1. Daniel G. Green Educational Leadership, vol.63 NO. 7 Summarized by Tim Kern Ed522 School Curriculum

2.  In this case, a set up of 4 “social units”  Cross age, ability, and ethnicities  Maintain regular schedules during the day  Use the houses for social and academic contests  Comprised of students and staff

3.  Goleta, California  Approximately 900 7 th and 8 th graders  50% White  40% Hispanic  26% eligible for free lunch  230 students and 17 staff per house

4.  To foster school community  Increase student participation in school  Develop citizenship skills  Stronger relationships with staff and other students  Improved school climate

5.  Points awarded at house competitions  Winning contests  History jeopardy  Spelling bees  Etc.  Winning activities  Tug of war  Kickball games  Social not academic  But they give points for good grades?  Points for “trying”

6.  Selected 8 th graders meet in committee  Chose lunch time competitions  Staff advises  7 th graders brought in towards end of year as interns

7.  Stronger school community  50% drop off in suspensions  Fewer fights and bullying  Overall atmosphere is more upbeat

8.  Sounds great …but really?  Time for this?  Drop in suspensions…different classes?  Fostering “us against them” mentality?  At Tunk.  In houses for all classes  Very bitter  Teachers worse than kids  To be fair, no contest or rewards either