In an effort to improve the format of my “meetings” in general I ordered Kagan’s Cooperative Meetings gigantic manual. Then I scanned it to pdf, emailed it to myself and uploaded it to GoodReaders on my ipad! Like I am going to carry around a 10 lb. binder all summer? Um….No.
You know all that required info we have to share our staff that is the sit-n-get kind? Not any more! Well I hope not:) I will use my handbook/faculty meeting cliff notes as my “content” and deliver it with Kagan structures. Then have my teachers process how they can use these structures in the classroom!
Wanna try it with me? Of course I have grandiose ideas and hope they turn out. Consider this modeling risk-taking disguised as instructional strategies or visa versa:)
Disclaimer: I am not blazing the trails of another initiative in my building. Lord knows we have enough of those. But I am hoping they can take some of the structures back to use in their classrooms to increase student engagement.
I have advocated brain-based instructional strategies for several years. Last year when I was promoted to a campus principal I wanted to share some of those strategies with my teachers and model for them what I wanted to see in the classroom. I had a full-day (yes, FULL DAY) faculty meeting to review campus policies and my expectations. When my teachers heard that I was going to keep them all day for a meeting they were dreading it. However, the unanimous report after the meeting was, "That was so much fun!" "I can (and should) do some of that in my classroom." This year I'm going to have them delve into campus data. You know I'm going to have to make THAT engaging! Good luck! Your teachers and kids are worth this journey!
What a great idea! I just ordered my binder tonight! I love giving teacher engagement structures that they can use immediately with their students! Thanks for sharing!
Cindy, I would love to see your meeting agenda from last year if you would be willing to share. Or just share more for me.
Principal Sal – Good luck! We can share ideas:) I am excited now that I have the binder.