WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM ALL ABOUT?
     Many of us have always associated the word “conspiracy” as something negative and illegal. The term actually comes from the Latin verb conspirare, to breathe together or agree (Com + spirare = to breathe - together in spirit). Interestingly, the word “inspire,” a word that we most often think of as positive, comes from the Latin verb meaning to breathe on!

     You or your principal may provide a Conspiracy for Learning guide to parents with suggestions for changing that negative ritual into something positive. The new ritual begins with a greeting and some “space” for the child to get settled while making the transition from school, the bus, other children, etc. to that of home-sweet-home. It may also be an excellent time for a nutritious snack. The carbohydrates consumed at lunch-time, once transformed into high levels of sugar and energy, have now been minimized by insulin. Low blood sugar has never been associated with enthusiastic discussion and engagement – especially among children.

     Later, perhaps after snack time, dinner or another time convenient for parent and child, the parent asks the child to, “Teach me something you learned in school today.” The hand-out will provide various stems to this question e.g. show me, explain how to, give me an example, can you do, I would like to learn, etc.

OKAY, I KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE PARENTS. NOW, WHAT DO I DO AS A TEACHER?

     Dr. Gary Phillips, president of the National School Improvement Project provides a short answer to that question, “Plant seeds.” Some teachers think it is more like “priming the pump.” The one thing I have noticed is that teachers are very resourceful when it comes to this part of the conspiracy. The key is to keep it simple. Here are some examples:

• Select a day of the week to send home a “Learning Note.”
  
  Sample One:
  We have just completed reading a story
  called The Best Thanksgiving. Please
  ask Susan what the story is about.

  Sample Two:
  Jerome has just learned a good way
  to multiply 9s. Have him show you how.

   Sample Three:
  Mary can spell all the words below. She
  would like to show you.

• Leave a Learning Note on your schools answering service for all parents to retrieve.
  
• Learning Notes can also be posted on websites.
  
• Learning Notes can include word lists, poems, songs, review items, projects, etc.

I ALREADY SEND NOTES HOME. WHY DOES THIS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF WORKING?

     Because there is a second part to the conspiracy and it has to do with how you prepare the students for the questions they are about to receive at home. This is how teacher, Julia Wilkens sets it up for her second graders every day before they leave for home.

Boys and girls, just in case your mother,
father or someone else who loves you
asks what you learned in school, show them
the three shapes we worked with today.
Let’s review those shapes one more
time for your memory.” (Hand-outs
may be helpful here.)

WHY HAS THIS PROGRAM BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER SCHOOLS?
There are probably a number of reasons including :

• It emphasizes the point that learning is important and is supported by teachers and parents alike.
• It gives parents a structured and specific way to assist in the learning process.
• Teachers and parents are viewed as a team, working together for a common goal.
• Conspiracy of Learning replaces parent “involvement” with parent “engagement” in the learning process
• Research shows that this process builds retention of knowledge at significantly higher levels when compared to students who have not experienced the process.
• User friendly for both parents and teachers for the benefit of the children.
• The process replaces negative rituals with positive alternatives.
• It is a common sense approach to linking the school and the family.
• It is FUN.

Parents Notes
CONSPIRACY FOR LEARNING

WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM ALL ABOUT?
     Many of us have always associated the word “conspiracy” as something negative and illegal. The term actually comes from the Latin verb conspirare, to breathe together or agree (Com + spirare = to breathe - together in spirit). Interestingly, the word “inspire,” a word that we most often think of as positive, comes from the Latin verb meaning to breathe on!

GOAL OF THE PROGRAM:
     To establish better connections between parents and teachers as they conspire to enhance learning.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
     The process is simple and involves asking the right questions at the right time while promoting self-confidence in our children. Here is an example of how the program works: A commonly repeated ritual as students return home from school is in the form of a question. Many well meaning, involved parents ask, “What did you do in school today?” Everyone knows the answer to that question,

“Nothing.”

     Please reflect on how you feel upon arriving at home after a busy day at work. Do you prefer to have someone pounce on you the minute you walk through the door asking, “What did you do today?” or, would you rather settle in a little first, discussing the events of the day after you have had a chance to catch your breath?

As well-meaning as it seems, WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT NEGATIVE RITUAL INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE.

     The new positive ritual begins with a greeting and some “space” for the child to get settled while making the transition from school, the bus, other children, etc. to that of home-sweet-home. It may also be an excellent time for a nutritious snack. The carbohydrates consumed at lunch-time, once transformed into high levels of sugar and energy, have now been minimized by insulin. Low blood sugar has never been associated with enthusiastic discussion and engagement – especially among children.

     Later, perhaps after snack time, dinner or another time convenient for parent and child, the parent asks the child to, “Teach me something you learned in school today.” We suggest one or two questions per day – no more than two. Here are some ideas for other questions:

• Did you have music today? I would like to hear you sing one of the songs you have been practicing.
• Can you show me how to do that math problem?
• Did your teacher give you something to teach me today?
• I wish I could learn more about what you do on the computer - show me.
• You read the words for me to spell and then I will read it for you.
• What did you not learn in school today that you wanted to learn?
• Did you learn something today that surprised you?

These are only some ideas and you are encouraged to make up your own.

OKAY, I KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A PARENT. NOW, HOW DO THE TEACHERS HELP?

     Dr. Gary Phillips, president of the National School Improvement Project provides a short answer to that question, “Plant seeds.” Some teachers think it is more like “priming the pump.” Here are some examples of what the teachers’ may do to support their end of the conspiracy. (The key is to keep it simple.)

Select one or two days of the week to send home a “Learning Note.”

Sample One:

We have just completed reading a story
called The Best Thanksgiving. Please
ask Susan what the story is about.

Sample Two:

Jerome has just learned a good way
to multiply 9s. Have him show you how.

Sample Three:

Mary can spell all the words below. She
would like to show you.

This is how one teacher, Julia Wilkens, sets it up for her second graders every day before they leave for home.

“Boys and girls, just in case your mother,
father or someone else who loves you
asks what you learned in school, show them
the three shapes we worked with today.
Let’s review those shapes one more
time for your memory.”

WHY HAS THIS PROGRAM BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER SCHOOLS?

There are probably a number of reasons including:

• It emphasizes the point that learning is important and is supported by teachers and parents alike.
• It gives parents a structured and specific way to assist in the learning process.
• Teachers and parents are viewed as a team, working together for a common goal.
• Conspiracy of Learning replaces parent “involvement” with parent “engagement” in the learning process
• Research shows that this process builds retention of knowledge at significantly higher levels when compared to students who have not experienced the process.
• User friendly for both parents and teachers for the benefit of the children.
• The process replaces negative rituals with positive alternatives.
• It is a common sense approach to linking the school and the family.
• It is FUN.