The Continuous Improvement Classroom Class Meetings

The Continuous Improvement Classroom Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom and student measurable goals Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

What do you think Class Meetings are? -What happens in a class meeting? -What’s the purpose? Some information in this presentation is derived from the following resource: Styles's book, Class Meetings: Building Leadership, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills in the Respectful Classroom, is available from Pembroke Publishing and in educational stores. Copies also can be obtained by contacting donnastyles@hotmail.com. A video, "Bridgette: The Power of Class Meetings," published by the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, is also available. The video, which features Styles' class in action, can be purchased for $10 (Canadian) by contacting educ2@sd83.bc.ca.

What Are Class Meetings? Led and facilitated by students (rotation) Use customer input tools to guide discussions (plus/delta, quality quadrant, etc.) Issues and concerns are discussed by students (focus on problem solving- RX) Praise and “Kudos” are given to recognize progress toward mission and class goals (refer to the Classroom Data Center)

Practices For Class Meetings Stay focused on progress toward class mission and goals (use the classroom data center as the key information resource for the classroom) Keep a positive focus on continuous improvement Use meetings to involve the students and allow them to take ownership of the classroom

Class Meetings Information Packet Worksheet A

Customer Feedback Tools!

What I enjoy about CI is the plus delta chart because I have never been able to tell my teacher what could stay and what could change about class. It really gives me a chance to speak my mind. 5th Grade Student

Customer Feedback Tools!

Customer Feedback Tools!

I hope every kid gets to experience CI because it is just amazing what you can learn. Kids need social skills to give them more opportunities for jobs. If they want to run for president, they need social skills. If they want to be a lawyer, teacher, speaker or author, they need social skills. CI gives kids social skills they need to have to be one of those. CI is everything a child needs. -5th Grade Student

Other Customer Feedback Tools! Worksheets B, C & D

Table Time! Planning for classroom feedback What approach, process or tools will you use to seek feedback and input from your customers? Students Parents Who else?

Keeping it Alive and Well!

Quality “Rap” QUIET AT APPROPRIATE TIMES If you want to be sublime. USE ACCEPTABLE VOICES To help you make good choices. ACT RESPONSIBLY It’s good for you and good for me. LISTEN WITH EARS, EYES AND NOT MOUTH In the east, west, north and south. IN EVERY WAY TRY YOUR BEST Give it your all and never rest. TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT That’s our main aspect. YOUR HANDS AND FEET KEEP TO YOURSELF Then we’ll be good like everyone else.

“QUALITY” Students “QUALITY” student- She is wearing the quality student sign. Irene is the “QUALITY” mascot!

Continuous Improvement in Action Each morning 5th grade students read the daily announcements. During this time they recite the school Mission Statement The announcements end with an inspirational “QUALITY” message

Building Community in the Classroom Class Meetings Building Community in the Classroom

Class meetings usually serve one or more of the following purposes: To plan and make decisions, to “check in” To solve problems or raise awareness

Their versatility makes them a valuable classroom management tool-one that helps students actively contribute to their academic and social learning.

Why Have Class Meetings Kids are involved in decisions making A forum for students to voice and directly effect how they want their class to be Creates a climate of trust and respect between students and teachers Builds self esteem by having students involved in decisions that affect their world

Kids develop a sense of responsibility for their actions Enhances speaking, listening, leadership skills. A forum for students to support each other Students take charge of their own learning

What is an Effective Class Meeting? Teacher “shares the control” with students by letting them help set the agenda Focus is always on school, not home Students do most of the talking (teacher as facilitator) Teacher teaches students to listen to and respect each others’ ideas

Ways to Begin Meetings Explain purpose of the meetings Talk about student’s hopes for the meeting Record student ideas Engage students’ personal experiences Introduce vocabulary or concepts

Remind students of earlier meeting results or topics Read a related story

Ways to End Meetings Post a list and ask students to keep thinking about it Synthesize what the ideas mean Preview the next meeting Reflect on the meeting – process, results, learnings Ask for volunteers to create a document about what you did

Class Meeting Notes

I believe continuous improvement is a great method, and I hope many more districts agree to have this in their classes. 5th Grade Student

Establish a timeline for completing activities Celebrate what you have accomplished Add final observations

Articles- Day 3: Class Meetings Retrieved online (10-2-07) http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev012.shtml Read the article Discuss with your table Styles's book, Class Meetings: Building Leadership, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills in the Respectful Classroom, is available from Pembroke Publishing and in educational stores. Copies also can be obtained by contacting donnastyles@hotmail.com. A video, "Bridgette: The Power of Class Meetings," published by the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, is also available. The video, which features Styles' class in action, can be purchased for $10 (Canadian) by contacting educ2@sd83.bc.ca.

How Will You Implement Class Meetings? At your table, describe your thoughts about class meetings and what it could look like in your classroom How will you get started? What will be the agenda for your class meetings? How will you use class meetings to: Review your SMART goals, Mission, Data/Progress, Ground rules, etc…?

Try it Out! Conduct a “table” meeting with your group. Apply the techniques you just learned about class meetings and conduct a “table” meeting Assign a facilitator Discuss progress toward goals, mission Review data in your data center as discussion points Focus on continuous improvement!

Table Meeting Agenda Utilize your table data center Review table mission statement Review table ground rules Conduct a review of progress toward your table SMART goal(s) Suggestions for improvement to meet table SMART goals? Other discussions related to mission & goals Close meeting- recap action items

What is your plan to implement class meetings? Journal Writing… What is your plan to implement class meetings? Worksheet H