Welcome to Science Bound

2008-09

Science Bound PledgeI am a Science Bound Student.I am here to succeed.I am a leader.I am proactive. I seek out opportunities and I make positive things happen.I am committed to make my success happen.This is my time.I am focused, determined, and success bound.I will accept nothing less than success.That is why I am a Science Bound student.

What are my roles as a Science Bound teacher mentor?

Brainstorm a list of roles you see yourself playing as a Science Bound teacher this year.Share your list with members of your table.Record your list on chart paper.

Expectations of Teacher Mentors

Knowing what is expected of Science Bound students (see pledge), what should students expect of you, their teacher?What should Science Bound staff (ISU) expect of you?Generate a list with your table and record on second piece of chart paper.

Your role as an advisor…What an advisor does What an advisor does not

do

Cares about and shows genuine interest in students’ lives (asks questions, generates discussion)

Worries about covering content, grading papers, or formally assessing their advisees

Monitors advisees’ academic progress and social/emotional health

Provides psychological or crisis counseling

Believes in and supports students (helps students seek out resources & challenges them)

Acts like a peer or friend

Science Bound Goal for Students

Our Goal: increase the number of diverse Iowans who pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “Nothing Less than Success”What supports are in place to ensure students can make the choice to succeed?

Supports for Students

#1 Support is their Science Bound teacher

Know studentsHold students to high expectations with constructive and timely feedbackMonitor progress through grade checksEmpower student leaders

Supports for Students

Iowa State Science Bound StaffISU student leadersISU educational and program staff

DMPS ResourcesCounselors, teachers, administration

ISU ResourcesAcademic counseling, admissions, etc

Indicators of Student Success

High attendance High degree of participation in Science Bound activitiesMaintenance of acceptable GPA (>3.0)High degree of self-advocacyCollege-prep coursework

Reflection…

Knowing the expectations for SB teachers discussed earlier, roles of an advisor, expectations for students, and indicators of students’ success…

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BALANCE EVERYTHING AND FULFILL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A SCIENCE BOUND TEACHER MENTOR?

Building a Supportive Community of Learners

The Advisory Guide Activities60 Second Interviews (in concentric circles) p. 118Find Someone Who… (like BINGO) p. 119What Do We Have in Common? p. 119Synectic Connections (critical thinking) p. 127Cultural Sharing p. 129Personal ID Cards p. 130Personal History Museum p. 130Group Resolutions p. 133

Synectic Connections

In pairs, list one item for each of the following categories:

A common household objectA living thingA sportA career

Synectic Connections - continued

Brainstorm a simile for each of the items on your list using the stems below:

A school is like a household item because…A school is like a living thing because…A school is like a sport because…A school is like a career because…

Cultural Sharing

In pairs, discuss the following questions:Where was your family born? Where did people in your family grow up?Share something that is a tradition or important event in your family.Share two values or beliefs that are really important in your family.What is something you are proud of that is part of your family or cultural heritage?

Cultural Sharing – debrief

Questions for whole group discussion after cultural sharing:

What did you have in common with your partner? As a group, how can we be sensitive to and celebrate the cultural differences that exist among us?What values or beliefs do we hold dear as a group?

Lunch Break…

Effectively Utilizing Student Leaders

Role of student leaders

Shifting responsibilities…

Goal Setting & Motivation

SMART GoalsSpecificMeasurableAttainable/AchievableRealisticTimely

Setting GoalsAction PlanningFollow Up/Progress Monitoring

Student Activity – Goal Setting

Jigsaw Articles“How Dreams Become Goals”“Creating SMART Goals”“Steps for Successful Goal Setting and Achievement”“The Top 10 Best Ideas for Setting Goals”

Everyone Read“Why Most People Will Never Reach Their Goals”

Student Activity - continued

Using template provided, set 2-4 SMART goalsAnalyze each goal to determine if it is truly a SMART goalShare one goal with a partner

Student Activity - continued

Action PlanningStudy the sample action plan providedChoose one of your SMART goalsComplete an action plan for this SMART goal to show how you will achieve itShare your action plan with a partner

Progress Monitoring

Study TablesMonitor student progress to ensure rigorous coursework and maintenance of 3.0 GPASupport system of peers (accountability!)Monitor progress toward achievement of SMART goalsProvide support for students who are struggling academically

Study Tables

Ideally 3-4 students One meeting per month devoted to study tables as a form of progress monitoringGrade checks due at study table meetingAccountability: “Study Table Progress Monitoring” (handout)

Teacher’s Role for Study Tables

Meet with students on an individual basis for a quick conversationSeek out teachers of struggling students to arrange for extra assistanceHold students accountable to the completed “Progress Monitoring” handoutCollect and review grade checks

Personal Reflection – Science Notebooks

At least two Science Bound meetings per month should include time at the end for personal reflection in science notebook

Teacher crafts reflective questions germane to the topic of that meeting & students respondGoal is to create an artifact showing students thinking, reactions, responses, etc to their Science Bound experience

Personal Reflection - Teachers

Describe how will Science Bound be different for you (as a teacher/mentor) this year than it was in 2007-08?What are two things you plan to think about further before your first Science Bound meeting this year?How will your interactions with your Science Bound students be different this year than they were in 2007-08?

Next Sessions…

September 16, 2008 - RooseveltOctober 21, 2008 - EastNovember 18, 2008 – Lincoln @ KurtzJanuary 13, 2008 – North

All sessions are from 3:30 – 5:30ish

Heartland Credit

www.aea11.k12.ia.usClick on “Professional Development Catalog” on the left side of the screenSearch using the following activity number: DR259817370901Complete the on-screen instructions for registration