S.W.A.G.
Students With Academic Greatness
A Peer Tutoring Program
Developed by S. Alexander
RIGOR
STARR
S.W.A.G.
A.P.
CLASSES
G.T.
CLASSES
COLLEGE
READINESS
EDUCATION IS THE
MOST POWERFUL
WEAPON WHICH YOU
CAN USE
TO CHANGE
THE WORLD.”
NELSON MANDELA
PEER TUTORING INITIATIVE – S.W.A.G.
STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC GREATNESS
Proposal:
Thompson Elementary School will implement a peer tutoring
Program effective 2011-2012 school year. The name of the
program is (S.W.A.G.) Students with Academic Greatness.
The students participating in the program will be selected based
on
data
driven
criteria
A. Suu Kyi-Nobel Peace Prize
S.W.A.G.’S MISSION:
Empowering Students To Be Academic Leaders
Antonia Novello
Surgeon General of the United States
Zora N. Hurston
anthropologist
Fred Morales-education Paul L. Dunbar
Marala Blackmon
International Poet
Principal of the Year
Purpose:
The S.W.A.G. Program was developed and
implemented as an inclusion leadership initiative.
The purpose is to give exceptionally-motivated
students the opportunity to participate in a
program that will not only assist in developing
their leadership skills, but also provide an
environment that will positively affect their
personal, educational, and social skills and
ultimately to create a positive change in their
community.
Goal
The S.W.A.G. Program will be a structured yet
flexible goal oriented program. It will
maintain the rigorous and relevant
instructional standards established in the
school’s curriculum. The goal of the S.W.A.G.
Program is to promote independent and
active learning among students, and to have a
direct and positive effect on improving
academic achievement.
Individualized Program
The S.W.A.G. Program is committed to working
closely with teachers, staff, parents, and students
in order to support a strong and engaging
learning community. The S.W.A.G. Program will
redefine the role of the student in the classroom
and create an innovative collaboration between
students and teachers. The program will focus on
incorporating data driven service-learning
techniques and strategies. The goal is to utilize
data and technology to determine what
instructional practices best fits the student’s
learning environment.
The S.W.A.G. Program will provide
mandatory academic and leadership
training to all of the participants. The
training will not only equip each student
with the skills to be active and effective
participants in the program, but also
allow them to acquire service hours and
merit badges in the process.
The S.W.A.G. Program:
Developing a New Generation of Academic Leaders
Teachers are asked to utilize a variety
of assessment data in identifying
potential S.W.A.G. leaders.
Students referred to participate in
the program must demonstrate
continuous academic growth in the
following areas:
Criteria:
continuous academic growth in :
Stanford Scores
Interim Assessments
STAAR Readiness
Expected achievement student performance
Actual student performance
EVAAS Data must be at accelerated 2 and
Advanced Achievement Probability
Which will be enriched by………..
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trainings, Workshops, Lectures and
Other Enriching Experiences:
Leadership training
Academic Enrichment Training
Inclusion Training
Advanced Academic Training
Critical Thinking Skills Training
Medical Alert & Response Training
Field Experience Activities
Community Service-oriented Projects
Monthly merit badges will be awarded to S.W.A.G. students
based on successful completion of trainings, activities and
skills assessment evaluations.
Goals for:
Trainings, Workshops & Lectures
• The goal is for the students to commit to and complete 20 hours
of training during the school year.
• The students will be provided with a variety of opportunities
to participate in community service-oriented projects and field
experiences over the course of the year.
• The focus is to have students positively impact the education
and lives of other students and peers.
• The S.W.A.G. leaders will be provided with a comprehensive
learning experience that will ultimately influence positive
changes in their lives by allowing them to apply their
knowledge to their future, academic, or career objectives.
• Thompson Elementary School is geared towards building
future academic leaders by developing independent learners.
Rationale
1. The trainings and activities are critical components of
the program and will assist in developing the full
individual potentials of all the participants.
2. The S.W.A.G. Program will
a. enhance students’ skills in relating to others
b. increase understanding, develop leadership skills,
improve academic performance, and foster a
culture of respect for others.
3. The S.W.A.G. Program will also assist in developing values
in each participant that will guide their actions, and provide a
foundation for sound decision-making.
4. Contribute to the improvement of the academic environment
at Thompson Elementary School.
Students who set effective goals end up more successful than those who do not.
Most students don’t actually set their own goals- the goals are set by others (teachers, parents etc.)
To be successful, students must learn to break down a big goal into smaller steps.
This program facilitates this concept.
The following slides demonstrate how students are taught the process of completing large goals –
completing the program-by beginning with smaller steps.
