Reflect, Reflect, Reflect...and then Act

It has been almost two weeks since I added a post to this blog. Honestly, it is not because I didn't want to do it.  I've thought about it, read research on a few topics I know are relevant for our school and yet...it has taken me an abundance of time to just get moving.

As I reflect on this, I realize that motivation is clearly a key factor in this. (It didn't take much to come to that conclusion! )  I could blame the work load, a lack of time, or the need to enjoy vacation if I chose to do so.  The truth is, I'm actually a highly motivated person - I just didn't make it happen.

This created a domino effect for me and list of exceptional practices to improve our school was created. Remember our staff meeting - we are good already, but we can be great! We are creating "A Culture of Excellence for All Students" ! This equals excellence for students and staff alike.

Don't worry I will not be adding more to your plate - although I am asking you to reflect once again on your own practice. Are there particular projects or instructional practices that you are not doing, but have every intention of getting up and running in your classroom? Make your own list - think outside of the box - and Make Things Happen! : )

Engagement = A Love of Learning

I don't know about you, but I often like to be in control of situations I may find myself in. This includes situations in both my personal life and professional life. I think it is just human nature to want some control over our environment. The truth is, some things are under our control and others are not.

What I can control (and you can too), or at the very least influence, is what goes on between the hours of 8 am and 2pm within our classrooms. Once a student goes home, we have lost some of the ability to impact their academic and social emotional growth. We do hope that our students complete their homework, read, eat healthy, and get a good night's rest. Most do, but sadly some don't.

From 8:00- 2:00 however, we have the awesome ability to positively impact students in such a way that it may change their path in life. That is amazing! Talk about control and power! Whohooo!  : )

How is it that we can have such awesome power? The answer is engagement. We can find ways to make sure our students are continually engaged in learning while in our classrooms. There are even perks that come with this power called engagement. In engaged classrooms, there are fewer behavior issues, less academic issues, and students care. Students are interested and motivated to learn.

  10 Rules of Engagement to Consider...

• Start Class with a Mind Warm-Up
• Use Movement to Get Kids Focused
• Teach Students How To Collaborate Before Expecting Success
• Use Quickwrites When You Want Quiet Time or Reflection
• Run a Tight Ship When Giving Instructions
• Use a Fairness Cup to Keep Students Thinking
• Use Signaling to Allow Everyone to Answer Your Question
• Use Minimal-Supervision Tasks to Squeeze Dead Time Out of Routines
• Mix Up Your Teaching Styles
• Create Teamwork Tactics That Emphasize Accountability

To read more about these tips with an explanation of what they look like in the classroom, please visit:

http://www.edutopia.org/classroom-student-participation-tips

You will also find additional resources on engagement including a short video.  As you look at this research, reflect on how you keep students engaged in your own classroom. You may find you have more power and control than you ever imagined!

Happy Reading!