THEMES & QUESTIONS THAT EMERGED FROM THE EXIT CARDS (scroll down for the content of the Exit Cards for each workshop)

Differentiation, Assessments, & Growth Mindset (How To)


Balancing the demands of curriculum delivery with the demands of learning acquisition (i.e. needs of the learner) (Philosophy)Brain 101: memory, stress, growth mindset… (Factual) This can be done online


Other



• methods of stress release
• Rubrics, rubrics, rubrics, PLEASE! THANK YOU!
• more on formative assessments
• types of assessments (public, group, project…)
• how to grade assessments
• Tests that involve learning, not just "assessment"
• how to balance assessment variety with school and parent demands for test (SAT/AP) prep?
• How can you provide consistent test format and also have enough different kinds of sections for different learning styles?
• assessment vs evaluation
• incorporating movement in class
• effective activities or discussions to have/do with students to shift from fixed to open mind set
• How do I tell students that we all have strengths and weaknesses without implying that there are subjects that they are "good" or "bad" at?
• How many different methods should you use in a typical lesson?
• How to fit these "methods" into time restraints of subject areas, especially US
• What specific results have people gotten using particular techniques with particular learners?
• Are there lessons/examples that are known for getting to all learners, which can be adapted
• How do we ultimately assess these students by a single standard?
• How to balance the weight of different assessments considering some skills + information are more crucial to a subject than others
• What would you do different with bilingual students? (Rich K.)
• What do you do if you are pressed for time…and you have a certain amount of material to cover.
• How do you incorporate tactile learning in advanced math.
• how do math teachers alter their teaching styles to address different learners







• How do you cover such a vast amount of material while still giving good assessments?
• how to balance assessment variety with school and parent demands for test (SAT/AP) prep?
• effective activities or discussions to have/do with students to shift from fixed to open mind set
• How do I tell students that we all have strengths and weaknesses without implying that there are subjects that they are "good" or "bad" at?
• How to balance the weight of different assessments considering some skills + information are more crucial to a subject than others
• What do you do if you are pressed for time…and you have a certain amount of material to cover.
• long term homework solutions
• to track or not to track, that is the question
• issues of single sex classes






























• methods of stress release
• What is the research on use of movement/TM & the effects it has on learning & social behavior?
• Brain gym
• incorporating movement in class
• effective activities or discussions to have/do with students to shift from fixed to open mind set
• How do I tell students that we all have strengths and weaknesses without implying that there are subjects that they are "good" or "bad" at?
• more about motivation & keeping attention
would like to learn more about the function of long and short term memory and learning
• more ways to use emotion to get students to learn
• How to make the boring meaningful
• What is the connection – or how can you make a connection between learning through multiple senses & the affective connection
• how to get from short term memory to long term memory 
 How to empower kids to help themselves; Still would like more specific ways to help ADHD kids
• How do you help student when they've checked out?
























 How to empower kids to help themselves; Still would like more specific ways to help ADHD kids
• How do you help student when they've checked out?
• How can we get advisors to make the emotional connection with their advisees?















































EXIT CARDS FROM SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 WORKSHOPS

How multitasking impacts functionalityHow multitasking impacts functionalityHow multitasking impacts functionality
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• ability decreases with age; everyone has this experience
• I do lots of things while driving
• watching the video
• I multitask a lot!
• need to see Color Purple again
• everyone has difficulty with multiple demands
• multitasking is very difficult and one task should be finished before you start another
• "self-interrupting"
• Teachers have been multitasking for hundreds of years
• Recent research provides more detail on how multitasking affects learning & memory.
• I loved everything about this workshop & we all would benefit from more information about this topic! Yay!
• I do way too many things at one time & something suffer because of it.
• Something is suffering if too much is going on at one time
• distractions
• Multitasking is difficult and will not change
• How do you get everything [could not read the rest]; try to tune out questions
• How many times to I interrupt myself…
• I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed in my attempt to multi-task.
List one question that did not get answered.

