As I reviewed the research plans of my peers this week, I came to an encouraging conclusion: We're doing something right on my campus.
As I read through plan after plan of research, most looking at one way or another to improve test scores, these plans often included some form of:
- Being in close proximity with kids, working with and by them... not teaching to them
- Purposeful planning
- Purposeful talk with kids
- Recognizing and reinforcing in instruction
- Critical Writing
These strategies correlate directly with Sean Cain's Fundamental Five (c) which we have been incorporating into our instruction along with Marzano's instructional strategies. It's good to start the year with a feeling like maybe we're on the right track!
Elizabeth--
ReplyDeleteIsn't is great to see the positives as well as the needs? Thanks for reminding us to count our blessings.
EB - I think "purposeful talk with kids" and "working with them" are two very important ideas. Sometimes teachers can start to view students as human doings and not human beings. You are exactly right that we always need to remember that we are teaching a person and that person is a somebody. Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteYear after year, semester after semester, I watch student walk into my room with the expectation to fail. In fact, they are so sure of their failure that they would rather not try and fail than to try and fail. As you say, day after day I "work with them and by them." Through this, my students realize that I care. Then they want to work hard for me and eventually for themselves. It surprises me that even though most teachers care deeply about their students, not all teachers know how to show that emotion to the students. Hopefully your list will help some teachers realize just how to make the most of every moment with their students.
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