Rangel Learning Walks
March 2019
Welcome!
One way to take the "fear of being judged" feeling out of leaning walks, is to begin with "ghost walks," walking empty classrooms. Based on our own ghost walks held on Feb. 15th, this is a successful strategy. Now it's time to take our learning a little further to walk while actual instruction is taking place.
In preparation for our upcoming walks, I've included some information below about the schedule, protocol, and process in general. I've also included some short videos to see the process in action.
Looking forward to our walks together!
Beverly
Using Teacher Learning Walks to Improve Instruction
Learning Walk Schedule
1st period:
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
4th Period:
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A detailed schedule including group members and class coverage will be provided soon.
The Protocol
Classroom Visits: Walkers will visit classrooms for 5 - 10 minutes each. Walkers may engage in any of the following data-gathering activities:
- Examination of the walls
- Discussions with students
- Examination of the arrangement of the classroom
- Examination of classroom resources
- Discussion with teachers
Hall Talk: After each visit, walkers will gather in the hallway to discuss the evidence they have gathered. They cite evidence about what students are learning, how the teacher assisted that learning, and what resources students used, what student work was observed, how students respond to questions, etc.
All dialogue is non-evaluative as the walkers craft thought-provoking questions to stimulate thinking that will move the teacher and/or building staff to the next level of practice.
Debrief: After all classrooms are visited, the walkers reconvene for debriefing session. They review the evidence and thought-provoking questions raised during hall talk. They look for patterns that may have emerged. They consider these observations in the light of other data and PD needs of the teacher and principal.
Reflection to Staff: The principal communicated the observations of the Learning Walk team to the staff through a feedback letter or discussion at a staff meeting.