To encourage dialogue and reflection about questions and the role they play in learning and growth, our question for this week is: How can asking questions help address challenges and solve problems?
Intentional Questions (Week of 2/12/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake's Guiding Lights
Our Students
Blake's Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection
Our Essential Question: How can we cultivate and curate the progression of student learning and growth?
Our Mission: Blake Middle School believes in a living mission statement, based on the concept that our community seeks and respects knowledge, integrity, character, wisdom, and the willingness to adapt to a continually evolving world.
The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning. - John Dewey
You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow. - John Dewey
It has been lovely to have the warmer temperatures (certainly much more enjoyable than the bitter cold last Saturday!) and sunlight - gives the hope that spring is not too far away - I am so glad that we have been able to have outdoor recess as of late! We had another ‘routine’ weekend (basketball for the boys) and enjoyed watching the Super Bowl on Sunday evening.
In an effort to both share and keep it brief this week (a relative challenge for me!), the two ‘shares’ below speak to examples of how questions can further learning and growth. The article provides 10 questions that can help foster resilience in students - and, they apply to adults as well. The focus of the episode from The Harvard EdCast podcast is on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IA (Intelligence Augmentation), an incredibly pertinent and relevant topic/concern for educators and schools. Over the past two months, so many questions have come up around this ‘discussion’ in education circles - and the questions are important - and, Chris Dede’s perspective offers a forward-thinking approach, path, and lens - one that will help our students grow as learners.
The Art of Talking With Children | Harvard Graduate School of Education
by Rebecca Rolland in Harvard Ed. Magazine
Resilience, defined as the ability to overcome serious hardships or bounce back from challenges, is a topic on so many parents’ and teachers’ minds, and for good reason. As the pandemic has brought challenges into the lives of so many, we’re prompted to do more to help kids persist and thrive.
As research from the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard shows, resilience accumulates from a combination of protective factors. While biological factors play a role, the most important factor is a stable, supportive relationship with a committed parent, caregiver, or other adult.
When we support kids to reflect on their challenges and emerge stronger, we shore up our relationships and build their long-term resilience…The following, discussed in my new book, The Art of Talking with Children, are top 10 questions to jumpstart conversations for resilience:
1. What can you teach me?
2. What can each of us do when we feel [mad, sad, angry, scared?]
3. What was a time when you felt scared or anxious but went forward anyway?
4. What is one activity that makes you feel “good stress,” and how can you practice it more?
5. In what places, situations, or with whom do you feel most safe, and why?
6. At what times do you feel most out of control?
7. What is your best quality, and how can you show more of it to others?
8. When you want to give up, what’s one thing you can tell yourself?
9. With a big project, how can you go about breaking it down in steps?
10. What do you need from me?
Educating in a World of Artificial Intelligence
(20 min)
Harvard's Chris Dede on how to use artificial intelligence in education.
Sampling of Responses from Last Week’s ‘Question of the Week’: What are some ways we can encourage and spread happiness for ourselves and others?
- We can be kind to others.
- Smiling, being cheerful, and friendly can make someone else's day!
- Be positive
- Finding our STRENGTHS in and out of the classroom and showing them off!
- We can help people do what makes them happy
- We can always smile to others, and be kind to others
- Smile more, allow yourself to be light.
- Being respectful, kind and understanding; live and let live
- We can respect and welcome other people's differences.
- Have people do something that they enjoy
Throughout the month I am continuing to share words to honor #BlackHistoryMonth…
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Take care.
Nat