Is it almost Spring?

The days are becoming longer, and with that comes assessment time.  Assessment time puts students to the test and informs us as educators and leaders where students are in their understanding of grade levels skills. The data we collect from these assessments give us an opportunity to revisit how current intervention programs are working at the building level and where changes can be made to maximize the number of students we can provide intensive services to.

Topics of Interest this Spring Include

Rigor/Cognitive Demand in Teacher Questioning:
Rigor in questioning asked to students by teachers.  What should this look like and sound like as we enter classrooms that are engaged in authentic learning.

Ideas I've share with Teachers: Consider writing questions using Deep of Knowledge levels, Blooms Taxonomy Levels and/or even Costa's Levels of thinking as you pre-plan lessons and instruction. I also share with teachers that is work is emphasized in Charolette Danielson's Framework for Teaching and Learning under Domain number 1 Planning and Preparation. (FYI: I have this entire framework pretty much memorized, well ok, only domains two and three.)

Teacher Pre-Conference and Post Conference Meetings:
As I've begun my second round of teacher observations, I start every conference time with questions to the teacher about the lesson they would like me to observe, as well as discuss particular things they would like me to give them feedback on.  I do encourage teachers to think outside the teacher's guide by asking How can you take this lesson and make it more hands on/minds on for students?, How can you facilitate roles to each group of students and encourage them to have either mathematical discussions or literary discussions during the partner or small group time?
I enjoy these conferences with teacher's because, we discuss where students are in their understanding of the current concepts being taught in class.  And it helps me envision what this lesson may look like once I arrive to the classroom.

Recently, I have also set up Mid Year Review meetings with teachers and have asked them to bring evidence and artifacts they would like considered for part of their evaluation process.  I have had three of these meeting now and I must say they are informative for the teacher, we collaborate on what it is they are currently working on behind the scenes and created opportunities for me to ask if they need further support to obtain the goals they have sent for 1. The sub group of students, 2. Their entire class and 3. Their grade level Professional Learning Community.  ( I am continuously seeking online resources that will assist my staff in making this process manageable in terms of artifact and evidence collection.)

Principal Framework and Goals
It's that time to review mid year where I am personally with the goals I have set out for myself as an instructional and building leader.  It's great to set goals at the beginning of the year and review them mid year, however; its a bit scary to think you may not meet all the goals.  I do however collect artifacts in a binder. This binder helps me to organize the 8 criteria I too must be evaluated on. (More to come on possible ideas for goals and artifact collection.)