“If we change the order of directions will people still get to their destination?”
-Ms. Rodriguez, THINKING GENERATOR
The deeper we get into the work of Thinking Generators, the clearer it is to see its impact on sound instruction. The three core areas in which teacher practice evaluation hinges upon–3B Questioning/Discussion, 3C Student (Intellectual) Engagement, and 3D. Assessment–are all intricately linked to the teacher’s ability to generate thinking. A highly effective Thinking Generator:
Sparks thinking (challenge students cognitively, advance high-level thinking and discourse, and promote metacognition. -Danielson Framework descriptor for highly effective practice in 3B: questioning)
Supports Intellectual Engagement (ensure all students are intellectually engaged in challenging content through well- designed learning tasks and activities that require complex thinking by students…provides suitable scaffolding and challenges students to explain their thinking. -Danielson Framework descriptor for highly effective practice in 3C: Engagement)
Allows teacher to assess student thinking (Questions and assessments are used regularly to diagnose evidence of learning by individual students. -Danielson Framework descriptor for highly effective practice in 3D: Assessment)
Ms. Rodriguez’s excellent TG above is a great example of how this works: After reading just one question (TG), one can easily visualize students engaging in lively discussions and internal reflections as they think about the order of directions, and recognize how Ms. Rodriguez can readily assess and address individual student misconceptions as she listens in on their discussions.
Our coaches and APs will be meeting with each teacher individually to share feedback on their TGs captured during our first TG walkthrough. We saw a great deal of effective TGs, and many others needing only a few tweaks here and there. Not too shabby for our first of many walkthroughs.
And this action/reflection cycle is the only way we can get better at this work; I can’t offer you a book on creating Powerful Thinking Generators because it is still currently being written…and you’re the author.
HIGHLIGHTS
I have no idea why our networks suddenly became misconfigured over summer and how it can impact all of our printers, but I do know how it will all be resolved: Mr. Horodyski. It takes a man of great courage to tackle the myriad tech issues all over the building, and Mr. Horodyski is taking this work head-on while developing and teaching a Computer Science program on the fly. Thanks!
From Ms. Mintiens: As we entered our second week of school we ramped up the learning, including teacher learning. Tracy Jenal and the K- 2 teachers have been working round the clock to get Readers’ and Writers’ workshop up and running. Teachers have been working hard to establish routines and structures so that learning is the sole focus. Ms. Cohen has her “Peanut Butter and Jelly” turn and talk partners. Teachers are going the extra mile to make their students feel secure, successful, and special (i.e. Reading Rockstar, Mystery Person, Superhero, etc.). Let’s keep the positive energy and enthusiasm up!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Monday is our first Professional Learning session, and the workday ends at 4PM for most staff. We will go over expectations and appropriate practices for TechFlex/AIS and APs will be holding Initial Planning Conferences for teacher observations as well.
Collect all unwanted books in your classroom and discuss with your AP on whether it is appropriate to discard them. DO NOT move any books into the hallway. Once approved, we can bag them inside the classroom for our school custodians to pick up and toss.
Meet the Staff Night is this Thursday. Most staff will stay until 7PM and this is a great opportunity to start building the relationships you know you will be relying on the rest of the year.
Printer Issues: Mr. Horodyski is working on creating a How-To for you to reconfigure network settings. Shoot him at email and cc APs should you not feel confident in doing so and he will assist when he’s free.
Bulletin Boards: Parents should not be seeing empty bulletin boards when they visit on the 22nd. We understand we’re only several school days in, and we are not expecting the entire writing process on display. Let your AP know should you have questions or concerns with readying bulletin boards.
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