School Culture in the Middle School Presented by Sergio Chavez Robert Sortino Maureen Vass, Ph.D.

“Positive learning can only take place in a positive culture “Positive learning can only take place in a positive culture. A healthy school culture will affect more student and teacher success than any other reform or school improvement effort currently being employed.” -Gary Phillips

How do teachers determine the impact of their teaching on the learning of students?

Activity: Practice Sort Hattie researched the 10 most often used practices/innovations used for instructional purposes. Privately rank their effectiveness, with 1 being the most effective and 10 being the least effective. At the signal, please compare your rankings with your group.

Here is a list of some of the innovations/practices Here is a list of some of the innovations/practices. First, rank their effectiveness on your own, with 1 being the most effective and 10 being the least effective. At the signal, compare your rankings with your group.   ___ RTI ___ Class Size ___ Classroom Discussion ___ Summer School ___ Homework ___ Web-based learning ___ Ability Grouping ___ Concept Mapping ___ Feedback ___ Teacher-Student Relationships

Effect Sizes Best way to the question, “What has the greatest influence on student learning?” An effect-size of 1.0 typically means… Advancing learners’ achievement by one year Improving the rate of learning by 50%! A two grade leap in grades (like from a C to an A)

Hinge point = 0.40 If the effect size is above 0.4, the influence has a positive effect on student learning. Half of the influences on achievement are above this hinge-point and half are not!

Activity Sort Part 2 So five of these practices have a positive impact on student learning. Highlight your top 5 Do you want to change any of them???

Hattie Results RTI 1.07 2 Classroom Discussion 0.802 Feedback 0.75 4 Teacher-Student Relationships 0.72 Concept Mapping 0.60 Homework 0.29 Summer School 0.23 Class Size 0.21 Web-based Learning 0.18 10 Ability Grouping 0.12

Reflections What surprised you? Which of the top 5 practices are you currently using? How? What if you used influences that were all at or above an effect size of 0.40?

“Engage Students Hearts and Their Minds Will Follow” - “Chip” Anderson How does the teacher prepare themselves personally and professionally to accomplish this?

Personal Preparedness Mind. Meditation. Visualization. Body. Exercise. Diet. Sleep. Soul. Attitude. Perspective. Spirit. Positive self-talk about self/kids. Debrief/problem solve with someone about helping students.

Professional Preparedness Rules & Procedures (3-5). Clear, continual & consistent. Positive reinforcement. Praise. Transitions (Managed well). Entering/exiting class. Fun activities. Lesson to lesson / station to station. Engaging Lessons (Use technology). Differentiated lesson plans. Pacing. Teaching is a dirty job. Organized Classroom (Open door policy). Anticipate the needs of the students. Easy access to materials/supplies. Teach from bell to bell. Ambience. Keep classroom clean and organized. Regulate temperature, smells, sights, space and sounds. Environment of personal warmth.