Students getting stuck in classroom academic discussions? Off topic? Uncomfortable? No discussion at all?
If you are looking for ways to revitalize student conversations, stretch what you already do, affirm your practice, or remember an old strategy, this simple structured academic conversation provides supports for students who struggle and space for those who accel.
Additional conversation tool for the open discussion:sentence stems (agreeing, disagreeing, clarifying, building)
Prepared pro/con arguments across disciplines: procon.org
Want someone else to try this in your classroom? A second set of hands to navigate the scene. I’d love to give it a go with you and your students…any content area. Worse case scenario, we can laugh at the failures. I’ve had plenty. Email me: [email protected]
If you would like to add a shout out to a colleague, please do so here.
As a Secondary Instructional Coaching team, we love working with you and your students. We know how hard each and everyone of you work and we appreciate your dedication to teaching This week’s blog post is a reflection on some of the ideas that have been shared in this post during this school year, many of the ideas that we have learned from you!
from Torie Withers: My favorite blog from 2022 is “Whose Voice are You Hearing in Your Classroom?” because of its timely, and also timeless, message: Every child deserves to be affirmed and acknowledged every day. As educators, our number-one goal is to support our students and create inclusive-learning environments where all children can thrive. This blog post highlights the fact that many of our students may not experience positive-feedback loops in their classrooms, and consequently are not accessing learning or experiencing growth. For me, this post is an essential reminder of the “why” behind how children learn as well as why we as teachers do this work.
from Colleen Behrens: My favorite blog(s) from 2022 is the three part series from Liza Huet; Supporting Multilingual Learners, Stages of Language Acquisition, Strategies that Work – We are often searching for strategies to help our multilingual learners succeed. Liza’s provides a few gems that reminds us of the importance of creating a sense of belonging with simple acts such as learning students’ names or greeting each student at the door. The blogs also revisit strategies from SIOP and Envoy that many of us already know but may have forgotten during the past few years such as: making learning visual, “I Do,We Do,You Do”, and mixing up the Think-Pair-Share.
from Michele Clements: My 2022 favorite is “Feedback vs. Feed Forward” – As language arts teachers, exploring ways to best prepare our students for a 21st century context we can not yet imagine, one of our most diligent efforts comes in the effort to teach process over product. Feedback is an integral part of that because our traditional feedback methods – especially those tied to grades – tend to be product-focused ones. This is a great blog for nudging our thinking forward, suggesting other feedback options for us, and challenging us to accept the possibility of more effective timing and methodologies.
from Linda Adams: My absolute favorite is the Shout Outs!!! One of Monica’s most fabulous ideas. In addition, I really appreciate what Liza has shared about sporting bilingual students on October 21.
from Monica Freeman: Teachers are the Best of Bend La Pine. You make the art of teaching successful for our students. Everyday.
If you would like to add a shout out to a colleague, please do so here.
To Aaron Groenewold (CMS):
Aaron provides a fun, safe classroom where ALL kids feel included and seen. He works magic with some of our hardest-to-reach students, and we’re so lucky to have him at our school Way to go, AAron!
To Madeline Ranstrom (CMS):
Madeline is a fantastic Spanish teacher, but also needs to be recognized for her quick thinking and response in her classroom for a student that was choking and couldn’t breathe. Madeline kept her class calm while administering first aid to the student, and averted what could have been a very awful situation. Way to go, Madeline!
To Deanna Anguilla (TRS):
Deanna helped plan a great assembly recognizing local Veterans on Veterans Day. The entire K-8 student body and many parents showed up and thanked them for their service. Afterwards they had biscuits and gravy, eggs and coffee for breakfast.
