TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

July 7, 2000

CONTENTS

            ELEMENTARY TACTICS

                  (1)            TOC Brings Out the Truth, Linda Trapnell

            NETWORKING

                      (2)            Joy Middle School, Larry Till

                        (3)            Progress in the Philippines, Marcia Hutchinson

                CONNECTIONS

(4) 4th International TOC for Education Upgrade Conference

            EDITORS’ NOTE

(5) Kay Buckner-Seal, Cheryl A. Edwards

ELEMENTARY TACTICS
(1)      TOC Brings Out the Truth

Linda Trapnell, Nottingham England

 

Just a short example of how we used TOC "on the hoof" this week.  I was having problems with children who were misbehaving and, on being confronted with their actions and the consequences, were denying all liability.  This, even though they had been observed misbehaving by staff, was becoming a habit for some of them.  This called for a whole school approach. So, I gathered all 200+ children (7 yrs. and under) and we looked at the issue through story.

 

"Peter" had been tidying the classroom at break time at the teacher's request and had accidentally knocked a plant pot off the cupboard.  He panicked and went out to play with everyone else.  At the end of break he came back in and the teacher found the broken pot.  She asked if anyone knew anything about it and Peter had his dilemma.

 

At this point I asked, “What should he do? 

Someone said, "A cloud."

“Bless you,” I thought, “the word dilemma is synonymous with cloud in our school!”  The children came up with the following cloud:

 

A:         Good day at school

B:         Feel I’ve done the right thing

C:         Stay our to trouble

D:         Tell the truth

D':        Don’t tell the truth

 

Interestingly they didn't see not telling the truth as telling a lie!  We discussed ways of getting both needs and decided a lot depended on the reaction they would get if they told the truth.  I then explained that all our teachers would want them to tell the truth as it saved us time.  I agreed to speak to all the teachers to agree a positive response to anyone owning up to the truth!

 

Did it work?  Oh Yes!  We have an outbreak of honesty that would shame George Washington.  The children still get admonished but in a calm manner that respects their honesty.  Two of my "regular" visitors to my office actually admitted spitting at each other without any hesitation the other day.  I had to stop myself being too congratulatory.  Now I just have to do the cloud on spit / don’t spit…

 

I hope to get to the conference in Mexico (still not definite) and exchange examples with colleagues.

NETWORKING

(2)      Joy Middle School

Larry Till, Detroit Michigan, USA

 

At Joy Middle School we have been using the TOC tools to enhance the teaming approach we are using.  We have used the Prerequisite Tree and Transition Tree to improve how we prepare our students for the MEAP and how we administer the test.  We use the Cloud and Negative Branch in helping our students to resolve conflict, and these have become cornerstones in our peer mediation program.  TOC is also used in a variety of other ways by administrators, teachers, parents and students. 

 

Our principal, Mr. Ronnie Phillips, has had the foresight to allow us to conduct TOC workshops and use the tools whenever they are needed.  Our assistant principal, Mrs. Joselyn Smith, has taken the MSW and How to Teach training and encourages using TOC.  Mrs. Catherine Tilles, our testing coordinator, gives testimony to the positive results she gets from using TOC.

 

Over the past two years our test scores have improved dramatically.  Our reading scores have improved by about 20 percent in the satisfactory category in each of the last two years.  Since 1989, our reading scores in the satisfactory have improved 46.8 percent.  Our percentage of students in the low reading range has dropped by 51.5 percent so that 75 percent of our students have now scored in the moderate needs or satisfactory categories.  In mathematics, our scores have improved by 27 percent since 1991 and 17.7 percent over the last two years.  Our percentage of students in the low range has been reduced by 22.4 percent in the mathematics section since 1991.

 

We have been accredited on the basis of our test scores for the last two years.  Previously we had been an unaccredited school.  Last year we had the highest rate of increase in reading in the Metropolitan Detroit area.  This year our scores are even higher.  Do we have a ways to go?  Yes we do.  The future looks much brighter as we strive to reach our goals.

(3)            Progress in the Philippines

Marcia Hutchinson, TOC FE Director, Philippines.

 

I received a few communiqués from the Philippines and thought I would combine them to update you all on the recent progress in the Philippines.  So, I have started with a quote which I like (I don't believe it has been submitted as of yet) and then the update.  I hope all is going well for you and I am looking forward to seeing you in Mexico in August.  Take care and keep well.

Marcia

 

"It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question."

—Eugene Inesco

 

Greeting TACTics Readers,

I am very happy to bring you the latest update from the Philippines TOCFE community!  There were two sessions held, the first from June 19 through the 24, and the second was held from June 26 through July 1. 

