Chapter 6 TLAC - Love this!

I want to thank everyone for their posting on Chapter 5! I certainly agree with everything you all said! I love the fact that this book is simple, but so right on the money! I love Chapter 6 also! I think the techniques are straightforward, but so efficient and send the message we are trying to send. The chapter dedicates 10 pages to 100%. I think that tells us how valuable it is. I know when I was a teacher - I would let 1 or 2 kids slide, and I can look back now and see how toxic this can be. I am really hopeful that addressing this at NMS can make a big difference in our culture. If every student is expected to participate and work every day - then eventually it will be cool to work hard! I hope that will help us create the elusive tipping point to fall in the right direction. I love the quote, "Excellence is a habit". I think that is something I need to remember also! One other section that I have used a lot - is ignoring the inappropriate behavior. TLAC does NOT support that technique. I can now see why. I think there are times when it is ok to ignore something, but I think we need to use that with caution. I love What to Do also! Non-compliance is a big issue here at NMS! I can't wait to delve into that! But, I can already see being specific with kids on What To DO and NOT What NOT To do is going to make a difference. At least then we will all know who is being NON Compliant and who isn't! Strong Voice has great pieces to it also! I believe that is so similiar to the Love and Logic strategies! I like working on Doing it Better. I think that adds to the Excellence is a Habit! I am excited and think we are going to be building a great culture of achievement next year as we learn to employ these techniques!!!

Teach Like A Champion Post #1

Hey Kid Team! I hope you have read the intro to Teach Like A Champion as well as chapter 5. I really loved the introduction and how this book talks about taking good teachers and making them great! We have good teachers at NMS and we just need to work on growing the culture here! I am really excited about the possibilities! The staff is outstanding, we will use the techniques in this book to make the culture outstanding also! Teaching truly is an art and science - and as we read this book, and put names to techniques that many of us have already been using, plus new ones we haven't, our culture is sure to become one of achievement!

Chapter 5
I love this chapter. I can't wait to hear your thoughts about the 5 Principles of Classroom Culture! I am ready to hear!!!

Lessons from Work Hard. Be Nice.

Hey Kid Team! I know everyone has finished the book, Work Hard. Be Nice. We are going to begin working on the other book, "Teach Like A Champion". I believe this first book, started us off on the right foot, told us a great story, and this team is ready to read about how to make that Culture of Achievement happen at NMS! For me, the inspiring leaders, Mike Feinberg and David Levin - followed their instincts and did what was right for kids. They didn't know it couldn't be done - therefore they visualized what they wanted and made it happen. I know that I am going to do more of that in the future. Honestly, I know that the students at NMS are just as capable as any other student. I have to rally the troups and I need everyone's help in creating the excitement, the enthusiasm, most importantly, the belief that it can and will happen. I hope that each of you will be the spokesperson for administration - so that when you hear something that is not in line with our vision and what we want for the NMS students, we can speak up in a calm, respectful manner, and be the models of what we want at NMS! I haven't ever worked with such a strong team, so let's do what Feinberg and Levin did! We got this!!

Work Hard. Be Nice.

I love chapter 15 - all will learn! Did you like it? Why or why not?

Chapter 16 - The porch and homework! thoughts?

Chapter 17 - Memorization, chants, etc....

Chapter 18 - Thoughts....

Chapter 11-14 Work Hard. Be Nice.

1. Chapter 11: What do you think about the differences between Feinberg/Levin's discipline methods v. Esquith's thoughts and methods?

2. Chapter 12: THoughts on Chapter 12 -

3. Chapter 13: Powers of Persuasion -

4. Chapter 14: JIm McInvale - Hmmmm.....

Work Hard. Be Nice. Chapters 7-10

Thanks everyone who responded! The next 4 chapters talk a little bit about Mike Feinberg and David Levin and how they ended up in Houston with Teach For America. Chapter 9 speaks to their second year as teachers. Chapter 10 - They meet the Disney Teacher of the Year and chapter 11 is about a student. This round, just talk and share your thoughts on what gave you an ahh haaa, an idea, or useful ideas you got from these 4 chapters. Thanks so much!!

Work Hard. Be Nice. Thoughts on chapters 4, 5, & 6

Chapter 4: What struck you about chapter 4? I have lots of thoughts but didn't want to lead anyone, yours are probably better than mine!





Chapter 5: What do you think about Harriett Ball and what do you think made her a great teacher?





Chapter 6: Thoughts on Chapter 6 and how it relates to NMS!