Mastering the Middle Grades New and Improved for 2016 Webinar led by Howard Gradet, curriculum writer (on the shoulders of Maria Garriott and Gregg Howell) November 5 and 6, 2015

Goals and Purpose Why are we here today? 1.To provide additional support and guidance to classroom teachers who are piloting the new Mastering the Middle Grades unit. 2.To answer any questions classroom teachers may have about how to use the pilot lessons.

Why are we doing this? Recent research suggests that non-cognitive skills—the strategies, attitudes, and behaviors youth use inside and outside of the classroom—are critical to young people’s success in school and the workplace. ~Public Profit Non-cognitive traits and behaviors…might be as important as— or even more important than—cognitive skills in determining academic and employment outcomes. ~Heckman et al., 2006

Why are we revising MMG? To close the skills gaps of students who live and learn in poverty. To determine if we are taking the best approach to developing curriculum that will do this.

Our Goal

The Non-Cog 9 1. Mindset Intelligence and skills can be built and I can learn from my mistakes. 2.Mindfulness Directing attention skillfully develops well-being and focus. 3.Resiliency Productive Persistence: Tenacity + good strategies

The Non-Cog 9 4.Cultural Competence Disrupting stereotypes and myths of race, poverty, and cultural knowledge. 5.Social Interactions – Relationship Management Conflict Resolution, Self-Advocacy, Relationship Skills, Emotional Regulation 6.Brain Science Cognitive processes that impact goal-directed behaviors and higher order thinking in both learning and social interactions.

The Non-Cog 9 7.Purpose / Goal Setting Helping kids find, define, and align to purpose and goals. 8.Scarcity When things we need are in short supply: money, time, attention. 9.Shame and Trauma How shame and physical and emotional trauma impact self- esteem, academic self-confidence, and achievement motivation.

The Module Model Original Mastering the Middle Grades model: 6 th grade:MMG101 7 th grade: MMG201 8 th grade: MMG lessons total in each grade, organized into 5 units: Orientation to Middle School Study Skills Social Skills Life Skills Career Exploration

The Module Model Newest version: MMG 101, 201, 301 Number of lessons and units per grade: TBD Each lesson divided into identified modules

The Module Model Modules? Each lesson will be divided into modules capable of being taught by different people. All modules can be taught by the teacher, but they don’t have to be.

The Module Model Module 1: Taught by the teacher in whole-class situation Module 2: Can be taught by other in-school adult or near-peer (counselor, aide, City Year member, etc.) in one-on-one or small group situation. Module 3: Can be taught/supervised at home by adult, neighbor or older sibling

The Module Model Notice the color coding on the last slide? Think of all Module 1’s (all reds) as a suit in a deck of cards. All Module 2’s (all blues) as another suit. All Module 3’s (all greens) as another suit. As in a deck of cards, these suits can be shuffled as needed.

The Module Model With lesson elements being divided into modules, the teacher can reorganize the modules in more useful ways than just 1-2-3:  A near-peer can take several “Module 2” activities from different lessons to do review work that focus on a specific non-cog skill with a student or small group;  A student can take several “Module 3” activities home for make-up work after an absence;  Etc.

The Module Model When an entire course (MMG101, for instance) is complete, teachers will be able to organize—or reorganize—the modules by staying in one unit, or by organizing them across units to focus on specific non-cog skills. When all three MMG courses—101, 201 and 301—are in place, teachers will be able to pick modules across grade levels in order to meet the needs of a variety of skill levels within their students.

What are we piloting? Mastering the Middle Grades 101 (6 th grade) Unit 3: Social Skills (7 lessons) Learning to Listen Building on My Strengths Working in Teams Asking for Help Giving Constructive Feedback What About Conflict? Keeping Calm When You’re Angry

What tech will I need? MS PowerPoint LCD Projector Internet Access Ability to access YouTube videos, etc. + speakers Adobe Acrobat Reader (if you want students to input their work for you, and not write on workbook pages ) Maybe a cellphone for text messaging Maybe a Smartboard

What will I pilot? Ideally, the entire unit—seven 45-minute lessons, or Your choice

What happens after I pilot? Survey! (We’ll get to that in a minute…)

Additional Pilot Information Friday, January 29, 2016, Pilot phase will conclude Friday, January 29, 2016, we hope all lessons have been piloted and surveys are completed by this date. We would like to acknowledge every teacher by name for your contribution to this pilot. Please make sure we have the name of your school along with your first and last name. Let us know if you do not wish to have your name printed in our thank you! Student feedback can be shared any way a teacher desires to capture it. We simply want to know what students think of the way they were taught and what they thought of the content being taught. Please complete the Participation Agreement and have your principal sign off on it ASAP!

Any questions? Contact: Howard Gradet

But enough about structure… Let’s take a look at a new lesson….

How do I get there? grades-module-prototype-2015/ Passcode: MMG2015 (all caps, no spaces)