Advancing the Vision

Wow. We have survived another October.  I am always impressed at how you keep your focus on instruction despite all the fun and excitement our students are experiencing this month!  You may get tired of reading/hearing this, but that is a HUGE part of why we have enjoyed the success we have had in terms of student achievement.  Not too long ago, I introduced the term "clarity."  The clarity of our teachers is one of our greatest strengths.  You are clear on what students need to know, you stay focused, and even in the midst of Halloween and Red Ribbon week, you are relentless in your quest for getting students to mastery.  

A prime example of this clarity and relentless pursuit of mastery is Mrs. Coleman.  Seeing Mrs. Coleman teach math to each of her differentiated groups is some of the best professional development you can get in math!  She knows how to reach each level, meeting them where they are, and supporting them as they reach her high expectations!

In addition to being the embodiment of these incredible qualities, Mrs. Coleman also strategically implements the very strategies we talk about during staff meetings and PLCs!

Let's take our walkthrough instrument for example.  For November we are using our Active Learning lookfors.  The first item on the instrument reads:

1.1. Learners discussions/dialogues/exchanges with each other:

• Participating in small group activities and student-facilitated lessons 
• Showing listening skills to other learners
• Responding to questions posed by other students

The way that Mrs. Coleman structures her class ensures active engagement by her students.  The activities she plans for her stations require students to work together and show listening skills towards other learners.  One station plays a game while the other works problems positioned around the room.  She does this by taking task cards and posting them around the room.  Students have to complete the task/solve the problem in the corresponding block on their recording sheets! It's a great way to incorporate movement which we know is so good for our students' brains!  Check it out!

Another staff member who is a prime example of clarity and expertise in action is Amy Griffin.  We are so lucky to have her involved in teaching both Reading Recovery students and in small and large group instruction throughout the building.  Here we have her teaching a small group Rise lesson.  Students in her station receive the writing portion of the Literacy Stations. 

She is so clear on what her students need to know and be able to do AND (this is where her expertise comes in) HOW TO GET THEM THERE that she is able to bridge the gap between student thought and crafting those ideas onto paper.  THIS IS HUGE! She has incredible clarity regarding the standards, but also on where each student is in relation to the standards. This sets them up for success when they go to their writing block later and create writing pieces.  Having this clarity is also key in her success with students in Reading Recovery.  Through careful assessment and observation, Amy is continuously taking the pulse of her students to know where they are and how to coach them.  Once again, the active engagement is built into the structures and strategies through the way she and her students dialogue with a type of "give and take and perform" supported by her masterful coaching and prompting.

I've gotten to see incredible instruction these last two weeks from our seasoned pros.  This is the first time I have seen some of our tenured teachers teach for a whole hour instead of just a mini 20 minute observation!  It has been an honor to see all of you do what you do. I am humbled and thankful.

I encourage you to visit each other's classrooms.  Let me know if you want to observe someone.  I can cover your class or schedule someone to come and cover.  I promise you that your time will be well spent.