PLC+Teacher+Inquiry

**PLC Meeting Time: 5-8 (10/25)**
As an anticipatory set for today’s lesson, please read the article “Getting "Inside Inquiry": Teachers' Questions Transform Their Practice“ []
 * Hour 1**
 * //ENGAGE//**


 * //EXPLORE//**

Hey guys! Check this website out....it's really good! It shows and tells how to get to know your students better :)

http://gallery.carnegiefoundation.org/insideteaching/quest/anna_richert_&_julie_nicholson_teacher_inquiry.html


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

1. Do you think it's important to start your own Teaching Inquiry group at your school?

Yes because it allows us to keep feedback on our teaching methods and strategies. (Stephanie)

Yes, I feel it is important because we should all help each other out to improve in our teaching. It is always helpful to have a nother set of eyes observe any situation to get a new perspective on things. I thnk that without Teaching Inquiry's there is no way that we can reach our potential. There is always room for growth and having a Teaching Inquiry group at our school will only help us to be better teachers. (Kelley)

Yes! I think it is definitely important to start a inquiry group because it will help us learn from each other. (Liz)

Yes, because you and colleagues can help each other with resources, ideas, support, and such. It is always important to get another's point of view, different answers to the questions you have about your classroom. I know I have gotten great ideas from the teachers at the Charter School. Most important is to get the parents point of view of course, because they know their children best. (Gina)
 * I think that it is a good idea. I think that teachers should reflect on their teaching and ask questions about their teaching. A Teaching Inquiry group could answer questions that a teacher might have but is afraid to ask. She could find solutions to her own questions by talking with a group of teachers. (Tammi)**

2. Do you find inquiring about your own teaching and your students important for classroom management?

Yes because inquiring allows for questions to be asked and answers to be given for trail and error in classroom management. What may work for others may not work for your classroom.(Stephanie)

Yes, I think that reflecting on my teaching and the way my students learn will help me to learn more about me and my students so that I can adjust the way I teach to better fit everyone's needs and therefore have better classroom management. (Kelly)

Definitely, because you can see what is working within the classroom and make changes if necessary. It's also a great way to try new things and get help from colleagues. (Liz)

(Gina)
 * I think that it plays an important part in classroom management. Teaching needs to be flexible enough that you can continue with your lessons and also take care of discipline problems. Questioning your lesson plans and classroom arrangement is a good way to find out what works and what doesn't. (Tammi)**

3. Would you like to learn about what previous teachers have inquire about?

Yes because it will probably be some questions that I am afraid to ask or ashamed to ask. (Stephanie)

Yes. Knowing what others inquire and getting their input may help me see something in a new way or realize I do something wrong that I never knew I did. It is always helpful to be observed and get constructive criticism from my peers. (Kelley)

Yes, I would like to know so that I can learn from that and have a better understanding of what might happen in my classroom. (Liz)

I would like to learn about what previous teachers have inquired about. Maybe it is something that I have a question about and it could be helpful. (Tammi)

Yes, I would like to know what other teachers have wondered about. Like how successful is classroom manage when children are involved in the rule making process? What should be done if a child doesn't want to participate in lessons? What is the best teaching strategy? Or do different subjects need different strategies? (Gina)


 * //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?

How can I improve the way I get my students attention? How can I stay calm and not get too frustrated while teaching? Is ignoring bad behavior really successful at times? What can I do to make my transitions run more smoothly? Should the whole class be punished for one student's misbehavior?


 * Hour 3**
 * //EVALUATE//**

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?

Teachers should ask questions about their own teaching in order to change what is not working and keep what works. Asking questions only solves problems so it would help us do our jobs better. Teachers should ask questions about their own teaching to help them improve. There is always room for improvement and we think at some point while teaching a teacher asks herself questions and it is only beneficial if you look into the answer rather than just saying I don not know. We believe that if you do not know if something is working you should always try and ask someone to observe you so that you can get a new perspective of ways to improve.

Teachers should ask questions because this can help them determine what works well and what doesn't. Here are some questions to ask: Do I have a good behavioral plan in place? Is my classroom arranged well enough so that the students can move around without distraction? How would your job be different if you approach it with an inquiry stance versus approaching it with no intention to ask questions? I think that my job would entail less stress. If something is not working with strategies that I am teaching or classroom management, by asking questions, I can get feedback and correct the problem. Also, it would help me become a successful teacher that can produce successful learners in return.

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 agree that inquiring does lead to more questions and those questions can help us better understand our teaching practices. If we ask questions about how we are teaching and ask others for feedback, we will change what needs to be changed and keep what is working. Collaboration is very vital in inquiry because it allows for feedback from others in order for us to evaluate our teaching methods and make necessary changes.

We agree that it is good to ask questions and maybe form a teacher inquiry group at your campus. We don't agree with not asking questions. If no questions are asked, that means that everything is perfect. No classroom is perfect.

We know we learned and grew by seeing that asking questions is necessary in order to be a successful teacher.Before this assignment we were still in doubt why inquiry was important, but now after reading the articles it is clear why inquiry has become essential in running a smooth classroom.

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 Ida (mpierson@uh.edu; idalkm@hotmail.com): --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.