Brian Graham's Colleagues

Brian Graham's Page

About Me: Brian Graham is an experienced classroom teacher, adjunct professor, and principal. For 16 years, he taught in a variety of classrooms as a special education teacher. Mr. Graham currently is in his fourth year as a middle school principal in the West Seneca Central School District. He has spent three years as an elementary principal in the same district. He works with teachers in training as an adjunct professor (eight-years) in Daemen College's graduate program. Bena Kallick and Jeff Colosimo will list Mr. Graham as a contributor in their book "The Intersection of Curriculum Mapping and Assessment."

At 6:28pm on September 16, 2009, J. Scott Rafetto said…: Unfortunately our district is initiating so many different web-based computer applications that our teachers can barely find time to plan and teach. We also have not learned how to prioritize standards. I am pretty much a stand-alone in terms of the HOM's. I am convinced that Bandura's Social Cognitive Learning Theory is the correct approach for affecting health behaviors. The Habits mesh perfectly and provide an anchor for all of my units. Clearly every choice that student's make regarding avoiding or initiating a risk behavior begins with a thought. Thoughts determine feelings that influence behaviors. If we can influence them to think well when encountering problems we will be teaching them something of real value. My experience has been that they are so preoccupied with the feelings that they are not in the habit of stepping back and evaluating the thoughts that precede them. I notice real growth during tength grade and the Habits of Mind are something that the students learn and retain. I suspect the "I can" statements should promote them having ownership and positively influence their ability to metacogitate. Bena's wisdom has fueled my enthusiasm and indirectly influenced the self-efficacy of many of my students. Best wishes for your learning community to have the same growth that I know I have seen in my students. Scott R.

At 8:44pm on September 15, 2009, J. Scott Rafetto said…: Hello Brian,
I was looking at Bena's page and was happy to find your "I can" statements for the Habits of Mind. They will very much help me to guide students to develop affirmations for goals and to evaluate and develop task orienting cognitions for overcoming the task interfering cognitions that seem to occur automatically in adolescents. Thanks for sharing. Scott R.

At 9:31am on September 9, 2009, Bena Kallick said…: Hi Brian,
I looked at the I can statements and they are really good. Let me know how they work with the kids. Bena

At 7:55pm on September 8, 2009, Kathleen Brachmann said…: Thanks Brian. I am trying this year to use the 2.0 web tools more effectively than I did in the past. The hardest thing for me is finding the time. We are going into day 4 of our 7 Habits initiative. I have seen some results already even though I know it is early in the year. So far we have introduced the students to 1.) Be Proactive, 2.) Begin with the end in mind, and 3.) Put first things first. Tomorrow is "Think Win, Win!"

At 7:01pm on September 8, 2009, Brian Graham said…: At West Middle this year we are taking Bena Kallick's ideas with the development of "I Can" statements and have included them in our student planners and agendas. Here is an example of I Can statements related to the Habits of the Mind. I Can Habits of the Mind.pdf

At 6:27am on September 8, 2009, Joseph F. Argenio said…: Thanks Brian and for referring me to the network. This is new to me!

At 8:12pm on August 30, 2009, Brian Graham said…: I am very excited to introduce to the staff and students of West Middle School our brand new "I Can" statements that will be listed in all of our student planners. I would like to thank Bena Kallick for the idea. We will have "I Can" statements for ELA, Math and the Habits of the Mind! If you have implemented this in your building or district please let me know how it went.