The Monday morning memo ~ 28

What about those quiet kids...?

Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking

*We have a copy of this book in district. Contact Dr. Tarte if you are interested in reading it.

• ~ Studies tell us that 1/3 to 1/2 of Americans are introverts. There is no such thing as a pure introvert or a pure extrovert.
• ~ Extroverts tend to tackle assignments quickly. They make fast (sometimes rash) decisions, and are comfortable multitasking and risk-taking. They enjoy the thrill of the chase for rewards like money and status.
• ~ Introverts often work more slowly and deliberately. They like to focus on one task at a time and can have mighty powers of concentration. They are relatively immune to the lures of wealth and fame. They prefer environments that are not overstimulating and 70% are also sensitive. They may be shy, which is a painful condition.
• ~ People tend to assume that loud people are more intelligent. When forceful people carry the day, a lot of good ideas from the introverts can get lost. 
• ~ Introverts are more likely to reveal more of themselves via social media. They welcome the chance to communicate digitally and can now contribute in classes where they don’t have to raise their hand and talk. 
• ~ Extroverts get better grades in elementary school, but introverts outperform in high school and college. At the university level, introversion predicts academic performance better than cognitive ability.
• ~ Opposites are often drawn to each other. One tends to talk as the other listens.
• ~ Don’t try to change a kid. Expose children to new situations and people gradually. Note and respect their limits. Never call a child shy.
• ~ Schools should prepare kids for life, but often kids need to be prepared for surviving schools, which are often designed for extroverts. Teachers should balance their lessons to allow for both types. 
• 
  

What are you? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Take the quiz:

http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/quiet-quiz-are-you-an-introvert/

~ What are the implications for our students? 

...For our classrooms?

The Monday morning memo ~ 27

A Teacher's Spring Time Reflection: 

10 Questions to Ask Yourself

1) - What has been the most effective lesson of the year?

2) - What topic generated the most interest from the students?

3) - Who has been your greatest success story in class?

4) - Who is in the most need of your help during this final part of the year?

5) - What are you looking forward to the most from this point forward?

6) - What new technique will you try again before the end of the year?

7) - What is your progress on your goals at this point?

8) - Have your students had a chance to explore a topic of self-interest?

9) - Do your students know how proud you are of them?

10) - How can you begin, today, to explore the greater potential you have to make an impact on the lives of your students?

Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids... (10 minute TED talk)

Poem of the week: "Practice what you preach by Ben L. Byer"

It's easier to preach than to practice

It's easier to say than to do.

Most sermons are heard by the many

But taken to heart by the few.

It's easier to cheer than to battle

It's easier to stay than to go.

To drift you but lay down the oars

To go upstream you must row.

**As an added bonus to kick off Spring, we have recently started a relationship with Anytime Fitness to provide some reduced cost health services to our employees. See the image below for more information, and feel free to contact Debbie Willman if you have any questions about what services Anytime Fitness can provide you. Also, our district will be offering payroll deduction in September starting in the 2013-2014 school year.

Debbie Willman

Anytime Fitness
110 Union Plaza Drive
Union, MO 63084
636-584-0563
Debbie.anytimefitness@charter.net

   

The Monday morning memo ~ 26

The 21st century classroom...

Doesn't just focus on "what" kids learn, it focuses more on "how" kids learn best...

Knows the difference between something that is hard, and something that is rigorous...

Makes learning both relevant and meaningful...

Recognizes We're preparing our students for a world that doesn't yet exist using technology that hasn't yet been invented to solve problems we haven't even thought of...

Embraces the notion that education should be done "with" our students, rather than "to" our students...

Provides opportunities for students to explore, discover, create & experience failure...

Accepts that the world is a playground for learners, and learning can no longer be contained to the four walls of a classroom...

Understands that you can't be "data-driven" unless you actually make adjustments and modifications to your instructional practices as a result of that data...