The Failing Up Files
April 2014
It's Springtime, Let's Grow!
Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
A great way to get students involved in their learning and make instructional decisions is through questioning and discussions.
- Participation is voluntary, only students that raise their hands actually engage.
- Even if random calling is used, the participation is limited to a few students.
- Questions tend to be unintentional; therefore, failing to provide accurate data about student understanding.
Below are the TESS expectations for the distinguished level of questioning and discussion techniques.
Quality of Questions
"Teacher’s questions are of uniformly high quality, with adequate time for students to respond. Students formulate many questions."
Discussion Techniques
Students assume considerable responsibility for the success of the discussion, initiating topics and making unsolicited contributions.
Student Participation
Students themselves ensure that all voices are heard in the discussion.
Edutopia offers this "Handy Playbook" for fostering questions and discussions in the classroom. It is a great resource for building skill in this area.
If you would like the opportunity to receive feedback on the question/discussion techniques used in your classroom and/or offer to open your classroom to showcase your strengths in these areas, please sign up. This is purely a growth opportunity and non-evaluative! If you choose to sign-up, I will contact you to schedule a convenient date and time. Let's grow together!
What Teachers Make...
PTO Meeting TONIGHT
Tuesday, Apr 8, 2014, 04:00 PM
RNTHS Cyber-Cafe
TESS Statement of Assurance
Spring Statement of Insurance Due
April 18
NWEA MAP
April 22 - May 30
EOC Dates
April 22-23
Biology
April 29-30
Geometry
May 13-14
Changes in Professional Development Dates
Due to the additional snow days in March, the professional development schedule has been revised. These are the current dates from now until summer break. You may want to update your calendars!
- April 14 - EOC Test Training
- April 21
- April 28
- May 5
- May 19
- June 2
2 Hour District Sessions:
- May 12 - Department meetings
End of Year, Teacher Work Day:
- Saturday, June 7
Teisha Weisenfels
Email: tweisenf@rps.k12.ar.us
Location: Rogers New Technology High School
Twitter: @MrsWeisenfels