first half of the school year. Now it is half time.

Time to rest, reflect, collect ourselves and get ready to come back in January firing on all cylinders. Enjoy this break, be grateful for the blessings in your life and enjoy this time with your friends and family.

Blog posts will resume on or before January 3rd 2010. The first topic – Anonymous Letters. If you haven’t sent in your response yet, get it to me ASAP, so I can get you in line (note: The Sailor has already submitted his take, but I haven't seen anything from the Soldier, the Marine, or The Big Easy). This is shaping up to be the next great LYS conversation.

Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Rest. Reflect. Be Merry.

Your turn…

A Reader Writes... Get Ready for Prime Time

In response to the post, “Get Ready for Prime Time,” a reader asks:

“Sean,

I want my school to start this strong in the spring. What does "Frame" the lesson mean? This sounds like powerful stuff!”

SC Response
As over 4,000 teachers across the nation can now attest, there may be nothing more powerful. Framing the lesson means that the teacher posts and discusses the following:

1. Based on the lesson for the day, the teacher creates a concrete learning objective, written in student friendly language.

2. Base on the lesson for the day, the teacher writes down, in student friendly language, the closing question, product or task that will demonstrate that the objective of the lesson was met.

What is being taught on a given day is not a surprise to the adult in the room (we hope). Why should it be a surprise to the student?

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

The Big Easy Writes...

When I work with teachers and administrators, I like to remind them of the following:

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

Something for all of us to reflect on over the Holiday break and to act on as soon as we return to school.

The Big Easy

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... Double Jeopardy

One on the original LYS principals submits the following:

“Alex, I'll take ‘Definitions’ for $1000.00

‘Excuses’

What are reasons that otherwise competent people use when they prefer to make themselves comfortable rather than doing the right thing for kids?"

SC Response
Wow, ‘Jeopardy” is one tough game.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...