I've come to the conclusion that being snowed in is, for a brief moment, forcing me to take a pause. Just stop. Sit by the fire, read a book (Dead Ringer by Jessie Rosen is out in print!), watch a movie, make a cup of tea, watch the snow fall. Pausing is good. Pausing provides time to sit and ponder, wonder, think, reflect. Pausing is important for growth.
February is a good time to sit and reflect. Even if a snow storm doesn't force the chance, as educators we need to make the time. Ponder over all the recent mid-year assessments that we have done and analyze our findings. Taking time to reflect and review makes a difference in our instructional practices (how we teach) and in our lessons (what we teach). When we review data we need to identify findings and ask questions. Those questions should lead us to answers that impact how our students learn. In Educational Leadership, Richard Dufour lists four questions to guide that thinking:
- Which students were unable to demonstrate proficiency on this assessment?
- Which students are highly proficient and would benefit from extended or accelerated learning?
- Did one or more colleagues have excellent results in an area where my students struggled? What can I learn from my colleagues to improve my individual practice?
- Is there an area in which none of us achieved the results we expected? What do we need to learn as a team to teach this skill or concept more effectively?
How PLCs Do Data RIGHT, Richard DuFour, Educational Leadership, pages 23-26, November 2015, vol. 73
This month we will have another in-service day to spend time reflecting and thinking about how we can continue to help students learn. Teachers will have a full day of differentiated sessions and time to collaborate with colleagues on topics that are initiatives and goals for the school year.
Check out the new links in this issue that will be shared during PD on Word Work initiatives as well as new presentations for new teachers on comprehension strategies.