• Can we train the multitasking generation to do just one task?
• How to handle people who are overstressed by multitasking
• How to manage it [multitasking] effectively
• How students multitask
• I'd have liked to have more on the research and the implications for students as learners
• How to be more efficient at multitasking without tuning things out.
• Do different types of tasks make a difference
• how different people handle distractions
• Should one get up and walk away for 60 seconds?
• What are some activities you can to to train your brain or practice multi-tasking if there are any…
• What strategies can we employ to avoid unnecessary multi-tasking?









List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• How to get students to focus on just one task so that they retain info/skills
• I would like to see how students react [to this info]
• strategies for students?
• How to handle people who are overstressed by multitasking
• how to decrease simultaneous multiple demands
• I would like to learn more about "self-interrupting"
• Repetition to learning
• I'd have liked to have more on the research and the implications for students as learners
• How do we help the kids manage their multitasking?
• Is it better to continue multi-tasking in order to get better at it?
• Would have liked more time
• How to cope with the challenges of multi-tasking
• Alleviating stress
• How to deal with multitasking when it is not a choice but a matter of interruptions.
• Strategies to avoid multi-tasking







Designing lessons with the brain in mindDesigning lessons with the brain in mindDesigning lessons with the brain in mind
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• hearing that rote memory (repeating something many times) works (writing lines 25 times)
• affective - 1st thing we think is Can I eat it, mate with it, have I seen it before.; acting classes would be helpful!
• active learning
• Responsive Classroom in LS/MS triggers the affective system; "The professionals at RCDS are great learners."
• The ten minute attention span was a new piece of information.
• movement
• ways others have included senses or sensory integration in lessons?; great examples in each subject
• Nothing beats simply repeating, repeating, repeating…
• Do something different every 10 min to keep attention
• There is a cost for not paying attention; Learning begins wiht movement
• Every few minutes I need to refresh attention!
• Some of these principles were more applicable to lower school or upper [think the person meant to write "middle"] school, which was relieving that I felt like I do not teach with these principles in the front of my mind, but it would be interesting to further explore how they apply to upper school
• Different ways we use affective approaches to learning
• old school repetition really still works
• I have already decided to change a fifth grade computer lesson in order to get the kids moving & to get more of their senses involved before they compose a ten-sentence descriptive paragraph.

List one question that did not get answered.

• How to engage multiple senses in a calculus class
• affective learning
• What are the citations for the research on which these claims are based?
• Wasn't much about actually designing a lesson
• What is the connection – or how can you make a connection between learning through multiple senses & the affective connection
• how to get from short term memory to long term memory



















List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• I would like to do more simulations about how to tap the affective memory for different age groups.
• ways to incorporate more sensory learning in classroom
• incorporating multiple senses in teaching
• multisensory learning
• I thought the workshop was very very interesting and would like to learn more about the function of long and short term memory and learning
• How to help this generation gather balance and not multitask. Many thanks.
• would like to know more about how long term memory works
• What are the various ways in which there can be an affective connection to learning: the idea being learned, the peers, the teacher, the outcome…?
• the power of affect
• I would like more time to explore the topics related to the brain
• more ways to use emotion to get students to learn
• How to make the boring meaningful











Does gender matter? A look at gender differences and  their impact in the classroomDoes gender matter? A look at gender differences and  their impact in the classroomDoes gender matter? A look at gender differences and  their impact in the classroom
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• Out of 21 participants, only 5 were male
• Ex: If a boy does not gt math answer correct he blames it on the way the problem was presented – a girl will blame it on herself.
• Remember to provide movement activities to keep students engaged, awake.
• Allowing students to stand instead of sit
• The LS actually teach how to add/multiply using fun activities
• Hearing about single-sex classrooms can relieve some pressures (from personal experience)
• In the art portion, the difficulty to act "girlish"
• movement really does make a difference
• the reminder as to just how important movement is to learning. It gets so overlooked.
• learning about gender issues across the grades
• use game/competition to help with memorization/recall. And it's fun!
• playing dart math – putting myself in the child's place – thinking it "wasn't fair"
• boys and girls learn differently
• I thought of a fun way to play with numbers
• a couple of games, strategies
• more opportunity to incorporate movement, good for both genders
• hearing about/from the perspective of single gender teaching
• competitive activities involving math are stressful to me, so I can understand how some of my students may feel similarly
8 I bristled at being pidgeon-holed by gender, forced into an activity on that basis alone
• How "split" it becomes in HS