Trainings/Hours Offered: 20
Training
Program Trainer
Hours
Leadership Training
Blackmon/Vester
2
Academic Enrichment Training
Bennett/Jackson-Howard
2
Advanced Academic & Critical
Thinking Skills
Dillard/Lane/Green/Dickerson
4
Inclusion Training
Alexander
2
Medical Alert & Response Training
Hilty/Lengers
8
Community Service Projects
Community Partners/Specialist
1
Field Experience Activity
Parker
1
Completing this is a big goal.
S.W.A.G.-Student Check-off Sheet
Reinforcing organization and accountability.
Each student is given a notebook that they can record their achievements in.
Requirements
/Handouts
Completed
Y
N
Date
Initials
Program Packet
Parent Consent Form
Commitment Form
Pledge
Interview Questions
Conduct Referral Form
Demerit System
Dress Code
Initial Steps in the Acceptance to S.W.A.G. Process
Hours
Monthly
Calendar
Organization & Goal Setting
Check your calendar!
First we show them the big picture
.
Completed
Date
Initials
Hours
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Than they are taught how to break down the big goal into smaller pieces, targets
that they can aim at and hit to reach their bigger goal.
Breaking it down from monthly to weekly
Training ( 10 Point Rule)
11/3 – Leadership (Ms. Blackmon)
11/10 – Leadership (Ms. Vester)
11/17 – Inclusion (Ms. Alexander)
12/1 – Medical (Mrs. Hilty)
12/8 – Medical (Mr. Lengers)
12/15 – Academic - Math (Mr.
Dickerson)
1/5 – Enrichment – Writing (Ms.
Jackson-Howard)
1/12 – Academic – Science (Mr.
Dillard)
1/19 – Academic – Social Studies
(Ms. Lane)
1/26 – Academic – Reading (Ms.
Green)
Completed
Date
Initials
Hours
Comments
Leadership - M. Blackmon
Qualities That Can Make A Student Leader Great
Integrity – true to themselves
Autonomy – self-directed
Group Dynamics – involves group members
Human Relations –Uses the human touch
Positioning – Sees the big picture
Task Effectiveness– Gets the job done
Student Mentoring
Engages in a positive relationship
Has positive self-esteem
Listens wells
Provides leadership
Is a positive role model
Cares about helping students
Is committed
Accepts responsibilities
Leadership Training – A. Vester
There’s a leader in me, This I know, To do all I can, To help my fellow man.
Peer support:
a strategy that involves placing students in pairs or small groups to
participate in learning activities that support academic instruction and
social skills. This is a belief in the value and ability of young people to bring
a positive change in themselves and others.
Lead by example.
Be a good citizen. Be courageous. Leadership is not a popularity contest.
Stand up for what you know is right. You can make a difference and
everything you do matters. Leadership is not something you do to people.
It is something you do with people. Help others to succeed and achieve to
their fullest potential.
Attributes:
Caring, respectful, reliable, competent, dependable, organized, honesty,
responsible, and committed to excellence.
Attitude Development
Communication Skills
Positive Role Modeling
Personal Responsibility
Understanding Self-Motivation
Sensitivity in Working with Peers
Self-Accountability
Action Plans to Achieve Group Goals
Understanding Leadership
TEAMWORK
Attributes of Leadership
Integrity
Work Ethic
Motivation Toolkit for School
Begin each day with a positive attitude
Fully participate in classroom activities
Accept feedback and correction positively
Be prepared with your learning materials everyday
Ask questions if you feel confused
Take an interest in learning new things both in and outside of class
Make an effort to keep track of your assignments and projects
Widen your circle of friends to include others
Focus on your own progress, avoid comparing to others
Always set goals – daily, short and long-term
Inclusion/Peer Tutoring Training
• Peer tutoring is an instructional strategy that consists of pairing students
together to learn or practice an academic task. The pairs of students can
be of the same or differing ability and/or age range. Peer interaction can
have a powerful influence on academic motivation and achievement (Light
& Littleton, 1999; Steinburg, Dornbusch, & Brown, 1992; Wentzel, 1999).
• The research also suggests that socialization experiences that occur during
peer tutoring can benefit both the tutor and tutee by motivating students
to learn and increasing their social standing among peers (Fuchs, D.,
Fuchs, L.S., Mathes & Martiniez, 2002; Rohrbeck et. al, 2003; Miller &
Miller, 1995).When students understand the benefits of peer tutoring and
have the tools to become effective tutors and tutees, they make greater
progress than those who are not given any instruction on how to work
together.
• Additionally, peer tutoring allows teachers to accommodate a classroom
of diverse learners including students with learning disabilities. This
instructional strategy increases response opportunities for students,
provides additional time for positive feedback, and increases the amount
of time a student is on-task (Maheady, 2001). Regardless of achievement
level, content area, or classroom arrangement, peer tutoring
demonstrates effectiveness in facilitating progress in the general
education curriculum.
