Clanin's Corner
March Newsletter
Why is Conferring so Important...Let Me Count the Ways!
Conferring is so powerful because it ensures that differentiation takes place in ALL classroom(it isn't just a reading and writing thing) on a daily basis! The following ways show what it does for the students, the classroom and for YOU, the educator!
1. Helps You Know the Students
a. Get to say hello to students daily
b. Know everyone in your classes on a different level
c. Learn everyone's name quickly
2. Builds a Community
a. View other perspectives
b. Grows everyone beyond passive participant
c. Empowers student voice
d. Builds trust
e. Builds empathy and understanding
f. Makes a safe place to express individuality
g. Create challenges by offering choice
3. Establishes Assessment FOR Learning- Formative
a. Identify individual needs
b. Identify individual strengths
c. Progress monitor skills/strategy or comprehension
d. Check for understanding of the teaching point
e. a through d establishes teacher lesson planning and learning outcomes
Explore one or several authors to find a style that works for you!
Conferring in Content Areas
Harvey Daniels
Laura Robb
Conferring in Reading
Jennifer Seravallo
Laura Robb
Jeffery Wilhelm
Nancie Atwell
Lucy Calkins
Patrick Allen
Cris Tovani
Donalyn Miller
Conferring in Writing
Laura Robb
Carl Anderson
JIm Burke
Nancie Atwell
Lucy Calkins
Kelly Gallagher
Ralph Fletcher
a. Content
i. Use familiar vocabulary
ii. Prior knowledge varies, so set the stage for learning
iii. Let students select content/topic
iv. Use familiar content and formats
v. Implement content that reflect similar themes
b. Student Interest
i. Relate content to student interest
ii. Demonstrate connection
iii. Apply knowledge of student ability
iv. Match student roles with interests
c. Classroom Management
i. Set Individual goals and expectations
ii. Adjust the physical space based on needs
iii. Teach to different learning styles
d. Instructional Process
i. Use thinking maps and other scaffolds
ii. Practice with a variety of examples and demonstrations
iii. Present material in new, interesting and different ways
5. Allows for Authentic Summative Assessments OF Learning
a. Create a variety of assessments-products, projects, speeches, debates, Socratic seminar, inquiry, project based learning, published pieces, monologues, scene or play writing, and/or presentations
b. Express and maintain high expectations
c. Assessments should reflect standards and higher level thinking
The Good, The Better, and The BEST
The Better: There are several books and videos on conferring in your professional development libraries(or you can borrow from me).
The BEST: Conferring follows a predictable structure:
Research
Compliment
Decide on what and how to teach.
Teach the writer and reader not the writing or reading- what you teach should carry over into other pieces or stories.
Link your teaching to what the students are doing already.
Leave an Artifact for the student to refer back to on a regular basis.
Document your conference.
Use the instructional coaches or me to help you grow in the different parts of conferring!
Evernote App or PC
Confer App
Paper Pencil Method
Krista Clanin
Email: kclanin@pike.k12.in.us
Location: M S D Pike Township, Pike, IN, United States
Phone: 317-387-2520
Twitter: @KristaClanin