The Best Class You Never Taught

The Best Class You Never Taught PDF

Author: Alexis Wiggins

Publisher: ASCD

Published: 2017-09-27

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1416624716

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The best classes have a life of their own, powered by student-led conversations that explore texts, ideas, and essential questions. In these classes, the teacher’s role shifts from star player to observer and coach as the students Think critically, Work collaboratively, Participate fully, Behave ethically, Ask and answer high-level questions, Support their ideas with evidence, and Evaluate and assess their own work. The Spider Web Discussion is a simple technique that puts this kind of class within every teacher’s reach. The name comes from the weblike diagram the observer makes to record interactions as students actively participate in the discussion, lead and support one another’s learning, and build community. It’s proven to work across all subject areas and with all ages, and you only need a little know-how, a rubric, and paper and pencil to get started. As students practice Spider Web Discussion, they become stronger communicators, more empathetic teammates, better problem solvers, and more independent learners—college and career ready skills that serve them well in the classroom and beyond. Educator Alexis Wiggins provides a step-by-step guide for the implementation of Spider Web Discussion, covering everything from introducing the technique to creating rubrics for discussion self-assessment to the nuts-and-bolts of charting the conversations and using the data collected for formative assessment. She also shares troubleshooting tips, ideas for assessment and group grading, and the experiences of real teachers and students who use the technique to develop and share content knowledge in a way that’s both revolutionary and truly inspiring.

Building Dynamic Teamwork in Schools

Building Dynamic Teamwork in Schools PDF

Author: Brad Johnson

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-12-01

Total Pages: 157

ISBN-13: 1003815170

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How can school leaders foster more effective teamwork and collaboration among teachers to improve instruction and culture? Brad Johnson and Robert Hinchliffe uses the analogy of geese V formations to show what effective teamwork really looks like for success. He discusses roles and responsibilities--each goose has a role to play in the flock, from leader to follower; the importance of recognizing individual strengths and assigning roles accordingly; and the impact of each team member fulfilling their responsibilities. He also discusses the skills that the teams need in order to work together: working together to achieve a common goal; fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose; adaptability and flexibility; encouragement and support; trust and reliance; and leadership and followership. Each chapter is filled with strategies and examples for leaders in any setting and ends with a Sharpen Your Winning Edge section offering tips you can use immediately.

The Power of Teacher Teams

The Power of Teacher Teams PDF

Author: Vivian Troen

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 1412991331

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While most educators believe working in teams is valuable, not all team efforts lead to instructional improvement. Through richly detailed case studies The Power of Teacher Teams demonstrates how schools can transform their teams into more effective learning communities that foster teacher leadership. The benefits of successful teacher teams include: improved performance for both teachers and students; meaningful professional development; group adoption of a new curriculum; shared insights into student work; better classroom management; support for new teachers; new roles for teacher leaders; and opportuniteis for mentor support.School leaders will find guidelines, methods, and concrete steps for building and sustaining effective teacher teams. Also included is a DVD with video case studies and one CD with reproducibles. The most important reason for building teacher teams is to enhance student learning through improved instruction, and that story is at the heart of this book.

Team Teaching

Team Teaching PDF

Author: Kathryn M. Plank

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-07-03

Total Pages: 109

ISBN-13: 1000980960

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For those considering adopting team teaching, or interested in reviewing their own practice, this book offers an over-view of this pedagogy, its challenges and rewards, and a rich range of examples in which teachers present and reflect upon their approaches. The interaction of two teachers—both the intellectual interaction involved in the design of the course, and the pedagogical interaction in the teaching of the course—creates a dynamic environment that reflects the way scholars make meaning of the world. The process naturally breaks down the teacher-centered classroom by creating a scholarly community in which teachers and students work together to understand important ideas, and where students don’t just learn content, but begin to understand how knowledge is constructed, grasp the connections between disciplines as well as their different perspectives, see greater coherence in the curriculum, and appreciate how having more than one teacher in the classroom leads naturally to dialogue and active learning.Each of the five examples in this book shares the story of a course at a different institution, and each is designed to reflect a number of different variables in team-taught courses. They represent courses in a variety of different disciplines, including the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts; and at a range of levels, from first-year seminars to graduate courses. They also illustrate a number of different models for instructional teams, such as faculty from the same disciplines, from related disciplines, from two very different disciplines, from different institutions, and one pairing of a faculty member and a staff member. This book provides insight into the impact of team teaching on student learning and on faculty development. It also addresses the challenges, both pedagogical an administrative, that need to be addressed for team teaching to be effective.

