The document discusses developing shared norms for a new K-12 school formed from the merger of elementary and secondary campuses. Staff will investigate established school models, visit each other's campuses, and use the Engage domain of E5 to establish shared norms for positive teaching strategies. Activities include thinking individually about classroom routines, discussing ideas in pairs, and grouping to share and list the most important routines for consistency across grades and campuses. The goal is to create a shared norms document to prepare for the full school merger the following year.

1. Developing a set of shared norms for the new K-12 school.

2. How can we as a group of new colleagues build a
professional learning community which enables us to
work collaboratively and develop shared norms for
positive teaching strategies within a K-12 setting?
Actions:
 Investigate established schools and models
 Visit each other’s campuses
 Investigate the capability of developing shared norms
within the Engage domain of E5
 Facilitate substantive conversations.

3. “For classroom teachers, the open plan classroom was akin to positioning a
newly designed open cockpit of a 747 jet in the passenger compartment
surrounded by 250 exuberant, noisy customers and ordering the pilot to fly
the plane with patience, empathy and skill.
“For many children it was a loud, chaotic, confusing nightmare. Teacher stress
levels rose dramatically, mainly because of the noise, the interruption, and
the confusion of housing so many children in one space.
“Diverse teaching styles, effective in self-contained classrooms, often proved
inappropriate in this throng of lively youngsters....
“It wasn’t long before distraught teachers appeared in droves at principal’s
doors pleading for walls or partitions...gradually the gurus at head office
were forced to eat crow”
(Dr David McDonald Former Ontario Principal)

4. Shared Norms
Cross campus visits and our work on E5 at our PLATO
days have made it clear that this an area that we need
to work on. It is one of the basic building blocks that
we need to establish in order to go forward in a
positive, productive and supported way for all staff and
students.

5. Think, Pair, Share
 Think about what routines you use in your classroom
and list them.

6. Think, Pair, Share
 Now pair with a staff member from your own campus
to discuss your ideas.

7. Domain: Engage
Where are you?
Level 1
The teacher promotes a safe and orderly learning environment by
providing the class with rules and modelling expected
behaviours.
Level 2
The teacher maintains a productive learning environment by
conveying behavioural and learning expectations for all students
which are referenced to school values.
Level 3
The teacher negotiates learning routines and protocols for
interactions with students.
Level 4
The teacher refers to shared norms in their interactions with
students and shares responsibility with them for reinforcing
protocols.

8. Think, Pair, Share
Now get into groups of five or six with a mix of primary
and secondary to share your ideas.

9. As a group make a list of the five most important
routines that have come from your discussion
and list them on the paper provided.
Some areas you may like to discuss or include:
 Lining up/ entering classrooms
 Putting bags away/ using and accessing lockers
 Gaining student attention
 Activity transitions/ moving from one lesson to
another
 Moving around the school
 Dismissing students

10. Where to from here?
Using today's input we will begin to work on a document
of shared norms for both campuses to use and
implement next year in preparation for the merger in
2013.
It is anticipated that you will have the opportunity to be
part of further discussions before the final draft is
produced and presented at the beginning of next year.

11. “It is easier to establish routine
initially and then relax them
than it is to re-establish them
once control is lost” (Arthur,
Gordon and Butterfield 2003)

12. Don’t Forget
 Have a look at the BLOG
www.boroniak-12.blogspot.com
 Please complete the survey; the link is in your email.