Step Up For Students: Success Stories
Volume 4 Issue: 2                                                      October 2015
Go Ahead, Ask Away!    

 
Why is it that when adults get together for trainings, professional development, general staff meetings, or any other time, we tend to shy away from asking questions?  But, when children are given the opportunity, they ask the best questions that sometimes even leave the best of us stumped.

Children are curious about all things around them, new and old.  They want to experience life by feeling things, smelling things, handling them with their own hands, and looking at things from a different perspective.  They want to know why things work the way they do and how things depend upon each other to work the way they do. This can sometimes lead to an endless stream of questions.

Maybe it is because we have aged, maybe we have become complacent with the way things are, or maybe we have lost our love for learning, but as adults many of us struggle with asking questions. 

As an educator, not only did I have to learn to ask questions, but I had to train myself to ask the right kind of questions.  Sometimes, I still have to include others in the conversation so that I know I haven't missed anything and have asked enough questions that are both appropriate and pointed.

For children, if they are being discouraged to ask questions, whether it be at home or school, their overall development can be hindered and life-long patterns can begin to develop.  

So, keep a few things in mind when considering the questions our children ask:
  •  Try not to discourage them from asking questions.
It is easy to respond in the wrong way as we find ourselves stressed, over worked, busy, and tired or it is simply the wrong time for a question.  However, when children are discouraged from asking questions, they will simply stop asking them and will begin to surround themselves with an outer exterior that is intended to protect them from future harm.  This also has a lot to do with why some children are not very compassionate.  You see, I bet that the most compassionate students in your classrooms are also the ones that ask the best questions.
  •  Provide responses that are encouraging.
I still struggle with the way in which I respond to my children's questions.  How I respond tells my child what I value.  Whether it is through the tone in my voice, the excitement or genuineness of my answer, or the amount of time I take in answering the question. My children know if I am encouraging them to ask questions.
 
"Yes" or "No" is not sufficient or even "Because I said so!"  Rather, I should elaborate on my response by including an explanation or even by posing a question myself. "Well, what do you think about....", "Can you explain your question a little more so that I can understand" or "Tell me more about that" goes a long way to encouraging not only the questions, but also the conversation.
  • Help them expand their view of the world.
Giving our children the gumption to ask questions and our willingness to answer them in a timely and appropriate way goes a long way in giving them wings to explore the world around them.  Research has proven that when we can help our students find their place in the world, assist them to see where they fit in, and push them to understand how small they really are in comparison to the world as a whole, they then can become the catalyst for change.
 
Who knows, maybe you have the next great scientific breakthrough or the next great social change agent sitting in your classroom right now.  All they may be waiting for is a teacher to say, "Go ahead, ask away!"


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TLE WEBINARS: Live Training direct to your computer - at school or at home! 
                                                            
OCTOBER: 
Using Personal Learning Plans in Parent Conferences
October sessions run from 3:30 - 4:30 PM
(join any session, as all dates have same content)

Click on the date to connect to the webinar

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER
Using the Report Card feature of the TLE 
All sessions run from 3:30 - 4:30 PM
(join any session, as all dates have same content)



Ayesha Hackman, principal at Harmon Hodge STEM School, sent pictures from Parent Conference night.  She said, "Here are scholars, parents, and teachers working on  Personal Learning Plans using the Teaching and Learning Exchange."
Natasha Sherwood, administrator at Tampa Bay Christian Academy,
attended a Biblical World View Conference, where Jeff Keaton talked about vibrant schools. Natasha texted this live to her staff with a challenge. Success Partners has allowed TBCA to become more intentional this year about knowing their parents. 

Rita Woodard, principal at Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning, reports that Mr. Bedwell, the owner of the school, is always researching ways to use technology to help the students and make the program run more efficiently.  One of the areas that creates lots of paperwork to file is the sign in / sign out log for students, visitors, and staff.  Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning is using a new computerized check in and check out system this year.  They  used a demo feature to try it out for a few weeks and then made a decision about purchasing.  The data is web based so they can run reports on attendance for students and staff. They also have the ability to print labels for tardies and visitors.  They can even use it for their aftercare program for processing attendance.  Parents seem to really like this new feature and it is a time saver to maintain our records.  





Judy Johnson, Assistant Principal of Walker Memorial Jr. Academy in Avon Park, sent this wonderful pie-shaped parent meeting, their first  PIE Meet & Greet. (Parents Involved in Education) They had excellent parent attendance and a pleasant evening as parents & teachers mingled.  Students groups performed School Honor Code raps they created during the 1st week of school. Everyone agreed this was a fantastic way to kick off the new school year.


Jose Marti  School in Miami reports that their June 8th grade graduation was even more special than usual. This year, due to their wonderful experiences with Success Partners, administrators at Jose Marti decided to have parents sign their child's diploma on stage during the graduation. Principal Edith Ysada made it clear that parents are an integral part of their child's education which is why they felt they should participate in the signing.
Knowing How To Save Time by Jenny Edwards 
Welcome to the world of teaching, where you have many tasks to do in a short amount of time! Here are some suggestions for saving time in your classroom (click here to read the blog)

Students who text or tweet a friend about what they have learned may increase their odds of remembering the information, according to a study from the National Communication Association. Researchers found that the benefits are similar to those experienced by students who take notes. 

Click here   to read what the research says. 

For the first time ever, Khan Academy has teamed up with the creators of the SAT to create personalized SAT practice for anyone, anywhere. In March 2016, the SAT is changing, and students can prepare for it on Khan Academy-for free.
We give students personalized practice recommendations and instant feedback on how they're doing. If they're curious, we also have a short video about how the new SAT is different.
Our system is designed to help students where they need it. Check it out yourself and we'll automatically send you updates about important changes and SAT dates. Please forward this email to families you know who are preparing for the SAT.
Sincerely,
Annie and the Khan Academy SAT team 



Office of Student Learning Contacts  
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Middle: Melanie, Kaethe, Carol, Meredith
Bottom: Ella, Jeff, Renee, Judi