Literacy Team
Purpose:
1. Teachers serve as classroom models to impact student learning.
2. Change the climate with encouragement.
- Risk taking
- Positive attitudes
- Merge ways of thinking
3. Serve as Department Facilitators.
- Conversation starters
- Act as a resource
4. Follow Through/Next Steps
- Build a bag of tricks
- Monthly meetings
- Blog
- Book Study
I read Chapter 6 out of the Teacher Leadership (Danielson 2006) and I liked the comment “A school’s approach to teaching and learning involves several interralted aspects: a focus on results, curriculum, assessment, and teaching”. It was some of what we discussed in the meeting yesterday as where to start, what areas to focus on, and coming up with a vision.
Another comment that really made me reflect on my approach to adults was “reassuring their colleagues that an examination of results with the aim of improving learning does not suggest a criticism of the work of teachers, but rather it represents joint effort for better results.” As a coach to saty focused on the vision and goals set forth is a real eye opener in that I have to stay focused of the positive aspects of what teachers are trying and to assist with the implementation of the strategy or idea.
Comment by michelle.gajdik — January 30, 2008 @ 9:22 am
I read chapter 4 in the Teacher Leadership (Danielson 2006) and it focused a lot on culture. Based on our discussion in the meeting yesterday, trying to provide the outlet for teachers to take risks without feeling like their will be punishment if the idea fails is a key component of our process as literacy leaders. I also made a connection to the comment “Teachers in a well-functioning school treat their colleagues with respect, both personal and professional.” As a literacy coach in a new school is sometimes difficult to get to the personal relationships with all staff. The approach seems to be another key element of assisting in creating a well-functioning school as well as understanding of others views. I appreciated the idea yesterday of taking the old practices and meshing them with new practices to come up with practices that raise student learning.
Comment by michelle.gajdik — January 30, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Just to focus back on the subject that we are discussing for the next month, I wanted to start a discussion over what our own practices are and how the subdomains are being utilized in our classes.
I use the frayer model to increase vocabulary development and I like the model becuase I can change it around to meet my needs. Another strategy I use is academic dialogue, but it is not something I am strong in, considering there is to much off task discussion. Trying to get a handle on implementing that component is taking some time.
Comment by michelle.gajdik — January 31, 2008 @ 10:28 am