Determinators+October+29


 * Today's PLC Lesson: Teacher Inquiry: Studying your own Practice **

**PLC Group Name: The Determinators** **PLC Meeting Location: Cite Lab at UH main campus** **PLC Meeting Time: 10:30 Friday**

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


 * //EXPLORE//**
 * //[]//**

Why is teacher research valuable? What are you curious about in the classroom? What do you think is worth time exploring about to help you become a teacher?
 * Hour 2**
 * //EXPLAIN//**

As a group, make a list of teaching strategies of your own about which you have a wondering. You probably have things in common! Take turns selecting one to focus on and formulating a “wondering” about that strategy. Help each member to make a plan to initiate, analyze, and write-up this inquiry? What questions does each member have that the group can help sort out about the process?
 * //ELABORATE//**

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//**

Teachers should ask questions about their teaching so that they know how to improve. They need know what they are doing right and they know what they are doing wrong, especially because of the variety of learning styles and disabilites that students may have. They should know their students and figure out their needs so that they can help them be more successful.

If you don't ask questions about your teaching, then how would you know if you are an effective teacher or not? Part of being an effective teacher is asking questions and adapting your classroom environment to fit your students needs.

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?!

We all learned the importance of inquiry based teaching within the classroom. Without it, teachers will never be able to learn and grow. These students are our future generations, but we, as teachers, need to figure out what is best for teaching the students. We learn from our mistakes, and we grow as teachers in doing so.

We agreed that inquiry based teaching is necessary. We all have various wonderings in regards to teaching, but they are all different because of the various experiences we have had within the classroom, as well as our different personalities. For example, some of us felt that we struggled with time management in the classroom. So, we discussed ways to remedy the situation and make time to have more valuable teaching time in the classroom. Another wondering we had focused on classroom management. For some of us, it is not our strong point. We discussed strategies that would help us with this specific topic, and we also talked about the different strategies we have seen in place at our schools and different grade levels. We all know how important is to question our teaching, but each person is going to have a different question in regards to what they feel is the most important or what they need help on the most.

We know that we learned and grew because we gave each other suggestions as to how to best come up with wonderings to help us grow. We then provided suggestions for each other to help guide them in the right process for Inquiry #3.

3. As a group, please look at the Assignments page for the description and grading rubric for the Inquiry #3 assignment. You will be selecting a teaching practice of your own to study. The format is the same as your other inquiries, and is detailed on the Assignments page for this assignment.

4. Individually, please send your “PLC Check” as an email to Dr. Pierson and Caroline (mpierson@uh.edu; Caroline Liu yliu7@mail.uh.edu): --What/Who worked well in today’s PLC meeting? --What/Who didn’t work so well in today’s PLC meeting? This PLC check is due emailed by Friday (10/29) at midnight.