Our second-year ACP-CFG met last night at Challenge Early College High School. Two members from last year have taken positions as professional developers outside of the district, and one member was ill. Everybody else was present, and it was great to get back together and get to work.
After a few announcements, we started with Connections. Janet did a great job facilitating, and I hope to share the facilitation role much more this year.
For our next activity we read “Science Nourishes the Mind and the Soul” by Brian Greene from Terri’s book, This I Believe. That was a jumping off point to write about powerful learning experiences that we have had as teachers. We then broke into triads and engaged in the Making Meaning Protocol: The Storytelling Version.
We spent the rest of the meeting planning for the year with an Affinity Map. Each member got 3 post-its and wrote down their top ideas for what kind of work they wanted to do together this year. We posted our ideas on a big blank wall and silently rearranged them into themes. Click on the thumbnail to see a bigger photograph of our affinity map.
Reflections
What worked well?
“It was nice to set our meeting dates on the calendar. I’m a planful person—like to have this done. I enjoy the silent time & self-reflection.”
“Good to see everybody back, protocols and discussion still very interesting. Very nice the fact that we all get to work on calendar so everybody gets/gives input/feedback. Calendar still needs some tweaking but dates are pretty much done and set, agendas still need to be figured out but that will be done in the upcoming sessions.”
“-The making meaning protocol was appropriate. It allowed for great discussion/reflection
-Brownies were a pleasant surprise
-Notebook came in handy”
“I enjoyed the Making-Meaning Storytelling and watching/listening to J. facilitate Connections.”
“-Protocol was a nice way to ease back in, get reacquainted.
-Liked the way we generated ideas w/ postits on the big wall.”
“I loved the protocol. It gave me the opportunity to express how I felt in my third year of teaching. It reaffirmed for me why I love to teach.”
“I liked the affinity map. We all got to put our input in on what we do in the future meetings”
“Break out session for protocol was okay—group had nice time together.
-I really like the affinity protocol.”
“Connections, Making Meaning, Affinity Map”
“Starting with Connections and I liked the Making Meaning.”
“The protocols were great
I think the brainstorming for meeting ideas were entertaining and enjoyable!”
What needs work?
“I have too much on my mind & wasn’t able to get very much from this meeting. That would be something I need to work on, but I have so many other things I could use my time for.”
“We probably need ‘norms’—lots of phones.”
“I feel it’s important to always pick a protocol that can be practically applied in the classrooms. Both of these protocols can certainly be applied, but perhaps a better assessment discussion of how the ‘Making Meaning Storytelling’ can work in our classrooms.”
“Work on norms; such as talking when others are talking.”
“Nothing? Feeling like all time is beneficial”
“Some people are not following protocols and may talk over one another.”
Questions/comments
“I want to develop as a professional leader.”
“No questions for now. I like the idea of fieldtrips, movies, book discussions.”
“Can we invite other CFG participants who are unhappy in their group?”
“Great to come back & see everyone.”
“Nice to see everyone.”
“Will we have guiding questions as we do our book readings? Will we have any time in the meeting to read?”
“None—Great evening!”