Short Week - Short Blog: Teamwork Focus

Since we only have 3 days of class (and two in which I'll be in the building), your assignments will be straightforward and team-oriented.  That's convenient since we have a standard that focuses on collaboration/teamwork:

8) Collaborate and work productively as a team member: Work effectively as a member of a team and address conflict with sensitivity and respect for diverse points of view. Demonstrate understanding of one’s own impact and build on different perspectives to strengthen joint efforts. Demonstrate leadership where appropriate on collaborative workplace tasks. Effectively employ meeting management strategies, such as use of an agenda, time keeping and meeting facilitation strategies, identifying action items, and scheduling next steps. Work-Place Example: A student works with a diverse team in a warehouse to pull ordered items, package, and ship the items on time. The student alternates between taking the lead and assisting others as the situation demands.

With that said, here's our breakdown for students who have placements:

On Monday and Wednesday, please focus on things you do collaboratively.  

1. Analyze the instances in which you act as a leader and instances in which you follow the lead of others.  
2. Identify how you leverage your strengths with those around you to accomplish your tasks more efficiently.  
3. Finally, make a note of how you deal with minor/major conflicts regarding decision-making and/or distribution of tasks.

Students in the classroom will re-focus their efforts on completing the presentation and newsletter, working as a team to complete this project.  Since we made use of class time to help teacher mentors and observe students in classrooms last week, we did not make much progress on this task.  You too will focus on these elements of teamwork:

1. Analyze the instances in which you act as a leader and instances in which you follow the lead of others.  
2. Identify how you leverage your strengths with those around you to accomplish your tasks more efficiently.  
3. Finally, make a note of how you deal with minor/major conflicts regarding decision-making and/or distribution of tasks.

I won't be in the classroom on Thursday, but you will be responsible for a blog entry that addresses all three of the aforementioned areas of focus for the week.  I look forward to reading your entries.  See you all Monday!