Top-Scoring Nations Share Strategies on Teachers

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/06/30/36global.h28.html?tkn=LRQF3a0PF4%2BgzXOPZSrw6PKV575IQl6qMRU4

Excerpt from KDSL July/August 2009 Newsletter’s Education Around the World Article

Below is an excerpt from Tosh Patterson, author of the KDSL July/August 2009 Newsletter Education Around the World Newsletter. From August-December 2008 Tosh participated in the Semester at Sea Program.

 

Now, in hindsight, I can be in awe of the experience. For 108 days a community of people floated on the Atlantic, Indian, & Pacific Oceans AND felt soil in eleven countries. I had the privilege to witness humility in India, reconciliation in South Africa, forgiveness in Cambodia & Vietnam, and kindness in Japan. And like a flying fish that jumps out of the ocean, glides across the top, then dives back into the ocean…I lived outside of my comfort zone (out of water), even when I really did not want to do so.

 The complete reflective piece will be out in the next KDSL newsletter.

‘Expectations Gap’ May Be Contributing Factor in Dropout Crisis, Report Finds

http://www.civicenterprises.net/pdfs/thesilentepidemic3-06.pdf

Community Business Partnership

KDSL is on the Fairfax County Community Business Partnership web site

http://www.cbponline.org/component/option,com_sobi2/sobi2Task,sobi2Details/catid,18/sobi2Id,61/Itemid,38/

Socratic Seminar Pictures

Socratic Seminar for Teachers

Dreams

 

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

-Langston Hughes

 

 On  June 10 I modeled a Socratic Seminar in a grade 4 class for two teachers using the poem above.  On the first day (June 9) I introduced who Socrates was, used a photo of him to analyze, and defined what a seminar is. We did a choral read of poem and discussed what we knew about dreams. Next students selected one of the following to write about- what they liked or disliked about the poem, what surprised them, what puzzled them. Students wrote their own open-ended questions (what we called thick or fat questions) they wanted to discuss with peers. Questions were related to dreams and the poem. There questions are below. The etiquette of the seminar was also introduced. For example, be courteous; pass if you are not ready; answer only the questions raised; address each other as Mr. and/or Ms.

Dreams Socratic Seminar Questions…

• What is a world without dreams?
• Who makes dreams and why?
• What happens if we do not have dreams?
• Do dreams come true?
• Why do we have bad dreams?
• How long can we dream?
• When does a dream stop?
• What would you change about the poem?
• How do dreams effect life?
• Do nightmares come true?
• Why do we have nightmares?
• Is there a pattern of what is in dreams?
• Do really logical people like scientists have dreams?
• Why are dreams important?
• What do you think about dreams?
• Tell about a dream you remember in your life.

On the day of seminar the grade 4 teacher and I asked the students questions. We were joined by the Middle Years Art Teacher who was keen to learn more about these types of seminars. All students participated, listened effectively to what their classmates had to say, and questioned the opinions of others.  A great dialogue broke out between two students about how dreams can change as you grow older and whether dreams depend on your resources.

The teachers who participated said…

“Thanks for letting me observe. It has given me lots of ideas for art classes and how to develop critical analysis in the art room.”

“It was so good to see the children be so mature and listen to each other.  The discussion was not dominated by the usual kids who always know everything.  Good work. I will definitely use this approach in the classroom again and again.”

For more information on Socratic Seminars please visit the website below

http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ela/SocraticSeminars/overview.htm

Resources for Educators

Below are two wonderful online resources for educators courtesy of Anna Batchelder, CEO and Founder of Bon Education.

www.curriki.org

http://literacyispriceless.wordpress.com/

http://freereading.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

New Partnership

KDSL will partner with N2Education Consultants of Virginia.

Excerpt from KDSL April/May/June 2009 Newsletter

From Inspection to Reflection

When was the last time your work  was reflected upon with another professional in your field? Your manager’s work? Are you receiving feedback which will allow you to grow? How often? Do you celebrate your successes?  What are you learning? What evidence do you have of this learning? Who has benefited from your learning?  Just some questions to think about as we take a look at an inspection process I recently participated in. Reports are then publicly shared with parents and the wider community. Of course I do not care for the word inspection because it sounds intrusive and like an interrogation.

Early in my education career I remember reading a quote which said “teach each day as though you were being observed.”  Ever since I read that quote I have sought to live it.  Visitors, local and national education agencies, parents, administrators, central offices, and colleagues have always been open to come into my classroom to see what types of tasks my learners and I engage in daily. I have nothing to hide and am always willing to learn about my practice from the vantage point of others. But that is not always the case in education. Some may feel this is crossing the line and see their classroom and teaching as private.  The fact is we all need to be reflective – whether it is a process we embark upon personally or choose to have someone else engage in this process with us.  

Reflections allow us to celebrate where we are professionally and plan our next steps in areas we need to develop. So where are you…already reflective in your practice or  willing to reflect  and/or collaborate with a colleague?

Professional Learning – Quality Teaching in a Culture of Coaching with Stephen Barkley on May 5-6 at Gems World Academy Dubai