Morgan Was

How do you encourage Ss to collaborate with each other? 💬 In T Melissa Miller's class, group work provides the perfect opportunity – and these sentence stems ensure Ss make the most of it! #EdChat

What Is A Ruckus? My secretary called and said there was a ruckus in the front hallway. I was really excited to see what was going on. I wanted to know what a ruckus was. I learned that a ruckus was a small boy I hadn’t net yet. The ruckus was ripping our bulletin board off the wall, knocking over a table and cursing. He turned around & said, “What the F--- are you looking at?” He continued, “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” I responded with, “You seem to be upset. What do you need? How can I help?” He moved a step closer to me and said, “Are you deaf, too? I just said you’re fat, bald, and stupid.” My response was, “I heard you just fine. Now I really can tell you are upset. What do you need? How can I help you?” He started crying while re-stating for the 3rd time (in case I missed the other two times), “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” He then said, “I hate this stupid school; I don’t know why I’m here. I don’t know where my mom is. I hate my foster family.“ He reached his arms out. I asked if he needed a hug and he nodded. I then asked if he wanted to go to my office. He nodded. I let him know that “Dr. P” is here if he needs anything. He sat at my table and put his head down. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Dr. P, I’m very sorry for everything that I did. I just miss my mom.” I responded by telling him that I appreciate his apology and that I accept it. He then said, “I am also really sorry for calling you those mean things. I didn’t mean it.” We brainstormed some ideas of what he could do in the future if he was having a tough day. He suggested that he could ask to get a drink, ask for help, or just put his head down. I let him know that these are great strategies. I added that he could always ask to see the counselor or me. We then discussed how he could be on the lookout for signs that he was getting upset, frustrated, angry, or agitated. He said that he sometimes started to clinch his fists and his breathing changed. I told him that those were good signs and that the body often gives us signs that we are starting to get upset. We both agreed that it was so important to listen to our bodies. He asked if he could get his backpack and coat. I thought that was an unusual request for 10 a.m. I asked him why he would need his backpack and coat. He replied, “Because I’m going to get suspended like I did at my last school.” I let him know that there may be another plan. He scrunched his face and looked puzzled. I asked, “How do you think you could fix what you did this morning?” He thought about it for a minute or so and responded with, “I can pick-up what I threw and fix anything that I broke.” I let him know that this seemed like a good plan. He picked up the items that he threw and helped put the bulletin board back on the wall. I went over the plan for the next time and we made sure he knew what to do in case he got upset, frustrated, angry or agitated again. I said, “Since we’ve agreed on the plan, let’s shake on it to make it official.” He reached out his hand and shook mine. I let him know that he could go back to class. He picked up his bookbag and his jacket and started off to his class. I called his teacher to let him know that he was on his way. His teacher was so happy to welcome him back to class. I never had another problem with him. A teacher stopped by later that day. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t suspended. “He called you fat, bald, and stupid.” My response was that it never was about me. I then asked the teacher if any of the comments were false. She looked at me like I was crazy. I let her know that I am fat and bald. Those were both true statements. I also argued that stupid is a relative term. She didn’t like my answer. How do you deal with colleagues who are fixed mindset, focused on punitive methods or who believe that alternatives to suspensions equate to being soft on discipline? From the book “Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics” (a.co/d/fhhFJ4V)

Excuses are the enemy of excellence. Success belongs to those who push past limits, not to those who hide behind them. Don't tell me why you can't. Show me how you will.

By abandoning the rote teaching of algorithms, we are asking children to learn more. We are teaching them to mathematize, to think like mathematicians, to look at the numbers before they calculate.

So often we get stuck in comparison, perfectionism, self judgement. So much peace can arise, from letting all this go and having a deep appreciation for all you have. You are enough, you have enough, you do enough,enjoy today you won’t have it again #mentalhealth

Character is not defined by words but by your actions. 🔹Character isn't what you say. 🔹Character isn't a role you play. 🔹Your character is what you do. Good character isn't just a trait, it's a choice that leads to a life worth living.

📊Research has found that classrooms differ a great deal in quality of discussions--and those differences impact comprehension development. Please see below for examples of differences. For a self-assessment and guide to quality talk about text, see amazon.com/Quality-Talk-A…

Good perspective to start the day!

Brad Stevens said, "If you don't have accountability, you will not improve." You and your team can't grow without accountability. Accountability is leading by example. It is holding people to the standard that you set. 7 facts of accountability👇

You don't need everyone. You only need the committed to align and unify together in their effort. If they stay the course, they will change everything.

In 1980, Steve Young was the 8th-string quarterback at BYU. He was on the scout team and was continually getting beat up. He was frustrated and ready to quit. Steve called his dad and said, "I'm done...This is crazy, I'm coming home." His dad's response changed his life because he said, "You can quit, but you can't come home. I'm not living with a quitter. You can decide for yourself." Steve said his bags were already packed and he would have run home in a second. He said that moment changed his life because it made him look inside himself and his willingness to be resilient and gritty. The decision was made to stay and he had to stick to it. That summer, he was moved to safety because the offensive coordinator (OC) said he would never start a lefty and Steve was having trouble throwing the ball. While on defense, he would watch how the starter, Jim McMahon, would throw the ball. Steve realized that he was throwing improperly and he adjusted his technique when practicing. At the same time, they switched OC's and the new coordinator wanted to give Steve a shot at the backup QB position with his improved technique. From there, the rest was history. He used the next year as a backup to learn everything he could from his coaches and Jim McMahon. In 1983, he was a unanimous All-American and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Takeaway 1: Grit isn't talent or luck, it's the ability to have stamina and endure. Steve Young's journey demonstrates the power of grit and perseverance. When faced with adversity, he learned the power of perseverance from his father. His opportunities only came because he was there and ready for them. It highlights the importance of tenacity and determination in pursuing your goals, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Takeaway 2: A growth mindset starts with the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Steve Young's throwing journey started when he recognized his weaknesses, such as his improper throwing technique, and rather than succumbing to self-doubt, he embraced the opportunity for growth and improvement. By learning great technique from Jim McMahon, he developed the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in his position. “The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” - Steve Young

One easy step to reduce homework is to stop calling it homework, call it independent practice. Independent practice is essential, location is not! #ditchHW

In school, time pressure on tests favors the fastest sprinters. But in life, success is a marathon. The students with the greatest potential aren’t always the ones who rapidly spit out the right answers. They’re often the ones who take the time to ask the right questions. nytimes.com/2023/09/20/opi…

helping a friend in need

Every word we speak and every action we take has the capability to add to or take away from our school’s culture. Our words matter. Our actions (and reactions) matter. Love your kids. Love your coworkers. Love your school. It’s as simple as that. #multiplyexcellence

Kindness counts! 🧡