I am excited to share that Apollo Middle used the collaborative inquiry process and strategies learned from the Facilitating Collaborative Inquiry Groups training by Dr. Laura Lipton for the SIP Milestone meeting on October 19th.  Jessica Oliver, the assistant principal at Apollo, facilitated the meeting.  She embedded the collaborative learning cycle (activating/engaging, exploring/discovering, and organizing/integrating) along with group dynamic structures and principles.

One group dynamic principle I want to spotlight relational load.  Relational load is a principle proposed by Robin Dunbar in the 1990's.  He was an anthropologist at the University College of London, who studied social interactions.  His research supports that "there is a cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships" (Dunbar, 1993, p. 14). 

We also learned about his work during Dr. Laura Lipton's workshop on Facilitating Collaborative Inquiry Groups when she shared with us on Day 2 of the training about relational load (http://www.mnpscollaboration.org/facilitating-collaborative-inquiry-workshop-dr-laura-lipton.html). 

Because of this group dynamics principle, Jessica made sure to divide the group into smaller working groups, which made the work more efficient and productive.

To read more about the collaborative learning cycle stages and their handouts used during the meeting, please go to http://www.mnpscollaboration.org/apollo-middle-milestone-meeting.html.

References:
Dunbar, R. (1993). Coevolution of neocortical size, group size, and language in humans.  Behavioral and Brain Science, 16(4), 681-735.  Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/pdodds/files/papers/others/1993/dunbar1993a.pdf

This week, Dr. Laura Lipton, is visiting each school to provide coaching sessions around collaborative inquiry.   Today, we finished our first two visits at Two Rivers and West End.  Tomorrow we visit Margaret Allen and Haynes.  Wednesday, we finish up at Wright.

It has been a wonderful learning experience not only for the data team participants but also for me.  I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn with you throughout this process.  Once the coaching sessions are finished, we will be using the data to identify patterns and trends about implementation.  I will use that data to provide targeted support in the identified areas.

If you think of something you need, please feel free to contact me at any time at [email protected].

Here's to a GREAT Week!!!