TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

November 30, 2001

 

In this week’s issue:

Networking

(1)          Danilo’s Concept Cloud, Eleanor May-Brenneker

(2)     Reader Response, Zzippi Margalit

Connections

   (3)     TOCFE Mexico, Alejandrina Gonzalez

Quote

  (4)  H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Editors’ Notes

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

 

NETWORKING

(1)            Danilo's Concept Cloud

From Eleanor May-Brenneker, Director, TOCFE, Netherlands

 

At the latest POOGI day 13th Nov. 01 in the Netherlands, I introduced my colleagues there to Rami's 3 UDE cloud, Rami's three-in-one text cloud (i.e. from specific external to-generic to-specific internal) and Danilo's teaching concepts through clouds.  And, I compiled 10-step summaries in Dutch as a handout on all three.  Today I'll share with you the Danilo concept cloud as practised by our Dutch TOCFE enthusiasts.

 

In our story, Jack had lost his bike key (typical Dutch scenario!) in the playing field next to his friend's house.  Then I let the two groups discover a variety of solutions using Danilo's Cloud demo material guidelines.  It went like a train!

 

This exercise was followed by the groups working out a new scenario and concept cloud which would eventually lead to the “solution” of surface calculation: length x width.

 

Scenario:

Group 1:            Found that Mary could choose the wallpaper for her room to be decorated and had to find how many rolls to buy.

Group 2:            Peter was helping Dad to tile the patio.

 

D:         Roughly measure/guess tiles needed

D':        Not roughly measure/guess tiles needed

B:         Get started with the job the way I know

C:         Not waste precious time, money or tiles

A:         Be happy with our new patio

 

Alternatives to the solution were: cutting out 1 square foot newspaper tile templates in rows and counting them, (tedious and boring!) or counting the number of Dad's footsteps in rows to get an idea of the tiles needed ( not very accurate and time consuming).  So the solution, discovered by “the pupils themselves” seemed most effective!

 

What also turned out to be educationally very important was the application of the Socratic approach: every idea has merit and we need to get consensus on the most practical one without knocking any of the alternatives or any of the pupils' suggestions in the process.  We never harm anyone with our actions!

 

The groups found this a very worthwhile teaching tool and they foresee plenty of application opportunities.  Thanks Danilo!  A report of the Rami applications will follow soon.  Just having a tea break!

 

Love and best wishes!

 

(3)        READER RESPONSE

(In Response to TACTics: November 23, 2001)

 

Dear Cheryl,

It was so exciting to read all the initiatives that you, USA colleagues, are taking in the field of TOC in education.  I've learned a lot!

 

While reading the journal and your goal "to help achieve the goals of TOCFE” in the USA, I felt that I have to mention again my idea of using forums on the Internet in order to achieve an ambitious target.  We can all establish such a forum in our TOC site, and work together on this target, with no limits of time and space.  It is so easy!

 

You can see an example at this address:

http://vcisrael.macam.ac.il/site/eng/dropdown.asp?page=fm&subject=f&forumid=42

 

Yours,

Zzippi

 

CONNECTIONS

(3)        TOCFE Mexico

From Alejandrina Gonzalez, Mexico

 

Back here we are still working with a lot of enthusiasm.  All the teachers are very interested in knowing the TOC tools.  I think the success we've had is all because of the change of attitude they have seen within themselves, with their family, and with their students.

 

In our school system, the teachers need to take a few courses for their personal and professional growth.  Since we started with the TOC program, it has been voluntary.  There hasn't been any obligation in taking it.  And to the surprise of everyone it has been the most popular, and the one that has grown the most!

 

Marina has been doing a follow up with all the teachers to be sure that they are applying the Toc tools in their classrooms.  She also interviews the teachers besides visiting their classrooms.  She is also available for any questions or doubts they might have.  This gives us the conscious responsibility we have towards the principals, teachers, and students. 

 

Also we are very happy because after a year they have called us from the juvenile center to give the program to a group of kids that will be free this December.  We have Marcela, Ramona and Alma Delia working with them. The kids are very happy and we are starting to see a change in their attitude.

 

 Here are our events in Mexico just for November:

Nuevo Leon:
6 presentations in the Public Education System of Nuevo Leon to 175 teachers
4 courses of  40 hours:  113 teachers and students.
1 course of 10 hours: 33 teachers.

Sonora:
1 course of 10 hours to 40 teachers from a private school.

Marina and I also gave 2 presentations in Hermosillo, Sonora One was a presentation to the n a First  National Mediation Conference attended by teachers, judges, Magistrados, and lawyers. The other presentation was to the Minister of Education from Sonora and his team of 100 heads from the education system there.

 

We are working on our two interactive seminars for September, 2002.  I want to thank, very much, all of the people that gave us materials at the conference in Detroit.  They have been very helpful.  I wish they all will continue to send materials, so that we can make good use of them here in México.

 

I send my regards to all the TOCFE family from our beautiful city of the mountains, Monterrey!

 

 

QUOTE

(4)        There are people who will always come up with reasons why you can’t do what you want to do.  Ignore them.”  —H. Jackson Brown Jr., Life’s Little Treasure Book: On Success

 

 

EDITORS’ NOTES

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

 

Eleanor, Alejandrina, and Zzippi thanks for sharing in this week’s TACTics.  It is always a pleasure to read about what’s new around the world in connection to TOCFE.

 

To the rest of our TOCFE family, tell us what’s on your mind.  Your responses, applications of the thinking processes, lessons, announcements, and etc. are always welcomed.  If you would like to send by mail, send it to:  Cheryl A. Edwards, 2253 S. Hill Island Rd., Cedarville, Michigan 49719, USA.  Or send hyperlink to:  redwards@sault.com, or bucknek@earthlink.net.

 

We hope to be hearing from you soon!

 

 

 

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