List one question that did not get answered.

• Why do we (as a culture) never talk about single sex higher educational opportunities for males?
• How to address elective class's needs.
• Is there room and is there a desire for single sex math and science classes at RCDS?
• Where can i read futher on the research done about gender split classrooms?
• How to handle discussions
• Is there a difference in performance when boys & girls are split up?
• didn't come in with preconceived idea of workshop so no questions unanswered
• How do we continue to try to create greater gender balance in our upper level math & science classes?
• dealing with girl's body image. I think it's a big distraction.
• I find that boys raise their hand (or not) and simultaneously blurt out. How do you allow time for girls or quieter students to think and be heard?
• only briefly did we recognize that gender is not "black and white"; What about the girl whose close friends are all boys? What about the GLTB population?
• still not clear how to reduce math/science fear in girls… will it ever be answered?
• How do I make girls feel as included as boys if a boy-centered lesson?
• I would have liked to hear more on current classroom research, particularly linking Dweck + boy/girl breakdowns on how they think about their own intelligence.
• What are some ways to help girls in a math/science class more confident without taking from the boys or girls




List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• Boys propensity to blame their mistakes on external sources rather than themselves. 
• Lesson planning
• More suitable movement activities for fifth graders.
• Holding single sex classes in math but not all the time
• Dealing with boys in humanities classes
• Is there a difference in performance when boys & girls are split up?
• more games/interactive activities
• I'd like to work on how do we continue to try to create greater gender balance in our upper level math & science classes.
• How to get girls to be more comfortable participating and excelling at sports/activities that are stereotypically male dominated.
• the best way to separate or not separate by gender
• What parts of the brain make for gender learning differences
• What about the girl whose close friends are all boys? What about the GLTB population?
• [could not read the handwriting] ?? sweet based oppor
• reaching quiet girls
• Moe on Dweck + boy/girl breakdowns on how they think about their own intelligence, as well as thinking about deconstructing what "natural" for a boy or girl to do
• Broaden the discuss to the affect on the teachers who teach the same sex class. Benefits? Rapor?










The Mind/Body Connection–helping students with motivation, attention & executive functionThe Mind/Body Connection–helping students with motivation, attention & executive functionThe Mind/Body Connection–helping students with motivation, attention & executive function
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• That 2 mins of stretching helped me to focus so it should help students
• hypersensentive to criticism
• go slowly
• grapho-motor function being at route
• that I am probably ADHD
• refocusing through relaxation



List one question that did not get answered.

• Still would like more specific ways to help ADHD kids
• handwriting struggle options
• identifying students
• getting student (child) to be self-motivated - upper school [cannot read word]
• activities - books with activities for elementary students
• more about motivation & keeping attention



List one topic about which you would like to know more.