Inclusion/Peer Tutoring Training
Peer tutoring is a strategy that can be used with
students with a wide range of disabilities and at all
grade levels. However, successful implementation
necessitates training all students in the process,
roles of peer tutors and critical grade level
instructional strategies.
S.W.A.G. Inclusion Training/Presenter: Ms. Alexander
7 Effective Inclusion Strategies to Know
•
Inclusion is the process of combining all students in the same classroom.
•
All students have a right to expect the best possible learning environment.
•
All students are important and must be respected.
•
Learning should be a positive experience.
•
Inclusion involves modifying assignments, using manipulatives, reinforcement and
redirection.
•
Some students need help with learning different skills.
•
Peer tutoring provides academic support.
Implementing a Peer Tutoring Lesson
• The teacher trains students on the process of peer tutoring
and strategies for fulfilling their role of tutor or tutee.
• The teacher assigns partners.
• Students retrieve their tutoring materials prepared by the
teacher.
• Students follow a highly structured tutoring procedure, in
which tutors present material previously covered by the
teacher, and provide feedback to the tutee.
• Students switch roles after the teacher’s signal. The tutee
becomes the tutor.
• The teacher circulates around the room, monitoring and
providing feedback




Overview of Nursing & F. Nightingale
Basic First Aid
Basic CERT
Basic First Responder
Overview of Nursing and
Florence Nightingale
A healthcare profession focused on
the care of individuals, families, and
communities so they
May attain, maintain, or recover
optimal health and quality of life .
From conception to death.
First practiced by male Catholic
monks who provided for the sick
Florence Nightingale and ill during the Dark Ages of
Europe.
African American hospital workers,
including nurses, at a hospital in
Nashville, Tennessee, July 1863
Florence Nightingale, a well-educated woman from a wealthy class family, became a nurse
and improved it drastically.
●Florence Nightingale worked in the Crimean War, she was called the Lady with the Lamp
●Florence Nightingale, working to improve conditions of soldiers in the Crimean War, laid
the foundation stone of professional nursing with the principles summarized in the book
Notes on Nursing.
●An R.N. is a registered nurse. An L.V.N. is a licensed vocational nurse.
●You must be an R.N. to work in Houston ISD.
■School nurses screen students to see if they need glasses, and assist students who get
sick. As SWAG members you can help by letting teachers know if a student needs help.
Susie King Taylor, 1902
Medical Alert & Response Training
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE DRILLS
DISASTER DRILLS
Community Service
Each participant will choose, plan, organize
and complete service-oriented projects that
will provide a lasting benefit to our
community. The service learning projects and
field experience activities are designed as a
way to learn and improve leadership skills by
combining academic objectives and
community service.
Community Service
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
November (Food Drive)
December (Gift of Love Greeting Cards)
January (Mentoring Month)
February (Appreciation Project)
March (Youth Service)
April (Global Children Nutrition Month)
May (Police & Teachers Appreciation
The overall yearly picture
Community Service Projects
December
• 1. Collection of non-perishables for
the Houston Food Bank
• 2. Tour the food bank
• 3. Deliver greeting cards to the
residents of St. Dominic Village
• 4. Caroling to the nursing home
residents at St. Dominic Village
• 5. Red & Silver Ceremony
The smaller monthly picture
Field Trip Activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
November (Houston Food Bank)
December (St. Dominic Nursing Home)
January – Campus Based Initiative
February – Rodeo
March (Houston Space Center –NASA)
April (*Pending)
November (Houston Food Bank)
December (St. Dominic Nursing Home)
January – Campus Based Initiative
February – Rodeo
March (Houston Space Center –NASA)
April (*Pending)
Additional Components for SWAG Members and
Student Leaders
•
•
•
•
INTERVIEW
S.W.A.G. PLEDGE
UNIFORM
MERITS AND DEMERITS
S.W.A.G. PLEDGE
I pledge to perform all of my duties and
responsibilities with pride, honor, love,
kindness and respect.
I pledge to do everything asked of me with
excellence and promote the objectives of the
S.W.A.G. Program.
I promise to do my best to improve my life,
classroom, school, and community.
I am an academic leader.
There are no limits to what I can achieve.
Student Interview Questions
Note: The questions can be rephrased for clarification if the student is having a difficult time answering the
questions as written
Ranking - Rank answers based on (5) being the highest
1. Tell me about your favorite class(s) you have taken. Why was it your favorite?
2. Which class has been your least favorite? Why
3. What is your dream job?
4. What do you like to do for fun (outside of the classroom)?
5. Where is your favorite place you have ever been? Why?
6. What books are you currently reading? Or what have you read recently for school?
7. If you were given a magic wand to change anything about your school, what would you change?
8. How would you define the job or role of a peer tutor?
9. Why is it important to help other students?
10. Why is school important?
Dress Code
• Black Shirt
• Khaki Bottoms
• Red Swag
S.W.A.G. Attire must be worn on:
1. Training Days – Thursday
2. Professional Days – Friday
3. Field Experiences – (As Scheduled)
4. School S.W.A.G. Events – (As Scheduled)
5. Community Events – (As Scheduled)
6. Upon Request
Any S.W.A.G. student not in the required dress code will
not be allowed to participate in S.W.A.G. events or
activities!
