Lesson plans are the small incremental steps to creating larger educational outcomes. A way to improve the quality of larger outcomes is to improve the quality of the small steps – lesson plans. Lesson studies are a proven strategy for improving lesson designs. Continue reading
A School Year Is Not a Year of Instruction
A school year is the number of days school is open for student attendance. It is a finite quantity. An instructional year is the time necessary for teaching to cause all children to learn their annual grade level and course curricula. For almost all children, the school year ends before the instructional can be completed. The status quo of this inequality significantly contributes to deficiencies in student learning. Continue reading
Teach. Try not. Yoda Redux.
Educationese obfuscates. Education requires resolute language of who will do what to cause what learning for children. Inherent in the resolute language is the use of action verbs Continue reading
Squeaky Wheels Should Be Listened To Not Greased
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
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