Posts Tagged ‘reflective practice’
Reflection = Growth
“Self-reflection is a humbling process. It’s essential to find out why you think, say, and do certain things . . . then better yourself.” – Sonya Teclai The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards states, “Thinking analytically about teaching is complicated because teaching is complicated.” Teachers generally have little time for self-analysis and reflection, yet…
Read MoreNo Quick Fixes
“Every spring, education-related newspaper and magazine stories raise the alarm that schools are teaching to the test. Scores of articles and editorials paint a disheartening picture of frustrated teachers forced to abandon good instructional practices for a relentless stream of worksheets based on boring, repetitive test-preparation materials.” Craig Jerald It’s hard for teachers to stay…
Read MoreMaking Assessments Useful
The emphasis on assessment as a measure of accountability has diverted our attention from its most important purpose. Classroom assessments should be guiding tools for improving instruction and student learning. Quality assessments can serve as meaningful sources of information for teachers. The data we gather provides us with evidence for our next steps in helping…
Read MoreAssessment – Feedback about Impact
“We should focus on the greatest source of variance that can make the difference – the teacher.” – John Hattie Typically we are asked to assess students and analyze how well they have done on a particular task. We view the outcome as a measure of how the child is progressing. Our schools are streaming…
Read MoreStudent Talk Boosts Learning
“Communication is the essence of human life.” -unknown Teachers are lovers of learning and language and usually very skilled communicators. We know that language is the key to how we think, speak, and make sense of the world around us. Classroom talk can be powerful, but think back to a time when you were confined…
Read More2 Teaching Tips for 2016
“Teachers need to be evaluators and activators.” – Professor John Hattie We hope the New Year finds you ready to step back into the classroom invigorated and energized. At ERG we believe effective teachers learn from their own teaching, so we would like to suggest two simple tips as you prepare to activate meaningful learning in…
Read MoreWhat's Your Best Lesson of 2015?
What comes to mind when you think back on your instruction in 2015? Would you say you played it safe or you took risks? Did you try a strategy multiple times so you could tweak it or did you knock it out of the park on your first try? Whatever the lesson, it is worth…
Read MoreUsing Conferences to Differentiate
Look inside almost any classroom today and you’ll see a mirror of our country. You’ll find students from multiple cultures, some of whom are trying to bridge the languages and behaviors of two worlds. Students with very advanced learning skills sit next to students who struggle mightily with one or more school subjects. Children with…
Read MoreDifferentiation – What It Is and What It Is Not
In the field of education we know that one size does not fit all. Teachers must be aware of the developmental readiness, varying background knowledge, learning styles, and interests of the divers students in the classroom. Effective teachers use meaningful tasks to deliver content, modify processes, and create open-ended assessment measures to gain information and…
Read MoreThe Secret Strategy
The beginning of the year can be a hectic and stressful time for teachers. There are many, many things that must happen outside the classroom and instructional day. There are also lesson plans, students and resources to manage. This juggling act continues all year, but during the first few months of school, it can seem…
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