Sometimes we think the perfect thinking routine creates a culture of thinkers. In actuality, we are learning that great teaching and learning happens best in an environment where all cultural forces are fostered. Check out this video from The Teaching Channel to see a perfect example of the cultural forces at play in a high school classroom.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/high-school-literature-lesson-plan

Keys to success?

Keys to success? Grit, a willingness to fail, and a growth mindset...

http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit

I saw this video and thought of our staff and our great conversations last week during our PD day... 

She mentions a growth mindset- which is such a big component of creating a culture of thinking and after Jim's encouraging words about learning from failure- this TED talk seemed just perfect. 

Promoting Powerful Language in the Classroom

Last week, the Scotch staff focused on the cultural force of language. Thank you to Loren and Kelli for leading the staff through this important discussion! 

Staff members used the Generate, Sort, Connect routine to guide their learning. First, teachers generated on sticky notes the language that they hope to hear and use in their classrooms. Next, grade level PLCs worked together to sort the sticky notes by the 6 categories of language: community, identity, noticing & naming, agency, knowing, and feedback & praise. After reflecting as a PLC and walking around to read the ideas of others, individuals reflected on their own personal use of effective and powerful language in the classroom.

Our Cultures of Thinking Journey

During our last PD session with Ron, our CoT team had time to reflect on our "journey" with creating a Culture of Thinking. 

Once upon a time, in 2008, the Scotch School staff read the book The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner. We were inspired and motivated by Wagner's ideas of changing schools with the changing times and closing the achievement gap between schools. His thesis introduced the "Seven Survival Skills"- the skills he deems necessary for success in the twenty-first century workplace. We were hooked and wanted our students to have these skills to be strong problem solvers and critical thinkers but we found ourselves asking, "how?"

In September of 2011, we found our answer. Four Scotch teachers and the principal attended the first in a series of PD sessions with Ron Ritchhart on creating a culture of thinkers. We had no idea what to expect that first day... we didn't even have the book yet... but we were hooked. We quickly wanted to bring the visible thinking framework to Scotch. Throughout the year, we began to try routines and share our excitement with anyone would listen. Slowly, there was a "buzz" about visible thinking and the changes we were beginning to see in our classrooms and the conversations we were hearing from our students because of our focus on powerful language in the classroom. We also visited Way Elementary in Bloomfield Hills, a school that has embraced the Visible Thinking framework. In the spring of 2012, our Cultures of Thinking leadership team expanded to 12 and the team attended a week-long session with Ron Ritchhart in the summer and visited Way Elementary again in the fall. 

During the 2012-2013 school year, there was a greater buzz around visible thinking and the leadership team began sharing more with PLCs, the PTO, and with the whole staff during PD sessions. The team took it one step further and began sharing at the district level with others teachers, the Parent Communication Network, the Teaching & Learning Community, school board members, the school improvement team and Roosevelt Elementary. The leadership team met monthly to share artifacts, reflect, and continue our plan to spread the culture. We were beginning to see and hear a difference as we walked the halls at Scotch.

At the start of the 2013-2014 school, we began feel a momentum change with Cultures of Thinking, as there were many changes to our staff. We were faced with the struggle of moving the current staff members along while trying to introduce the cultural forces and routines to our new staff members. We devoted the first half of the school year to spreading the culture once again and the staff did a book study of Making Thinking Visible.

Now, in March of 2014, our journey is continuing and we have made great gains. Teachers all over the building are trying routines, planning units of study that incorporate visible thinking, and shifting the language in the classroom to promote a culture of learners and thinkers. 

Focus on one thinking routine and keep trying it!

Each PLC has been asked to focus on a thinking routine to try multiple times in your classroom.  The goal is to become more comfortable with the routine and encourage deeper thinking from your students.  If you feel comfortable, please post your artifacts on your grade level page with a reflection about how the routine went ... How did you feel it went? What did you notice about your student's thinking?  What surprised you?  What would you do differently?  How will the routine guide your instruction?

Time

Time, it's one of the very important 8 Cultural Forces that shape our classrooms.  As a cultural force, it is directed toward thinking by "allocating time for thinking by providing time for exploring topics more in depth as well as time to formulate thoughtful responses".  We are often torn between spending the extra time to explore topics/ideas more deeply and moving on so that the curriculum is "covered".  That is why I was so impressed by the reflections shared around the student artifacts that were presented at our meeting this week.  More than once I heard mentioned that the routine took time but the interactions among students were rich and thoughtful.  Lauren said it best, "I felt this was more valuable than anything else I could have done that day".  Congratulations to all of you for taking on the work of CoT and understanding how powerful the routines can be!  This initiative truly matches our district mission to "Educate students to be their best in and for the world".