That's It !!!!!

9-07-10
I finally figured it out! I now know what's wrong with this picture!!!
Teachers are walking around very complacent and have very low-expectations of the students. I see students doing a lot of computations, but very little application in the form of higher-order questions. How do I know this? Observations: math/literacy lack rigor. Lesson plans lack differentiated instruction. Students very seldom are given an opportunity to work in small groups. The questions that are asked in the classrooms are all knowledge based. The PLC's are very weak. Teachers administer common assessments, but they are not analyzing the tests or using them to drive instruction. I don't see a lot of collaboration between the teachers. Many teach in isolation. At first I thought, maybe it's the climate. However, after looking at all the facts I really think it's the culture. Also, on the 5th grade hall, there's a group of "bad boys". These boys have the worst behavior in the school. The principal decided to make them "ambassadors" in hopes that this would improve their self-image. Recently I attended a PAC Title 1 meeting. At this meeting I met a young man who is a D.J. We started talking and I found out when he was in the 5th grade he had some of the same problems as our ambassadors. I asked him if he would come and share his story with our group. He not only agreed, but brought door prizes and pizza. The boys really made a connection and I could tell that talking with the boys had made an impact on them. We're going to continue to work with these boys. I am going to contact the Duke Blue Devils to see if they can come over and spend some time witgh the boys. I can see some changes. The boys are beginning to take their classwork a little more serious. The day the D.J. came, I had to practice some "tough-love". One of the little boys was not allowed to attend the activity because earlier that day he had disrespected a substitute. As he entered the room, I had to tell him that he would not be participating in the activity because he had made some poor choices. Although it was a hard thing to do, I knew he was going to learn a valuable lesson. Many of the teachers allowed these boys to do whatever they wanted as long as they were not fighting. They were allowed to sit or sleep all day as long as they did not disturb the other students. Now when I walk in, I make sure they are focused on learning. As an incentive, they will attend the next activity I plan for the group. Do any of you have any suggestions on how I can inspire these boys to want to learn? I fear they will drop out of school when they have reached the legal age or be involved in gang-activity. I have to try to reach them before they go on to middle school. I am opened for any suggestions. I am looking at "Big Brothers", or forming a basketball team. Please tell me your thoughts. As for the school's culture, every Friday at 1:00 pm I meet with my principal and AP and we are working on a plan to change the culture. I realize this may not happen this year, but we have to start somewhere.