Flying in Formation

Geese have a mission.  They fly south for the winter and then north in the spring.  The barriers are enormous.  Yet they do it.  Year after year efficiently with a collective effort to 'get it done.'  They communicate; they share responsibility; they trust one another.

Lawyers, scientists, policemen, physicians all use similar methods

What do they do when they reach a deadend? 

They enter into a dialoge and solve the problem collaboratively.

How do teachers collectively overcome barriers and limitations?  They work as a group with a collective belief in making a students' yearly growth in reading and math a reality.  They do not dwell on parental issue, lack of student motivation or preparedness rather they work together to find ways to address deficiencies.

Say...

"I cause Learning!"

Together...

"We get Results!"

The key to success is using an evidence-informed mindset and a belief that all of your students are capable of reaching one year's expected growth.  
Focus on the impact of your teaching not just the moves you deliver.  You and your team are stronger together and far more efficient when you have collective dialogue, triangulate data and student work.  Additionally, share what your students' voice as they learn.

Consider this formula and formation

Outcome:

I collaborate with my peers and my students about my conceptions of progress and my impact.

Success Criteria

1. I cause learning.
2. High expectation for all students. We are jointly responsible for each student.
3. Evaluate the impact of teaching
4. Use I skills:  I am self aware.  I am a student of my impact. AND We skills:  I am socially sensitive.  I trust and respect the views of others.
5. I work with others to seek evidence of impact.
6. I work with others to agree on levels of growth for the year.
7. I am prepared to focus on the diagnosis of  students and how to address their needs.
8. I work with colleagues to have a common perceptions of progress.
9. I maximize administrative support, trust and time.

based on 10 mindframes for Visible Learning:  Teaching for Success by John Hattie and Klaus Zierer.

Flying in formation at Bloomer means working together to make a difference in the lives of your students.  You have your own voice but it's through the collaborative efforts of your team can you write learning intentions and success criteria that produce results. . An example is from this week is a second grade math lesson in all three sections.  They were working with students using a 25 frame through the context of money.  They all implemented and focused on a common learning intention of skip counting by 5's and 10's.  As the week went on they used concepts of cardinality and maximized workplace opportunities with a common intention.  What were the results? 90% on daily formative assessments.  How did this happen?  Collectively planning, sharing ideas and working to evaluate their impact.  

Can you do it?  Yes, you Can! 

This week please reflect as a PLC on the following questions:  How effective are we on the 9 success criteria listed above?  What will we do to maximize our effectiveness to reach our goal on one year's growth?  

One last shout out to Samantha Mohr!  She is the star from our professional development session last week on workplaces!  Check out the pictures and note the clock.  She used time wisely and BAM hit workplaces at 1145 exactly!  Thanks for flying in formation Sam!