The facilitator’s role is to help the group to keep focused on how the success described by the presenter is different from more routine work. The analysis of what made this so successful is the purpose of the protocol. The facilitator is a full participant in this protocol, and each participant takes a turn as the facilitator. Each “round” (steps 2-4) takes about 15 minutes. “Success” is defined as something that proved to be highly effective in achieving an outcome important to the presenter.

1. Identify a success. Write a short description of a success. (Note: You may want to specify here the arena of the success – in terms of your work as a teacher, with a student, using a particular teaching strategy, etc.) Describe the specifics of the success. Be sure to answer the question, “What made this experience so different from others like it that I have had?” (5 minutes)

2. Presenter describes the success. In triads, the first presenter tells the story of his or her “success,” in as much detail as s/he can remember. The group takes notes. (5 minutes)

3. Group asks clarifying questions. The rest of the group asks clarifying questions about the details of the “success” in order to fill in any information the group needs to be helpful to the presenter. (3 minutes)

4. Group asks questions that help the presenter reflect upon the success (Optional step) The purpose of these questions is to help the presenter uncover why this was so successful – to see more in the success. The presenter answers the questions, but there isn’t any back and forth discussion with the group. Some examples of questions include: (5 minutes)

* Why do you think…..?
* What was different about….?
* Why did you decide to….?

5. Go to the next presenter. Repeat steps 2-4 for each member of the triad.

6. After all members have had a chance to report their success, the entire group discusses the common elements of success that appeared in all three stories. These common elements should be written on chart paper. (10 minutes)

7. If time permits, all groups should share the common elements of the success with the larger group. (10 minutes)

Adapted from National School Reform Faculty, February 2002.