A learning community is “...an environment that fosters mutual cooperation, emotional support, and personal growth as (people) work together to achieve what they cannot accomplish alone.” DuFour and Eaker

CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEARNING COMMUNITY ALWAYS PRESENT Trust, tolerance shown Fairness, respect shown Everyone belongs Everyone is valued Everyone has a voice Support, help, and encouragement offered Feels safe Everyone participates NEVER PRESENT Putdowns, teasing Lying, not listening Arguing, interrupting Leaving people out Laughing AT others Cheating, meanness Rudeness, shaming Some not doing their share

What are the SCORE Skills? S hare Ideas C ompliment Others O ffer Help or Encouragement R ecommend Changes Nicely E xercise Self-Control

Why teach the SCORE Skills? To participate as productive, effective members of a team. To interact in socially appropriate ways. To establish & maintain positive relationships with their peers.

Possible Selves

A Possible Selves Solution Possible Selves are ideas about what one might become in the future (Markus & Nurius, 1986) One’s vision of the future is motivating Future vision includes: –Hoped for selves –Expected selves –Feared selves

Possible Selves Lessons Working How am I doing? Planning How do I get there? Reflecting What can I be? Sketching What am I like? Thinking Who am I? Discovering What are my interests? “ The Dream ”

LESSON 3: THINKING Section 2 Define Hope, Expectation, Fear pp Conduct the Interview –What words or phrases best describe you as a …? –What do you hope to achieve as a …? –What do you expect to achieve as a …? –What do you fear as a …? Student/Teacher/Counselor Analysis

POSSIBLE SELVES INTERVIEW 1. What statements or words best Describe you as an athlete? (or other strength area- worker, computer game player, friend) 2. What statements or words best Describe you as an learner? 3. What statements or words best Describe you as an person? 4. What do you Hope to achieve as an athlete? (or other strength area) 5. What do you Hope to achieve as a learner? 6. What do you Hope to achieve as an person? 7. What do you Expect to achieve as an athlete? (or other strength area) 8. What do you Expect to achieve as a learner? 9. What do you Expect to achieve as an person? 10. What do you Fear as an athlete? (or other strength area) 11. What do you Fear as a learner? 12. What do you Fear as an person?

POSSIBLE SELVES MAP ATHLETELEARNERPERSON Q1 DescribeQ2 DescribeQ3 Describe I’m hard working, Coachable. I want to be first in whatever I do. Hustles. Perfectionist. Really exact in what I do. Proud to be here. People look up to me because I’m here. I’m also hard working in academics. Work hard on what I need to do. I wish I had more time on my hands to work on studies. I’d like to stay ahead. Always seem to get a little behind with my studies. I need more time. I’m a homeboy. A big family person. Most important things are family and friends. Very tight with my brother. Very caring. Sensitive to people’s needs. Everybody’s friend Black or White. (Question)

LESSON 4: SKETCHING… Create a Possible Selves Tree (e.g., pp. 93,94,95) Questionnaire Highlights Form (p.28) Based on the Interview –Draw the tree trunk and 3 limbs w/labels –Draw HOPE and EXPECTATION branches/leaves –Draw the root system for the tree (DESCRIBE) –Draw the FEAR/THREATS to the tree Stand back and evaluate PS Manual p. 27

Lesson 5: REFLECTING Goal: to identify goals that strengthen and support growth of the “Tree” (p. 36) Where are most branches, hopeful words? Where are fewest branches, hopeful words? Which limb needs strengthening? List 3 goals that will help do this. Prioritize these goals

Lesson 6: PLANNING Goal: Develop action plans –Select a goal and hope –Identify action steps that lead to goal attainment PS Manual p. 45

My Action Plan The Hope The Goal The Tasks My hope is to become a certified diesel technician I will graduate from Gates Technology School by May Step 1 Step 4 Step 3 Step 2 Step 5 Determine what course I Determine what I need to do to get into Tech school- H.S. diploma?? Put together a graduation plan. Pass all my classes with a gpa of 2.75 Attend class regularly. Set up tutoring with the After School Prog for math and English. Improve my basic algebra skills with a Strategic Tutor. Improve my textbook reading skills with a Strategic Tutor.

Self- Advocacy

The “Share” Behaviors SSit up straight HHave a pleasant tone of voice A Activate your thinking  Tell yourself to pay attention  Tell yourself to participate  Tell yourself to to compare ideas R Relax  Don’t look uptight  Tell yourself to stay calm EEngage in eye communication

The Steps of the Self- Advocacy Strategy Step 1:Inventory your  strengths  areas to improve or learn  goals  choices for learning or accommodations Step 2:Provide your inventory information Step 3:Listen and respond Step 4:Ask questions Step 5:Name your goals

I Plan Step 1:Inventory your  strengths  areas to improve or learn  goals  choices for learning or accommodations WHEN:Before the conference. HOW:1. Think about the inventory areas. 2. Complete the Worksheet. 3. Make your Inventory.

I Plan Step 2:Provide your inventory information When: The discussion centers on your  strengths  areas to improve or learn  goals  choices for learning or accommodations How: 1. Use the “Share” Behaviors 2. Use you Inventory 3. Make complete statements

I PLAN Step 3:Listen and respond WHEN:Listen when:  someone is making a statement  someone is asking you a question. Respond when:  someone asks you a question  you have information to add. HOW:1. Be an active listener.  Use head nods  Paraphrase to yourself  Ask yourself questions 2. Use the “Share” Behaviors 3. Use your Inventory 4. Use positive statements 5. Negotiate agreement

I PLAN Step 4:Ask questions WHEN: You need information You don’t understand what people are saying HOW:1. Use the “SHARE” Behaviors 2. Begin questions with: “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Why,” “Where,” “Why,” “Which,” or “How.” 3. Ask complete questions. 4. Ask one question at a time.

I PLAN Step 5:Name your goals WHEN: Near the end of the conference. HOW:1. Use the “SHARE” Behaviors 2. For each goal tell: »What you want to do. »When you want to complete it.