Teaching Decision-Making Strategies

 

Teaching Decision-Making Strategies

The below is  modified from Laura Barron and Patti Kinney’s We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management

Many students do not have go-to strategies for making decisions, whether they are academic, social or internal. Teaching these will help your students integrate effective decision-making into their lives. When teaching these strategies, be sure to hold a discussion on what types of decisions the particular strategy will best support.

STP: Situation-Target-Plan

This is a good option for students to have when they need to slow down and think through a complicated course of action.

  • Identify the situation: John and I don’t get along. This project is due in three weeks, and I’m a procrastinator.
  • Identify the target that you want to have happen. For John and me to work together in class without arguing. I want to complete my project two days before it’s due so I can be sure to turn it in on time.
  • Determine your plan or strategy to meet your target. John and I will meet with you to talk out our problems and come to an agreement on how to get along better. I will ask my parents to help me create a calendar with due dates for when sections need to be completed. They will help me monitor my progress.

The Ben Franklin Close/Balance Sheet Close

This is weighing the pros and cons. Weighing the pros and cons is a good beginning and is especially helpful for students who tend to make decisions that lead to unforeseen consequences for their actions or behaviors.

Providing a go-to model and plenty of practice

Students need regular opportunities to practice. The below flowchart is one that you can present to your students and adapt for various situations and activities.

Staff Wellness Strategy: Fractals

Fractals, shapes that repeat on finer and finer scales, are often found in nature. They seem to be pleasing to the human eye and looking at them has been found to reduce physical signs of acute stress. Our affinity for fractals probably came through evolution, because there are no perfect shapes or straight lines in the natural world. Whenever possible, spend time in nature to reduce stress. Short of that, mimic natural effects by looking at perfectly imperfect fractals.

Nature has long been associated with relaxation, but research suggests but art and computer images that mimic certain natural patterns can have a similar effect.

 from The Washington Post. comment

Mindful Messages

Day

Quote/Message

Possible Prompts for Discussion/Reflection

Monday

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.

What is a kind gesture that you received? How did it make you feel?

How does someone else’s kind act towards you make you feel?

How do you feel when you are a good friend for someone who is sad/down?

Tuesday

The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.

~Jon Kabat-Zinn

Why do the little things matter?

What’s a little thing you can focus on?

What’s a little thing that you can focus on that has a BIG impact?

Wednesday

Nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

~Lao Tzu

Quiet walks with nature can help you recharge.

What do you enjoy most in nature?

Why is nature recharging?

Do you have a favorite outdoor spot?

Thursday

Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious.

~Phillips Brooks

How is patience a form of wisdom?

How does being patient reward us?

How does being patient reward others?

How does being patient help?

Elementary School

Announcements

Monday: https://youtu.be/6VCWftwBGJ4 

Tuesday: https://youtu.be/SWTWWO0xkY0 

Wednesday: https://youtu.be/7DkKJg4xqW4 

Thursday: https://youtu.be/N3oSA7K0SMY 

Tasks

Reminders

  • Division PLC is Friday, April 22: Elementary 8:15-9:15
  • Report Cards
    • Please complete by April 24
    • Comments and standards
  • PALS Date window- May 9th- 20th
  • Kindergarten only- The VKRP window for EMAS is open. All tests must be completed May 20.
  • 3-5 Panorama Survey should be completed by Tuesday
 5th Grade ONLY
  • Please remember by the end of the year, you will have scored 5 pieces of writing for your students. Student writing samples must be scored using the holistic Grade 5 Writing Scoring Rubric. These scores will be sent home to families at the end of the year. Scores should live in Illuminate. Please reach out if you need help finding the correct writing container.
  • Pieces of writing: Persuasive, Personal Narrative, Fiction, Expository, Research                    
  • NOTE: The rock cycle (ELA/SCI)writing piece that was shared last year is optional. It was intended to help teachers not have to assess the rock cycle AND expository/research writing samples separately. You are welcome to still use, but do not have to

Information

Reading Specialist and Math Specialist Endorsement Programs  Averett University will be hosting virtual information session on April 28 at 6 p.m. for those interested in obtaining an endorsement as a Reading Specialist or K-8 Mathematics Specialist. These will be offered through their online degree and certificate programs. Register today!

Secondary School

Announcements

Monday https://youtu.be/VMIbrd-Ingk 

Tuesday https://youtu.be/G65XkUof_8Q 

Wednesday https://youtu.be/zWlTH-USOqk 

Thursday https://youtu.be/XGnHbg-VVeA 

Tasks

  • 3B Tuesday (if not completed on Friday): Panorama Survey should be administered to your students (all grades 6-12)
  • Office hours: please submit any changes to the office hours spreadsheet by Saturday. I will send out a weekly email to students and families on Sunday.
    • Please have students check office hour assignments on Monday during 1st period
    • You may want to send a group message (email, BrightChat, etc) to students you expect to see as well. Directions for the BrightChat group messaging is below.

Information

BrightChat Select Group Messaging

From the web interface:

When starting a new BrightChat, select the list that you want to send the BrightChat to by clicking on the list name, then toggle the Enable/Disable checkboxes for the contact(s) you wish to send the message to. If the contact is Disabled on the List Settings page, they will not be part of the BrightChat when you send the invite.

On the mobile app:

Once you use the slider to select a list to start a BrightChat, the app will ask you "How would you like to Proceed" Choose "Change contacts selection" Then on the next screen select the contact(s) you want to start a BrightChat with, and click Next. Then toggle the Start BrightChat slider.  Only the selected contacts from the previous page will be invited to the BrightChat.

Standards-Based Grading/Equity in Grading Practices

o   For returning teachers, this needs to be completed before next school year.

o   Asynchronous Option: April 18 -  May 13

o   Summer Opportunities

§  June 20 - July 1

§  July 11 -  22

§  July 25 - Aug 5

  • Takes about 5 hours; $75 stipend for teachers

Calendar and Testing Dates

SOL Testing Letter Template that was emailed to students/families and Student List of Who Needs to Take



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