Mr. Justin’s Classroom Operating Principles:
Science Values #1
Understanding is the Beginning
Focus - Persistence - Mindful Effort
Semper Peratus = Always Prepared
Science Values #2
Ad Astra, Per Aspera = Through Great Effort . . . to the Stars!
The 3 most avoided 4-letter words:
Good - Hard - Work
Autonomy + Mastery + Purpose
Science Values #3
Attribution: Winston Churchill (WWIIBritish Prime Minister)
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 #3
Data >> Beliefs & Preconceptions
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 / 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
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 #7: 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 #8
Zero Tolerance for Deception - Falsification - Omission - Copying w/o Attribution or Citation
Encouraging / Appreciative Comments >> Put-Downs / Complaints
Observable Phenomenon have Natural Causes which can be Investigated by Reproducible Methods
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.
McMurray Academic Goals:
Student Literacy
Critical Thinking
Engaging & Challenging Courses
Expectation of Excellence for All
McMurray School Culture Goals:
Be Positive
Be Respectful
Be Inclusive
Be Responsible
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)
Willingness to consider matters from another’s perspective
Accurate understanding of spoken and unspoken feelings and concerns of team members
Willingness to constructively confront a team member who violates norms
Communicating positive regard, caring and respect
Willingness and ability to evaluate the team’s own effectiveness
Seeking feedback about and evidence of team effectiveness from internal and external sources
Maintaining a positive outlook
Proactive problem solving
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:
Begin and end our meetings on time and stay fully engaged during each meeting;
Maintain a positive attitude at team meetings-no complaining unless we offer a better alternative;
Listen respectfully to each other;
Contribute equally to the workload;
Make decisions on the basis of consensus; and
Fully support each other’s efforts to improve student learning.
(authored by: DuFour, DuFour, Eaker)