Leadership Blog One

March 6, 2009

Lisa and I met today to discuss our integrated unit. We’ve sort of talked about working on something like this for years. Talking about Latin American literature with her is great as her perspective on it is one of a Latina. We both have a lot going on, but we’re giving this a shot, and are even really going pilot this unit (or at least some of it) this year. It’s easy to get excited and just jump in, but we’re going to wait until quarter four to start the unit. We’re going to start with honors students before going for it next year. My fear (initially) was that we would end up taking on too much, and I think this still might be the case, but I am going to pare it down a bit and just get at the core for this presentation and product. I am planning on having other assessments (some large) embedded within the unit (eventually).

We want to discuss how the translation shifts (or does not shift) the meaning of a text. Lisa’s class is going to translate the text that my students have analyzed for figurative language.

It’s difficult to think of both a product and a performance that both classes can utilize. I think we talked it out really well, and I’m going to be making some clear revisions to the integrated unit and the performance task. We’re now thinking of creating a class wiki and scoring online discussions of themes noted in the text. We’re planning on having students discuss cultural differences connected to pride, family life, immigration, family roles, poverty, gender roles, self-esteem, and the role of words. We will be assessing their written work/responses.

I will still include vignettes and figurative language as part of the assessment for my students, but we thought it would be too difficult for Lisa’s students to do this as well because Spanish is not their first language. These vignettes will also be posted to the site

So I’ve written lots about what we got out of the meeting (because it was so productive), but the leadership role I played in this was also essential. I think of myself as a collaborative leader and working well with others is certainly one of my strengths. I initially gave a little presentation of expectations and ideas before asking lots of questions about what Lisa thought. She, in return, gave lots me lots of feedback. I took notes as we bounced ideas back and forth. The meeting was more like a conversation than anything else. I feel like that is how I lead. I gently prod for information by asking probing questions. I engage in conversation, but don’t do so to hear myself speak. I really listen and take suggestions.