 How to empower kids to help themselves; Still would like more specific ways to help ADHD kids
• long term homework solutions
• how go slow get done
• How do you help student when they've checked out?
• will all the Powerpoints be available thru email - we need more time on this - to do & to reflect!
• How can we get advisors to make the emotional connection with their advisees?
• more about motivation & keeping attention

How to design lessons for a variety of learnersHow to design lessons for a variety of learnersHow to design lessons for a variety of learners
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• I'd glad we are addressing these issues as a school. We need continued advice and support in these areas. Thank you!
• no reall ah-ha but fun to brainstorm
• The video – loved loved seeing the metaphor of the animals – Major ah ha moment! Awesome.
• use of familiar music as a group acitivity
• use "physical" activities
• the intro video was an "ah-ha" moment in that it nicely brought all the ideas together
• video was great
• the video was great - I wonder how often I ignore student strengths because they're the duck in the climbing class!
• Even the "weakest" student has a way to succeed…I have to do a better job of finding it
• watching the movie and realizing how many & different learners there are
• Kids are really different!
• There are some methods that will help all students understand and all types of learners can benefit from those methods
• social engineering of groups is very important
• using each kids strength to an advantage
• the "animal" idea for exploring diversity
• Use the different interests in the groups to decide the type of model to be used
• Thinking about how important presenting skills are (as opposed to writing skills)
• We can never be reminded to often of the importance of our differences - thank you!
• I forgot all about the idea of standing up when answering a question.
• stop & listen
• The relationship with animals and different children – good stuff! (Rich K.)
• I could try to do a creative demonstration by the students of a complicated process. P.S. I liked the animal video.


List one question that did not get answered.

• More resources about differentiating instruction.
• classroom techniques
• How to utilize time
• How many different methods should you use in a typical lesson?
• How do we balance honoring student strengths with developing areas of "weakness"?
• How to fit these "methods" into time restraints of subject areas, especially US
• What specific results have people gotten using particular techniques with particular learners?
• Are there lessons/examples that are known for getting to al learners, which can be adapted
• How do we ultimately assess these students by a single standard?
• How to balance the weight of different assessments considering some skills + information are more crucial to a subject than others
• enjoyed listening to multi-assessments of differences
• What would you do different with bilingual students? (Rich K.)
• What do you do if you are pressed for time…and you have a certain amount of material to cover.















List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• More resources about differentiating instruction.
• problem was time and not able to getinto the subjects – very interesting idea – just too brief
• classroom techniques
• follow-through
• Everything is interesting. Great workshop.
• Kinesthetic ideas
• Range/variety of assessment opportunities
• More activities to tie in with diversity/modern language teaching
• More about process
• More "methods" + How to manage the time.
• Techniques that others have found successful in the classroom
• Products that work for all
• more specific ideas for strategies
• Teaching diversity websites would be helpful
• How to balance the weight of different assessments considering some skills + information are more crucial to a subject than others
• Thank you - I enjoyed the workshop.
• Interdisciplinary approaches to PE and academics. (Rich K.)
• How to make your class accessible to all the different leaning styles.















Both Discussion GroupsBoth Discussion GroupsBoth Discussion Groups
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• Not all my students feel they belong fully in my class
• Learning, once again, can be joyful for anyone
• Teaching can and should be enjoyable. Think outside the box. Have fun with the students. Interesting Topic: experiential learning – acted out many subjects
• learning about how others in my group viewed the video
• Students need to read the book (6th and up)

• We all see same things across board.
• The actual definition of learning disability & how it seems to pertain to all of us in one way or another.
• We all have learning "differences"
• Everyone has differences, not just one with disabilities
• Everyone – grade appropriate – should read this book; X divisions recognize the need to expose all students to the content of the book

List one question that did not get answered.

• Finding student's strengths.
• How the brain works
• Learning disabilities – are they more prevalent than we suspect?
• How can we apply Cullum's perspective in a realistic way?
• Confidence building & risk taking in all areas

• How can we implement our students trying different methods/styles of learning.
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD READ KRISTI'S BOOK!
• Specific disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia)
• How to help all students learn more efficiently
• adapting book's concepts to all students




List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• Finding student's strengths.
• How will RCDS teachers use Kristi's book? What insights did they gain that they can apply?
• How can learning difficulties be addressed in classrooms – all classrooms?
• How to make learning differences acceptable/OK in younger grades. What language should be used with students & parents?
• How can we apply Cullum's perspective in a realistic way?
• How can we change the stigma from thinking learning disabilities equals dumb?

