10292010-questdivas

**PLC Meeting Location: UH Cite Lab** **PLC Meeting Time: 4:30-6:00 PM Thursday 28, 2010**
 * PLC Group Name: QUEST Divas**

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

//http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/resources/proflearn/// Make sure to click on different links and explore the website, not just the homepage.
 * //EXPLORE//**

// Open Ended Questions: //
 * Hour 2**
 * //EXPLAIN//**

1. How can the PLC group make sure that each member stays on task and is prepared for the meeting so precious time isn't wasted? 2. How do you start a PLC with your teaching team if one doesn't already exists? 3. What if your PLC doesn't agree with your teaching approach and suggests you change?


 * //ELABORATE//**

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?

1. Katy Rodgers How do I come off as interested in what I'm teaching my students? After viewing myself teach, I come off as monotone and disinterested when I feel quite the opposite. 2. Jenny Rodriguez How do I state the objectives seamlessly to my students during my lessons? I feel as though I'm struggling in how to weave that into my lesson without making it disjointed. 3. Eboni Jedkins How do I gain the attention of the students who have difficulty focusing? 4. Dominique Johnson How do I keep from losing so much time from transitioning from lesson to lesson? I always seem to be running behind in my time. 5. Jenny Rickaway How can I be strict but also encouraging? 6. Charnea Washington How do I guide students through higher level thinking questions without giving students the answer?

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//**

We all helped each other with our wonderings. A group member's weakness is another's strength so we swapped tips and collectively came up with solutions for other wonderings that we were unsure of. It's crucial for teachers to monitor their own teaching because it is a good way to keep track of the things that are working well and those that are not. Constantly bettering one's self is how a teacher stays a great teacher. Inquiry based teaching is the best way for children to learn about the world about them so why not for teachers as well? When a teacher finds out something new about their own teaching they are more apt to do something positively constructive about it rather than listen to someone lecture them on how they should be teaching. When you are the one in charge of changing yourself and your way of teaching then the change is much more natural and permanent.

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 learned that we're all facing dilemmas in our teaching, ranging from similar to completely different. Some of us have been dealing with managment issues within out classrooms. A couple of our group members stood up and exchanged valuable information that they experienced in their classroom. They really helped our entire group see that classroom management is attainable, especially for student teachers. We also learned that wonderment is a part of learning. Without it, we as teachers will never progress, we will remain stagnant. We know we've learned and have grown from the types of stories we tell to each other. At first, during our first PLC meeting they were talked of being hesitant in our classrooms and nervous to take the lead, but now we are excited to share the stories of us teaching within our classrooms. We've all seemed to have conquered our nerves more than anything else about teaching. And we've all enjoyed sharing our stories in our PLC.

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.

-QUEST Divas