Help Freshmen Succeed
Karl D. Liedtka, Lebanon School District • Secondary School Counselor • Supervisor K-12 Counseling [email protected] • (717) 270-6733
• http://cedars.lebanon.k12.pa.us/groups/karlliedtka/
Where is Lebanon?
We are here
Wh
ere Karl g
rew u
p
VACATION
Where is Lebanon?
Lebanon School District
Demographic ProfileArea: 81.9 square miles
Total Population (2010 U.S. Census Bureau estimate): 25,477Enrollment 2012-13: 4,893
Ethnic Diversity White: 36% Black: 6%
Hispanic: 52% Native American: .18%
Asian: .84% Multi-Racial: 4.13%
Free and Reduced Lunch: 80%Post-Secondary Education Rate: 16 year average: 66%
• Freshmen are challenging (crazy)– more discipline referrals than 10-11-12– more personal/social visits than 10-11-12– more “drama” – more failed classes– more agency referrals
• They are high maintenance– but not usually high profile – Seniors!
How did I get here?
• Challenges– Transition to high school– Hormones– Learning the delicate social cues
• Reaction to this– Initially – not effective– Brain Science• Frontal Lobe, Cerebellum, Limbic System
– Under construction
How did I get here?
Brain Under ConstructionPrefrontal Cortex
Regulates decision making, problem solving, control of purposeful behavior, emotions
CerebellumRegulates initiation and
timing of movements.
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_jayne_blakemore_the_mysterious_workings_of_the_adolescent_brain.html
Limbic SystemMore sensitive to stimulation
“risk taking” than in the adult brain.
• Needs assessment – Created needs assessment– Surveyed faculty and students– Identified the most concerning issues
• LFS lessons– A system used to organize attention– Active, dynamic, get their attention, commercials,
snap shots, sound bites, entertaining, social.
– Lessons………………..Show and Tell
Where do you start?
Why LFS?• Everybody’s Doing It– District wide movement to LFS – Part of the Team - Don’t allow marginalization– Easier access to classes
• Less You - More Them– The more they do the more they learn – James Brown– Basic principles of LFS-
• Movement, Interaction, Deeper Understanding
• Flexibility – LFS allows you to go to plan B, C…..D etc
• Have to teach students why having good grades is important – before they are taught becoming better students.
3-2-1Did you know – videoThemes and IdeasCause and Effect
Why Care?
3-2-1Work Smart ArticleStudy Skills GuideStudy Skills – Power PointExtended Thinking - Prompt
• Work Smarter Not Harder – Well, maybe a little.
• use a butter knife to cut a pieces of wood
Study Skills
• S.M.A.R.T• S.M.A.R.T Video
Goal Setting
• They have to gain an understanding of the importance of time – before they try to manage it.
– 86,400 – video– Attack Your Day - video
Time
Students have to know how common it is and what it looks like before they can improve upon it.
Ellen – videoHow to procrastinate like a proTypes of procrastinators
Procrastination
• Students have to know how common it is and what it looks like before they can improve upon it.Ellen – videoHow to procrastinate like a proTypes of procrastinators
• Discussing priorities is difficult – we often tell them WHAT to value…not WHY it is of value…..FREEDOM? Sneakers! Do what you have to do
ProcrastinationPrioritization
• Emotional? – video• Distracted?-video• Expectations-video• Decisions – Graphic Organizer
• Decision - Cartoons
Decision Making
• Things look different when you slow down – videosSoggy Face Miscommunication-1Droplet Miscommunication-2
Things look different when you examine them more carefullyPic 1 EscherPic 2Pic 3
Conflict Resolution
• Once posted you lose control
• Think before you post
Cyber Smarts
Questions?
http://cedars.lebanon.k12.pa.us/groups/karlliedtka/