Action Step #2: Communicate Your Thinking
Planning, Design, and Implementation Strategies:
Target-Evidence Based Strategies: What are the identified best practices for meeting this learning need? What do the key resources
identify as the most effective instructional strategies? How do these need to be adapted to meet the needs of all learners? What are the
specific implementation plans for the SMART Goal strategies and action plans? What will it look like/sound like in our school? What will
we do to get there?
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Math
Implementation of a class learning log-explicitly model
how to explain our thinking using class learning logs
Grade 3+-move towards independent learning logs
Use of consolidation strategies (Gallery Walk, Bansho,
Math Congress)
Introduce the Problem-Solving Model. (using pre-made or
class developed anchor chart)
Explicitly teach each problem solving strategy. Use stepby-step anchor charts as a visual reminder.
The concept of understanding the problem must be
reinforced during the learning opportunities. Provide
opportunities for practice through whole group, small
group and individual tasks.
Use learning goals and success criteria; post
anchor/criteria charts
Implement the three-part lesson; focus on consolidation
phase providing students opportunity to share ideas and
strategies
Promote the use of mathematical language-math word
walls/anchor charts
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Language
Explicitly teaching comprehension skills and using these
skills before, during and after reading text.
Oral discussion/conferencing/moving to written
responses
Use of oral communication strategies (Hot Seat,
Think/Pair/Share,)
Instruction is scaffolded
Instruction supports students in developing
metacognition-(thinking about your thinking) through
sharing ideas and strategies; posting visible
anchor/criteria charts ; use of learning goals and success
criteria
Cross-curricular links-instruction supports connections
among reading, writing, oral communication, media
literacy
Resources: How have school resources (e.g. time, focus, materials, school supports, instructional strategies, planning sessions, data
analysis) been aligned to the SMART Goals strategies?
Math
Language
Ministry Guide to Effective Instruction (Volume 2, Problem Solving and Communication)
Ministry DVDs: Differentiating Mathematics; Three-Part Math Lesson
Ministry Monographs:
1. Problem Based Learning in Mathematics:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_problem_based_math.pdf
2. Bansho: http://southeast1math.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-is-bansho.html
http://199.71.28.69/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/CBS_bansho.pdf
3. Communication in the Mathematics Classroom:
http://resources.curriculum.org/secretariat/eyes/files/CommunicationMathematics.pdf
4. Student Interaction in the Math Classroom:
http://199.71.28.69/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/Bruce.pdf
5. Differentiating Mathematics Instruction
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/different_math.pdf
6. Effective Questions
Ministry Guides to Effective Instruction (Primary and Junior)
Ministry DVDs: Comprehending in Action; Critical Literacy
Ministry Monographs:
http://199.71.28.69/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/capacityBuilding.htm
l
1. Grand Conversations in Primary Classrooms
2. Critical Literacy
3. Let’s Talk About Listening
Webcasts: Effective Instruction in Reading Comprehension; High Yield Strategies
to Improve Student Learning http://curriculum.org/content/archives-of-pastwebcasts
Article: Making Thinking Visible, by Ritchhart and Perkins
Books: Reading for Meaning, by Debbie Miller, When Kids Can’t Read, by Kylene
Beers
Thinking Routines
Math Gains web site: http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/math2/
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Math Makes Sense
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Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction
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Sherry Doherty (Instructional Coach)
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A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics, Kindergarten to Grade 6: Problem Solving
and Communication
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Problem Solving Steps
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Math Games (website)
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Smartboard Resources
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A Guide to Effective Instruction in Reading K-6
Library Binder Resource-Book Titles listed by reading comprehension
strategy
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Literacy in Action
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Write Traits
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Moving Up
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OWA
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Nelson Literacy
Smartboard Resources-Into the Book
Professional Learning: What do we have to learn in able to fully implement and monitor these strategies effectively? How will we
monitor our success?
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Math
Collaborative Inquiry—learn and engage in the process
with a focus on communication (making thinking visible)
Deepen our understanding of thinking routines and
communication strategies through professional reading and
classroom implementation. Sharing of knowledge and
inquiry (divisional and cross-grade)
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Language
Collaborative Inquiry—learn and engage in the process
with a focus on communication (making thinking visible)
Deepen our understanding of thinking routines and
communication strategies through professional reading and
classroom implementation. Sharing of knowledge and
inquiry (divisional and cross-grade)
Monitoring Strategies:
Progress Monitoring: Does the monitoring plan describe the explicit data to be analyzed, when each goal will be monitored and who will
be responsible for reporting the progress for each SMART goal?
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Math
Check – in w/marker students
Administration visit to speak w/students
‘Look For’ Checklist
Language
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DRA for Primary TIMELINE-Feb. 2011/May 2011
CASI for Junior/Intermediate Nov. 2011/June 2011
Responsibility: What are our specific roles for design, implementation, support monitoring and communication of this plan?
Math
Language
SEF Team
-Set up Look fors for Action Steps 1 and 2
Wiki
-notes to ensure consistency
BIPSA Support
Instructional Coach
-Support implementation of SIP and BIP
SIPSA Support
TRIBES PLC/HUB PLC
-learning communities to create common goals
Visible Learning Team
-Collaborative Learning
School Staff
-implement within classrooms
Evaluation Cycle: What do the identified measures of student achievement and instructional practice evidence indicate about our
current progress towards are goals?
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Math
Review ONAP
Teacher Voice – PLCs
Student Voice
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Language
Review CASI
Student Voice – see look fors