Control What We Can Control

I will not dive into the world of politics.  I think that noting good comes of me trying to do that.  I will admit that I am intrigued by change (as many of you know).  Watching this change in power and development of a new administration in Washington is a marvelous process to me (no matter who is in charge).

Here is an article about the appointment of Betsy DeVos.  I knew nothing about her but through my PLN (professional learning network (Twitter, Facebook), I have learned more than I want to know about her.  Just because, no specific reason.

All of the negativity from public school officials regarding this appointment got me thinking.  We have the opportunity to impact our kids everyday.  My chance of impacting her or the position she was assigned is pretty minimal.  So, I suggest...we control what we can control.

Please read this short article from Jon Gordon about Controlling what you can control.


Questions To Consider:

1.  How can we model, as adults, this attitude of "controlling what you can control" to our students?

2.  How can we respond to students that have big opinions about a political race or other social situations?

3.  I would encourage you to use what Jon Gordon has to say about complaining in your classroom:
"Complaining about something you can't control is a waste of energy, focus and time."

What Teachers Can Be Thankful For On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us in a few days.  Once we get past Thanksgiving, December will start and the middle of the second nine weeks will be half over.  Before long....Exams will be here.

Here is a short article directed at teachers and items you can reflect upon to be thankful at the the time of Thanksgiving.

Questions to Consider:

1.  What are you thankful for...no really think about it?  Better yet tell someone what you are thankful for.

2.  One of the items listed in the article is the internet or social media, what does that mean to you?  Are you using those resources to the extent that you are thankful for them?

3.  Co-Workers...What a great resource for encouragement and content.  Use your co-workers for words of encouragement, to help answers questions or just to have someone to listen to you.

Thank you for your work at PHHS.

Complicated or Complex- Problem Solving

I came across this blog while reading on alicekeeler.com.  This is a featured post that she was discussing on her website.

Read the article here

The article is from Robert Kaplinsky consulting.  This author is comparing problem solving in our students.  Specifically examining if a problem is either complicated or complex.

It really is an interesting article.  Please read it and think about these questions.

Questions to Consider:

1.  The author uses a couple of examples to think about the words complex and complicated.  Do either of those explanation have any connection to how you may think about problem solving in your classroom?

2.  Have you ever heard of the CUBES method to problem solving?  How about the problem solving framework?

3.  Check out the problem solving framework, could you use that in discussion in your classroom?  Is that something you could work with your students on it being part of their thinking?

Rethinking Graduation Requirements

Typically I use this short blog to present a professional development opportunity to you.  This blog will be more information being presented to you.  Recently I emailed an article from the Dayton area to the HS staff about the State Board of Education saying they were going to examine one of the three new pathways to graduation.  Mainly the pathway most students will use for graduation, the 18 points earned on End Of Course Exams.

Here is a bit of a more updated article from the Columbus Dispatch.

Please take a few minutes to read the article.

Questions to Consider:

1.  Do you understand the three pathways to graduation for the class of 2018 and beyond?  If you don't, please review some of the many resources I have shared with you in the past.  Here is a good resource from ODE.
2.  If the decision is made to back off the total number of points made...what does that mean for us?  What will that allow us to do differently?
3.  What percentage of our students, do you think, in the class of 2018 are not where they need to be at this point with graduation points?  Do you think it is more or less than we would have needing to pass the OGT at this point in their careers (if that was still around).