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Focus Groups include participants with specific insights and expertise to guide specific components of the planning, design and implementation of the new school. These groups will be engaged as necessary at key times throughout the school planning and design process. Within a given Focus Group, topics and discussions will evolve with the progression of the design. For example, teachers’ input may begin with discussions about anticipated activities and the number, types and size of spaces required. Input will evolve into discussions about items such as furniture, color and electrical outlets as more detail is required. The guiding principles will ensure responsive decision-making throughout the discussions.
In preparation, participants are asked to come prepared to discuss: 3 IDEAS for TEACHING & LEARNING that may be NEW in the new school 3 IDEAS for ARRANGEMENT OF SPACE/ that may be NEW in the new school 3 REALLY IMPORTANT DETAILS TO REMEMBER to do in planning the new school 3 NAMES OF COLLEAGUES (not in my dep't) who I should coordinate with about my idea(s)
In addition, participants are asked to review the “Sidebar” activity.
The following resources are recommended: Fundamentals for Student Success in the Middle Grades (presentation) http://www.nmsa.org/Advocacy/AdvocacyToolstoUse/FundamentalsPresentation/tabid/793/Default.aspx NMSA Research Summary: Young Adolescents' Developmental Characteristics http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/DevelopmentalCharacteristics/tabid/1414/Default.aspx NMSA Research Summary: Characteristics of Exemplary Schools for Young Adolescents http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/ExemplarySchools/tabid/256/Default.aspx "The Top 100 Lamest Excuses for Not Innovating" http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2008/04/the_top_100_lam.shtml
SCHEDULE & AGENDAS 9:30 – 10:00 Physical Education Role(s), programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior spaces Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
10:00 – 10:45 6th grade team Overview, role/purpose(s) – why teams? What’s unique about 6th grade? Team structure – what’s on-team & off-team Programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior spaces Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
10:45 – 11:30 Reading Room Role, programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior connections Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
11:30 – 12:00 Office/Nurse Role, function & activities Staffing Access, supervision, security Collaboration strategies Space needs Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
1:00 – 1:30 Explore department (art, music, etc) Roles, programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior connections Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
1:30 – 2:15 8th grade team Overview, role/purpose(s) – why teams? What’s unique about 8th grade? Team structure – what’s on-team & off-team Programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior spaces Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
2:15 – 2:45 Food service staff Quantitative info (meals served, deliveries, etc) Nutrition goals, functions & activities Equipment & space needs Access, deliveries, security Operational & custodial Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
2:45 – 3:30 7th grade team Overview, role/purpose(s) – why teams? What’s unique about 7th grade? Team structure – what’s on-team & off-team Programs & activities Collaboration strategies Student spaces Teacher/staff/support spaces Exterior spaces Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
3:30 – 4:00 Admin team OVERVIEW (summary of previous focus group input) Quantitative Information Role, function/activities Space needs Big Ideas/Tiny Ideas
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Focus Group Worksession Level 1: Activities & Needs June 3, 2008 |
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Established: May 2008
c 2008, all rights reserved. |
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SIDEBAR
Idea Champion, Mitchell Ditkoff, says that the origin of innovation is fascination -- the state of being intensely interested in something. Enchanted. Captivated. Spellbound. Absorbed. What kids are good at.
A person who is fascinated does not need to be motivated... or managed... or "incentivized." All that person needs is time, some resources, meaningful collaboration, and periodic reality checks from someone who understands what fascination is all about.
If you, or the people around you, are not currently in a state of fascination about your work it's time to turn things around.
THE SEED OF FASCINATION
1. On a piece of paper, create three parallel headlines -- "What Fascinates Me," "People I Admire," and "What I Would Do If I Had More Time or Knew I Couldn't Fail."
2. Jot down at least TEN responses beneath each headline.
3. Look for intriguing, new connections between your responses. Any insights? New possibilities? Ahas?
4. Now, think about ways you might incorporate these new insights or possibilities into your work life (while staying open to the idea that your School/District is capable of changing and growing).
5. Jot down your new ideas.
6. Circle your three favorite ideas and brainstorm them with a friend. Then pitch anyone who's influence can help you launch your ideas for how to bring more fascinating projects into your work life. |