South Middle School
Professional Development: Prior Knowledge, Engagement, and
Novel/vivid Lesson Planning
Sense, Meaning & Memory Systems Part II
March 6, 2013
How did our work impact your child’s learning?
If you have 2 minutes…read this:
SMS core and special education members:
 determined how they will evaluate prior knowledge and how to use the prior
knowledge as a building block for their lessons.
 read an article that asked teachers to analyze the differences between ontask learners and engaged learners.
 designed a novel or vivid lesson plan for a learning target coming up in their
content areas with their content teams.
SMS electives members:
 reviewed information regarding the importance of making sense of new
learning and that building meaning into new learning is essential in moving
information into long-term memory for our students
 through the use of iPads, explored various resources about the following
information:
o memory system ideas for the classroom
o emotions and learning
o making meaning
o innovation/vividness/novelty
If you have 5 minutes…read this:
SMS core and special education members participated in a shared learning
experience revolving around prior knowledge, engagement, and novel/vivid
lesson planning.
Shared Knowledge:
 Staff determined how they will evaluate students’ prior knowledge and how
they will use the prior knowledge to guide lesson planning.
 Read an article that asked teachers to evaluate the difference between
engaged students and on-task students.
o On-task students
 Compliant
 Complete tasks
 Restate what is learned
o Engaged students
 Extend learning
 Probe

 Challenge
 Debate
 Make real-world connections
Staff determined that engagement is more important than being on-task. In
order for this to happen we have to build relationships.
After reviewing the shared knowledge portion, teachers worked in small groups
designing and creating an innovative and vivid lesson plan for a learning target
coming up in their content area with their content teams.
SMS electives members participated in a shared learning experience revolving
around sense, meaning, and memory systems within the classroom. Through the use
of Layar, an app on the iPad, teachers chose articles, clips, and interactive websites
relating to the following topics:



teachers reviewed information regarding the importance of making sense of
new learning. Building meaning into new learning is essential in moving
information into long-term memory for our students
teachers explored the ideas about memory systems and how the brain
develops short and long term ideas for memory. In order to become part of
our long-term memory, ideas must make sense and the information must
have meaning.
staff read articles, watched video clips, and more about how knowing your
learners and adjusting or implementing their interests and ideas into
classrooms impacts building meaning into new learning for our students.
After reviewing the shared knowledge portion, teachers worked in small groups
designing and creating an original organizer that connects new learning in order to
make sense of the new information. Organizers included representation of the
following aspects of
 Emotion
 Sense & Meaning
 Prior knowledge to memory
 Innovation/vividness/novelty in the classroom
Resources:
For more information about our professional development, please visit the
following district website:
http://blogs.waukee.k12.ia.us/smsprofessionaldevelopment/
For more information regarding the article staff members read about on-task versus
engaged students:
http://smartblogs.com/education/2013/02/01/on-task-not-waypoint-routeengagement-gerald-w-aungst/