Change your practice from “greasing squeaky wheels” to “listening to squeaky wheels” and to “listening to noise before the wheel squeaks” and never worry about the wheels falling off in your school. Continue reading
Squeaky Wheels Should Be Listened To Not Greased
No Room For Black Box Teaching Today
The reason for classroom observation of a teacher is more than evaluative; it is mutually informative and affirmative. When teachers do not perceive anyone “knows” their work, a perception of isolation and professional neglect accrues. Continue reading
Relevant Background Knowledge Is The Glue of Our Conversations
PK-12 education builds a common background knowledge for high school graduates, but what was learned is not always remembered. While relevancy becomes the adult filtering system that supports what we need and want to know, background knowledge is the stuff that allows us to meaningfully participate in adult conversations.
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Classroom Interactions Are Soccer Touches – Quality Touches Create Scoring Opportunities
“How many touches did you have?” “How many were quality touches?” “And, what did you do with your quality touches?” I listen to kid-talk about their soccer game. I did not play soccer, so I am learning by watching and … Continue reading
Classroom Passwords: Booster Rockets For Learning
It starts in the doorway. Kindergarten children are greeted by their teacher standing in the doorway of their classroom. The passwords of the day for entering the room are two rhyming words. The teacher says “cat” and a K-girl in … Continue reading
If Students Did Not Learn, Were They Taught? No
Start with this thought experiment. “If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, did it really fall?” You’ve heard it before. It poses the relationship between observation and perception. If you cannot observe … Continue reading
Academic Standards – The Genome of Proficient Learning
Academic standards are the genome of a 21st century PK-12 education. Turn back the covers on any curriculum today and you will find “standards.” They are the “who says this is the right stuff to teach” credentials of school curriculum. … Continue reading
Promotional Proficiency – An Educational Promise Unkept
“I promise…” are words added, often unconsciously, to statements we make to others. Other add-ons include, “… believe me”, “…to be honest with you”, and “… you have my word.” We speak these words and we hear others speak them, … Continue reading
Classroom Observations Open Door of Black Box Teaching
Consider this profile. “I am a professional educator with an earned baccalaureate from a teacher preparation program at our state university. I am an English major who is an expert in causing children to use language to learn, to clarify … Continue reading
Expand Your First-Hand Knowledge To Grow Your Credibility
First-hand, second-hand or third-hand: how “handy” is your decision making? When you make a decision based upon information, which of the following do you find most credible? First-hand – information gathered by what you personally have heard, seen and experienced. … Continue reading