A Reader Asks... The Instructional Rigor/Relevance Shift Map

A LYS Teacher who is using The Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App (Fun 5 Plans) asks the following:

SC,

Good afternoon. Could you explain to me the instructional shift graph? What do the letters “O, C, W, and T” mean? And do the colors of the arrows mean anything?

Thanks.

SC Response

Great questions. The Instructional Shift graph that is generated in the Fun 5 Plans app illustrates the shifts in instructional rigor and relevance that will occur if you deliver the lesson as planed.  Consider the example below.

  

First, the vertical axis represents Instructional Rigor.  The horizontal axis represents Instructional Relevance.

Next, here is what the letters O, T, W and C represent.

O = my opening objective.  This is the starting point of instructional rigor and relevance.

T = The Instructional Rigor and Relevance of my student purposeful talk sessions.  The arrow illustrates the magnitude of the shift.

W = The Instructional Rigor and Relevance of my embedded critical writing activity. The arrow illustrates the magnitude of the shift.

C = The Instructional Rigor and Relevance of my closing question. The arrow illustrates the magnitude of the shift.

Finally, the colors of the arrows do have meaning.  The arrows, which all begin at the lesson objective, terminate in the rigor/relevance quadrant of the planned activity. The termination quadrant determines the arrow color. Red arrows represent low-level (as defined by category of rigor and relevance) instructional activities. Yellow arrows represent mid-level instructional activities. Green arrows represent high-level instructional activities. 

The colors are NOT quality standards; they are planning tools that assist a teacher in determining if the rigor and relevance of an activity meets her instructional intent.

If I deliver the my lesson (represented in the graph above) as planned, even though my direct teach is at the knowledge / comprehension level, the Frequent Small Group Purposeful Talk, Critical Writing and Closing Question will create multiple spikes in rigor and relevance throughout the lesson.  This will facilitate retention, critical thinking, creativity and complex problem solving.  All good things and all in a single 45 to 90 minute class period.

I hope this helps.  Stay in touch.

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 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

The Fundamental 5 Lesson Planning App

A little known fact.  We built a Fundamental 5 Lesson Planning app for the I-Phone and I-Pad a little while ago.  The app guides a teacher in embedding the Fundamental 5 practices in every lesson.  As an added bonus, once the lesson plan is completed, the app displays a map of the Rigor and Relevance spikes that will occur if the lesson is delivered as planned.  I use it for all of my presentations (lessons). 

Below is a comment that a user shared with us last week.

LYS,

The app works perfectly!  My plans are done for the week!  This app forces me to pay attention to verbs and how I am interacting with my kids.  Thank you and have a great day!

If you are interested in trying the app yourself, just copy the link below or search for Fun 5 Plans in the App Store.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fun-5-plans/id481253928?mt=8

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 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: NASSP National Conference (Multiple Presentations); TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of August 5, 2012

I recently read an article addressing some of the problems associated with bootleg technology in the classroom. In the article a teacher points out that with I-Pads, students quickly get off task.  It seems that every time the teacher turns her back, the students start playing games on the device.

And there is the rub, bootleg technology is not the cure to poor teacher practice. In fact, the last thing a weak teacher needs is one more distraction in the classroom.  But sadly, most school policies and practices are designed to minimize problems instead of maximizing opportunity. This effectively insulates the suspect performer while simultaneously hampering those who are more skilled and creative.  The “No Bootleg Technology Use” policy is just one example of this. 

If you have struggling staff, work with them, coach them, make them better. That is what an instructional leader does.  But when you enforce a policy that is designed to cover up the real problem, you might be managing, but you aren’t leading.

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of August 5, 2012.

1. In the last 2 years...1,243 pieces of legislation added to "improve" education. How many actually funded? Just 2. (By @cheadhorn)

2. "High standards" folks don't mind low standards of funding fairness. (By @johnkuhntx)

3. There is no substitute for experience. Problem is, experience gives you the test first and the lesson later. If you reflect enough to learn. (By @txschoolsupe)

4. Just walked through the Fun 5 Plans app! Wow! How convenient! Thanks for making common sense teaching EASY!! Fab Fun 5! (By @jenniferzsch)

5. Nice observation that our own ‪#nisdadmin2012 is implementing the Fundamental Five through our PD today. (By @cheryljhunt)

‪6. ‪@rufusotis following the Fundamental Five during PD. ‪#doingwhathepreaches (By @Tagurit72)

7. Being visible all over the campus is one of the most important things admin can do during the first days of school. (By @jachson_carrie)

8. It is easy to identify a problem. Be solution oriented! (By @NavySEALPTTest)

9. Drill and kill was very effective for TAAS, less so for TAKS, and will likely be of little use with STAAR. (By @txschoolsupe)

10. Never forget that the World plays defense. Prepare, but don't fall into the trap of “planning paralysis.”

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 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: Comal ISD, Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of July 22, 2012

Admittedly, when it comes to bootleg technology, one of the biggest concern of educators is, “How do you keep students from ignoring their assignments and the teacher?”

