The Chemistry of Culture: Brain-Based Strategies for Creating a Culture of learning
Long before the COVID pandemic, Neuroscientists and Social Scientists agreed there was already a crisis of empathy in our culture, particularly among the young. What happens to a culture, or a country, when empathy declines? When we lose the ability to trust each other? And what does this mean for our schools as they move more teaching and learning online? In this session, Jim will do deep dive into his new book, The Chemistry of Culture. This session brings brain research out of the lab and into schools. You will learn how to apply brain-based strategies from principals and teachers using them. You will learn why culture is too important to be left to chance, and how a positive school culture can be built by design. You will learn that you can use these strategies to “bathe brains” in the neurochemicals needed to improve the culture of any classroom or school.
Your School Culture is Your Destiny
Your school culture is the foundation of your success! But too often it’s the biggest barrier blocking school improvement. If your school’s culture is broken you can’t change technology or teaching. An effective school culture is built on 3 things: trust, empowerment, and collaboration. ICLE Senior Advisor Jim Warford has led change at the school, district, and state level. He has inspired and helped guide many Model Schools. In this session, Jim will facilitate your reflection on specific strategies to help you create a culture where everyone can Be the Difference!
Creating a Culture of Collaborative Learning
Imagine a school where everyone comes to learn—where teachers learn from teachers, students learn from teachers and students, and administrators share the learning with everyone. A culture of learning. Welcome to W.R. Farrington High School, a 2017 Model School where teachers regularly collaborate to create and improve interdisciplinary, real-world, high-rigor lessons. Farrington’s unique culture is built on continuous learning and effective collaboration. A partner in this exciting effort, ICLE Senior Advisor Jim Warford will walk you through their inspirational journey, and share specific strategies that helped them create a culture where everyone can Be the Difference!
Principal “Learning Walks” Using ICLE’s Collaborative Instructional Review
How principals across the country are creating, modeling, and supporting a culture of collaboration by using ICLE’s Collaborative Instructional Review, or CIR. Groups of principals use the CIR rubric as a “lens” to focus on what students are producing, doing, and saying. This collaborative process allows principals and teachers to better understand what higher Rigor, Relevance, and Engagement look like in the classroom. This session will focus on how 5 districts are supporting principal “Learning Walks” with practical advice on process, tools, time, and do’s and don’ts.
Jim Warford – Today’s Students Really Are Wired Differently!
Today’s Students Really Are Wired Differently!
Today’s students live and work in a world that is being changed dramatically by technology and globalization. These same forces are changing the young people in our classrooms as well. Vivid examples will be provided of how, and why, today’s students are “wired differently” from previous generations, and what this means for our classrooms if we want all students to have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this changing world.
Flip Your Class!
“Flipping the Class” is one of the most exciting Next Practices. In a flipped class, the lecture is delivered outside class time in videos students view as homework. Class time is used to apply the lecture content in problem-solving, project-based activities, with one-to-one or small group tutoring by the teacher. Students can watch the short lectures as many times as they wish to grasp the content and come to class ready to work on collaborative projects. This session provides leading examples and the resources needed to flip your class tomorrow!
The Continuous Improvement Model: A School Turn-Around Model That Works
Jim Warford led the development and implementation of Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model, the largest and most successful school intervention process in the nation. This session features hands-on application of the proven tools and processes needed to move any school from struggling to successful. The effective use of data and strategies will be provided that schools can use to achieve the continuous improvement needed for all student subgroups to meet AYP.
Preparing Today’s Students for The Changing World of the Common Core
Today’s students will live and work in a world that is being changed dramatically by technology and globalization. These same forces are changing the young people in our classrooms as well. Vivid examples will be provided of how and why today’s students are different from previous generations and what this means for our classrooms if we want all students to meet the higher expectations of the Common Core.
Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century
Literacy is the most critical skill needed in the 21st century. As society is challenged by constantly changing technology, individuals need to read and write at higher levels than in the past. Our literacy efforts in schools must include more than the traditional emphasis on prose. Quantitative, technological, and document literacy are becoming increasingly important. This session will describe the need to intensify our literacy requirements in all three areas and share successful practices in moving all students to higher literacy levels.
Jim Warford 