Instructional Coaching

Instructional Coaching

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tuesday Teaching Tips - Guided Math

How can we meet the needs of our students in math?  In reading, many educators are using guided reading (small group).  Why not do the same in math?

Why guided math?
The benefits of guided math are similar to the benefits of guided reading.

  • Flexible grouping based on ability/needs/interests
  • Scaffolding of more difficult concepts
  • Reteaching and exploration of math concepts in a smaller risk free environment
  • Increased teacher knowledge of student abilities


Here are some guided math management systems:

Daily 5 Math

Sample Daily 5 Math Routine:
Math Meeting/Warm-up - “Problem of the Day” Math Focus Lesson (introduce math vocabulary & concepts) Daily 5 Choice Daily 5 Choice
Meet About Math (closing/discuss the day of math)
BUILD

B = Buddy Math U = Using Manipulatives
I = Independent Working/Reading
L = Learning About Numbers
D = Doing Math

Sample BUILD Routine:

Group 1-

1) 30 minute puzzling lesson.

2) 30 minutes of BUILD time.

Group 2-

1) 30 minutes of BUILD time.

2) 30 minute puzzling lesson.

The important thing is finding a management system that works for you and your students.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Tuesday Teacher Tips - Digital Texts

There are SO many digital text resources.  Many are free!  This is a list that I received at the Literacy Retreat.  My favorite is NEWSELA.  You can choose a topic and differentiate the article by Lexile level.  Many of the articles have quizzes too!

Resources for digital text
  • ReadWorks.org offers FREE articles on any subject at a variety of Lexile levels.
  • NEWSELA is a FREE website for current news event articles. Lexile range can be manipulated to make the text easier or harder. You can add students to your group and assign certain articles to the group. Want to know how to use NEWSELA? Read the Reading Today article that explains all the benefits to teachers and students.
  • Time for Kids is a news magazine geared toward students in grades K-6 that offers age-appropriate news stories.
  • National Geographic Kids has a FREE website for information and games related to current news around the world.
  • Starfall is a FREE website to use with primary students. It is filled with interactive e-books and activities.
  • Would you love to use digital text, but you don't own a Kindle? No worries. The Kindle app is free for any device. Order e-books through Amazon, but send the books to any tablet or smartphone.
  • At wegivebooks.org, books are scanned and can be projected up on a full screen. Use interactive white board tools to annotate the text. It offers loads of nonfiction texts. Kristi's tip: Don't always go by age level. The text might have high-level content even if it is labeled "ages 4-7." Yellowstone Moran is a perfect example. This site is sponsored by Pearson.
  • TumbleBooks is a subscription website for digital recordings of books. Most public libraries have links to their subscriptions and can be accessed by any computer with an IP address from the same state. Check it out before you pay for a subscription. Example:http://www.carmel.lib.in.us/child/games.cfm.
  • Gutenberg.org houses classic literature in a digital format perfect for middle school and high school students. The books are free due to the fact that their copyrights have expired.
  • Search for old children's books like the original version of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter in Gutenberg's children's picture book section.
  • The Teacher Created Materials explor-ebooks app gives 4 free books when you sign up. Then you can purchase e-books to add to your "bookshelf." They sell books for a single classroom copy or many copies with a site license.
  • Scholastic is a great resource for teachers to get economical books in the classroom. The Storia app allows teachers to buy digital copies for their virtual "bookshelf."

Monday, June 23, 2014

Tuesday Teaching Tips - Literacy Retreat

Tracy Spakausky and I will be attending a literacy retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday.  I am sure there will be many ideas to share from this conference.  A couple videos were sent to us before the conference.  One of the videos was about reading comprehension.  If you have time, please watch the video.  What a great way to help children understand what is going on in their head while they are reading!

The Voices Inside a Reader's Head:

Handout


Video - 2nd video on right hand side of the screen

I will add other ideas to this page after the conference.


