Friday, November 20, 2015

Weeks of November 22 and 29, 2015

Learner Profile: Reflective

For the MYP, reflection is about growth, but the terms "reflection" and "reflective" are often dismissed as soft skills. Even its inclusion on the affective branch of the Learner Profile suggests that reflection is less of a cognitive skill and more of a warm-and-fuzzy experience. I frequently refer to an article by Carol Rodgers about John Dewey's approach to reflective thinking, which, for him, was central to the learning process and to the whole endeavor of education. Rodgers begins the article by outlining the problems that arise from a poor understanding of reflection - this lack of clarity risks conflating reflection with other types of thought; makes it vague to assess, getting in the way of identifying evidence of reflection; makes it difficult to develop a common vocabulary about reflection; and makes it impossible to research its effects. 

 As an antidote to this lack of clarity, Rodgers distills from the work of John Dewey four criteria for reflection. 
"1. Reflection is a meaning-making process that moves a learner from one experience into the next with deeper understanding of its relationships with and connections to other experiences and ideas. It is the thread that makes continuity possible, and ensures the progress of the individual and, ultimately, society. It is a means to essentially moral ends. 
"2. Reflection is a systematic, rigorous, disciplined way of thinking, with its roots in scientific inquiry. 
"3. Reflection needs to happen in community, in interaction with others. 
"4. Reflection requires attitudes that value the personal and intellectual growth of oneself and of others." (Rodgers, 845) 
What Dewey didn't work with (and Rodgers doesn't refer to) is the neurological effects of systematic reflection. In the last few years, researchers have explored multiple ways that reflection is essential for learning. One study focuses on the role of rest and reflection for long term learning, and another looks at the role of reflection in self-regulation. When it comes to learning, as another study points out, the focus on doing, even in the service of gaining experience, instead of reflecting is actually detrimental to learning and developing confidence and expertise. 

Items of note...

Speaking of reflection...

Here's a little food for thought from the researchers at Google. The company did some reflection on its culture, paying special attention to group dynamics, and identified five key components of a successful team: 
  • Psychological safety
  • Dependability
  • Structure & clarity
  • Meaning of work
  • Impact of work
What stands out to me is that the group's dynamics are more important than the talent of individuals on the team. Or, to invoke the colloquialism, the whole really is bigger than its parts. This might be an insightful nugget to apply to team structures at AW - group projects, athletics teams, ad hoc committees, grade level teams...

Advisory this week...

MS Space

I'll keep this doc linked in the blog for ongoing ideas about the MS space. As ideas come up, plug them in! 

Chapel

After Thanksgiving Break, we'll sit in Advisory groups for all Chapels, both all-school and MS.

Protocols for Absences

Please remember to follow the protocols for absences, both anticipated and unanticipated:
  • inform Bill;
  • inform Wade;
  • if you will require a substitute, provide those details to Wade;
  • and complete the Absence Form (I've linked to an electronic copy, hopefully making it easier to find and complete). If this is an anticipated absence (personal day/vacation, jury duty, etc.), please submit the form to Wade ahead of your absence. If this is an unanticipated absence (sick day), please remember to submit it the day you return.

Lessons & Carols

On Tuesday, December 15, the Middle and Upper Schools will celebrate Lessons & Carols. The schedule is still being finalized, but it will be something like this:
  • 3:10pm End of the School Day
  • 4:00pm Light Dinner for Students in the Dining Room
  • 5:00pm Lessons & Carols
  • 6:00pm Reception in the Great Hall for Families; Cookies for Students in the Small Gym; Checkout for Students from the 10th Street Entrance/Small Gym
  • 7:00pm End of the event
We still need 3 or 4 extra people to help with Lessons & Carols - basically, hanging with the MS between the end of school and the start of the event (maybe screen the Charlie Brown Christmas special?), supervision in the Library afterward, and signing students out from the Small Gym/10th St Entrance. If you'd like to volunteer for either or both, please let me know.

Who doesn't love crosswalk duty?

Because US will be on Winter Break before the Day School, we'll need coverage of the crosswalk on Thursday, December 17 from 7:30-8:00am. Any volunteers?

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is on Friday, December 18. As it's combined with LS Lessons & Carols, it will be a bit unusual this year. Our curriculum component will be part musical performance, part Expo. The draft Grandparents Day Schedule for MS is as follows (this is in broad strokes; more details will come):
8:00am Morning Advisory8:15am Final Prep for Expo in classes9:45am Snack10:00am Friday Share10:30am Advisory: Advisory Time, Locker cleanout, Expo Setup in Library (will be staggered)12:00pm Lunch12:45pm MS Check-in (Performers to the Great Hall; students with Grandparents/Special Guests to the Great Hall; other students to the Library)1:00pm MS Performance in the Great Hall (MS Orchestra, Chorus?)1:25pm MS Expo, highlighting projects in each grade level (6th Grade Individuals & Society; 7th Grade Visual Art and General Music); 8th Grade Design and Language & Literature)2:00pm Reception for MS Guests in the Great Hall; Cleanup of Expo by MS3:00pm End of Day

And for those really long-term planners...

The DS Calendar for next year is here. Soon, we'll start mapping out MS events...thoughts? concerns? ideas? Send 'em my way. 

MYP...

Important MYP Info

Assessment

John shared this article about three "peaks" and three "pits" of standards-based grading. As we continue our conversation about assessment in the MS, this is a pointed of reflection on the kinds of transition we are talking about. 

Communications...

Flash

This week's Flash (12/4) will include: 
  • MYP: Focus on the LP attributes Principled and Reflective
  • Academic Highlights on Visual Art and Individuals & Society

Blogs

Don't miss the latest installments of The Dish from Mrs. Dicks or Joe Romano's AWSLibrary blog! 

Religious & Cultural Observances coming up...

Upcoming at AWS...

Monday, November 30
10:00am All School Chapel
3:15pm Girls Varsity Soccer @ Life Christian

Tuesday, December 1
3:15pm 7th Grade Team Meeting 

 Wednesday, December 2
10:00am MS Chapel

Thursday, December 3
3:15pm Girls Varsity and JV Soccer @ North Tapps (2:00pm dismissal for players)
6:00pm Neighborhood Holiday Gathering

 Friday, December 4
10:00am 6th Grade Share and Student Recognition

 Thursday, December 10
11:00am AWSPA Holiday Faculty & Staff Reception

 Friday, December 11
1:15pm Middle School Holiday Tea (Dress Uniform for MS)

 Tuesday, December 15
5:00pm MS/US Lessons & Carols

 Wednesday, Dec 16
All School Civvies Day
10:00am MS Holiday Celebration

 Friday, December 18
DS Grandparents Day (Special Schedule)
6:00pm Faculty & Staff Holiday Party (RSVP to Melanie ASAP)

 Team Meetings Agendas:
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