Ten Characteristics of Life Changing Schools

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Ten Characteristics of Life Changing Schools

• By
• Pat Quinn

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Characteristic 1

• Believe that all students can learn.
• Must be motivated to rethink what it is we are
  doing to the students.
• Most students are not unmotivated, but simply
  cant make a connection to traditional classroom
  settings.
• Assist students in setting realistic, attainable
  goals sets direction and gives attention to
  achieving day by day.

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Characteristic 2

• Use innovative instructional strategies.
• Worksheet and lecture instruction are not
  enough.
• Emphasize learning rather that the grade.
• Group projects, key point study questions,
  pre-test survival cards, general topic questions.

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Characteristic 3

• Give up the time base system
• Learning should be outcome based

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Characteristic 4

• Intentional mentoring of teachers
• Established Mentoring Programs with guideline
  and reviews.
• Reduces attrition of new teachers.
• Provides recognition and initiatives for
• participating mentors.

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Characteristic 5

• Pay attention to self esteem
• Fear in the class room

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Characteristic 6

• Not bound to tradition
• Primacy
• Once you learn something a certain way, thats
  the best way.
• Recency
• Latest information on a topic is the best way.

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Characteristic 7

• Overwhelmingly positive
• Encourage student participation
• Look at glass half full not half empty

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Characteristic 8

• Understand and use Control/Choice Theory.
• Behavior is caused not by an outside stimulus,
  but by what a person wants most at any given
  time.
• Most are motivated to satisfy the following human
  needs.
• Survival
• Love (Belonging)
• Power
• Freedom
• Fun
• Align lessons and assignments with students'
  basic needs thereby giving students input and
  choice.

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Characteristic 9

• Never satisfied
• Always trying to improve the program
• Talk to others
• Actively look for new sources
• Dont be afraid to try something new

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Characteristic 10

• Change the teams
• Bring in new ideas.
• Think outside the box
• Share experiences