 

All total, there were 153 participants in the Group I, 4th and Group II, 5th Generation, TACT/TOCFE classes, which were held at Makati Elementary School.  The participants were taught by 23 facilitators from the Makati Division of the Department of Education, Sports and Culture.

 

Participants from Makati, Quezon City, Manila, the DECS National Capital Region, Muntinlupa, and San Juan Pasig attended the Thinking and Communication Tools Through the Theory of Constraints (TACT/TOCFE) classes in the Makati Elementary School.  71 attended the first class (4th Generation) and 82 attended the second class (5th Generation) of the course.  The materials used were the upgraded version of the TOCFE Management Skills Workshop (MSW) materials used in training the earlier generations of participants.  The revised materials are more specific to the education environment and are more participant-friendly.

 

Group I included senior officials from the DECS National Capital Region (NCR).  Among the participants were the Asst. Regional Director, Secondary School Chief, Elementary School Chief, and some Division Superintendents.  Group II included four other senior officials from the Makati Division Office as well as principals, Master Teachers and department Heads.

 

The holding of the 4th and 5th Generation Classes was made possible by the generous donation of funds by the Hon. Mayor Elenita S. Binay and the support of the Makati Public Schools Division, the DECS National Capital Region, and the Rotary Club of Makati Central.

 

Of the 153 participants, 143 came from Makati.  The TACT-TOCFE Facilitators were:

 

Group I

Dr Nora Uy, Hermilina Carolino, Segundina Carorocan, Rosita Reyes, Elisa Acosta

 

Group II

Yolanda Casupang, Virginia Tabobo, Erlinda Dayos;

 

Group III

Dr Erlinda Usabal, Ester Griarte, Violeta Arellano, Lourdes Gonzales, Ines Baccay

 

Group IV

Independencia Veedor, Remedios Pajo, Zenaida Penafuerte, Priscilla Tanlioco, Gregorio Marcelo

 

Group V

Dr. Emilie Zamudio, Dr. Marietta S Paz, Rosario Anuncio, Elpidia Mojica

 

Congratulations to the Makati Facilitators for the successful completion of the most recent TOCFE Seminars in the Philippines!  Your dedication and passion are phenomenal!  And also, congratulations to all of the 153 graduates who have now joined the TOCFE family in the Philippines and the world. 

 

SUMMARY OF TOCFE WORKSHOPS AS OF JULY 4, 2000

 

 

Q.C.

Makati

Manila

Others

TOTAL

Classes:

 

 

 

 

 

MSW/TACT

12

16

8

36

HTT

2

2

1

5

Graduates:

 

 

 

 

 

MSW/TACT

160

231

132

10

533

HTT

22

27

1

50

 

I am looking forward to my next visit when we will hold a HTT in Manila as well as a HTT2 wherein there will be a corps of HTT2 trainers who can spread TOCFE into the other Divisions!  This will happen shortly after the Mexico conference.  I look forward to seeing everyone in Mexico!

 

Mabuhai!

Marcia Hutchinson

(mhutch982@aol.com)

CONNECTIONS

(4)    4th International TOC for Education Upgrade Conference

August 9-12, 2000

Monterrey, Mexico

Conference Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

Conference Registration

$75.00 covers the cost of lunches. 

Send checks payable to TOC for Education, Inc. along with your registration forms to:

Attention: Bernie Kean

TOC for Education, Inc.

1532 Glenlake Circle

Niceville, FL   32578  USA

 

Airport:            Gen. Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Code is MTY). 

   Transportation from Airport to hotel: Cab $15.

   Departure Tax: $10.00

 

Hotel:             Sheraton Ambassador Hotel- Monterrey, Mexico

(*Room rates are based on single OR double occupancy.)

Classic room—            $86(+tax)            For more than two people to a room, there is a $15.00 charge for each extra person.

 

Reservations: Identify yourself as a member of TOC for Education.

                Mexico — (direct to the hotel)            1.800.832.8400 

                        USA & Canada— (central reservation)            1.800.325.3535

     Nations outside of North America—(switchboard)                  1.528.380.7000

 

Registration Deadline:            July 25, 2000 (for conference rates)

EDITORS’ NOTES

(5)     If you have an activity that you would like to share, send it hyperlink to <bucknek@resa.net> or <redwards@sault.com>.  Or you may send it by mail to:  Cheryl A. Edwards, 2253 S. Hill Island Road, Cedarville, MI 49719 USA

 

Enjoy the summer!