Do WE Learn Alike?

75% of teachers are analytic, sequential learners

 80% of students are not analytic, sequential learners

If given a choice what type of test would you take?

  • Multiple choice
  • Art, Music, drama, dance
  • Speech
  • Essay
  • Project  

Learning take most effectively in classrooms where knowledge is clearly and powerfully organized, students are active in the learning process, assessments are rich and varied and students fell a sense of safety and connection.

Typical Student

  Advanced learners may be advanced in September, but not in May

  • They can become lazy
  • They can easily be hooked on grades
  • They can become perfectionists

Shaking up What a Typical Classroom

  • multiple options for taking in information
  • many ways of making sense of ideas
  • many ways expressing learning
  • many avenues to acquiring content
  • different ways of processing or making sense of ideas
  • Engaging ways of developing products
  • Different "time tables" for learning
  • Proactive
  • quality not quantity
  • multiple approaches to content, process, and product
  • student-centered
  • A blend of whole-class, group, and individual instruction
  • powerful curriculum
  • engaging instruction
  • modify instruction so is prepared for the next phase
  • blends whole class, small group and individual instruction
  • adjustments made constantly for learners

  The Teacher

  • Director
  • Coach
  • Jazz Musician
  • Facilitator
  • Learner

  Best Practices

  • Learning that is meaningful to the student
  • Learning that is challenging
  • Learning that is developmentally appropriate
  • Learning that allows for choices
  • Learning that is interactive
  • Learning that provides feedback
  • Learning that goes from known to unknown
  • Learning that allows concentration on strategies
  • Learning that is teaching process throughout
  • Learning that provides an accepting emotional climate
  • Learning that leads to a successful classroom

  Instruction Flow

  • Whole class reviews key idea
  • Whole class extends learning
  • Whole class introduced to skills
  • Whole class listens to projects
  • Whole class explores concept
  • Varied materials based on readiness and learning style
  • Teachers and students share materials
  • Small groups applies key principles t solve problems related to study
  • Students self select areas through which they will extend their understanding

  Struggling Learners

  • Be positive at all times
  • Enhance strengths
  • Scaffold for success
  • Learn Key ideas and big concepts
  • Teach up
  • Don't limit
  • Teach success
  • Small steps
  • Provide guidance
  • Learn the way each child learns best and use it

How Well do You Know Your Students?

  • Try to list five strengths and weaknesses for each child.
  • Try having each child fill our a learning style inventory
  • Which way does each child prefer to learn?

 

Is it Possible for You to Accept Different Ways of Doing Assignments?

  • How often do you use flexible grouping?
  • Do you give children a choice of how to deliver and assignment?
  • Can you be flexible in grading?