week+10

**PLC Meeting Location:** UH **PLC Meeting Time:** Directly after our 9:30-11 job fair shifts; 11:30
 * PLC Group Name:** The Inquisitors

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

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 * //EXPLORE//**

Three Open-Ended Discussion Questions 1. "What are other ways the 'Word-A-Day' method could be used with students to promote higher order thinking?" - 4 square chart: draw the word as you picture it, spell the word, define the word, and use it in a sentence. - After the word had been introduced, encourage students to use the words in everyday dialogue. - Writing in sand. Helps students to visualize and feel it. - Partner talk. - Use the word in a story.
 * Hour 2**
 * //EXPLAIN//**

2. "What are different ways to create excitement about learning?" - Use fun activities. - The teacher needs to be involved and enthusiastic. (Ex: When reading __Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs__, teacher walks in with umbrella with foods glued to it.) - Students should be allowed to explore for themselves. - Inductive and deductive approaches.

3. "In your own words, share why Professional Learning Communities are important and how they benefit teachers and students." - Teachers can learn from one another and give support and help. - Sharing experience with other teachers. - Benefits students because teachers can better their own instruction.

// Our List of Teaching Strategies we have a Wondering About: // 1. How do I transition from one lesson to the next smoothly? 2. How do I fit everything I want into my lesson? 3. How do I pace my lesson? 4. Focus more on praising students as opposed to focusing on the negative. 5. How do I prevent misbehavior before it happens? 6. How do I gain attention from ALL students before moving on with my lesson?
 * //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. 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 so that they can improve their strategies. - To make sure strategies are effective. - Reflection and improvement. - If you approach your job with an inquiry stance, you will always be looking for ways to improve how you teach your students. If you approach your job with no intention to ask questions, you will just stick to one strategy and will not be as open to other ideas or strategies.
 * 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?! We learned about how the "Word-A-Day" approach and how to effectively use it in our classrooms by using multiple different strategies. Using the "Word-A-Day" strategy, students can act out or illustrate definitions of words, use the words in everyday dialogue, identify words in stories, etc. We compared our own classroom management strategies and discussed ways that they could be improved upon. We analyzed what works in classrooms and what doesn't. We discussed that teachers can't use the same classroom management strategies from year to year. Each year brings new students and new situations; so classroom management strategies should be adjusted also.

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.