TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

June 8, 2001

 

This Week’s Issue:

Elementary/Secondary Tactics

    (1)     TOC in Conduct, Zulema Mireya González Almaguer / Miquel Angel Pérez Reyes

Connections

    (2)     News from Israel, Gila Glatter

    (3)     Earn University Credit or SB-CEUs! Cheryl A. Edwards

    (4)     It Gets Better! Cheryl A. Edwards

    (5)     5th Annual TOCFE International Conference/First Annual TOCFE International Student’s Conference, Cheryl A. Edwards

Editor’s Notes

   (6)       Kay Buckner-Seal

 
Elementary/Secondary Tactics

(1)        TOC in Conduct

By Zulema Mireya González Almaguer and Miquel Angel Pérez Reyes, Maria E. Villarreal Primary School, Escobedo, Mexico

 

At our school we used TOC tools with very problematic groups of students to change their attitudes.  In one case, we worked with a group on the Ambitious Target of “Being the Best Students.”  When the students wrote their obstacles, they blamed others, but when they thought of ways to overcome their obstacles they took the responsibility for the solution. 

 

The teacher reports that the group “has changed.”  The students are learning to value themselves.  The group was very much in conflict, but now I can see they are growing up because they are using the TOC tools to think through their problems.

 

Ambitious Target:  Being the Best Students

Obstacles:

Intermediate Objectives:

1.    Grumpy teachers

1.    We listen to the teachers.

2.   Lazy Students

2.   We are prepared for class.

3.   We don't study.

3.   We study continually.

4.   We don't do the homework.

4.   We do all the homework.

5.   Missed classes

5.   We attend school regularly.

6.   We do not participate.

6.   We gladly participate.

7.   We talk in class.

7.   See #1

8.   There is no motivation from parents.

8.   Parents support us and push us to be better.

9.   We get to class late.

9.   We are on time for class.

10.   We bother classmates.

10.   We respect each other in class.

 

 

 

I just returned from the Mexican National TOCFE Conference in Monterrey.  Over 350 educators from 8 (of 31) Mexican states attended a 3 day interactive workshop which was a mix of case studies and training sessions.  This event was totally sponsored through the Secretariat of Education, Nuevo Leon.

 

The case study stories they shared are knock-out… global… SILVER BULLET testimonials!  Some of these stories will be shared in Detroit at the 5th International TOCFE Conference through our first TOCFE anthology of worldwide case studies.  Each conference participant will receive a copy of this collection of over 60 documented case studies from 11 countries on 5 continents.

 

Thank you to the individual contributors who took the time to share their work.  In 1994, Trish Freeman, one of my TOC 7th grade students, put my thoughts to words like this, "1 Person can make a difference but 2 people or a group can change the world."

 

I once told her class that I was finding it difficult to provide a payment in kind for the gift of the TOC knowledge.  The children wanted so much to help solve my problem and offered this “injection.”  You can use us, Mrs. Suerken, you can use our work."  So, of course, one of the case studies is about them.

 

Here is the work of another student, from Mexico, who feels and thinks the same way.  —Kathy Suerken

 

The following letter was written by one of the group participants (6th grade):

 

Hi! 

The course really worked for me because I could raise my grades* and stop fighting with my little sister.  We used to fight about who would make the housework.  Now, after taking the course, we take turns.

 

The negative branch is the tool I like the most because it makes you realize the consequences for an action.  Personally, I recommend to all people to join this course because it can change the way you see life, like it happened to me.

 

Vincente Antonio Garza Villarreal

 

*Attached to his letter in the anthology is a bar graph of Vincente's grades which went from a "5" and steadily improved after taking the course to an “8.75.”

 

CONNECTIONS

(2)        News from Israel

From Gila Glatter, Director of TOCFE, Israel

 

Gila Glatter, Director of TOCFE in Israel, tells us that The Third National TOC for Education Conference was held in Israel on June 1, 2001.  Great going!  We know the conference was a success for all who attended and we are looking forward to hearing all about it.

 

(3)        Earn University Credit or SB-CEUs!

From Cheryl A. Edwards

 

You can earn university credit or SB-CEUs for attending the 5th Annual TOCFE International Conference!

 

Wayne State University is offering 1 credit hour of either undergraduate or graduate credit for attending the conference.

·         You do not have to be enrolled at Wayne State University or enrolled in the graduate program. 

·         This credit can be transferred to other accredited colleges and universities. 

·         The cost of the class is $150.00 for undergraduate credit and $205.30 for graduate credit. 

·         Registration will be onsite the morning of June 25, 2001.  Look for the Wayne State University” table in the lobby of the hotel.

·         If you plan on registering, Contact Cheryl Edwards at 1.906.484.6808 or <redwards@sault.com>

 

Wayne RESA is offering 2.1 hours of SB-CEUs to educators attending the conference. 

       The cost of the SB-CEUs is $10.00.

·         Registration will be onsite the morning of June 25, 2001.  Look for the SB-CEU” table in the lobby of the hotel.

 

(4)                 It Gets Better!

From Cheryl A. Edwards

 

Remember the article entitled “Fun Alert!” (TACTics, May 25, 2001), which stated that Beatrice Kovacs has offered to conduct a Yoga session each day after the conference for those who wish to relax and refresh?  Well, it gets even better!  Ean (from Malaysia) has offered to guide participants in stretching and low impact aerobics to warm up the muscles before doing the Yoga guided by Beatrice!  Remember a large towel or mat for the floor is necessary.  Also, please e-mail Cheryl at <redwards@sault.com> if you would like to participate so that she can make room arrangements.

 

(5)  5th Annual TOCFE International Conference/First Annual TOCFE International Student’s Conference, Cheryl A. Edwards

 

The best way to predict the future is to create it through TOC."

TOC for Education, Inc. presents the 5th Annual TOCFE International Conference and the First Annual TOCFE International Student’s Conference!

 

Date:                           June 25-28, 2001

 

Location:                   Detroit, Michigan USA

 

Hotel:                         Northfield Hilton

                           5500 Crooks Road

                           Troy, Michigan 48098

                           248. 879. 2100

The Northfield Hilton is adjacent to Interstate 75 at Crooks Road, Exit 72

 

Reservations:            1. 800. HILTONS

                           Ask for TOC for Education’s special room rates.

                    Single or Double Occupancy

Per night $139.00 U.S. + Tax (6% Michigan Sales Tax and 7% Occupancy Tax).  This rate includes breakfast for two.

 

Transportation:         Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

 

EDITORS’ NOTES

(6)        From Kay Buckner-Seal

 

It’s always wonderful to hear from our colleagues.  And, the ideas and experiences shared for Elementary/Secondary Tactics are my favorite reads.  Thank you, Zulema Mireya González Almaguer and Miquel Angel Pérez Reyes for sharing the Ambitious Target prepared by the 6th graders from the Maria E. Villarreal Primary School.  The use of the TOC tools engages the students to the point in which they are ready to monitor and assess their own behaviors.  It gives them the opportunity to take personal responsibility and affect change.  That is about as good as it gets in a classroom!

 

Please feel free to share with us.  Send by mail to Cheryl A. Edwards, 2253 S. Hill Island Rd., Cedarville, MI 49719, USA.  Or, send hyperlink to <redwards@sault.com> or <bucknek@earthlink.net.

 

To view TACTics in its intended formatting and to read previous issues, visit the TOC website at: www.tocforeducation.com