• Why don't we start an official study skills program for all students in US?
• How can I help students w/specific disabilities?
• How can we develop a program to help everyone?
• study skills for students


All 3 Arts WorkshopsAll 3 Arts WorkshopsAll 3 Arts Workshops
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

INTRODUCTION TO XYLOPHONE PLAYING
very not left-handed
• learning to keep beat
• when I was able to do the beat and then improvised
• It takes a lot of concentration to hold a beat!
• Gil Castagna (in general)
• Taking away extra tone bars would encourage kids, because they can't hit a "wrong" note.
• When I realized how I could be most useful to the group - by contributing my individual strength
• how to find next C octave by mark on bar
• the first time we performed, comfort level was not there.
• playing the rhythms (notes)
• all notes were a part of the chord, so we could all improvise in tune
• learning that "h" is "b" in German!
• noticing the different resonances of different instruments, & how much that affected the "feel" of the sound
• when we went around and played & improvised within 1 chord



DRAWING: TESTING AND TRUSTING YOURSELF…IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
• I enjoy putting my idea in a visual form - never really did this before
• This was much more satisfying than I expected it to be! Thanks!!
• Nice to be relaxed, stress free and able to dedicate a few minutes to myself
• The beautiful line inside surrounding the seed
• When Rick dropped the markers it served as a catalyst for me – I thought of an explosion, then drew the circuit board from an Apple computer exploding and making apple sauce
• I'm better at telling stories than at drawing.
• I want to do this more.
• No "ah-ha moment". I just felt worse about my drawing.
• I should do this more often – so calming.
• a little better than I thought
• I found out that I enjoyed using some different materials
• The whole workshop was ah-ha
• comes from the variety of works created: shows the variety of personalities
• go slow – I don't know tools/materials
• I need more time to draw
• drawing fast & messy can be fun



ACAPPELLA SINGING
• breathing is more important than pitch
• the idea that breath controls pitch
• I felt most comfortable singing alto (tenor?) when singing Twinkle, Twinkle!
• It was challenging to focus on the breathing rather than the pitch
• singing is relaxing
• When I focused on the breathing, I didn't have to think about pitch.
• Perhaps learning to sing is not as difficult as I had thought.
• relaxation made me a better singer
• singing provided a similar release as yoga – great way to refocus, re-energize
• Breathing really important - more than the notes
• confidence in singing applies confidence in other areas
• finding, on walking in at the end (!) that this is where I needed to be
List one question that did not get answered.

INTRODUCTION TO XYLOPHONE PLAYING
• get to play/learn more
• different styles of music for xylophone
• I would like to go over more chords & tunes
• I want to know more about chord structure.
• playing drums
• The different varieties of xylophones
• hearing some of Orff's music
• why multiple bars work on single resonance [not sure of next word]
• Working other notes into the progression i.e. improvisation
• reading music
• playing music in general (firsts and fifths, etc)
• learning how sharps & flats in an ensemble can be quickly substituted
• techniques of the xylophone
• xylophones. I think they're sweet and it would be fun to play one.




DRAWING: TESTING AND TRUSTING YOURSELF…IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
• get to play/learn more
• How do artists make their choices?
• More lessons in drawing
• What would happen with 100 post its?
• I liked this, but I don't quite know the purpose of the exercise.
• I need to learn more of the rhythm of 10 drawings.
• How do I draw?
• I would like to learn more about technique.
• When is there time for sharing?
• lots of fun - didn't have any questions
• How can this apply to my English classroom?
• more discussion on inner monologue
• Why are apples so darn tasty
• How can pastel drawing not be so messy?




ACAPPELLA SINGING
• other breathing exercises?
• why pitch comes easily to some and not others
• How can I increase what seems to be shallow breathing?
• Learned about singing but not acappella singing
• I didn't really come in with questions.
• How does one do the breathing without feeling light headed?
• How might I utilize music in an academic classroom?
• Can we have a faculty acapella group?
• I was wondering if music necessarily plays a role in memory eg-how to you get little kids to remember long songs if not sheets to read from?
• the connection between learning & acapella singing other than breathing
• When will you offer this again? – Please!











