Sharing+Instructional+Strategies

Sharing Instructional Strategies – most of these were also identified through Staff Development contracts. They will observe each other and discuss and share effective instructional strategies. This was originally a group of math teachers, but it can be expanded.

J. Palo, A. Quinn, T. Grawe, J. Spisak, K. Crossman, J. O'Rourke, K. Convery, J. Stump, E. Severino
 * April 20


 * Top strategies**
 * Have something for them to do once they walk in
 * Lesson plan around the concept of what will students be doing while in class
 * Incorporate group work whenever possible
 * Giving the class 20 seconds of "down time" while I am transitioning between projector and board can buy me more focused time during the remainder of the lesson
 * Pass out papers while students are doing seat work
 * Nightly homework on webpage
 * Have advance learner be the "go to person"
 * Spot check random questions to verify homework completion
 * Collect papers in abc order
 * Post agenda on the board
 * Activate prior knowledge
 * Ticket in or out the door
 * Think/pair/share
 * Use of reflection of study habits after test

March 23** A. Quinn, E. Severino, J. Stump, K. Crossman, J. Spisak, K. Convery 1. Recap of last meeting, 2. Since we ran out of time last time, math shared Math: work with radicals 3. Observations since last time Classroom management, transitions, multiple activities used throughout class period, incorporation of technology, use of color to highlight main points 4. Discussion on ways of effectively incorporating current events 5. Focus for next meeting: Top 10 best teaching practices: quick tips (Ones that you use or have observed)
 * Monday club for students interested in current events prepare little clips for Hawk TV all week
 * Reflection-tie into literacy skills

A.Quinn, E. Severino, J. Palo, J. O' Rourke, J. Spisak, V. Kelsall, J. Stump, K. Convery Student work was shared. Questions were fielded and answered. Discussion on keeping expectations high. S.S.: metacognitive logs, Inauguration assignments Tech Ed: Mousetrap car (cross-curricular incorporations) Science: Graphs: Levels of Ozone During the Months of the Year Literacy: Comprehension sheet, visualizing strategies Focus for next meeting: Try and observe someone for next meeting to share instructional strategies observed.
 * Feb. 9th**

Nov. 17th Present: Spisak Palo O'Rourke Cole A. Quinn Grawe Kerr

"What strategies do you use to require the students to work harder than you are?"

Folder captains to utilize students to distribute materials "What did I miss" book - have students record what was done in book so absent students can access make up work Discussed use of teacher webpages as instructional tools Strategies utilized in distance learning--which of these are most valuable in daily interaction Students telling stories about weather interaction--Bingo sheet to follow story PTO money ideas

Reminder about colleague observations and documenting hours on MLP (?)

Oct. 20th Present: Nanis Spisak O'Rourke Spancake Kerr Grawe Crossman Convery Ballard Cole A. Quinn

How to save 3 minutes of instruction:

• Oops slip…yellow form if they missed an assignment

• HS: In box/out box system • In box—student gathers info and places in the teacher in-box • Out box—non-tests put into outbox and students deliver to classmates

• Video/assignment shown to students while checking homework or handing back papers

• Flashmaster sheets—students have assignment as they enter the room

• Post HW/agenda on board

• Transitions: give 30 seconds of ‘down time’ to get 3 minutes back

• Help students organize their materials for quick retrieval/delivery

• Students hand in work alphabetically to assist in recording grades

• For basic grades, only record anomalies

• Buddy system for notes/HW

• Give answers to HW to minimize amount of time spent reviewing

• Bell ringer

Goal for next session: Visit one colleague teach--focus on classroom management strategies

Question for next session: What do you do to make the kids work harder than you work?

September 22

Present: Jen Spisak Betsy Ballard JoAnna Pahides Stump Ian Kerr James O'Rourke Elissa Severino Thomas Grawe Kevin Convery Meredith Cole Kevin Crossman

Goals

Kevin Convery will research and create peer-visitation form and share with group

Elissa S. will bring Reading/Literacy across curriculum – how can this be used during visitations?

Discussed Instructional Strategies book from UHS (Betsy)

Discuss/look for intro and closure activities (how to turn 40 mins into 43 mins)

How do we do this?

Goal is to visit one other teacher before next meeting, reflect and process

Elissa will create “case study” to discuss at next meeting Topic and Suggestions: how do you motivate an unmotivated student?

As group, reflect and respond: What is one thing you do to save yourself 3 minutes?

For next meeting, visit one other teacher, reflect and process