How to tell students what to look for without telling then what to see is the dilemma of teaching. Lascelles Abercrombie
Teachers, Staff and Facilitators Page
As role models, you shape children’s lives. Your capacity to observe, to analyze, and to modify parallels your effectiveness. Everyday children give you cues about what is working for them in terms of teaching styles, learning opportunities, and instructional and curriculum materials by their levels of engagement. Flexibility is your key to modifying classroom activities and Micro venture and agency activities according to those cues.
According to author, Dr. Roland Barth, One learned behavior complicates teachers’ capacity to observe. It is the perceived need to "control" the learning environment. A MicroSociety program intends to shift this burden from teachers to students. When a student - even in kindergarten - is in a job she or he enjoys, each work place becomes an opportunity for customized learning. Even better, when students find work they love, they take responsibility for their own learning. And when students are engaged "on-the-job", finding cues is much easier. Lessons you learn by observing students in their MicroSociety venture or agency, can be transported back to classroom and vice versa. The more learning opportunities students find in their workplace and the more skilled you become connecting the real life experiences in their MicroSociety program to the classroom, the greater the chance for readiness and academic self discovery will align.
Micro Reading List Ideas for jump starting and strengthening your programs abound inside these pages.
Credit hours/CEUs/Act 48 If you’re looking for confirmation of your credit hours from training, conference attendance, etc, soon you will be able to receive a copy of your transcript.
Micro Shop Visit MICROSOCIETY’s super store, where Micro members can buy things. Register now. Check out the latest and greatest from MICROSOCIETY Headquarters, from tote bags to training.
Financial Literacy All students need to understand and appreciate the value of a dollar how to save and invest it. Here are some questions we recommend you talk over with your students. Also, see It’s My Turn.
Get Discovered Get your students’ work published on the MICROSOCIETY website. Want to nominate a student or student venture or agency for a George Award? Go here.
Go Green Share your venture and agency green ideas, projects, accomplishments and we’ll post them here.
MICROSOCIETY Student Profiles Also known in the MICROSOCIETY community as Micro Moments, these stories ignite every member of the Micro family. They are the testaments of MicroSociety changing the lives of children. They cause us to change the way we view even the most difficult to employ child! Get inspired. Every MICROSOCIETY practitioner collects MicroMoments. Share them so that we can share them with others because we all need recharging now and again. Email your Student Profiles to tragoopath@microsociety.org.
Get Certified Are you interested in getting your school certified as one of the best MicroSociety programs in the country? Click here.
Green Schools Initiative References to global warming and climate change increasingly surround us so it is essential that we begin preparing our children for this aspect of their future. Without a doubt, the environmental movement is gaining ground so how can we entice our students to join in? How can we help them imagine new futures and take part in their creation?
Kevin Sweeney, a consultant on issues of climate-change and corporate social responsibility, offered some helpful recommendations in October’s issue of Edutopia published by the George Lucas Foundation:
Be honest but selective.
Admit that the challenge is great and give one or two examples of consequences. This builds trust.
Point out momentum and suggest concrete ways they can become a part of it.
Most importantly, he points out that bad news generally assumes we will continue with businesses as usual so help outline a framework of activism.
If you are interested in becoming a MICROSOCIETY green school, let us know!
Weigh In:Website Feedback Let us know how we can improve out website to fit your needs. Inspire others with your success stories. Made a breakthrough with one of your students? We want to know! Send a short email to tragoopath@microsociety.org for posting. Got a grant or a new community partner? Was you school just covered in the local news? Let us know. We’ll spread the word! Email us at info@microsociety.org. Tell us what you’re thinking. We encourage any and all ideas, comments, and feedback that will help us to better serve you and our MICROSOCIETY community.