Framing the Lesson

This year, I plan to focus a lot of my attention on the Fundamental Five with my teachers. This is a book written by Sean Cain and Mike Laird. It is a quick and easy read, but has a lot of good information.

The five fundamentals are:

• Framing the Lesson
• Teach in the Power Zone
• Recognize & Reinforce
• Frequent Small Group, Purposeful Talk
• Write Critically

Let's start by looking at how to frame the lesson. 

As educators, we must give our students a clear picture of what will be happening during class and what they will do with that knowledge. In the hallway, it is so funny to hear students ask one another, "Hey, what are we going to do in Mrs. Smith's class today?" Students want to know. They need to know exactly what they are going to be doing. This approach helps to avoid or minimize information overload. Think about all the new information that students receive all day long. They must find a way to sort, categorize, evaluate, prioritize, and make decisions about what is and what is not important. If we tell them upfront, then this will increase the chances of students getting to where we want them to end up.

I love it when a hear a presentation and the speaker identifies what the objective of the workshop is. It helps me to mentally filter the information I need to know. It helps me focus and set priorities on new learning.

Before a teacher prepares the lesson, they should have a clear idea of where they want to go and what they want students to accomplish. What should the students be able to do, understand, care about as a result of the teaching?

This is typically done in two ways.
1) Daily Learning Objective
2) Closing Question, Product, or Task

The learning objective should be very clear, concise, and student friendly. 

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to recall/recap what you have taught them, telling, or showing you what they have learning. 

Examples of Learning Objectives: We will review lab safety practices and procedures.

Closing Question, Product, or Task

I will create a 3-5 minute lab safety skit with my group about how to properly clean a test tube.

End of the Year Reflections

As I am finishing up my third year as principal, I have a lot to be thankful for. We have a lot of great group of teachers, support staff, students, and parents. Together, they make my job easier. Running a middle school is the hardest job by far. 

These years are extremely difficult. It is a time when students are trying to discover the person they are and are meant to be.

I loved this comparison that I am about to share with you. 

The middle school years are a time when the bud of the flower first begins to open, and we see the shape of the petals and the colors within. 

How cool is this? This is something that we are apart of. 

I want to help students blossom. I want to find ways for them to develop into the men and woman they are destined to be. Greatness is in all of my students. It is up to us as educators to unleash that potential. 

I will not give up on these children. 

I will work each and every day not for myself, but for each student that I have the pleasure of educating. 

Thank you for this opportunity.