List one topic about which you would like to know more.

INTRODUCTION TO XYLOPHONE PLAYING
• How does this pertain to what I do?
• What was the point of this exercise?
• When it is appropriate to introduce "sharp & flat" tone bars?
• What are his other 3 [I think the next word is] inventions names?
• why multiple bars work on single resonance [not sure of next word]
• How do K-4 deal with beat and coordination?
• what ages play the Orff
• Is it too late to master an instrument?
• do we have the Orff instruments that are lowest in pitch & those that are highest
• how to play 1/8 & 1/16 notes on the xylophone! & play [not sure of word] etc
• Where can I find a cheap xylophone




DRAWING: TESTING AND TRUSTING YOURSELF…IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
• How does this pertain to what I do?
• I would like to take your class?
• Can practice really help?
• More info.
• I would like to know more about shapes & sketching.
• I want to refine my craft.
• I would like to know if there's basic drawing technique.
• I would like to learn about drawing in 3-D.
• any kind of drawing technique – light hitting an object
• I would LOVE to spend time doing this again?
• Not so much a question as a reflection – How can I use this in my class?
• More art time for everyone: students/ teachers alike.
• How do assessment?
• Does this translate into learning styles?
• Like to draw other subjects



ACAPPELLA SINGING
• more singing techniques – or breathing techniques!
• King's Singers Tour dates?
• More breathing exercises :-)
• Learned about singing but not acappella singing – & also about dealing with the crack in the voice
• like to know if I can sing
• How to bring  all the voices together in harmony (w/different groups)
• How to acquire pitch. Thank you – I truly appreciated and enjoyed your lesson.
• Using singing for memory and in an academic classroom
• How to organize group (12-16) to sing different songs
• I was wondering if music necessarily plays a role in memory eg-how to you get little kids to remember long songs if not sheets to read from?
• auditory learners










Culture in the ClassroomCulture in the ClassroomCulture in the Classroom
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• People are passionate about diversity
• I enjoyed working with a variety of colleagues
• Would love more exploration into culture at grade level/division meetings, because obriously different divisions think about this in very different ways!
• the video clips
• what encompasses our culture here at RCDS?
• some children have to change their clothes to fit into both cultures (neighborhood & RCDS)
• some students change clothes (and also possibly their mindframes/personalities) between school & home
• the video
• looking at non-Capitalist Monopoly values
• I enjoyed making a Monopoly game. Allowed me to think outside the box and think about the student I may have in my class.
• Provoke us to think like a student… Very interesting!
• How complicated it is to design culturally sensitive game
• hearing black mothers talk about expectations of dominant culture
• the mom who said her son looked "threatening" just because he's a big black guy and was having a bad day
• story about the kid changing clothes when coming/going to school
• re-affirming not to judge students by appearance or behavior e.g. just because a 9th grader is large, doesn't mean that the person inside is "mature"
• Meredith, I loved the example of kids changing clothes. That's a great point! Rich
• the fact that some kids may feel that they do not "belong" in my classroom
List one question that did not get answered.

• challenge of gearing lessons toward students? vs teachers?
• How did the moms who were interviewed resolve their concerns?
• What concrete suggestions are there to meet children where they are?
• How do you play Monopoly?
• Do ground rules help in setting up accepting culture?
• How do you play Monopoly?
• How would the students develop the game?
• Is there a way to share understanding of cultural differences & sharing of ways to reach
• What are "rules" of dominant culture of power
• how differences in interaction patterns affect achievement
• I didn't understand what actual language barrier exists that keeps minorities from learning. Can you give me an example? Rich
• How do I improve the way I identify each student's individuality?