Previously, we have discussed rules and reasonable consequences.  But in reality, it all boils down to the individual teacher (as does everything important as it relates to teaching and learning).  Teachers that assign meaningful tasks, have good relationships with students, stay in the Power Zone, monitor student work, and have good classroom management skills will have next to no problems with the inappropriate use of bootleg technology in their classrooms.  For each of the items listed above that a teacher is deficient in, the greater the chance that the use of bootleg technology by students will be for non-academic purposes.  But consider this, for that same teacher, is not the quality of instruction already negatively impacted?

If you are leading your campus with the purpose of making teachers more effective so that student learning is increased and enhanced, allowing the use of bootleg technology is an easy decision to make.  If you are leading with the idea that the instructional solutions have to work in spite of teachers, then really, the use of bootleg technology is the least of your worries.  

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of July 22, 2012.

1. Simple answer to a complex question: Am I a good principal if I don't insist that we follow a common scope and sequence? No.

2. Downloaded Fun 5 Plans app with @BlessingLaura on the iPad. Going to see what kind of magic I can create! (By @patriot_teacher)

3. Progress requires ruthless self-assessment. If it's inaccurate (whatever the cause) everything that follows is wrong. Be honest, not afraid. (By @gymjones)

4. Love the Fundamental 5 book! (By @jenniferzsch)

5. Whoever said teachers and principals have the summers off is CRAZY! Education preparation is perpetual! (By @sammywyatt)

6. Would someone please explain to the community that bus transportation is not a “right.” Vote for the tax cutters and de-funders and no transportation is what occurs.

7. Short-term, Common, Formative Assessments (LYS Method): Your best source of honest, real-time instructional information.

8. Ok, AWE teachers... come and get the Fundamental 5 book!! It has arrived! Pay attention to Chapter 7... that's where we are going! Be the lead! (By @jenniferzsch)

9. What predicts performance is what students are actually doing, not what we think we are asking them to do. Task predicts performance! (By @btmerrell)

10. Correction: LYSer, Bake Barron, is the new Principal at Livingston HS. Evidently my spell check has yet to recognize his awesomeness.

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 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Livingston ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Comal ISD, Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Principal Shares... The Power of the Fundamental 5

In response to the 3/7/2012 post, “State of the Blog – The Last 100 Posts (1,000 and Counting),” a reader shares:

SC,

The LYS blog has been a great companion and source for strength when bringing change to my middle school campus. In the Fall semester, we completed a campus book study of the “Fundamental 5” (by Cain & Laird), which has provided great dialogue and discussions among the staff. With "crunch" time upon us, I have increased the expectation that the Fundamental 5 be implemented every day, in every lesson!

The last couple of weeks we have had an increase in student conflict (most often described as bullying) and it has taken me away from the classroom and moved my focus away from instructional improvements. However, this week's faculty meeting allowed me the opportunity to re-teach Lesson Framing and reiterate that bell-to-bell teaching using the Fundamental 5 will increase rigor and allow us to use our most powerful instructional tool. Which is creating engaging lessons that excite our students about learning. 

Thanks LYS!

SC Response

Thank you for the kind words and affirmation.  And you are absolutely right, when the going gets tough it is easy to cut corners and wing it.  But that is the road to ruin, short-term relief that leads to long-term pain. Instead, when the going gets tough focus on better executing the fundamentals and increasing both the quality and quantity of adult/student interactions.

Along those lines, there are tools that will help you and your staff in this continuous endeavor.  The app, Fun 5 Plans (available at the Apple App Store), embeds the Fundamental 5 in each lesson and supports teacher collaboration.  And PowerWalks (classroom observation system) allows you to create and share numerous data reports, including Rigor and Relevance reports and Fundamental 5 reports.  An introductory version of the main system is also available at the Apple App Store, just search for PW Pro.

Keep up the great work and send us an update at the end of the semester.

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/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

A Reader Asks... A Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Template

A LYS teacher asks the following:

SC,

We are trying to design a new lesson plan template to use at our school that aligns with the Fundamental 5. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Or has the lesson plan app been completed?

Thank you.

SC Response

I have good news and I’m going to save you and your team a ton of time. You can stop the design work. The Fundamental 5 Lesson Planning App has been available at the Apple App Store for the past two months. Just search for: 

Fun 5 Plans   

Fun 5 Plans allows you to embed the Fundamental 5 in every lesson, map the rigor and relevance of every lesson, and share lessons with anyone with an e-mail address.

Also in development at this time (with an imminent completion date) is a desktop version of Fun 5 Plans for use campus and district wide.

Hopefully, this will jump start your team planning.  Drop me a line if I can help with anything else.

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/4ydqd4t 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

LYS App Upgrade... Fun 5 Plans

Hundreds of teachers currently use Fun 5 Plans. This lesson plan app lets teachers build lessons with the Fundamental 5 practices embedded throughout and then maps instructional Rigor and Relevance. If you are not using it, not only is it really cool, you have just been rewarded for waiting. How? The upgraded app was just released, now along with everything else the tool does, the ability to file and organize lessons has been significantly improved.

If you are a current user, go to the Apple App Store and download the upgrade. If you are not a current user but are now ready to Fundamentally improve the quality of your lesson plans, simply go you the App Store and search for Fun 5 Plans.

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/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: NASSP Conference; NASB Conference; Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)