3 Simple Essentials for Schools:
1) Coherent Curriculum (what we teach)
2) Sound Lessons (how we teach)
3) Authentic literacy: Purposeful reading and writing in every discipline
1) What we teach
# of standards must not be excessive
the standards "chosen" must be guaranteed and taught in depth
2) How we teach
Structurally sound formula must be followed by each teacher
the pivotal feature of effective lessons in the conscientious effort, throughout the lesson to ensure that all students are learning each segment of the lesson before moving onto the next
3) Authentic literacy
purposeful reading, writing and talking
I started reading yesterday and there are a few things I would like to check out first. Had these thoughts though.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind the end point, which would be to have a core curriculum, by a specific date. Here is what I think we should do.
1. Use the reading task force to help establish the end date.
2. Develop teams of teachers to do the following things:
a. A new evaluation instrument, that is simple to use, and requires student performance data.
b. Core Curriculum for the following subjects:
i. Math
ii. English
iii. Science
iv. Social Studies
v. Fine Arts
vi. P.E./Health
vii. Family and Consumer Sciences
viii. Industrial Technology
ix. World Languages
c. Meet with testing companies to write assessments
PJ, what do you think about Schmoker's idea of telling students the assessment questions before the unit begins? I'm wondering if teams or departments could write the assessment questions together, with the assessments being mostly essay, therefore doing away with the need for a testing company.
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