1. IASCD Curriculum Leadership Development Network Facilitation Strand

2. Icebreaker- Getting to know each other Activity: Facilitate introductions and warm up for our two days together. Activity: Facilitate introductions and warm up for our two days together. Topics: sharing personal and professional background, anticipated job responsibilities Topics: sharing personal and professional background, anticipated job responsibilities

3. Pop-Ups When starting to warm up a group it’s helpful to find out what everyone has in common When starting to warm up a group it’s helpful to find out what everyone has in common Pick topics that are non- threatening and fun to start Pick topics that are non- threatening and fun to start Then assess knowledge in the field you will be working in..i.e.curriculum, instruction, assessment Then assess knowledge in the field you will be working in..i.e.curriculum, instruction, assessment

4. Communication is Key! “How would you rate yourself as a communicator?” “Are you able to present your vision in a way that motivates others and is understandable?” “Would you want to sit in a meeting facilitated by yourself?” “Do you think others would say the same thing?”

5. Inside/Outside Circle Sometimes changing the structure of the group and the environment allows people to loosen up and interact Sometimes changing the structure of the group and the environment allows people to loosen up and interact Pick topics of common interest starting with personal topics then work into job related topics Pick topics of common interest starting with personal topics then work into job related topics

6. Active Listening and Paraphrasing Activity: Top 3 needs you’d like to see addressed over our year together, expectations for our time together Activity: Top 3 needs you’d like to see addressed over our year together, expectations for our time together “Active, effective listening is a habit as well as the foundation of effective communication.” “Active, effective listening is a habit as well as the foundation of effective communication.”

7. Effective communication: Be honest & clear Be honest & clear Actively listen Actively listen Establish a sharing atmosphere Establish a sharing atmosphere Use cadres- for seating, discussion, planning, brainstorming Use cadres- for seating, discussion, planning, brainstorming Explore how others tackle a similar issue Explore how others tackle a similar issue Set goals and timelines Set goals and timelines Follow-up & report back Follow-up & report back Send minutes after the meeting ends Send minutes after the meeting ends

8. Checking for Understanding Active listening: eye contact, questioning, nodding head Active listening: eye contact, questioning, nodding head Participants’ body language Participants’ body language Dialogue Dialogue Products: participants complete a task Products: participants complete a task Q & A Q & A Plus-Delta charts Plus-Delta charts Post-it Parking Lot (comments written on post-its and placed on the wall) Post-it Parking Lot (comments written on post-its and placed on the wall) Break-out groups and feedback Break-out groups and feedback Surveys Surveys Focus groups Focus groups

9. Facilitating for Problem Solving How will you work with groups to identify problems and build solutions? How will you work with groups to identify problems and build solutions? Using process tools for facilitation is a must skill Using process tools for facilitation is a must skill Where do you begin? Where do you begin?

10. Cause and Effect The Fishbone diagram can be used to analysis the problem and the effects and causes that contribute to it. The Fishbone diagram can be used to analysis the problem and the effects and causes that contribute to it. Brainstorm with the group potential causes of problems or issues in an orderly way so you can get at the root causes of it. Brainstorm with the group potential causes of problems or issues in an orderly way so you can get at the root causes of it.

11. Process Tool –The Fishbone At your table, discuss a topic that might be a mutual problem at your school that you will have to address. At your table, discuss a topic that might be a mutual problem at your school that you will have to address. Draw the fishbone diagram, list the problem/issue to be studied in the “head of the fish” Draw the fishbone diagram, list the problem/issue to be studied in the “head of the fish” Determine major categories which are factors that affect the probem Determine major categories which are factors that affect the probem

12. Determining Causes Work to reach consensus as to the most likely causes of the problem. Work to reach consensus as to the most likely causes of the problem. Begin to brainstorm ways to eliminate the causes to bring about a solution. Begin to brainstorm ways to eliminate the causes to bring about a solution.

13. In What Ways Can a Group Reach a Decision? Majority rules: voting Majority rules: voting Unanimous decision reached Dictated decisions (top- down approach) CONSENSUS What method worked for you?

14. What is a Consensus? Each person in the group is heard and understood by the others AND Each person is able to live with the decision or solution AND Each person is willing to commit to his/her role in carrying out the decision or implementing the solution

15. Consensus Building… Requires time, listening, acknowledgement of ideas, and trust!

16. Pick your facilitation Tool At your table, use the “Tool Box” to choose a facilitation tool that you would like to share At your table, use the “Tool Box” to choose a facilitation tool that you would like to share Plan how you will demonstrate the tool with the group. Plan how you will demonstrate the tool with the group. Within 5 minutes, model the tool and possible uses as a curriculum leader. Within 5 minutes, model the tool and possible uses as a curriculum leader.

17. Take Aways What will you take away from this session? What will you take away from this session? How will you use the strategies discussed/demonstrated? How will you use the strategies discussed/demonstrated? “ The secret to being a good facilitator is to know the purpose, know the stakeholders, and plan for a process that is fun, engaging, and leaves the group feeling that time was well spent.” “ The secret to being a good facilitator is to know the purpose, know the stakeholders, and plan for a process that is fun, engaging, and leaves the group feeling that time was well spent.”

18. Resources Holcomb, E. 2001. Asking the Right Questions. Corwin Press, CA. Holcomb, E. 2001. Asking the Right Questions. Corwin Press, CA. Jensen,E.1998. Sizzle and Substance, Jensen,E.1998. Sizzle and Substance, Presenting With the Brain in Mind, The Brain Store, CA Presenting With the Brain in Mind, The Brain Store, CA Schwarz, R. 1994. The Skilled Facilitator, Jossey-Bass, CA Schwarz, R. 1994. The Skilled Facilitator, Jossey-Bass, CA Wilkinson, M. 2004. The Secrets of Facilitation, Jossey-Bass, CA Wilkinson, M. 2004. The Secrets of Facilitation, Jossey-Bass, CA Resources for Facilitators www.managementhelp.org Resources for Facilitators www.managementhelp.org www.managementhelp.org