TACTics Journal
A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners
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
Networking
(3) A Request for Cloud Samples, Linda Trapnell
Editor’s Notes
(4) Kay Buckner-Seal
CONFERENCE FEEDBACK
(1) From Jackie
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
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,
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,
was fascinating and I thoroughly
enjoyed talking to her about her work.
Michael Round’s (
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,
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
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
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
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
Last minute update from
The TOCFE community of teachers is working on an ambitious target
to
bring Danilo
Sirias to
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,
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,
to
You may also view TACTics in its
intended formatting, by visiting our web
site at www.tocforeducation.com. Click on “What’s New.”