TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

June 27, 2003

In this week’s issue:

Conference Feedback

(1) Jackie Trimble

Connections

(2) Who Says You Can’t Make A Difference? Not Ana Maria Conde of

Columbia, Cheryl A. Edwards

Networking

(3) A Request for Cloud Samples, Linda Trapnell

Editor’s Notes

(4) Kay Buckner-Seal

CONFERENCE FEEDBACK

(1) From Jackie Trimble Washington, USA

The TOC conference was all I expected and more. The chance to

collaborate with fellow devotees and bounce ideas off each other is most

valuable.

I was truly impressed with Ann Marie (ANA MARIA CONDE) from Columbia

and her drive to get TOC established in her school. Talking to the principal

and director of education took courage and conviction. This is one young

lady to keep our eyes on, she will one day be director of education herself,

I’m sure!

Danilo’s (DANILO SIRIAS, USA) work with his ABC teacher planning tool

was impressive and has encouraged me to give it a try. I have already talked

to my partner about using it next fall and have set up several summer

meeting dates. Shoshana’s (SHOSHANA REITER, ISRAEL) science work

was fascinating and I thoroughly enjoyed talking to her about her work.

Michael Round’s (USA) math work floored me. Math is always a topic of

discussion in our school: Why are the scores low? How can we improve

them? Students don't understand concepts. Michael’s logic branch made

complicated concepts seem easy. My math partner is interested in taking a

look at these examples. I think this will be a huge help in math classes next

year.

Michelle's (MICHELE ROYAN, USA) work with the cloud as a counselor was

inspiring. She showed us the tools are simple, easy to use and easily

embraced by even the toughest students.

 

CONNECTIONS

(2) Who Says You Can’t Make a Difference? Not Ana Maria

Conde of Colombia.

By Cheryl A. Edwards

Ana Maria, a student, stood in front of the mostly adult audience at the 7th

International Conference and charmed us with her dynamic personality and

her ability to speak so fluently in front of such large group of people. But

mostly we were astonished as we listened to this student describe the

project she is currently working on.

Ana Maria is creating a community in Bogota, Colombia for young people. The

purpose of this community is to teach a group of students the TOC tools and

then to work with this group as they teach the TOC tools to their peers and

their teachers.

In the initial phase, Ana Maria will train nineteen students who will work on

their own ambitious targets to help her teach the other 3500 students in

the first school. After the first school, Ana Maria will target an additional

20 schools. She has already scheduled 4 more schools to work with during

the month of August.

At this moment Ana has involved a very special friend who is 21 years old and

is in his last year of college studying Graphic Design. He assisted at the last

meeting and helped the students to design the TOCFE Kids Community Logo,

which they expect to have by the end of the month. Our designer is also

going to make a pamphlet with the students so it will be easier for them to

talk about the tools with the other students and teachers.

Can you imagine the obstacles that Ana Maria has had to overcome?

Accomplishing the Intermediate Objectives led her to an interview with the

Mayor of Bogotá and she hopes to talk with the Minister of Education after

August. Her impressive ideas and plans are going to be sponsored by the

Chamber of Commerce, a color factory, the Virgilio Barco Library, as well as

the Science Interactive Museum.

Ana Maria and her group expect that, with the help of the Science

Interactive Museum, the students will publish a TOCFE Student newsletter.

Ana Maria is an example of what young people can accomplish when they are

motivated, set goals, and have effective tools to accomplish their goals.

Oh, and by the way, Ana Maria is 13 years old! …Pretty awesome, Ana Maria!

We are all so very proud of you! Ana Maria is supported and encouraged in

her efforts by her parents, Rafael and Francis Conde, Colombia.

Last minute update from Bogota:

The TOCFE community of teachers is working on an ambitious target to

bring Danilo Sirias to Bogota in August to facilitate a workshop to teach the

TOC tools in content. The teachers expect to have a group of students

along with Ana Maria attending the workshop working towards the same

objectives.

NETWORKING

(3) A Request for Cloud Samples

From Linda Trapnell, USA

Please, this is a request for some samples of clouds from pupils aged 12-16

yrs. I’ve been asked to do some cloud training for at the high school level

and my examples are a bit limited. I could do with some fresh

material—curriculum examples are particularly welcomed! My e-mail address

is <ltrapnell@hotmail .com>.

Thank you!

EDITOR’S NOTES

(4) Kay Buckner-Seal

Thanks to all who contributed to TACTics this week. So many of us were

unable to attend the 7th International Conference. And the feedback has

given us reason to make sure that we make plans for the next conference

early. We would love to hear more about the ABC Teacher Planning Tool and

the science work related to the tools. Hint, hint…to Danilo and Shoshana! : )

We hope that everyone has plans to enjoy the summer! When you get the

chance, share with us. Send your responses, applications of the thinking

processes, lessons, announcements, and etc. by mail to: Cheryl A. Edwards,

2253 S. Hill Island Rd., Cedarville, Michigan 49719, USA. Or send hyperlink

to cedwards@cedarville.net or bucknek@earthlink.net.

You may also view TACTics in its intended formatting, by visiting our web

site at www.tocforeducation.com. Click on “What’s New.”