1. Date and Reflection

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NVi7nwQ1MOZMWOD2_98brPf5GLSaBQzj

The Partner Skill Acronym is helpful:

Sound is pleasant
Expression is pleasant
Eye Contact

(Note: I'm amazed in today's culture how important this SEE acronym is as many students do no use eye contact as we have become accustomed to looking down at electronic devices. Also looking and sounding pleasant is very inviting for everyone to participate.)

Think
Explain you idea
Link ideas
Let the class know

I was familiar with the process of Think-Pair-Share, but the TELL acronym provides a little more guidance for this process.

4/24/18
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t2jTzNWcTWILnclOiarFGJ4iXikjODud/view?usp=sharing

Our table divided the lessons.  I looked at Lesson 5:  The Support Skill.

The lesson is explicit and supportive for students, using the SEE steps and guiding students through what being supportive sounds and looks like, as well as when to use this skill appropriately.  It includes guided practice, partner work and feedback.  Our team shared out each of the lessons and we saw how each lesson builds on the previous.  This would be a supportive module to build community in a classroom and lay the foundation for productive group work in a learning community.  I believe all classrooms would benefit by engaging in this work at the start of a school year.  

I particularly loved the Kindness Log from Lesson 6 which encourages and makes visible small acts of kindness that happen throughout the day.

A draft of the activity that we did together at the table during the session:
Design a Skill Activity – First Draft 4/24/18 Name of the Social Skill:
Life Lesson: Working with partners we don’t get along with.  
Definition:  Productively functioning with peers you may not have a positive relationship with.  
Rational: This will help you in future relationships.  
Situations where the skill could be used: ·        School setting ·        Work setting ·        Family setting  
Skill Steps:
Communicate openly
Opposite views accepted
Positive mindset
Express cooperation

Date: April 24, 2018

Talking Together: Group 3, Lesson 3 Respect.  Discussed what a sample lesson would look like with group members.  Went through the "At a Glance" and "Play by Play" with group members, discussed lesson outline/steps, benefits and challenges of the lesson. 

Reflection: Building a community is one of the most beneficial things that we can do as teachers.  It is extremely important to create a safe-space where students feel like they are apart of the community, respected and their opinions are valid and appreciated.  Incorporating this work into the classroom is important so that all students feel as though the space in which they work is a safe space. 

Attended professional development sessions in Harrisburg, PA. Broke into small groups and each taught a portion of the strategy using a jig-saw method. 

Patty Graner and Diane Gillam were the trainers for the Talking Together training at PaTTAN Harrisburg on 4/24/2018. 

The jigsaw activity was a creative and fun way to go over the lessons in the book.

Sue Vernon presented the Talking Together research and program at PATTAN Harrisburg on April 24,2018