12/02/2017

Learning made Visible here in Konocti Unified during the Month of December



We look to ensure 1+ years growth, or more, for our ourselves, and for our kiddos, academically, civilly, and social-emotionally.

1.) Teacher clarity (that causes student clarity , depth to their learning, and ownership over their own learning)

2.) Know thy impact (by regularly assessing student progress, formally and informally)

You are welcome to employ other practices in pursuit of ensuring 1+ year's growth in students, academically, civilly, and social-emotionally.
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As we know, the teacher is one of the most influential factors on student's education. Students learn when the class and school culture is a peaceful and harmonious place. John Hattie calls this the inspirational and passionate teacher pillar (Hattie, 2009).



While we are focusing on high levels of learning, the positive school and class culture is an ever-present necessary and crucial factor. In talking with students, students mostly know they can count on their teacher as that consistent kind human being in their daily lives. Students know they can make a mistake in the process of learning. Students know they are cared for on an emotional and physical level.


Click on the links below to hear students talk about the power of teacher clarity and student clarity:
https://youtu.be/pIIUaIkmrwU
https://youtu.be/TF0Ge9eyKP0


Click on the link below to see an example of a classroom demonstrating visible instruction and visible learning right here in Konocti:
https://youtu.be/0crXnxitPwU and  https://youtu.be/Ns3YDhMcA5I


Here are some highlights regarding visible instruction and visible learning

...................as I continue to travel and visit the school sites as well as talk with students and with staff.


** Majority of the elementary classrooms visiting feel welcoming and inviting. The students demonstrate a high regard for the teacher and for their fellow classmates. Students are talking about their learning, excited about their learning, and knowledgeable in their learning for that particular day. Students gracefully supported each other in their learning.

** While not a must, a majority of elementary classrooms visibly posted the learning intention and success criteria for the day. A relevant step in tranfering the goals and expectations of learning to the students.

** In a majority of the elementary classrooms visited recently, class time was dedicated to grade level reading, talking, and writing, or the class time was devoted to math instruction.


Here are some model student response demonstrating clarity, depth, and ownership of their learning........on the trajectory to make one year's growth or more.


Where are you at in your learning? " Learning about point of view from the narrator perspective."
"The book is from a dog’s point of view."

How are you doing/going?  "I am understanding so far."

What do you do to support your learning?"I check for the evidence in the book. I check my answers with the answers on the board."
What is next? "After identifying the story elements from this story, we will write our own story using these elements."




District response/support
Continue to communicate the vision
Continue to provide professional development
Continue witch collaboration
Continue to give feedback especially around the students' understand of the intended learning, around their understanding about their progress in the intended learning, and to the level of depth to their learning.



November 1st and January 31st Staff Development Day

We got mixed reviews from staff regarding the value and usefulness of their specific professional development session on November 1.

I take that feedback seriously in working with the principals and the consultants to arrange a valuable and useful professional development day on January 31st.


Our core business is teaching and learning. As director of curriculum and instruction, collaboration, and professional development should align with our goals and expectations, as well as support the development of us as professional educators. As change agents and life-long learners ourselves, we, too, play an active role in gaining worthy and necessary knowledge from regular collaboration and professional development. 

My personal and professional mission is to inspire, educate, and empower people - myself, kids, and adults. I see collaboration and professional development as one viable way.






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