Instructional Friday Focus

Every Friday I send an email to the whole staff that contains tips for best practice instruction, a peek at the Danielson framework for teaching Teacher evaluation rubric and resources for the staff.  I also include an inspirational quote and shout-out's to that week's learning leaders.  I've been thinking about these emails and realizing that they are similar to what I would want to blog about each week anyway, so I've decided to start cross-posting them here.  HT to Jeff Zoul for the inspiration on the weekly emails.

Here was the message I sent this week.  Any feedback is appreciated!

Dear Bison Colleagues,

Happy Friday!   As we close out another week at Buffalo Grove HS, I am focused on the topic of self-determined learning, aka Genius Hour, aka 20% Time aka Passion-Driven Classroom.

Teach and Learn with Passion!

Teaching and Learning Quotes:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” —Aristotle

Danielson Framework for Teaching reminder:

There are 4 domains, 22 components and 76 elements that are considered aspects of a teacher's responsibility as documented through empirical studies.  The 4 domains are:

1. Planning and Preparation

2. The Classroom Environment

3.  Instruction

4.  Professional Responsibilities

Looking at Domain 3: Instruction

3a:Communicating Clearly and Accurately

Here's a peek at what "distinguished" looks like for 3a :

Teacher’s oral and written communication is clear and expressive, anticipating possible student misconception.

Strategy/Tool to Try: (thanks to ITF Jeff Vlk)

This works with your iPad 4 as well with the Yosemite upgrade. It can replace the need for reflector. 

https://medium.com/@patrickswong/how-to-mirror-your-iphone-with-a-lightning-cable-using-quicktime-in-os-x-yosemite-ace3f40ef483

Instructional Focus:  Genius hour/20% Time/Self-determined Learning/Passion-Driven Learning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEQzKH7v0-Q

http://cybraryman.com/geniushour.html

Here are some resources and articles:

http://psolarz.weebly.com/2013-2014-passion-projects.html

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=829279

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1422503921&x-yt-cl=85027636&v=b0JaiyV-G9I#t=883

Bison Learning Leaders:  

• Our Fine Arts staff and students for putting on a beautiful tribute to the Harlem Renaissance 
• Our FAST planning team and the Lit Lab for their intro to freshmen "Is DNA Your Destiny"
• The continued work of the ITF and DTC's to support our integration of Infinite Campus 

Keep up the great work, Bison!  Happy Friday!