Monday, June 16, 2014

Tuesday Teaching Tips

Whole Brain Teaching

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Standards, Assessments, and Differentiation, Oh My! Conference in Bensenville School District 2.  Many of the elementary teachers use Whole Brain Teaching to engage students and manage their classrooms.  If you are interested in finding out more about Whole Brain Teaching, let me know.  I would love to work with any teacher that would like to implement Whole Brain Teaching in their classrooms!  I am also including some video examples of Whole Brain Teaching in action!!!

There are many more videos.  I have only included 3.  Let me know if you want more!











Monday, April 21, 2014

Roles of the Instructional Coaches

The Roles of Instructional Coaches in the Instructional Coaching Model
(roles are not in any priority order)



Role #1: Classroom Supporter
Purpose: To increase the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction based on using the gradual release model and may include but is not limited to: 
*Collaborating   
*Co‐planning 
*Modeling 
*Co‐teaching 
*Provide descriptive feedback based on teacher requested observation  
Role #2: Instructional Supporter
Purpose: To support the implementation of effective instructional strategies including but not limited to: 
*Assessment for learning
* Differentiation of instruction 
*Standards based grading 
*Building teacher capacity by working with intervention groups for short periods of time in elementary classrooms
Role #3: Curriculum or Content Facilitator
Purpose:  To promote implementation of state standards through adopted curricula including but not limited to: 
*Increasing teacher content knowledge  
*Facilitating a better understanding of the structure of the written, taught, and tested curriculum
*Dissecting standards to guide identification of essential knowledge and skills
Role #4: Data Coach
Purpose: To facilitate conversations using data to drive instructional decisions including but not limited to: 
*Collaborating with teachers to analyze formative and summative student achievement data
*Assisting teachers with the use of data to improve student learning
Role #5: Facilitator for Change
Purpose: To engage teachers in reflective thinking while looking at their own instructional practices critically and analytically including but not limited to: 
*Fostering a safe, trusting environment for teachers  
*Introducing alternatives and refinements for teacher instructional practices
Role #6: Learner  
Purpose: To engage in continuous learning in order to keep current including but not limited to:
*Engaging in professional development opportunities and professional reading 
*Practicing and reflecting about what is learned  
Role #7: Professional Learning Facilitator  
Purpose: To design and facilitate effective professional learning opportunities based on SPS
Professional Learning Framework (see appendix) including but not limited to: 
*Providing professional development  
*Facilitating other forms of professional development (e.g., bringing in consultants)
Role #8: Resource
Purpose: To identify a variety of resources to enhance classroom instruction and student achievement including but not limited to: 
*Identifying instructional and assessment resources requested by teachers  
*Sharing research and instructional best practices
Role #9: School Leader
Purpose: To support and communicate the school and district initiatives with the school community including but not limited to: 
* Involving stakeholders in the implementation of the School Improvement Plan 
*Connecting with community stakeholders by sharing instructional practices that impact students
*Acting as a strong advocate for student learning

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

What is an Instructional Coach?

"Thinking Partner"

Instructional coaches partner with teachers to help them incorporate research-based instructional practices into their teaching.

The basic role of an instructional coach in education is to increase the instructional capacity of teachers so they can better incorporate literacy or math into their instruction.(Hall, 2004) An instructional coach is one who supports others in building their teaching skills, assists others in applying new knowledge, and provides ongoing professional development.

How do we get excellent instruction in every classroom, everyday, for every student?

The Big Four (Teacher Practices that Coaches Share with Teachers)
1. Classroom Management
2. Content
3. Instruction
4. Assessment for Learning

Instructional Coaching Menu

Best Practices

Menu
Choose from a variety of options, MIX and MATCH to design what is appetizing to you! Note: All dishes are free (but chocolate will be happily accepted as payment! )

WARNING!

The chef is NOT an expert, but does gather a wide range of ingredients and serving suggestions from other customers!  

The chef is a "partner for success."

Craving something not listed on the menu?

ORDER IT ANYWAY – The Chef is willing to collaboratively create new items as needed!