There is no place like home!

     I use references to the Wizard of Oz often.  It is a movie that is timeless and is full of wonderful opportunities to create metaphors to describe our work together. The power of friendship and family to persist through a dilemma. How transparency and clarity pulls back the curtain to reveal learning and today how hope may only be a plan in the movies.  We need
to be strategic when we plan and work with intention to reach our goals.  This requires a collaborative group, your grade level PLC, to create and implement an instructional plan that has a goal to raise achievement.  However, that isn't enough!  You need a plan to monitor.  To check how far you've come and how much further you need to go.

    Imagine if you were on a journey home without a map, GPS, Google Maps  or any tool to show you the way.  If you were in a familiar space you may get lost.  Your map for the team is the backward plan, learning progressions and daily learning intentions/success criteria.  

    Now that you have a map to take your home from an unfamiliar place how will you get there?  What is your plan and how long will it take?  You will need a vehicle or some mode of transportation.  We use the workshop/GRR instructional model to get use there.  

    So you have a map, transport but nothing to fuel the journey.  You need gas/electricity to power the vehicle.  We need assessment to power our lesson.  Assessments gatherers information to inform teaching and helps students learning more.  You ask yourself:  "Did students learn?"  "What evidence do I have to prove my conclusion?" When you assess you get the evidence.  You also need to evaluate.  You decide whether or not your kids learned what you taught and how well they have learned it.  Evaluation requires reviewing the evidence and determining it's value.

So What does this look like?

    I sat in on the first grade math PLC on Friday where I found that their discussion was around assessment for learning.  They were checking to see what has been learned and what was next.  They assessed specific feedback from the MAP using the NWEA growth charts and determined the percentage of kids (not proficient) needing additional instruction.  In addition, they began to have discussions using their DFA (daily formative assessments) to monitor their instructional plan.   This team has a map, strong implementation and fuel to power their journey.  It's an excellent example to reflect on and follow.

First Grade PLC Agenda

    You have a choice when you work together.  Collaborating on intentional instructional moves is the fastest way to reach HOME which is our goal.  Monitoring these moves through assessment and evaluation is the way to get there faster.  Remember we need to arrive by the end of the year.  Use your smart brains and personal relationships with one another to create the conditions to function at high levels.  Monitor your work to determine that you are also making an impact.

At the end of the clip Glinda tells Dorothy that you had the power all along.  So do you!