List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• learn more about RCDS school culture
• Need more time. This was excellent but "a teaser…"
• working in groups was challenging - actually found my team not that accepting of all ideas; this was surprising and ironic given the class; it was a bit of an "ah-ha" - thanks
• This was great!!
• I would like to watch the entire video
• Do ground rules help in setting up accepting culture?
• Should have had more time to develop the game
• How to reach students of diverse backgrounds
• What are "rules" of dominant culture of power
• how to "read" different aspects of cultures in the classroom so as not to misread communication from student
• helping the student in a low economic situation – great activity!
• I would like to see strategies for dealing with different socio-economic backgrounds. Rich
• The development of this "culture of power" idea – how do we define it more













Making Math accessible for all learners & reducing math phobiaMaking Math accessible for all learners & reducing math phobiaMaking Math accessible for all learners & reducing math phobia
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• The more you practice, the better you get - and this is true physically.
• math is language based
• to have student write about their process/experience in doing the math problem
• neurons actually grow & strengthen as you practice
• that math and language are linked more than I thought
• info on brain's dendrites was fascinating
• hearing about the dendrites
• practice during class followed by practice on homework leads to greatest retention
• listening to lower school teachers talking about classrooms that are not tracked by ability and how the teachers manage that
• math facts come from language center of brain
• practice physiologically strengthens brain
• math can be one area in which students are most vulnerable for a fixed mindset
• Japanese and Chinese students have language advantage
• talk through process & find what you did right even though you got the wrong answer
• that is it physically important for children to do math homework
• need to really work on this growth mindset
• How much our thoughts and opinions affect our children
• that language & math are closely related
• the idea given in the Powerpoint of the growth vs fixed mindset
List one question that did not get answered.

• How do you incorporate tactile learning in advanced math.
• to track or not to track, that is the question
• how do math teachers alter their teaching styles to address different learners
• How do I tell students that we all have strengths and weaknesses without implying that there are subjects that they are "good" or "bad" at?
• dealing with students with language based difficulties in math
• How can we change teacher language to help kids value the process of math more & recognize how much of a wrong problem can be right?
• are there genetic factors that do affect math ability, quickness, performance, etc
• How can we help to make kids feel they can be successful in math even though they may have previously struggled













List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• Teaching math - unlearning the way you know so that you can help them find their way to know.
• How to provide varied choice in assessment
• The types of problems that directly build types of neurons that stay
• would like to learn more about math related learning disabilities
• application of info in LS math class
• wish we had time to go through all the questions
• more on fixed & growth mindsets relating to learning in math
• how the brain processes math
• effective activities or discussions to have/do with students to shift from fixed to open mind set
• would like to read about fixed vs. growth mindsets
• dealing with students with language based difficulties in math
• How can we change teacher language to help kids value the process of math more & recognize how much of a wrong problem can be right?
• How to work with a mix of abilities in same room
• visual math (like Geometry) vs rote math (like factoring) in the brain
• helping math students verbalize their responses







Assessment that accurately measure what students knowAssessment that accurately measure what students knowAssessment that accurately measure what students know
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• having experts give feedback to students - the video - architects gave feedback to students on their school design; working with a colleague on backwards planning AND assessment
• Don't just mark a question wrong!
• so many different methods used by so many different teachers
• planning good assessments takes time & thought…reminded me that I need to get back into "work" mode
• structuring tests - great ideas
• I'm thinking about how the video we watched about projects relates to the aspect of the school's mission that is college preparation - to what extent do we need to assess students in ways that they will be assessed in college?
• keep assessments the same format - Type I, II, II - great - helps with creating test
love the assessment (in the packet) where students line up in order of agreement, then #18 talks to #1, etc
• value in PE [cannot read the word]
• Do not hesitate to use real/authentic situations as part of your assessments!
• Different types of assessment - Type I, II, III
• no references given







List one question that did not get answered.

