# Positive Communication:

# The Backbone of a School

Noel A. Smith Elementary

####### Frisco, Texas

Mr. Matt Kimball -- Principal

Mrs. Shannon Acosta -- Teacher

####### Slide 2 - School Facts

## [Staff & Students]{.underline}

*Ø ****780 Students ***

*Ø ****60 Staff Members***

## [Location]{.underline}

*Ø ****Frisco, Texas***

*Ø ****Fastest growing district***

## [Staff Characteristics]{.underline}

*Ø ****Average years of experience is 10.3 years on the Smith campus***

*Ø ****More than 41% of the staff has 11+ years of experience***

## [Assessments]{.underline}

## 1) TAKS Testing

*Ø ****5**^th^** Grade **--** Reading, Math, and Science***

*Ø ****4**^th^** Grade **--** Writing***

*Ø ****3**^rd^** Grade **--** Reading & Math***

## 2) Other Assessments

*Ø ****Math TEKS Checks for all grade levels***

*Ø ****Benchmarks for 2**^nd^** **--** 5**^th^** ***

*Ø ****K-2**^nd^** Reading Assessments ***

# Slide 3 - Components of Communication

## [Non-Verbal Components]{.underline}

*v Posture*

*v Body Movements*

*v Proximity*

*v Muscle Tension*

*v Facial Expression*

*v Attire*

*v Eye Movement*

## [Verbal Components]{.underline}

*v Pitch/tone*

*v Volume*

*v Inflection*

*v Pace*

*v Words*

# Slide 4 -- Communication Barriers

*• Hearing vs. Listening*

*• Becoming Defensive*

*• Assumptions*

*• Negative Presuppositions*

*• Lack of Clarity/Misunderstanding*

*• E-Mail*

# Slide 5 - Paraphrasing Says...

*• I am interested and want to listen*

*• I am concerned and empathize*

## 

*• I want to fully understand*

*• We are a team*

# Slide 6 - Paraphrasing Can...

*• Summarize*

*• Reflect feeling/emotion*

*• Clarify*

*• Acknowledge*

*• Shift "Gears"*

*• Give the speaker a chance to ensure their message is being heard and
understood*

*• Provide think time*

*• Encourage reflective processing*

# Slide 7 - Paraphrasing Map

*• Paraphrasing expresses empathy*

*• Paraphrasing acknowledges and clarifies*

*• Paraphrasing summarizes and organizes key concepts and/or concerns*

*• Paraphrasing shifts to focus or conclude the conversation*

# Slide 9 - Probing & Inquiring

*v Creates Clarity*

*v Develops specificity in a conversation*

*v Provides "wait time"*

*v Allows speaker to hear themselves*

*v Permits speaker to solve problem*

*v Allows for metacognition*

*v Maintains focus*

*v Expands or shifts conversation*

# Slide 10 - Good Questions...

*• Have multiple responses*

*• Assume the positive *

*• Gain clarity and specificity *

*• Shift thinking *

*• Encourage risk-taking*

# Slide 11 - Training Teachers

*• ****Initial Training**** *

*ü ****1-3 hours minimum***

*• ****Paraphrasing practice** ***

*ü ****15-20 minutes/month***

*• ****Follow-up Training** ***

*ü ****1 hour minimum***

*• ****Paraphrasing & Questioning Practice** ***

*ü ****15-30 minutes/month***

*• ****Reflection** ***

*ü ****30 minutes minimum***

# Slide 12 - Staff Development Activities

*• Paraphrasing in groups of three*

*• Teachers paraphrase written dialogue samples*

*• Paraphrasing in groups of two*

*• Reflect after parent conferences*

# Slide 13 - Summary Points

## [Key Points]{.underline}

*• Communication can make or break a school*

*• Good communication = active listening*

*• Active listening requires practice*

## [Challenges]{.underline}

*• Developing comfort level*

*• Embracing something new*

*• Make it your style*

*• Time to practice*