The last several weeks have been busy with classroom observations. Although these observations fill up our schedule, it is wonderful to have the time to sit in classrooms, uninterrupted, to watch our teachers and paraprofessionals in action. This week we would like to start sharing some of the pictures that we have been taking and some of the strategies that we have observed. There is so much talent in our building and each of us has our own personal strength areas. Learning from one another is so important. It is not only professional development, but when we learn from each other in our own building it allows you continued access to the person who implemented these strategies so you can ask questions and collaborate. As staff members in the world of education, we know that learning never ends. Reach out to one another to keep learning. Be open to new ideas. Ask for opportunities to watch someone in another grade level during a planning period. Continue to grow your practice. This is how we will continue to be the best elementary school in Charlotte County!
Reflecting on Learning
As adults we reflect. We reflect after we try a diet to determine if it will work for us and our lifestyles and whether it will produce the effects that we want as soon as we want them. After we have a disagreement with a friend or spouse we reflect about what parts we were responsible for and how our reactions impacted the outcome of the disagreement. Our cafeteria staff reflects about aspects of their job, determining which meals staff are liking or how efficiently student lines are moving. Office staff reflects at the end of the day on which flaws in our systems led to issues and which fixes may be possible. In teaching, we reflect about how our instructional techniques impacted the ability for our students to learn the content to level we wanted them to in that particular lesson.
Our young learners can reflect too. Without us even asking, they make decisions in their mind about how much they like or dislike a subject area, or if they thought an activity was fun or boring. They reflect part way through a lesson to determine if the skill is too hard and then decide if they want to give up or have grit. The Marzano element of reflection just makes this action visible to us in the classroom.
The beginning stages of teaching students how to reflect is sometimes easier done in small group by engaging students in questioning. Below is just an example for you to see how you may consider starting or refining reflection with your little ones. Look at the script below:
T – “We just learned how to add two numbers together using counters. Do you think using counters to add was easy or hard for you?
S – “Kind of easy.”
T – “What made it easy for you?”
S – “I counted the red first and then counted the yellows
too. That’s how many I had.”
T – “You are right!
Counting the reds and then the yellows were our two parts that went
together to make our whole. You did a lot of practice today with the strategy
of using counters to solve addition problems.
Now, let’s look at our effort rubric.
Did you stay in your seat the entire time we practiced adding with
counters?
S – “Yes!”
T – “Did you have a quiet voice to be able to hear all of
the directions?”
Y – “Yes!”
T – “Did you have grit and try to solve each problem
without giving up?”
S – “Yes!”
T – “I think that one of the reasons that you did so well
with using counters to add numbers together is because you also did such a
great job on our effort rubric! You got
3 out of 3 points! Now, let’s take a
look at our learning scale. The first
step on our scale for addition is to be able to solve addition problems using
counters. You are going to do an exit
ticket for me to solve one of these questions on your own. If you are able to answer this problem
correctly, we will be able to put a sticker on our scale to show that you have
completed this level. Go
ahead and get started on your exit ticket to show me what you know!”
*Students solve the exit ticket question.
T – “Thank you for showing me what you are able to do on your own with counters. Let’s place a sticker on our scales. Now that we have mastered using counters to add, tomorrow we get to move on to using a number line to add two numbers. At centers today you will do some more practice with counters so we can be sure that this strategy sticks with you!”
In the pictures below you will see some ideas that
showcase how teachers have been engaging students in reflection right here at
DCE. These photos come from Ms. Niehaus, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Uebelacker, Ms. Racioppi, and Mrs. Stephenson.
Magic Show
This Week's Schedule
Have a great week!
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