Think about learned dependency…

With the best of intentions, we sometimes for our kids what our kids could do on their own.

Learned dependency is the unfortunate result. I was thinking  about that as I was walking the beach every morning while I was on vacation in Florida. Every day I would see this bird and I am quite sure that it was the very same bird hanging around a local “fisherperson.” The fisherperson  changed daily but the bird remained the same. The routine never changed. Once the fishing pole began to jiggle, the bird would flap her wings and the fisherperson would throw her a fish.  One for you and one for me! The bird had learned that there was no reason for her to fish for herself. She was a happy camper! She was trained to be dependent on that fisherperson. Do you know a few kids who may have something in common with that bird. We need to be careful not to do too much…

photo credit: cletch

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We can assist you with almost any professional resource you need.

Content that is meaningful, research-based and relevant are critical components of effective professional development. But there is another factor that makes a difference and is often overlooked: Location. If it is decided that professional development training will begin with a large group session followed later by small group facilitation and classroom implementation, determining where to hold that large group session is going to be held is also extremely important.

After being involved in professional development facilitation and follow up training for over 30 years, I speak from experience on the importance of the initial large group meeting and its location. The location room that you choose to use has an atmosphere of its own and will have a tremendous impact on the presentation before the session even begins. In fact, one of the most important decisions in planning for professional development is the choice of location.

“We always meet in fill ( in the blank)..gym, cafeteria, auditorium, media center, music room…” Most often staff development is held on site. Think about moving it off campus. Off-site meeting spaces offer enormous advantages. An off-site location will reduce distractions and minimize interruptions. Announcements over the PA, messages from the office, parents or students stopping in, trips to the classroom, office or locker room are eliminated. Participants enjoy meeting off-site and are better able to focus on the content.

Check with a local hotel for prices of a conference rooms. Some are very willing to work with schools at reasonable rates. If this option is prohibitively expensive, consider a wide range of options in addition to hotels that may meet your staff development site needs at minimum or no cost:

• Local public library meeting rooms
• Nature centers
• Community colleges
• VFW halls and other community meeting spaces
• Churches and Synagogues
• Local camps
• Environmental learning centers
• Country clubs and golf clubs off season
• Supper clubs and restaurants

Most of the spaces listed will allow participants to be seated at tables to encourage discussion and engagement in a comfortable setting. After all of the hard work involved in planning effective professional development, ensure its success in a learner-friendly environment. Location, location location!

This is part 1 of Creature Comforts for Staff Development

photo credit: Jolante

150 hours per year

That’s how much time is spent by the average person looking for papers and items.

Think about some of your students. Can you even imagine how many hours each school year some students devote to searching for assignments, books, notes, clothing and other items? Can you imagine how many of these searches are fruitless? It boggles the mind. If those 150 hours could be spent learning rather than looking, our students would be far ahead academically.

A critical component of school success lies in organizational skills. The late Erma Bombeck loved to accuse the washing machine of eating socks. At school, socks may not be a problem but how many of you have come into contact with homework-eating backpacks? Students’ lockers can be an even bigger culprit.

In working with students at all grade levels, I have used many, many different organizational approaches and techniques. Here are five of my favorite “tried and true” strategies that really work!

#1. Tame the Paper Monster

Many students have a paper problem. It’s all over the place- crumpled in the bottom of

the backpack, strewn in a locker, stuffed into books and falling out of folders. Loose

papers confuse, distract and overwhelm the student. The most important rule of paper

organization is: No Loose Papers!

One of the best ways that I have found to contain paper is the accordion file. Sturdy plastic expandable files are available at discount stores and come with a variety of divisions. Six pockets are handy. The concept is simple and easy to implement. Encourage students to label pockets in the same order as the student attends class during the day. Every paper has a “home.”  Think about math. Every math paper, worksheet, assignment list, review page, anything related to math goes into that math pocket. Retrieval is easy later when students know where to look.

Many accordion files have zipper pockets in front to hold supplies. It is important for students to go through the folder periodically. Many students need guidance in deciding what to keep, what to throw out, when and where to store papers that will be needed later.

One parent told me that her children, both of whom had significant learning disabilities, found this tool to be the single most effective organizational strategy all the way through high school. Both successfully managed their classes by always carrying their accordion files with them wherever they went.

An accordion file with twelve pockets is an excellent tool for parents to use in creating a school file for each child in the family. It becomes the designated place to save report cards, portfolio summaries, awards and standardized test scores. Everything is arranged by grade level from first through high school graduation. Parents may also want to file a photo of each child at each grade as well as include copies of birth certificates and other important papers.

One of the best ways that I have found to contain paper is the accordion file. Sturdy plastic expandable files are available at discount stores and come with a variety of divisions. Six pockets are handy. The concept is simple and easy to implement. Encourage students to label pockets in the same order as the student attends class during the day. Every paper has a “home.” Think about math. Every math paper, worksheet, assignment list, review page, anything related to math goes into that math pocket. Retrieval is easy later when students know where to look.

Many accordion files have zipper pockets in front to hold supplies. It is important for students to go through the folder periodically. Many students need guidance in deciding what to keep, what to throw out, when and where to store papers that will be needed later.

One parent told me that her children, both of whom had significant learning disabilities, found this tool to be the single most effective organizational strategy all the way through high school. Both successfully managed their classes by always carrying their accordion files with them wherever they went.

An accordion file with twelve pockets is an excellent tool for parents to use in creating a school file for each child in the family. It becomes the designated place to save report cards, portfolio summaries, awards and standardized test scores. Everything is arranged by grade level from first through high school graduation. Parents may also want to file a photo of each child at each grade as well as include copies of birth certificates and other important papers.

At home, if a student is doing homework at the kitchen table, move everything else to the far side or, if possible, clear the table completely. Reducing clutter reduces stress making the immediate task seem more manageable. It also puts the student in control of the task at hand rather than feeling overwhelmed by too much at once. Some students like to create a personal study carrel by using a three-sided box or by setting up two manila folders to eliminate all visual distractions. When that assignment is finished, encourage the student to put it where it goes immediately whether it in the accordion folder, a three ring binder or the backpack.

I like two types of lists: a daily “To Do” List and an end of the day “I Did It” List.

A “To Do” list is really a list of goals and helps good intentions become a reality.  It also helps students create a big picture that can be arranged by priority.  Having a plan instills confidence and a positive attitude.

Perhaps not everything on the “To Do” List was crossed off at the end of the day but perhaps several important tasks were accomplished or at least moved forward.  The second list focuses on progress. By recording what has been done on an “I Did It” list, kids learn to celebrate making headway.  It is an opportunity to step back and take a satisfied, deep breath and say “A-a-ah…Today was a good day!  Now that I look at it, I accomplished a lot.”

Linda Tilton, Educational Consultant

Covington Cove Publications

Email:           lindatilton@covingtoncove.com

Website:       http://covingtoncove.com

Phone:          952-470-0297