S.W.A.G. Leaders
Handbook and Guidelines
Objective
S.W.A.G. members should promote school spirit.
S.W.A.G. members should demonstrate model behavior and conduct among all students and
adults.
Each individual should strive to maintain high standards and excellence in school wide
activities and academics.
S.W.A.G. members should promote the need for unity among all aspects of the school.
S.W.A.G. members should make continuous efforts to remain in good standing with
relationships between schools.
S.W.A.G. members Responsibilities Events/Programs:
– Required to attend all weekly meetings
– Attend all school or community events
Cont.
Requirements
S.W.A.G. members should be very cooperative with sponsors, S.W.A.G.
members, faculty, administrative staff and the community.
S.W.A.G. members will be enthusiastic, spirited and leaders at all times
S.W.A.G. members will set examples before, during and after school, at schoolsponsored activities, as well as, extracurricular activities, field experiences and community
events.
S.W.A.G. members must attend all meeting and trainings
S.W.A.G. members will attend all school programs and community events the
only excused absences will be personal illness or accident (catastrophic accident); death in
family; or exceptional circumstances approved by the sponsors, in advance. Emergencies
preclude this requirement, but a note must be presented to one of the sponsors from
parent/guardian explaining the absence within 24 hours of the absence or the absence will be
unexcused.
S.W.A.G. members will maintain a 70 average in all course work during each
nine-week grading period.
S.W.A.G. members receiving a 69 and below will not be allowed to participate in
any school or community activities.
S.W.A.G. members who do not pass one or more classes more than two (2) times
within a calendar school year will be dismissed from the group.
Booster Club
Arletta
Solomon
Michael
Lewis
Shelite
Harrison
Shooting Star Sponsors
Kenny Sibley
Crossland & Sea
Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church
Fresh Start
Community
Church
Mt. Carmel
Missionary Baptist
Church
Ruby L. Thompson Elementary School
Beulah Neveh
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
Ellis Memorial
Church of God in Christ
American Income Life
Crystal Children & Teacher Supply
S.W.A.G Staff Support Team
S.W.A.G. Program
Sponsors:
S. Alexander/ T. Tillmon
Field Experience Managers:
Y. Parker
Facilitators:
C. Gallien/T.McNeil
Community Service Coordinators
T. Stanberry/K. Isaac
Additional Sponsorships:
Strategic Partners, Volunteers, VIPS
Trainers:
M. Blackmon – Leadership
S. Alexander-Inclusion
K. Bennett-Literacy
B. Dickerson-Academic Math
D. Dillard-Academic Science
R. Green-Academic Reading/LA
G. Hilty-Medical
A. Jackson-Howard-Writing
A. Lane-Academic Social Studies
J. Lengers-Medical
A. Vester- Leadership
American Income Life
8876 Gulf Freeway
Suite 565
Houston, TX 77017
Amber Buitron-Resendiz,
Insurance Agent
BP
P.O. Box 3092 Houston, TX
77853
Diana Friedhoff-Miller,
Director of Community
Affairs
Crossland & Sea
2908 Cleburne
Houston, TX 77004
T. Nichole Crossland,
Owner, Travel Specialist
Crystal Children & Teacher
Supply
3271 Southwest Fwy.
Houston, TX 77027
Stephanie, Owner, Manager
Fresh Start Community
Church
8103 Creekbend Drive Unit 1
Houston, TX 77071
Reverend Troy T. Johnson,
Pastor
Mt. Carmel Missionary
Baptist Church
Houston, TX
E. L. Burnside, Pastor
Housewhole Repairs
& Remodeling
The Medicine Shoppe
Pharmacy
5910 Scott Street
Houston, TX 77021
Artie Mitchell, R. Ph.,
Owner
Beulah Neveh
Author of BRACIE
(713) 884-7222
Ellis Memorial Church of God
in Christ
412 Massachusetts Street
Houston, TX 77029
Dr. Morris O. Jenkins, Jr.,
Pastor
Kenny Sibley
(832) 347-1578
Lilly Grove Missionary
Baptist Church
7034 Tierwester
Houston TX 77021
Reverend Terry K. Anderson,
Senior Pastor
Sources:
Power point by G. Hilty
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/hhmbio3.html
http://www.elpasoinc.com/multimedia/photos/collection_a808ba2c-e30c-11e0-a692-0019bb30f31a.html
http://www.gap-system.org/~history/PictDisplay/Nightingale.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/bindingwounds/nursing.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale