WHAT EDITORS WAYNE & BRUCE HAVE BEEN UP TO

Wayne Morris has been working for a major brewery and a chocolate factory in the areas of teamwork, leadership and developing organisational capacity. He is gaining weight and poor skin but isn't worried!! More about Wayne: www.leading-learning.co.nz/about-wayne.html

Bruce Hammonds has been focussing on assisting individual school develop their visions and teaching beliefs. Recent visits have taken him from Whangarei to Tawa. Highlights for Bruce has been presenting seminars at the 2002 NZPFF Principal's Conference held in Wellington and giving a talk 'Lets Have a Revolution and put some Fun back into teaching!' to 'full house', in Mana. More about Bruce: www.leading-learning.co.nz/about-bruce.html

We were both pleased that material from our site was included in 'The Successful Practices in NZ Schools' CD compiled by South Island principals Roger Hornblow and Dave Doake. For info about acquiring the CD contact: roger.hornblow@leadspace.school.nz

POINT OF VIEW - TIME FOR REAL CHANGE!

Recent cases of youth violence in NZ have resulted in another round of soul searching. This violence (and truancy) can be seen as symptoms of our failing social structures. It is said that 10000 students absent themselves everyday from our schools! These failing social structures were designed for a past age and have their genesis in a fragmented industrial mindset. Real solutions lie in transforming our society into one that values and realises the 'social capital' of all citizens by integrating all services at a community level. Only a total transformation can repair our increasingly tattered social fabric. Failing students are only part of a bigger problem. Such a transformation will require real political vision, courage and leadership at all levels. What is required is a national 'conversation' about what kind of country we want to become? How can we develop a sense of community and shared responsibility? What attitudes and values do we want to encourage? What is the Governments role in a post- industrial society? How can the passion, dreams and talents of all citizens be tapped to create an innovative, caring and creative country?

Leadership by principals and school will be vital to achieve such a vision. School leaders cannot wait for the government to catch up - they need to collaborate with each other, and the wider community, and begin leading now! Let's start a revolution, it will be more fun than continually complying! Read out thoughts: www.leading-learning.co.nz/newsletters/vol01-no08-2002.html

Kia ora, Bruce and Wayne

WHAT'S IN THIS E-ZINE - AN OVERVIEW OF OUR SITE.

We thought we would take the opportunity to remind you of some of the valuable articles on our website.

1. STRATEGY PLANNING/VISION/VALUES
   
2. FIVE POINTS OF A POWERFUL VISION
   
3. THE 'ART' OF TEACHING
   
4. THE 'CRAFT' OF TEACHING

'Prediction is difficult -particularly when it involves the future.'
Mark Twain

Strategy Development is the 'new answer' from the Ministry technocrats. It really boils down to getting schools to focus on some measurable 'targets'! Ministry technocrats will then analyse them to assure themselves that all is well, or to deal some stiffer medicine! The UK, and many states in the USA, has already taken a more direct path - assessing and rating schools based on literacy and numeracy. The next step in NZ? We hope not.

'Life is the path you make while you walk it
It is the walking that beats the path
It is not the path that makes the walk.'
Antonio Machado (Poet)

We think the real answer lies in assisting school develop positive learning cultures and for teachers to share modern teaching strategies. The future challenge for leaders will be to create inspirational conditions for creativity, teamwork and trust, and to develop the capacity for continual growth.

'Why do I stand here? I stand on my desk
to remind myself that we must constantly force ourselves
to look at things differently
The world looks different from up here
If you don't believe it, stand up here and try it.
All of you. Take turns.'
Dead Poets Society.

If you want a Vision, Values, and Teaching Beliefs for your school to amalgamate with your Strategy Plan take a look at: www.leading-learning.co.nz/download-files/te-ara-vision-and-beliefs-number2.doc

A number of school have modified both of the above beyond our recognition which is great! Nothing is original. To borrow and improve is the best 'strategy' for any organisation but only when associated with a shared dream, inspirational leadership and an aligned staff.

For ideas about a process to develop your own school vision: www.leading-learning.co.nz/creating-vision.html
To gather data for your vision: www.leading-learning.co.nz/school-vision/gathering-data.html

And to ensure alignment behind your shared vision of a Learning Community: www.leading-learning.co.nz/school-vision/ensuring-alignment.html To assess your vision: www.leading-learning.co.nz/school-vision/assess-learning.html

For ideas about ideas for school documentation to 'comply' with Ministry demands, read what a 'cluster' of rural school in NZ came up with. One again use/adapt anything you like. www.leading-learning.co.nz/school-vision/school-doc-requirements.html

Always remember though, what John Lennon wrote:
'Life is what happens when you are busy making plans.'

2. POWERFUL LEARNING & TEACHING

Classroom teachers will be interested in some of the following ideas we have gathered from creative teachers.
On our site they are listed under five 'powerful' ideas. We believe it is vital that all teachers at any school can articulate, and put into action, a set of shared beliefs such as those listed below.

1. Importance of 'foundation' skills
   
2. Strategic teachers and learners.
   
3. Powerful learning experiences
   
4. Expect only the students 'personal best'.
   
5. Classrooms as safe, predictable and celebratory environments

3. THE ART OF TEACHING.

We believe that it is the 'magic' of creative teachers working in collaborative school cultures that make the real difference ensuring lasting educational change. Our views are expressed in:
www.leading-learning.co.nz/newsletters/vol01-no04-2002.html

The remainder of the articles feature in this e-zine feature what we believe to be the true agenda for educational change for the 21stC - the 'art and the craft' of teaching - helping students to achieve quality work.

A good place to start to explore teaching ideas might be the photo gallery. Photos illustrate room environments, goal setting, presentation of student work, and class management. www.leading-learning.co.nz/gallery1.html

For an overview of teaching strategies for the 21stC read:
www.leading-learning.co.nz/newsletters/vol01-no05-2002.html

A number of schools make use of our advice for beginning teachers. www.leading-learning.co.nz/newsletters/begin-teaching.html

For surveying your class learning environment try: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/teaching-survey.html For your class culture: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/classroom-survey.html

Quality work results from 'slowing the pace' - some very practical ideas: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/quality-slow-pace.html

If you want to improve student presentation of their work read: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/student-presentation.html Important to develop in students a sense of pride.

To help students develop quality work: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/creative-help-process.html

Observation is the base of art and science and a great way to develop a sense of quality. www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/process-drawing.html

A great list for personal art topics. www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/ideas-drawing.html

Developing personal language (poetic writing) is a great way to develop a student's sense of identity and voice and in the process develop a sense of quality. If you want a simple process try: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/developing-writing.html

For a wonderful list of personal writing themes: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/personal-writing.html Make up your own class list

Oral language conversations are vital. Some themes to use.
www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/oral-language.html Ideas from Marie Clay.

Involving parents in students school life through writing.
www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/mums-dads-helping.html A great way to connect home and school.

Ideas from Dr Glasser about giving quality feedback.
www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/quality-teaching.html Goal setting, criteria and self-assessment.

Focussed feedback is vital for students 'at risk'. www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/helping-students.html This is the true 'art' of a teacher.

4. THE 'CRAFT' OF TEACHING.

To provide 'focussed feedback' to individuals or groups the other students need to be able to work independently. Poor class management steals valuable learning time. What independent activities can your students do? www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/learning-activities.html Such independent learning skills need to be taught.

Lessons need a 'three step' format to ensure deep learning and 'focussed' teaching: www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/effective-teaching.html

Often little help is given about organising the whole day. You may be interested in this daily programme for years 3- 6? www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/daily-programme.html

Creative classrooms have that 'wow' factor. What 'messages' does your room environment give? For a few ideas to focus your classroom displays. www.leading-learning.co.nz/quality-learning/classroom-displays.html
See also photo album www.leading-learning.co.nz/gallery1.html

The best site we have discovered for a range of teaching strategies, that innovative schools ought to be aware of, is:
www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class (go to description of workshops)

Here you will find excellent information on Multiple Intelligences, Constructivist Teaching, Co-operative Learning, Web Quests etc. Bookmark this site.

Another equally valuable site is www.habits-of-mind.net
where you will find all about Art Costa's Intelligent Behaviours.

SHARE OUR E-ZINE WITH STAFF & FRIENDS

This e-zine we hope will have encouraged you to have a look at our site. Send Bruce your feedback on our site, or any issues of concern to share. We are planning to share your feedback in a future newsletter. bhammonds@leading-learning.co.nz

Be great if you could e-mail this e-zine to a friend and even better if they were to join up.

All they have to do is go to www.leading-learning.co.nz/newsletter.html and put in their e-mail address. A simple process.

'The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.'
Albert Einstein

Bruce Hammonds
On behalf of Wayne Morris and Bruce