Mr. Justin’s Classroom Operating Principles
Mr. Justin’s Classroom Operating Principles
Science Values #1
Understanding is the Beginning
Focus + Persistence + Mindful Effort = Growth
~10,000 hrs. of (F+P+ME) = Outliers
Autonomy + Mastery + Purpose = Thriving
Science Values #2
Ingenium, Animus, et Spinae = Head, Heart, & Spine:>!
USCG = Semper Peratus = Always Prepared
Ad Astra, Per Aspera = Through Great Effort . . . to the Stars!
USACE = Essayons = Let Us Try (Lay-Hold-Heave)
The 3 most avoided "4-letter words" = Good * Hard * Work
Science Values #3
Attribution: Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister / Statesman during WWII)
8 Word Formula for Success:
Never, never, never, never, never, never,
give up!
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
Science Values #4
Data >> Beliefs & Preconceptions = NO MAGICAL THINKING!
Repeat Trials (More Data = Mo’ Bedda;>)
Testable Question (Hypothesis) >> Wandering Wondering
Predict + Test >> Suppose & Argue
Science Values #5
MV = Change or Manipulate Only 1 Thing
RV = Record the Result or Response
CVs = Control Everything Else Possible
Results = Observe & Record (Data - Findings - Facts)
Conclusion = Use the Data to Evaluate Your Hypothesis (What You Think It Means)
Science Values #6 = CER
Claim = Hypothesis Statement =
(Tentative+Testable+Falsifiable Statement explaining an Observed Natural Phenomenon)
Evidence = Data (Facts) in the "World of Science"
Reasoning (Warrents) = Use Your Evidence to Construct an Argument
Science Values #7
Reliability = Peer Review + Scientific Literature Survey / Citation
When in Doubt, Review Procedure & Compare to Others’ Methods & Findings
Great Experiment = Creative Experimental Design + Disciplined Experimental Protocol
Science Values #8: A-C-T-I-V-E Reading
Ask - questions of the text / author
Connect - to prior knowledge (schema)(background)
Track - what’s important (text / image layout)(notes)
I = (Hy)pothesize - build / revise ideas (infer)
Visualize - make labeled illustrations / flow charts
Eureka! -“I Found It!”(synthesize ideas into meaning)
Science Values #9
Zero Tolerance for Deception - Falsification - Omission - Copying w/o Attribution or Citation
Encouraging / Appreciative Comments >> Put-Downs / Complaints
"A group is an opportunity to get help doing what you should be able to do on your own" - Mr. Cheroke
Observable Phenomenon have Natural Causes which can be Investigated by Reproducible Methods
Science Values #10
Plotting Variables = RdyMix
or, alphabetic association . . .
Rdy = responding variable = dependent variable = y-axis = vertical plot
Mix = manipulated variable = independent variable = x-axis = horizontal plot
Science Values #11
older terms, might find in scientific literature . . .
"independent" = M = "all lines" = MI
"dependent" = R = (response depends on your manipulation) = "curved" = RD = "R&D"
"MI-R&D"
Science Values #12
Double Blind Studies
Repeat Trials
precision / accuracy
Science Values #13
Correlation ≠ Causation
Anecdotes ≠ Data
Analysis ~ Opinion ≠ Fact
Love & Logic Classroom Values:
I will treat you with respect, so you will know how to treat me.
Feel free to do anything that doesn't cause a problem.
If you cause a problem, I will ask you to solve it.
If you can't solve the problem, or choose not to, I will do something.
What I do will depend on on the special person & special situation.
If you feel something is unfair, whisper to me "I'm not sure that was fair," and we will talk.
Kosta / Callic "Habits of Mind"
Raymond Joseph Teller - teaching latin - (astonishment+content=magic of learning):>
Instruction / Assessment Cycle
Columbia Scientific Habits of Mind WebText
Epigenesis of Science Thinking
(source) (local)
STEM PRISM pedagogy UC Davis project
McMurray Academic Goals:
Student Literacy
Critical Thinking
Engaging & Challenging Courses
Expectation of Excellence for All
McMurray School Culture Goals:
Be Positive
Be Respectful - Self/Other/Learning/Environment+Prepared
Be Inclusive
Be Responsible
PBIS = Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies
(RTI / Tiered System)
McMurray Community-Wide Goals:
Positive Student Relationships
Positive Home Relationships
Positive Community Relationships
Outreach & Communication
McMurray Faculty Team Norms
(shared expectations in a culture of continual learning and mutual support)
1) Willingness to consider matters from another’s perspective
2) Accurate understanding of spoken and unspoken feelings and concerns of team members
3) Willingness to constructively confront a team member who violates norms
4) Communicating positive regard, caring and respect
5) Willingness and ability to evaluate the team’s own effectiveness
6) Seeking feedback about and evidence of team effectiveness from internal and external sources
7) Maintaining a positive outlook
8) Proactive problem solving
9) Awareness of how the group contributes to the purpose and goals of the larger organization (class)
(authored by: Daniel Goleman)
McMurray Faculty’s Collective Commitments
In order to make our team meetings positive and productive experiences for all members, we make the following collective commitments to each other:
1) Begin and end our meetings on time and stay fully engaged during each meeting;
2) Maintain a positive attitude at team meetings-no complaining unless we offer a better alternative;
3) Listen respectfully to each other;
4) Contribute equally to the workload;
5) Make decisions on the basis of consensus; and
6) Fully support each other’s efforts to improve student learning.
(authored by: DuFour, DuFour, Eaker)
Chicago Field Museum Marae Resources
Superintendent Soltman's VISD Observations and Commitments:
1) We trust and are trustworthy.
2) We support responsible risk taking and view unexpected results as opportunities to learn.
3) We create safety and suspend judgment in deference to curiosity about what we can learn and create.**
4) We act with integrity, listen with empathy, and treat each other with respect.
5) We value and seek diversity and the participation, initiative and opinions of every person.
6) We solicit, provide and use regular feedback and communication to gather data, consider options and enhance our performance.
7) We foster joy, laughter, celebration and health.
8) We support self-reflection, personal growth and continuous learning for all.**
9) We work in cooperation with each other and depend upon teamwork.
10) We resolve conflict in an open, effective and timely way that is respectful of all in the process.**
11) We act with the personal responsibility and persistence to do our best work for our students and families and for each other.
