January 12, 2017

Too Many Students and Not Enough Time
We all feel the strain at one time or another. We feel that our classes are too large, we have too much to do, and not enough time in class to reach every student. This article points to differentiation being the key to helping us through these difficulties. Many of the strategies we have been highlighting in recent years during our professional development are stated as methods to differentiate and therefore be more effective in the classroom.

Transform whole class instruction into small learning teams. 

• Jigsaw
• Small group mini-lessons
• Centers/ stations
• Clock partners (Deanna’s share from the Aug. PD)
• Use learning profile cars to create teams (http://openingpaths.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Learning-Profile-Cards.pdf)

Use a variety of structured dialogue prtocols to focus learning expereinces.

• Last word
• Mapping
• Chalk talk
• Socratic seminars

Focus students on deeper learning/thinking.

​Plan activities based on the levels and interests of the students you have in the classroom currently.
 ​ 
https://www.edutopia.org/article/too-many-students-not-enough-time-john-mccarthy

Oracy in the Classroom: Strategies for Effective Talk
If you are interested in improving the discourse within partner/group work in your classroom, take 6 minutes to watch this video. The video highlights an elementary school in England that focuses on oracy in the classroom. To support oracy, the teachers use discussion guidelines, discussion roles, and choosing the level of participation in structured talk tasks to help each student learn through discussion. You can see examples of each of these below.

Discussion Guidelines:

• Always respect each other's ideas.
• Be prepared to change your mind.
• Come to a shared agreement.
• Clarify, challenge, summarize, and build on each other's ideas.
• Invite someone to contribute by asking a question.
• Show proof of listening.

https://www.edutopia.org/practice/oracy-classroom-strategies-effective-talk

Slowing Down to Learn: Mindful Pauses That Can Help Student Engagement
Don’t forget about our VIRTUAL PD Opportunity! Join us on Wednesday, January 25th from 2:30 – 3:30 to discuss your results from trying the 8 different wait times listed below. Please sign up in KALPA.