To Chris Ruff and Jenny Brown (CHS):
Chris and Jenny collaborate every single day as they work to develop relevant and engaging World Studies curriculum. They support each other through a curricular lens, and they support each other through the challenges of teaching and building a cohesive social studies department. Chris and Jenny set the standard for collaboration. -Chris Boyd
Create clear, predictable routines – creating clear, predictable routines is a trauma-informed practice and creates a learner-friendly culture. Some of our multilingual students can be experiencing various forms of trauma and social-emotional stressors. The more predictable and familiar our routines are in the classroom, the easier it will be to self-regulate and to learn to trust.
Go visual – Go visual in key concepts (word walls), in expectations and in directions for independent work time.
Make content comprehensible: Visuals, multimedia presentations, realia, hands-on activities and field trips are at the top of the list!
I do, we do, you do! – Teacher modeling and student practice opportunities are key for multilingual students.
Provide opportunities to talk about learning – If multilingual students can’t talk about their learning, they can’t read and write about their learning either. As students progress in their language abilities, find ways to increase opportunities to talk about their learning with modeled and guided practice.
Looking for more support? Reach out to . . .
Liza Digiglio Huet
Secondary Instructional Coach
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Multilingual Services
If you would like to add a shout out to a colleague, please do so here.
To Brady Bedsworth (SHS):
Brady Bedsworth helped me out when I needed it and I appreciate him. Since it was Thanksgiving time, I wanted to recognize him and say “Thanks tons!” –Jason Colquhoun
To Jim Bright (BHS):
Shout out to Jim Bright for his positive influence in our building. Jim takes a strength-based approach with his students, works hard to protect teacher morale, and is just honestly a great human. I’m so honored to work alongside him! Thanks, Jim! -Vikki Staudinger
To Laura Gemignani (CHS):
Great curriculum leadership laura! Thank you for all the hard work you to do inspire students and get them excited about Biology! Appreciate you! -Kathleen Glogau
To Each and Everyone of you at Summit High School:
I’m so lucky to come to work and see you all everyday! Feeling exceptionally thankful to be surrounded by such a group of genuine and caring individuals. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 and Go Storm 💚🤍🖤 -Jylan Mayloy
If you would like to add a shout out to a colleague, please do so here.
To Chelsea Jennings (MVHS):
She is instrumental in the lives of our Newcomers! She is so amazing in trying to find solutions to the issues and struggles these kids face. On top of being so vital to them, I have learned a lot and have felt SO incredibly supported by her hard work! I am grateful for her partnership and camaraderie, as well as someone to talk me off the ledge on the hard days. I am so grateful for Chelsea! -Nicole Contreras
To Lindsay Nickerson (CHS):
All her hard work making theater and dancing engaging and creating a cool new subculture within Caldera that students feel welcome and excited about. -Sara Trakselis
To Terri Johnson (HDMS):
Terri always goes above and beyond to bring interest and real life meaning to her math classes. Her 6th grade classes are in the midst of their NFL project. This past week the built houses out of cardboard and found materials. These houses were built to scale and the students calculated things like how much paint, carpet or hardwood floors they would need. The students even built furniture to scale. Engagement was through the roof!
To Sarah Oglesby (PCMS):
Thank you for going over and beyond with our students. You are amazing addition to the middle school! Keep on Keeping on.
To Kevin Cooper (BHS):
Inspiring a love of the school and making it more fun. -Jim Bright
To Nate Neil (BHS)
Feeding your students’ minds (with psych), souls (with love) and belly (with PB and J) -Jim Bright
To Steve Wetherald (BHS):
Changing the trajectory of students lives by forming deep relationships that continue far beyond students’ time at Bend High. -Jim Bright
To Erin Berg (BHS):
Working with students who struggle to help them achieve their potential and feel loved while doing it. -Jim Bright
To Jason Colquhoun (SHS):
Jason connects with all his students and they love his classes. -Andy Fleming
To Bend La Pine Choir Teachers
Tuesday night choir teachers from across Bend La Pine hosted a choir festival. There were choirs from schools from La Pine to Madras, from elementary to high school! It was an amazing event with a huge audience. The students singing brought joy to everyone! Thanks for the hard working choir team for your amazing work!
