October 7, 2016

8 reflective questions to help any student think about their learning
With these reflective questions “students have the chance to put themselves back at the center of the learning process.” Try one this week; you may be surprised by the learning your students demonstrate.

1. What surprised you today, and why?
2. What’s the most important thing you learned today? Why do you think so?
3. What do you want to learn more about, and why?
4. When were you the most creative, and why do you think that is?
5. What made you curious today? How does learning feel different when you’re curious?
6. When were you at your best today, and why?
7. (Assuming we were studying the same thing and you could decide and have access to anything), where would you start tomorrow? Why?
8. What can/should you do with what you know?

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/use-twitter-exit-slip-teaching/
 
10 things to say to your Students Everyday… and Why they are Important
Ron Ritchhart has constructed this list of things to do every day to create a culture in our classrooms where student thinking is valued. These suggestions each take a short amount of time to implement in the classroom but will make a large impact over an entire school year. 
http://www.ronritchhart.com/ronritchhart.com/COT_Resources_files/10%20Things%20to%20Say%20to%20Your%20Students%20Everyday.pdf
 
Teaching Channel
Teachingchannel has a wealth of videos that show best practice instruction and how to implement it in our classrooms. You can search by subject, grade, and topic. I found this video on using talk moves to improve discourse. Check it out: https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/student-participation-strategy
Please let me know how I can continue to assist you in making your classrooms a place for deep thinking and learning! I would love to help you implement some of the new routines or questioning strategies listed above.