You should be getting your feet under you now, most of us in KY are entering week 3 of virtual learning. Though we are struggling with technology, our students are showing up ready to learn. EXCITING!
With your technology woes, do not fret...there are plenty of ways to google for help in that department. I am here to gently remind you to plan with a purpose as if you were in person. We cannot leave our students behind; even if they are behind a screen!
Today we are going to think about beginning with the end in mind. One way my school district does this is through a PLC, Professional Learning Community. During this time we look at common content data and answer DuFour, DuFour, & Eaker's questions:
- What is it we expect our students to learn?
- How will we know if they have learned it?
- How will we respond when some students do not learn?
- How will we respond when some students already know it?
Let's begin thinking about question one by digging into Intentional and Targeted Teaching, the text mentioned previously. In chapter 1 the authors remind us that planning is critical to the success of the lesson. This might explain why I am so passionate about planning, I want students to succeed. Truly they are our future.
When you open a text, curriculum guide, website, etc. you must know what the goal of the lesson, unit, semester, or course will be for your students. You will start each day with small chunks of that end goal in what we call a lesson. Imagine your students are playing Candyland or Chutes and Ladders...there are "rolls" or card choices that send you all the way through while others are road blocks. Our daily lessons aren't much different for our students. Some days they get it and others not so much. How can we make it smoother for them? -Know what we expect them to learn and have clear learning intentions and progressions, in other words, provide clarity.
Intentional and Targeted Teaching begins to answer question 1 with learning intentions and they tell us "they are the foundation to everything teachers do with students". (pg 16) Planning begins with "determining the major conceptual processes that lie at the core of a unit of study". (pg 17) Major conceptual processes? What? Transfer goals which lead us to enduring understandings! Skills students must gain to be able independently accomplish _________. Let's take a moment to ponder this--Would you set out on a sailboat just hoping to reach the Us Virgin Islands? Of course not, you would have a plan, steps to get there, you'd learn the currents, weather patterns, hire a first mate, etc. Learning in the classroom is no different...You KNOW you want to reach the USVI yet you do not have all the skills to get there without some teaching and learning. You teach yourself by utilizing available resources and hire help; once you acquire the sailing skills you can get yourself to another island for the next adventure. You learned skills you can transfer to the next trip. Starting to make sense?
This week I want you to continue digging into your content and start determine transfer skills students need to have enduring understandings. Take some quiet time to think about the skills necessary to master the content. These small skills become your learning intentions for the day and begin to provide clarity for students. Here are things that will guide you as you uncover transfer goals they are: (pg 18)
- Long term in nature and develop and deepen over time
- Performance based; require application
- Application occurs in new situations
- Not plugging in facts; they require thoughtful assessment and utilize prior learning
- Students must apply their learning autonomously; without coaching or hand holding
- Transfer calls for the use of habits of mind; i.e. good judgement, self-regulation, persistence along with academic understanding, knowledge and skill
Goodness that is a lot to consider. YES it is and YOU CAN DO IT! Don't forget, excellent educators collaborate with each other to achieve greatness. So, after you spend time reflecting on your content reach out to your peers and ask questions.
Have a great week and Happy Labor Day!
Sincerely,
Holly
