Thanks to each of you for the very generous gifts last week.  The flowers are absolutely stunning, the Godiva is a delightful treat and I can't think of anything I could enjoy more than a spa treatment.  The real gift; however, is the privilege of working with each of you.  Together we have built something very special at Venture and I am honored to be part of it.  Thank you.

Shout out to Christy and Leadership!  Venture Academy is looking especially spooky and autumn-festive.  And... the Halloween spirit week plans sound like a good time for all of us.  Thank you for the work you do to build and nurture a supportive culture for students and adults!

• Something to think about... We have a bit planned for this coming Friday.  It would be good for us to spend some time to give language to the most important aspects of Venture and identify the significant aspects of our work.  And then, we can talk about how to maintain this culture through the various changes in staffing and circumstances that happen with all schools.  
• Also  we will revisit the conversation about how to use our family engagement night on November 20.  We can talk about it on Friday, but that conversation will be more productive if we've had some time to think and discuss prior.
• The math department has been working extensively in the area of proficiency scales and they will share some of that with the rest of us. The clarifications will make the process straightforward and, hopefully, minimize wheel recreation.

IPLP... Please have these submitted by 3:00 pm on Friday 10/25.  That will give me time to review them prior to the 10/31 deadline.  These can be exactly the same for every member of your department.  They don't have to be, but since we are all working on the same things, it might be more efficient.

Protocols...  are structured routines or steps that guide how students interact and learn. They provide clear guidelines for discussions, group work, and reflection activities, making classroom interactions more organized and productive. Using protocols helps students build essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication. They encourage equal participation, ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, and create a sense of accountability. Additionally, protocols can help students focus on specific learning goals and facilitate deeper understanding of the content.

Why Use Protocols?

1. Structure and Consistency: Protocols provide a consistent routine that helps students know what to expect. This can be especially useful for creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing ideas.

2. Equitable Participation: By design, protocols give every student a chance to contribute. This can help quieter students find their voice and more active students learn to listen.

3. Focused Discussions: Protocols help keep conversations on track and aligned with learning objectives. Students are less likely to veer off topic, and teachers can ensure that important concepts are thoroughly explored.

4. Skill Building: Protocols foster essential skills like listening, giving constructive feedback, and developing arguments based on evidence.

Tips for Implementation

• Start Small: Begin with simpler protocols, like Think-Pair-Share, and gradually introduce more complex ones.  Note:  Think-pair-share isn't really the same thing as "talk to your partner about this"  Rather, it is a three-step process where students first think about a question individually, then discuss their thoughts with a partner, and finally share their ideas with the larger group.
• Set Clear Expectations: Before starting, explain the purpose and steps of the protocol so students understand what is expected.
• Reflect Afterwards: After using a protocol, take a few minutes for the class to reflect on what went well and how the process could be improved.
• Be Flexible: Adjust protocols to fit your classroom needs. They should serve as a guide rather than a strict rule.

Here are some alternative protocols that are appropriate for high school classrooms:

1. Jigsaw: This protocol divides a larger topic into smaller parts, with students becoming "experts" on one part and then teaching their peers.  
• How to Implement: Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group a different aspect of the topic. Students first meet with others assigned the same sub-topic to discuss it (expert groups), then regroup with the original group and teach what they learned. This way, each student contributes to understanding the whole topic.
2. Chalk Talk: A silent way to reflect on and share ideas about a topic. Students write their thoughts on a shared board or paper without speaking. 
• How to Implement: Write a question or prompt on large paper. Students respond by writing their thoughts, comments, or questions. They can also draw lines connecting to others' comments to show agreement or add more ideas. This encourages students who might not speak up during verbal discussions to participate
3. Affinity Mapping: This protocol involves sorting and grouping ideas into categories to find common themes.
• How to Implement: Give students sticky notes to write down ideas or answers related to a prompt. Once everyone has added their ideas, work together to sort them into groups or themes on a board. Discuss why certain ideas were grouped together and what can be learned from the commonalities.
4. Save the Last Word for Me: This discussion protocol ensures that all voices are heard, especially those who may be quieter. 
• How to Implement: Choose a text or prompt. Students read or listen, then each writes down a quote or idea they found important. In small groups, one student shares their quote without any explanation, and each other group member comments on the quote before the original student "saves the last word" by explaining their thoughts.

Tips for Implementing These Protocols

• Set Up Guidelines: Make sure students understand the rules for each protocol and emphasize active listening and respect. Creating a set of norms on chart paper that you can reference is ideal.
• Rotate Roles: Allow students to experience different roles (facilitator, presenter, observer) to build a variety of skills.
• Provide Reflection Time: After using a protocol, ask students to reflect on how the process helped their learning and what could be improved.
• Encourage Student Ownership: Gradually give students more responsibility in facilitating protocols, fostering independence.
• Gentle pressure, relentlessly applied.  If students knew how to be students, they likely wouldn't have chosen Venture.  They are learning new skills and it is a slow process.  Don't give up, start small, work on it daily and celebrate the gradual wins.

For the Week of October 21
Bus Duty: Penski
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration

For the Week of October 28
Bus Duty: Gonzalez
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Kennedy out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of  November 4
Bus Duty: Njoku
Monday: 
Tuesday: Certified workday - no students
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration

For the Week of  November 11
Bus Duty: Mahoney
Monday: Veterans' Day:  Mr. Vaughan, thank you for your service!  Do we have any other Veterans at Venture?
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day