Day 4 of Design Team Boot Camp: Themes and Observations...

Conflict: Blame others, point
fingers, and pass judgement.

Good Day Designers,

      So far, we have covered 3 of the 5 themes of the week.  Those 3 themes are:

Day 1- Ideation
Day 2- Revisit & Review Ideas
Day 3- Selection

      Yesterday's theme was Selection.  What Mr. H and I observed was a little conflict and disagreement as decisions were being made to bring ideas forward.  We also noticed that constraints are becoming apparent when we think about designing a solution to the earthquake/building problem.  As a learning community, we are all engaging and participating.  Engagement and participation are two things that make Design Teams function at high levels.

I-Messages: Describe a
behavior or situation;
not a personal judgement.

      Today, we will be looking at our fourth theme before finishing our week off.  Today's theme is Listening.  There is nothing more important for a Design Team to function and flourish.  Listening is the pivotal skill and it is extremely hard for middle school students to master.


      The activities that Mr. H and I have designed will push you and your Design Teams to the next level.  Differences of opinion, conflicting ideas, disagreements, and frustration are all natural challenges that even the best Design Teams face in the real world.  Adults face these challenges all the time.  Today, lets make listening our driving intention so that tomorrow's final designs demonstrate the best our Design Teams have to offer.

As we head into today, remember to listen to our Design Teams.  Let's have fun and enjoy our Professional Play.


Sincerely,

C & H

P.S.

I-Messages: State and own feelings

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher
School District of Waukesha
Waukesha STEM Academy