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A Reader Asks...Lesson Framing in Kindergarten Classrooms

A LYS Assistant Superintendent asks the following:

SC,

The training that you provided this past summer was great and our staff has worked all semester implementing the Fundamental 5.  With that implementation, we some have questions.

  

What about Kindergarten where students may not be able to read the Lesson Frames that would be written on the board? Should we still do it?

I look forward to your answer.

SC Response

That is a good question. When it comes to kindergarten classrooms, there are some adjustments to typical lesson framing practices. Adjustments, not abandonment.

First, if I were to embrace the “Students can’t read yet” argument, then anything written and posted in a Kindergarten classroom would be a waste of time and board/wall space. And we know that is not true.  

Second, the teacher is going to frame the big concepts.  That might entail “The Morning” concept and “The Afternoon” concept, or it may be content driven.  Think, “When the students are pulled to the floor for a whole group lesson,” that is likely a frameable concept. 

Third, the Lesson Frame will be written in very concrete language and may (or often) include pictures and icons.

Fourth, the closing questions will have a higher percentage of demonstration activities than the upper grade levels.  For example, “Does my letter look like the letter on the board?”

Fifth, the teacher will still write the Lesson Frame on the board. She will still point it out to the students and she will still talk about it and read it to her students.  In this way the Lesson Frame still serves to prime the learners brain, explain the expectation of the lesson and provides a text-rich, literacy supporting learning environment.

Finally, just because the student can’t read, doesn’t mean that we don’t model reading.  The lesson frame is an authentic way to embed reading instruction and practice throughout the day, every day.

I hope this helps and I look forward to working with your team again.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Asks... Data Crunching - Now What?

A LYS Assistant Superintendent asks the following:

SC,

The following question was asked during a Principals’ meeting.  What would have been your answer?

“Once the teachers turn in their checkpoint analysis forms to their principals on Friday, and administrators have a chance to look at the information... What should the principals do with the field analysis to better prepare for the follow-up data meetings with teachers?

SC Response

Here is the short, “nuts and bolts” answer.

1. The Principal should identify the deepest holes for the content / grade level.

2. The Principal should see if anything “jumps out.”  Is there a teacher experiencing a relative strength or weakness? Is there a particular grade level or content that is doing significantly better or worse than other grades / contents? Etc., etc.

3. Is there a pattern or trend that is emerging that needs to be leveraged or remediated?

Anything more with short-cycle data is probably just busy work.

I hope this helps.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Measuring School Performance and a Sportcaster's Wisdom

In one of the states that I work in, the state accountability system disaggregates schools into peer groups of about 40.  Then it gives “Gold Stars” to the schools that do well (comparatively) within their assigned group.

I won’t argue if this is a good or bad thing, it’s just a thing. 

However, there are schools that are in underperforming peer groups that are earning gold stars for leading their group.  Essentially, what this means is that in a group of “D” schools, these are the schools earning the “High D.”

For the schools that use these gold stars as motivation to keep improving, then there is no problem.  But many of these schools view these D (and C and B) Group Gold Stars as proof that they have arrived. Progress... Yes.  Arrived... No.

The problem for these “we have arrived” schools is that they create a self-delusional trap. As I heard a local sportscaster explain to a caller, “Being the best hitter in Double A baseball is a long way from being a Major League All-Star. That is a stepping stone, not a career accomplishment.”

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Danielson Framework Alignment to the Observation Modules of PowerWalks

This is the conclusion of the series of posts addressing Danielson Framework Alignment. See the 10/8/2015 post, “Danielson Framework Alignment to The Foundation Trinity,” and the 10/9/2015 post, “Danielson Framework Alignment to The Fundamental 5.” 

Today I’m addressing the campus administrator concern of finding a classroom observation protocol that is aligned to the Danielson Framework.  The search is a short one because the objective, observable elements of Danielson Framework are already aligned to the PowerWalks Classroom Observation System.

As the reader will observe in the Danielson Framework / PowerWalks Alignment Summary, as teachers increase the frequency of the observable best practice in the PowerWalks Observation Modules, they are making measurable progress towards meeting or exceeding Danielson Framework instructional standards. In addition, the PowerWalks Systems has a customizable module to address the improved implementation of local instructional initiatives.

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Knowledge of: content and structure; pedagogy; learning process; student skills; student need; content value, sequence and alignment; instructional resources; learning activities; instructional grouping; aligned formative assessment design and use. 

Danielson Framework Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Domain 2: Classroom Environment

Positive teacher/student interactions; positive student/student interactions; positive class expectations; student pride in work; effective classroom management; effective and appropriate student discipline management; safe and effective room set-up.

Danielson Framework Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Domain 3: Instruction

Communicates with students effectively and appropriately; questions effectively and appropriately; provides engaging and effective lessons and activities; uses effective and appropriate multi-layered assessment and feedback; adjusts lessons effectively, as needed.

Danielson Framework Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

Maintains accurate student records; maintains professional relationships with colleagues; pursues professional growth; active participant in the school culture; responds appropriately to feedback; assists others in the profession; acts with integrity and ethics; advocates for students; complies with district and campus policies and procedures.

Danielson Framework Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

For those who want the entire document, contact Jo, at the LYS office.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of October 4, 2015

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of October 4, 2015 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. Doing something GREAT is always at the intersection of risk and failure.  Greatness is never easy. (By @DrMetz_MJH)

2. Create a culture where the Teachers and Students say hello to each other and visitors. Just that makes a welcoming environment and it's free. (By @gettinglostcamp)

3. AHA MOMENT: I need to reinforce student learning like I reinforce behaviors (frequent & specific)! (By @crowellsclass)

4. “Just because you are rich in America doesn’t make you smart!” – D. Ravitch (By @tra_hall)

5. Negativity is contagious. So is optimism. (By @johnkuhntx)

6. Run from people who suck the life out of you. (By @kevinmharris) 

7. “We have a national teacher shortage because states fail to pay teachers a living wage.” – D. Ravitch (By @tra_hall)

8. Nobody should expect more of you than you expect of yourself. (By CoachKWisdom)

9. Register today for The Fundamental 5 Summit, Nov 8-9! Open to all K-12 educators and administrators. Not to be missed!! (By @TASSP1)

10. It's now official. The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) has now sold over 76,000 copies! Thank you, LYS Nation!!! (By @LYSNation)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook