TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

April 4, 2003

In this week’s issue:

Networking

(1) A Powerful Tip for Using the Branch, Rami Goldratt

Reader’s Feedback

(2) Linda Trapnell

Connections

(3) 7 th International TOCFE Conference

Editors’ Notes

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

NETWORKING

(1) A POWERFUL TIP FOR USING THE BRANCH

From Rami Goldratt

In one of the last TOC club meetings we had in Israel, Sima Pessi, a counselor for elementary schools, presented a very useful method of using the Branch (negative and positive). I think it is highly beneficial for all of us to consider.

As you all know, the Branch (for behavior aspect) is used in order to bring the student to think about his/her own consequences of his/her behavior.

The adult should only direct the student, using questions, to construct step by step…

- In case of a Negative Branch: the chain of events starts with the behavior and ends with significant (in the eyes of the student)

NEGATIVE outcomes.

- In case of a Positive Branch: the chain of events starts with the CHANGE in behavior and ends with significant (in the eyes of the student) POSITIVE outcomes.

Sima is adding a very meaningful element to the content of a branch constructed by a student. An element that strengthens the power and significance of the positive/negative outcomes in the eyes of the student is the FEELINGS of the student.

Whenever the student verbalizes a step in the branch, Sima shows him/her a “feeling table” that contains many known feelings organized in groups (according to moods). She asks the student to point out how s/he felt during this step in the branch. This causes the student to relate and bring to the surface the negative feelings s/he goes through when the situation becomes more and more negative (as the branch portrays).

In the case when a positive branch is constructed the student is referred to the way s/he feels and the student will see how s/he will feel better and better if s/he changes the behavior.

When the student draws the branch, Sima asks him/her to write next to each step the feeling that s/he experienced. Sima also created a uniformed format: the steps are written in boxes and the feelings (next to each step) in hearts.

The experience of Sima and our intuition tells us how powerful this method can be. If you are interested in using this method you can find and print a table of feelings at:

http://www.sff.net/people/julia.west/CALLIHOO/dtbb/feelings.htm

Wish you all peace,

Rami Goldratt

READER’S FEEDBACK

(2) From Linda Trapnell, United Kingdom

Hi Cheryl,

Just to say thanks for the booklist from Tactics. You've fired me up to produce a list of UK favourites. I'll send it to you when it's finished! See you at the Conference.

Linda.CONNECTIONS

(3) 7th International TOCFE Conference

May 16-19, 2003

Ramada Plaza Beach Resort

1500 Miracle Strip Parkway

Ft Walton Beach, Florida, USA

Hotel:

• For reservations, USA toll free: 800.874.8962.

• Please reserve your room under the TOCFE Conference block of rooms.

• Boxed continental breakfast-up to two per room included.

• Blocked rooms will be held until April 24, 2003 (afterward, reservations only if space available).

• The following prices are for maximum of 2 people per room (additional person is $10/person per night up to maximum of 4 per room).

Standard: $120 (plus tax) per night.

Courtyard: $135 (plus tax) per night

Poolside: $155 (plus tax) per night

Beach Front: $175 (plus tax) per night

Airport:

• Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS is the airport code).

• Cab/shuttle service from airport to hotel is about $15.

• Driving information will be shared in a future TACTics.

Conference Fees:

• Daily Rate: $25 includes lunch, coffee breaks and all materials.

• Full conference rate: $125 includes 4 lunches, all coffee breaks, all materials and Special Dinner/Entertainment Event on Sunday, May 18. A Special Event is still being planned for Saturday, May 17!

Registration:

To download a registration form or to see the most current conference agenda, visit www.tocforeducation.com. Or, you can also e-mail Kathy Suerken at suerken@cox.net.

EDITOR’S NOTES

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

Sima Pessi has come up with a very interesting addition to the Branch, Rami. Teachers and counselors, who deal with the impact of children's feelings on a daily basis, will find this added step valuable. Thank you so much for sharing it with our TACTics readers. The following is a sample of the “Table of Feelings” from the website that Rami referred to in his article. We are sure that you will find this website quite useful.

 

 

Intensity of Feelings

Happy

Sad

Angry

Confused

High

Elated

Exicted

Depressed

Disappointed

Furious

Enraged

Bewildered

Medium

Cheerful

Up

Heartbroken

Down

Upset

Mad

Disorganized

Foggy

Mild

Glad

Content

Unhappy

Moody

Perturbed

Uptight

Unsure

Puzzled

 

 

Your sharing is what makes our newsletter. Send your feedback of recent articles, your 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. We look forward to hearing from you!

You may also view TACTics in its intended formatting, by visiting our web site at www.tocforeducation.com. Click on “What’s New.”