Coaching Connection
December 2019
Engagement and Instructional Strategies
9 Engaging Summative Assessments
Switch things up with performance-based summative assessments at any age-level. While you can’t change what’s on standardized tests, you can create activities to ensure your students are exhibiting and applying their understanding and skills to end-of-chapter or -unit assessments in a refreshing way.
Specific Ways to Use Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DoK)
You may have learned about Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DoK) from a theoretical standpoint, but many teachers feel they’re missing a puzzle piece.
This article will help. It offers definitions, questions, examples, activities and other tips for you to reference and use.
https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/webbs-depth-of-knowledge-dok/
Four Research Based Strategies Every Teacher Should Be Using
Do what you already do but better. Read the research behind the strategies and get tips on how to make them more effective.
Professional Readings
6 Ways to Give Effective Feedback (video)
Giving feedback can be time consuming. Teachers shared tips on feedback that strikes a balance between effectiveness and sustainability.
How to Maintain Students Motivation for Learning as the Year Goes On
Neuroscience can suggest ways to keep students working toward their learning goals after their initial excitement wears off.
8 Proactive Classroom Management Tips
New teachers—and experienced ones too—can find ideas here on how to stop disruptive behavior before it begins.
Learning Opportunities (Professional Development)
Foundations of Effective Teaching -Dec 5 or Feb 6 or April 2 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) Effective Teaching
Student Mental Health - Nov 18 or January 13 or March 2 (5:00 - 6:30 pm) Student Mental Health
Introduction to Restorative Practices - January 30 or February 24 (5:00 - 6:30 pm) Restorative
Student Mental Health - January 13 or March 2 (5:00 - 6:30 pm) Mental Health
Technology Tidbit from your Media Specialists
It's free. It's simple. It's engaging.
It can be a challenge getting every student to participate in a discussion in class. Flipgrid’s philosophy is to “Empower every voice”. Even your most camera shy or introverted students are able to actively participate in a class discussion by creating a video clip that can be shared with others in one of Flipgrid’s grids. You can record yourself, something else, add in still images, even use a digital whiteboard within Flipgrid to create your response. Set up your own Flipgrid account at info.flipgrid.com using your school gmail account. Once you’ve created your account, you can start creating your own grids. A grid is similar to a classroom. You can have all your students respond in one grid or make one grid per class. A topic can then be added to any grid. All you need to do is share the Flip code or the QR code that is automatically generated and students can respond. If you want to know more about Flipgrid, check out their resources. Additionally, once you’ve created a Flipgrid account, you can access their Disco Library to find and share Flipgrid templates. The Educator’s Guide eBook was written by Flipgrid users and has each step clearly outlined. No time to read and just want someone to show you what to do? Need help figuring out a way to enhance your curriculum with Flipgrid? Contact your building media specialist. They are willing to work with you to learn both the mechanics of Flipgrid and help determine ways to incorporate it into your content area. LNHS: Rocky Boelter, LSHS: Gordy Wenum, CMS: Loralee Anderson, KTMS: Beth Beckwith, MMS: Paula Hansen
TDE / QComp / PLC Tidbits
Administer a Student Survey or use another idea for collecting feedback on Student Engagement.
Consider reflecting on Professional Development, Peer Observation, and Student Engagement in your Unified Talent Perform.