• Could RCDS lead the Fairchester schools to abandon the College Board and its control over our education?
• How do you cover such a vast amount of material while still giving good assessments?
• would like to know more about project assessments
• no time to go over our examples – curious what others came up with
• how to balance assessment variety with school and parent demands for test (SAT/AP) prep?
• applicability to a frequently [cannot read word] subject
• How can you provide consistent test format and also have enough different kinds of sections for different learning styles?
• assessment vs evaluation
















List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• Rubrics, rubrics, rubrics, PLEASE! THANK YOU!
• more on formative assessments
• I would like more guidance in ways to individually assess members of a group. In RCDS environment, grading is essentially competitive and yet many assessments are cooperative…I need guidance through these contrasting values.
• How do we design compelling assessments when 2 other teachers are teaching the same class?
• explore various methods beside writing – acting out "climax" of story, exposition, etc.
• want to explore more "public" assessments w/a larger audience
• grading assessments
• rubric
• more time to discuss ideas with others in same subject
• [cannot read words]
• Tests that involve learning, not just "assessment"
• Not answering the three questions, but anyway…enjoyed this opportunity to see and discuss various types of assessment. Got me thinking and wanting to do/learn more.
• Once again, time constraints keep the depth of workshop from being more valuable. Also, size was too large for real exchange. Topic is great.
• Handout looks like it will be helpful to refresh some of my practice. Thanks.
• want specific information on how to assess group projects and /or role playing.
• Where is RCDS going with this?
• How to do a performance assessment/What is the rubric?

Stress and Learning – there is a relationship!Stress and Learning – there is a relationship!Stress and Learning – there is a relationship!
List an Ah-ha moment that you had.

• Why couldn't we try trans. meditation w/sixth graders right after their snack?
• brain gym – yoga – TM as stress reliever in the academic setting
• how the simple finger hook was to show/free the stress & release
• Exercise & Meditation is just as important to stress reduction for children as adults. Lots of great strategies were given!
• I learned about relaxation breathing, tense & release head to toe, read passage
• stress can inhibit learning/growth/immune system
• meditation
• Natake meditation - great! We could easily use Quiet Time in the classroom
• Yay, Mitzi 7 brooke! Great job! I wish everyone could hear this workshop!!
• How cortisol & stress prevent learning
• stress relaxation exercises help kids. TM!
• How long stress hormones can linger
• other teachers feel as I do
• even our youngest students experience stress
• some of activities I find stress inducing for ME - fun but not necessarily reading kids for learn
• Reminder of how stress affects whole body
• ability to teach relaxation and use during traditional
• idea of TM in class
• actually I had heard most of these ideas
• I like the brain gym ideas
• TM sounds like a great idea!


List one question that did not get answered.

• What is necessary in terms of teacher prep in order to lead kids in meditation?
• like to study brain gym - yoga - TM as stress reliever in the academic setting
• What are other ways to relieve stress in the classroom? More specific strategies.
• Figuring out what strategies work best w/"which students"
• Figuring out when to use these methods
• Meditation for kids; incorporating movement in class
• More easy ways to incorporate "stress relievers" in the classroom
• How much does my class help/hurt?
• What are ways we can help students deal with the stress related to the college process?
• As faculty, will we have opportunity to do/learn some relaxation activities together
• What are the 5 calming steps?
• We should do meditation as a school













List one topic about which you would like to know more.

• TM for middle school students
• like to study brain gym - yoga - TM as stress reliever in the academic setting
• What is the research on use of movement/TM & the effects it has on learning & social behavior?
• Brain gym
• More strategies to reduce stress!
• know more about classroom techniques
• specifics
• classroom strategies
• How do you get this to happen in current classrooms?
• More easy ways to incorporate "stress relievers" in the classroom
• the Brain Gym
• more techniques to help kids (RE: the college process)
• Thank you for resource list!
• I appreciate resources to learn further
• Loved the stress breaking concrete activities & would like to know more of them
• methods of stress release
• Give examples of how people use these techniques