Monday Musings
from The Kravis Center
April 15, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
It took me a few days to come back down to earth after UVA's big win on Monday night (Go Hoos!) and it was awesome to see Tiger turn back the clock over the weekend to put the green jacket on at the Masters once again. Gloating and sports aside, I hope that everyone was able to catch their breath and enjoy some time outside over the weekend. Spring term is always jam-packed and fast paced, and this spring has certainly been no exception!
We all got a little look into what educators have done out at High Tech High, so I have linked a couple of articles that share the work that several other schools have taken on as well. Hopefully these links provide a small window into what others are doing. To frame that section, here is a short yet thought provoking read titled "3 Important Questions Regarding 'Success' in Schools." How do we define success as a school? In our classrooms? How does each of our students define success and what are we doing to help them define that?
Please mark your calendars for the final Open Classroom Week of the year that will take place during the week of April 29th (4/20 - 5/3). In addition, Sheila has kindly offered to host a gathering on May 2 at 6:30 to follow up with our colleagues on our observations throughout the week. Be on the lookout for the OCW sign-up sheet in one of the upcoming Monday Musings.
Happy spring!
Harrison, on behalf of the Kravis Center
Innovative School Models
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta, GA has done some really innovative curricular work over the last several years. I actually connected one of my CL U.S. History classes with a MVPS school last fall and my students did a really neat project (see description here) worked closely with students from Atlanta to propose a 28th Amendment to the Constitution. The project was not perfect, and yet it presented both sets of students with the interesting challenge of coming to consensus on a values-infused proposal despite their very different backgrounds.
Please feel free to check out a copy of What Schools Could Be in the Kravis Center that highlights 100 schools that Ted Dintersmith visited from 2015-16. At the top of this discussion guide, Dintersmith suggests that students thrive most in PEAK (read more to learn about the acronym) classroom settings.
"Small in Size, Big in Innovation" focuses on the influence of smaller institutions on larger universities in higher ed.
"The Record of Everything You've Forgotten" highlights universities who are experimenting with transcripts that place more of an emphasis on experiential learning rather than traditional grades earned in a classroom setting.
Engagement, Elaboration, and Collaboration: Student Learning and Pedagogy
Teaching for Deeper Learning: How great teachers inspire class participation, student engagement, and learning (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
A Simple Way to Better Remember Things: Draw a Picture
Making Cooperative Learning Powerful
Professional Growth Opportunities
If you are looking for more ideas, please remember that the Loomis Chaffee PD doc has many exciting opportunities to offer. If interested, talk with your Assistant Department Head or anyone in the Kravis Center.
PD Sessions (7:45 - 8:45 am in the Kravis Center) on May 9 and May 16 to discuss and workshop how SET (student surveys) can and should inform our teaching. The first Thursday (5/9) will be focused on reviewing the SET results while the second session (5/16) will be used to set goals based on SET. Please be in touch with us if you'd like to survey your classes in advance of one of these sessions.
Take a deep dive into the neuroscience of learning with the authors of Neuroteach, Glenn Whitman and Ian Kelleher. Read more about the Science of Teaching and Leadership Academy at The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) from July 21 - 25. Sara Deveaux attended last summer and would be happy to chat with anyone interested. Rachel Nisselson and Lena Sadowitz are signed up for July, 2019. 1-2 more spaces available.
Interested in learning more about project and problem-based learning? Read about an online opportunity from Amy Baeder. Read more about the Buck institute which is considered the gold standard in PBL training.
July 29-31 (College Park, MD): An entire conference dedicated to formative assessments. Formative Assessment Conference with Dylan Wiliam, Tom Guskey, Susan Brookhart and Jay McTighe (Understanding by Design). What an array of experts! Become the LC expert!
CAIS Conferences: The Connecticut Association of Independent Schools is offering a number of conferences in April and over the summer
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion PD opportunities
NAIS Inclusive School Network Institute in Potomac, MD on June 17-18.
Summer Gender Institute at Andover on July 28 - August 3.
The Race Institute for K-12 Educators at the Agnes Irwin School in Philadelphia on July 30 - August 1.
Power, Practice, Privilege: Unpacking Our White Selves at Georgetown Day School HS on June 18-21.
Please fill out this form for suggestions for Thursday morning PD opps.
| |
|
Follow us on Twitter!