1145 South Barr Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 423-1511

1145 South Barr Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 423-1511

Ensuring Each Voice Is Heard!

CURRICULUM CONVERSATION…EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER!

Finding a way to ensure each voice is heard can be tough to navigate.  Once you find the right road map for your faculty…the conversation is sure to follow!  Here are two conversation methods to try at your next faculty meeting:

CHALK TALK

  1. Start with a chalkboard, dry erase board, butcher paper, or online platform …any large area for your faculty to gather around.

  2. Pass out the chalk, dry erase markers, sharpies, passwords…EACH person must have a tool.  Tool = voice.

  3. Pose the question.  (examples:  What are our school’s curriculum strengths? weaknesses? dreams? Where do we want our school’s math program to be in 5-10 years?  What do we want to ensure for our students in the area of ELA?)

  4. Ask your faculty to write their ideas, words, questions, thoughts….anything that relates to the posed question…on the board/paper/online platform.  Keep the following protocol in mind to ensure EACH voice is heard:

    • No talking.
    • Allow ample time.
    • And…even when it looks like everyone is finished adding to the shared platform, pause for a little while longer.  You never know who might just be holding back or an idea pops into someone’s head at the last minute.

  5. Take time to look at each other’s thoughts and ideas.

  6. Identify a vision/pathway moving forward.

  7. Be sure to take a picture or keep for future follow-up conversations!

 

POST-IT NOTE CONNECTIONS

  1. Supply Post-It notes and a pen to each faculty member.

  2. Pose the question.  (examples: What are our science program’s strengths? weaknesses?  What does student engagement look like in the classroom? How are we assessing our students?)

  3. Give ample quiet time for teachers to reflect on the question, writing one word/idea per Post-It note.

  4. Identify a table, butcher paper, or wall that all can gather around.

  5. Ask someone to share one of their Post-It words/ideas and then place it on the table/wall for all to see.

  6. Teachers should place their similar or related Post-It notes alongside.  Give that grouping a name.

  7. Continue this process until all Post-It notes have a “home” on the table or wall.

  8. The groupings will visually reveal future conversation direction needs.

  9. Consider keeping or taking a picture of Post-It notes for future conversations.