Thought

How do the Five Disciplines of Thought fit into the social studies curriculum. As I study the book "Teaching What Matters Most" - I can see why this would be a valuable book for the Social Studies Curriculum Committee and the year two and three teachers to study. I'm wondering if we could use the rubrics to evaluate the curriculum and rubrics for use in the classroom - I'm not sure but it is certainly something to consider. I think it is important to mesh all of the ideas of the district into a common understanding - the Six Facets of Understanding are part of Wiggin's work and it is important for us to understand how they connect to the work we are already doing (DOK, Process Standards, etc.). The more we know the better we will be able to make connections and have the teachers make the connections - hopefully it won't feel like one more thing....THOUGHT certainly something to think about : )

Reflection on the Day of Learning - Focus Goals

The goals created for social studies provide fair direction. However, they are missing some important components if we believe in the ideas promoted in Strong, Silver and Perini's book Teaching What Matters Most. The goals need to be re-written to include evaluating the On Line Curriculum Guide for specific information including rigor and thought. The rubrics provided from the text are an outstanding measuring tool that my curriculum council will be able to utilize to evaluate the curriculum guide. In order for our social studies program to be the best in the country we need to adjust the goals for social studies and evaluate the curriculum with the new goal. The change is really a matter of wording and practice - by wording I mean the wording of the goal needs to change. By practice I mean that the new words are actually practiced in curriculum evaluation. Overall this was a great day for learning - I feel better able to do my job as the coordinator of social studies AND it gave me ideas to utilize with my curriculum committee.

Leaping the Ladder

The Ladder of Inferences ( http://www.masterfacilitatorjournal.com/inference.html )
Have you ever been a ladder leaper? Acted a certain way based on past experiences rather than thinking of each experience as a unique event. I am a ladder leaper - probably more in my personal life than my professional life (which is good for work but not so good at home). I do admit I have "lepf the ladder" at work but I attmept to go back down the ladder - however, in my personal life I find it much harder. The most evident example of “ladder leaping” in my life is with my husband and going over the bills. Based on past experiences – I know this is going to be an uncomfortable event because of my actions with spending. I would spend without thought to our budget because that is what I did. Over the past 21 years I have changed my philosophy on spending and try to follow our budget. However, my husband has the mental model of my old spending – his mental model may have changed regarding my spending BUT my mental model of how he reacts during “bill time” has not changed. I anticipate he is going to be mad at the purchases and I skip to the final rung – I’m mad at him before he can be mad at me. Now I just need to figure out how to go back down the ladder with him on the “bills”.