It's Time for a New Year: We're Back to the Wonderful Work of School!

Seasons change, peaches and swim trunks disappear, and our days once again fill up with the smell of new crayons and the sounds of slamming lockers and marching drums. Our new year begins.

We, at Region 7 ESC, are excited for what the new year brings as a new season and cycle for learning begins.  Amber Johnston, ELA Specialist with R7, says it well in the Essential 7 blog this week:

"In visiting with teachers across Region 7, it is so exciting to hear about all of the wonderful things that you have planned for the upcoming year. Countless hours have been spent preparing for students’ arrival. Many days have been spent in training and perfecting your craft.

Classrooms have been transformed into warm learning environments. Ideas have been researched to reach even the most reluctant learner. Many hours have been spent of your summer, making sure that each and every student knows how special they are! We want you to know how much you are appreciated."  Read more, and subscribe to get updates, from Amber Johnston. .

As instructional leaders, you are and will be constantly coaching your teachers on how to learn new content.  

Some of the best practices may be counter-intuitive.  Quiz yourself on how good you are at understanding the ART of LEARNING.  Consider adding a few of these ideas and examples at the beginning of your faculty meeting or slip one into your next newsletter.

Here is a sample question to test how well you know some of these counter-intuitive study tips. 

1) You have assigned students to write an essay on “How Neurons Communicate,” based on reading a book chapter, but you know many of them will squirm. They may try to focus, but find the material will not yield. What to advise them, if they get stuck?

A. Tough it out, nobody said this was easy.
B. Get out of the house, and take the book with you: to the coffee shop, the park, the library. Put on some music. Have at it.
C. Eliminate all distractions from your work space. Concentrate.
D. Quit for now, and come back to it later.

Quiz Yourself: How Good Are You at Teaching the Art of Learning?, from the Blog, Mindshift.

Test how well you know some of these counter-intuitive study tips. Benedict Carey, author of “How We Learn: The Surprising Truth about When, Where, and Why It Happens,” provides valuable insights into How Does the Brain Learn Best? Smart Studying Strategies.

All of your hard work planning and preparing will certainly pay off.  Please know that all of us at Region 7ESC are here to support you and your staff in this very important work of educating our students and preparing graduates to take on the world.  #YouMatter