PLCSara

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

To broaden your understanding of studying your own teaching, please read the article "Professional Learning Communities: What are They and Why are They Important?" http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues61.html
 * //EXPLORE//**

1. What are some long-term benefits of Professional Learning Communities? 2. What if there is no trust or respect amongst colleagues? 3. How can PLCs work together to create higher-level learning for lessons?
 * 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//**

Strategies: How can we get equal participation from all students? Some school districts supply planners for all students. How can we get these in our classroom? How do we encourage higher-level thinking in our students? Cooperative learning -- students working together toward a common goal. How can teachers use parent volunteers besides just having them make copies and prepare materials? How can we get students to work together in groups when they have different maturity levels?

It is very important for teachers to work together to evaluate their teaching strategies and to also get feedback from each other. This allows the teacher to grow and get feedback from teachers who have a different approach to teaching. If you don't inquire about your teaching you will be stuck in a box and won't be able to grow and try something new. It is important for us to reflect and challenge ourselves. This approach allows us to improve our teaching practice and will make us better teachers in the long run. When teachers work together, it is beneficial for them and their students: higher-level learning, less work load when group planning, decreased drop out rate, and more school and community involvement. PLCs allow new teachers to share the latest ideas and methods they have learned from their universities as well as allow experienced teachers to share their successes and non-successes. This gives teachers many strategies to use for students who all learn differently.
 * Hour 3**
 * //EVALUATE//**