"Who Are The People In Our Neighborhood?"

Our community walk provided a chance for us to create learning experiences and a school environment that is culturally responsive and relevant for the students we serve. In order for us to be successful in setting high expectations and closing the achievement gap we must possess cultural sensitivity and awareness and use this information to adapt pedagogical practices so that they reflect the needs of our students.

With that in mind take some time and reflect on some of the following questions:

What did you see in our community? 

How did it feel?

How did it sound?

How does this relate to high expectations, high achievement and urgency?

MVPs of The Technology Workshop

Take some time and reflect on the information presented to you today and list the MVPs (most valuable points) of today's technology workshop.

Summer Institute Reflection

We hope you enjoyed your week at Solorio and learned a lot. We want you to take some time and reflect on your sessions from the last few days and tell us your three most valuable takeaways and how do you plan on applying them in the classroom?

Using This Blog to Benefit You

We have noticed the well thought out responses that have been posted and wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. However, we envision the blog being more interactive. So continue to answer the questions but also take time to respond to each other, ask each other questions, and even have some friendly debate if you're so inspired. 

The Effect of Poverty on the Brain

& Teaching with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen

Solorio Assignment for Wednesday, July 18th

Teaching with Poverty in Mind (Chapter 3)

1.    What do we mean when we say the brain has the capacity to change? Looking at the big picture, what are the implications of neural plasticity and gene expression for educators and students?

2.    Identify several strategies you can use to increase fluid intelligence in your students.

Good Job! Now Get Out of There

& Fred Jones: Tools for Teaching   Solorio Assignment for Tuesday, July 17th Fred Jones: Pages 66-68 Let's explore why sometimes the best thing we can do for our students after commending them is to leave them alone and allow them to work. "I wish I had one more hand so I could give you three thumbs up! " Describe Praise, Prompt and Leave beginning with the relaxing breath.

Meeting The Needs of Low-SES Children

&Teaching with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen

Solorio Assignment for Tuesday, July 17th

Chapter 2 of Teaching with Poverty in Mind

1.   How do acute and chronic stressors affect low-SES students' behavior and academic performance at your school? What can you do at your school and in your classroom to alleviate the devastating effects of chronic stress in students.

2.   We have learned that the correlations between socioeconomic status and cognitive development can be significant. What effects of poverty on cognitive development have you observed in your own school? Think of some ways you and your colleagues can build low-SES students' core skills, assess their greatest areas of need, and provide hope and support.

3.   How have health and safety issues influenced low-SES students' academic achievement at your school?  Brainstorm some ways your school can provide improved health services and an "enrichment counterattack" to mitigate these effect.

Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones

& Classroom Management and Room Arrangement

How do we ensure our classroom does not resemble this?

In order for every teacher to be successful they must have strong classroom management. Study the readings from Fred Jones' Tools for Teaching and reflect on how you can apply the readings to your own classroom.

Fred Jones (Pages 22-25)
Fred Jones (40-45)

1.    Traditionally we have referred to the skills of classroom management as a “bag of tricks.” Why is it necessary to have a classroom management system as opposed to “a bag of tricks?” (pages 22-25)

2.     Looking at the diagrams of room arrangements on pages 41-45 of Tools for Teaching, which pattern would work best for you?

Understanding the Nature of Poverty

& Teaching with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen

Eric Jensen's book is an awesome resource that will help us all better understand how to approach our students, parents, and school community. Read chapter 1 and answer the questions below.

Link to Chapter 1

How can understanding the four primary risk factors caused by poverty (emotional and social challenges, acute and chronic stressors, cognitive lags, and health and safety issues) change perceptions of low-SES students in your school? SES students in your school? How can understanding the four primary risk factors caused by poverty (emotional and social challenges, acute and chronic stressors, cognitive lags, and health and safety issues) change perceptions of low-SES students in your school?