Creating Dynamic Schools Through Mentoring, Coaching, and Collaboration

Creating Dynamic Schools Through Mentoring, Coaching, and Collaboration PDF

Author: Judy F. Carr

Publisher: ASCD

Published: 2005-11-15

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 1416603530

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How can you create a school environment where everyone — staff and students alike — will become an active, engaged learner? How can you develop a collegial school culture that will improve morale, expand professional opportunities, and raise student achievement? How can you make a difference in your school? Judy F. Carr, Nancy Herman, and Douglas E. Harris show how to transform your school into a dynamic learning community. Drawing on decades of experience and success, these former educators and trusted consultants provide expert guidance on * Identifying potential leaders and fulfilling their professional ambitions * Selecting coaches and strengthening professional development capabilities * Recognizing and maximizing the talents and resources of veteran and beginning teachers * Establishing a self-renewing, satisfying mentor program * Designing and running effective study groups Whether you are a teacher leader, district supervisor, or principal, these valuable and practical strategies will help you build and sustain collaborative relationships in your school—and embark on a shared journey toward mutual support, continuous learning, and higher achievement.

Building Dynamic Teamwork in Schools

Building Dynamic Teamwork in Schools PDF

Author: Brad Johnson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2023-12

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781032592510

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How can school leaders foster more effective teamwork and collaboration among teachers to improve instruction and culture? Brad Johnson and Robert Hinchliffe uses the analogy of geese V formations to show what effective teamwork really looks like for success. He discusses roles and responsibilities--each goose has a role to play in the flock, from leader to follower; the importance of recognizing individual strengths and assigning roles accordingly; and the impact of each team member fulfilling their responsibilities. He also discusses the skills that the teams need in order to work together: working together to achieve a common goal; fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose; adaptability and flexibility; encouragement and support; trust and reliance; and leadership and followership. Each chapter is filled with strategies and examples for leaders in any setting, and ends with a Sharpen Your Winning Edge section offering tips you can use immediately.

What Lies Beneath

What Lies Beneath PDF

Author: Mark Kevesdy

Publisher: Trafford Publishing

Published: 2010-09-02

Total Pages: 79

ISBN-13: 1426939795

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Following the untimely death of his father and a move to an unfamiliar city, fourteen-year-old Colin Madix takes a morning swim that ends in disaster. Colin gets turned around at sea. His strength fails him, and suddenly, Colin is drowning. He awakens later, following a near-death experience that alters his belief system and changes his young life. In the darkness of his unconscious, Colin visits another world. On his spiritual adventure, he stumbles upon a lost, ancient tribe, forgotten in the records of human history. Their way of life may save Colin and his grieving mother, but it is more than that—their way of life may potentially alter the fate of the entire United States. In Mark Kevesdy’s What Lies Beneath, young Colin Madix is a beacon of truth. He is a link to America’s salvation. A country that used to be a land of freedom and hope is now lost and wandering. Its only hope is a young man—lost and wandering, as well—but in possession of ancient secrets that could bring America back to her former glory and perhaps, save the Madix family before it’s too late.

Improving Quality in Education

Improving Quality in Education PDF

Author: Bert P.M. Creemers

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-07-03

Total Pages: 345

ISBN-13: 1136729828

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This book explores an approach to school improvement that merges the traditions of educational effectiveness research and school improvement efforts. It displays how the dynamic model, which is theoretical and empirically validated, can be used in both traditions. Each chapter integrates evidence from international and national studies, showing how the knowledge-base of educational effectiveness research can be used for improvement purposes. In a clear and practicable manner it outlines: Foundations of the improvement approach Research projects investigating the impact of the dynamic approach Guidelines and practical solutions to translating the approach into action Further developments for school improvement Exploring the crucial factors in the establishment of this environment, the authors outline a dynamic framework that helps schools collect data, through self-evaluation mechanisms, taking decisions about priorities for improvement, and developing appropriate policies and action plans. This approach emphasises educational targets and provides means to achieve them that are flexible enough to fit in with the circumstances of the individual school. The book draws upon research across the world, conducted especially in the United States, Europe, and Australasia, expertly showcasing how the dynamic approach can be used in a wide variety of educational settings A key book for all professionals working in education; academics, researchers, policy-makers, school advisors and practitioners will find it invaluable. Not only it is a must for graduate students, university libraries, and individual academics but also for school management teams, school support agencies and officials in educational policy.