In the Rhythm of the School
It seems we spend the majority of our time developing improvement plans, implementing strategies or analyzing data based on failure or low performance. In contrast, only a fraction of our time is spent celebrating success. It's easy to get frustrated and think that you aren't making progress when your success factor is based on one outcome, result or test score. This is partly because of our tendency to dwell on our mistakes or failures.
That's why keeping a Success Diary or Success Log is so important. It allows you to prove to yourself and to your school community that progress is being made. This also helps you to constantly remind yourself and others to celebrate success. When you are personally having a bad day, read through your success log, and you will gain energy and motivation to keep moving forward.
Here are some examples of the types of success you should put in your Success Log:
- recognizing a value-added result in student achievement
- successfully implementing a policy or improvement plan strategy
- observing a teacher sharing information with a colleague or the entire faculty that helped improve student achievement
- achieving a goal or surpassing your expectations
- receiving a compliment
- you meet a deadline, complete a form or hand in a report ahead of schedule
Success Logs also could be a great idea for the front lobby of your schools or faculty lounges. Recognizing individual and schoolwide success is worth writing down and celebrating.
What We Are Hearing From You
"It makes it more interesting," said Jimmy, a Leslie County Middle School student with learning disabilities. He was talking about the Declaration of Independence video clip he had watched during a social studies lesson. This video was shown using a multimedia projector, notebook computer and an interactive Web site.
Technology carts containing laptop and projector system were purchased for every classroom as part of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) project between the University of Louisville, Kentucky Department of Education and Leslie County Middle. Faculty quickly became engaged in updating units and lessons to incorporate the ideas they learned through UDL-focused professional development activities supported by the grant and school administration. The students also became more interested in the content instead of becoming frustrated and disconnected.
At this time, teachers are involved in horizontal curriculum alignment using Core Content Version 4.1. A significant feature in the new curriculum map is a section to document UDL strategies incorporated during each unit of study. Teachers were given example strategies to accommodate the affective, strategic and recognition networks that are core foundations to UDL. To meet the needs of the diverse learning population, teachers are now implementing these UDL strategies, and the LCMS staff is seeing tremendous results.
At Leslie County Middle, students also are given the opportunity to take electronic or online tests that increase independence, reduce test anxiety and provide reasonable UDL accommodations for all students. The music classes have been using blogs as an alternate method to respond about music elements, and the STLP students have created presentations for teachers to use as part of their class lessons. Teachers also have access to scanned materials, which include alternative textbooks and other resource materials.
UDL has inspired many new ideas at Leslie County Middle - ideas that have engaged teachers and made a difference in students. For more information, please contact Travis Hacker at LCMS.
Quotable Quotes
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
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