Humera+Shroff

**PLC Meeting Location: UH SL Campus** **PLC Meeting Time: Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 4:30pm**
 * PLC Group Name: The Sugar Ladies**

As an anticipatory set for today’s lesson, please read the article “Getting "Inside Inquiry": Teachers' Questions Transform Their Practice“ []
 * Hour 1**
 * //ENGAGE//**

// Additional Resource: //
 * //EXPLORE//**

[|http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/7119_dana_ch_1.pdf]


 * Hour 2**
 * //EXPLAIN//**

How would you describe what teacher inquiry is based on what you’ve learned from the readings?

Why is collaborating with other educators and peers important? How can that help us grow?

What are some ways we can research our own teaching practices? How can we collect and analyze data?

How can teacher inquiry help teachers grow professionally?

How can teachers that inquire about their own teaching practices benefit students?

Some of our wonderings:
 * //ELABORATE//**

- improving classroom management - effectively dealing with student excitement during teaching - transitioning during a lesson - grabbing students' attention and getting them to focus - direction giving for activities

1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about studying your own teaching practice. Why should teachers ask questions about their own teaching? How would your job be different if you approach it with an inquiry stance versus approaching it with no intention to ask questions?
 * Hour 3**
 * //EVALUATE//**

2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?!

During today's PLC meeting, our group went over the readings and discussed several important questions regarding teacher inquiry. We all agree that it is very important to study our own teaching practices to help us grow as professionals. Teachers should ask questions about their own teaching to reflect upon how they are doing and how they wish to be doing. Teachers can gain valuable insight by studying their practices and improve in various ways.

Approaching this job with an inquiry stance is crucial for a teacher to grow. There are always new things to learn and skills to brush up on. Teacher inquiry enables the teacher to critically evaluate his/her teaching strategies, methods, and practices. This can benefit the teacher as well as the students involved. Our group feels that in order to teach effectively, a teacher must continue to reflect and learn.