Principle of Learning #5
Continuing our series on the instructional coaching model, the fifth Big Idea is overt responses. Rutherford Learning Group principle #5 states that learning-centered teachers elicit overt responses from all learners during instruction.
An overt response has three critical attributes:
· All - all students, no sampling, no guesses
· Overt – must be able to see, hear, touch, taste, smell, verify
· During – not at the end of a day, week, unit, chapter, but during all instruction
The response must demonstrate accomplishment of the learning goal (target) at the desired level of thinking/ doing. Learning-centered teachers use overt responses to check learning during teaching by using Depth of Knowledge verbs and investigative inquiry.
Students often can mislead teachers and pretend to understand in order to protect their self-esteem, avoid teacher disappointment or to just move on to the next activity. This student skill is called masking and sends teachers misleading messages about student learning. It is developed with age and experience, peaking in the adolescence years. Responses that invite masking stem from yes/no questions such as, “do you understand?” or “are we clear on that?” To avoid masking, teachers should regularly obtain overt responses from the learner.
The War, a PBS Documentary
The War, a new seven-part documentary series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of so-called ordinary men and women who become caught up in one of the greatest cataclysms in human history. Documentary content connects to Big Idea: Historical Perspective (Social Studies) in Kentucky’s Combined Curriculum Documents. The War will air over two weeks, beginning Sunday, September 23.
For more information, visit KET's Web site.
Highly Skilled Educator Program
Kentucky’s Highly Skilled Educator Program is looking for administrators and classroom teachers who are recognized as leaders and have shown high levels of professional competence in Kentucky’s diverse workforce. The Highly Skilled Educator Web page offers more information including eligibility criteria and a description of the selection process
Literacy Without Limits: Help for Struggling Students, Grades 4-12
KET, in partnership with KDE’s Early Literacy Branch, has developed a resource DVD that showcases strategies used by content area teachers to help students who struggle with literacy. It features 90+ video clips shot in classrooms across Kentucky. A free copy of this resource is being provided to all public schools in Kentucky.
For more information, visit the Literacy Without Limits Web site.
Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS), a new Web-based program launched by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council and the Kentucky Department of Education, is a way for your schools to improve learning, save money, improve the environment and earn awards and recognition.
Visit www.greenschools.ky.gov for more details.
Career and Technical Education October Meeting Dates
October 1-3: HOSA Fall Meeting
October 1-3: Skills USA KLTI Meeting
October 10-13: National Tech Prep Conference
October 24-27: FFA National Conference
For conference or meeting information, contact Reeca Carver.
Quotable Quotes
“Socrates didn’t have an overhead projector. He asked questions that bothered people and 3,500 years later people are still talking about him.”
Hanoch McCarty, speaker and writer