Tuesday Teaching Point November 5

Tuesday Teaching Point

November 5, 2013

·       Equitable Access to Rigorous, Standards-based Instruction

·       Results-focused Professional Learning and Collaboration

·       Strong Partnerships with Families and Community

·       A Culturally-Responsive Organization

Teaching Point:

In this edition teachers will learn how their colleagues at New Start are communicating Learning Objectives and Teaching Points. After last week’s note I have gone around to classrooms to see how our teachers communicate learning objectives. Beyond just something being written on the wall, I was interested in the phrasing of teaching point, and looking for a connection to standards. As promised I brought my camera and took some pictures for sharing and analysis. To keep this email short, I will share one thought or wondering of mine. Here we go:

This seems direct and describes the learning as a continuation from previous classes or lessons. The term “practice” might be a substitutable word for continued learning in this case. 

Loud and Proud Poster of the Common Core Standards. I saw two like this in separate rooms. Teachers report it is easier to link the learning objective directly to specific language from the Common Core. (Posted on the wall!)

Ah…an inquiry-based purpose in a standards-based world. The teacher approaches this by stating student will understand the “How”

Key concepts underlined for emphasis?

These are learning goals. Though the posting is demure in large classroom, the teacher is verbally repeating and re-edifying this to students for our predominately auditory learners

 Two days - worth of the same teacher. Wondering why a poster if students should write more in the core?

 This teacher has Common Core Posted in the room and it is clearly reflected in the language of her learning objective for Students. Students will…Read Closely, determine Text, analyze and infer actions in relation to the circumstance. Wow.

What did you think?

Teaching Standard:

Charlotte Danielson: Domain 3A “Communicating with Students”. Proficiency is “The teacher clearly communicates instructional purpose of the lesson, including where it is situated within broader learning (Notice the Guiding Questions in the last two pictures?), and explains procedures and directions clearly.”

Dimension of Purpose, Vision: The learning target is clearly articulated, linked to the standards, embedded in the instructions and understood by students. 5D Guiding Question? How does the target clearly state what the students will learn and be able to do?

Teaching Assessment:

I will assess what you have learned after reading this, by the comments you make back to me via email or in person. I invite you to respond to what you have now seen going on in the classroom next store! Please let me know what you have learned, observed, surmised or are still wondering about.  

Professional Collaboration and Learning:

This Friday, November 8, is a District Job-Alike or Team Time Collaboration with your colleagues. Please let me know which you will be participating in. Have a great week. Happy November.

BTW:

Some have asked why Tuesday Teacher is not on a blog (like last year’s, Alt Ed Weekly). For those of you who prefer the internet, or hoping to look up past Tuesday Teaching Points here is the link. http://tuesdayteachingpoint.blogspot.com/

Your Instructional Leader,

Mike