Recent topics
Literacy- Questioning strategies
- Comprehension through conversation
- Finding the balance in Balanced Literacy
- Readers' and Writers' Workshop
- Engaging reluctant readers
- Shared reading with expository texts
- Word work and grammar
- Reading across the content areas
- Testing as a genre study
Scaffolding English Language Learners
- Unpacking English Language Development Standards
- Embedding academic language in lessons
- Charting and visuals to support language development
Coaching
- Working with adult learners
- Scheduling
- Side-by-side coaching
- Designing effective professional learning
- Keeping track of the work
- Understanding "resistance"
- Gradual release coaching cycles
Mathematics
- Daily routines to reinforce numeracy
- Analyzing student work
- Problem solving and visual representation
- Algebraic thinking in the primary grades
Instructional Leadership
- Analyzing classroom instruction to plan for professional learning
- Conferring with teachers about content and pedagogy
- Creating a climate of adult inquiry
- Using data to create urgency
Curriculum Mapping
- Creating standards-based year long plans
- Using essential questions
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Professional Learning Structures
District-wide Professional Development Workshops
- Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Vice Principals, Teacher Leaders, Special Educators, and Instructional Coaches
Department and Grade Level Study Sessions
- Read and discuss professional texts
- Apply ideas in classroom lessons
Ongoing Work in "Lab Classrooms"
- Demonstrate lessons in teachers' classroom monthly
- Grade level colleagues observe
Instructional Walkthroughs
- Observe, analyze, and discuss student learning
- Reflect on results from previous professional learning
- Plan upcoming professional learning opportunities
3-Day Coaching Cycle
- Observe instruction, analyze student data, plan lessons
- Demonstrate lessons
- Side-by-side coach teachers
- Reflect on results
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