Schmoker, Chapter 3

Schmoker makes it very clear the TEACHER is most important to the classroom.  Look at some quotes from Chapter 3: "improved classroom instruction is the prime factor to improve student achievement gains." "teachers are 'the most important school factor in how much children learn'" "effective teaching" "the single most important determinant of success for students in the knowledge and skills of that child's teacher."  TEACHING IS IMPORTANT!!!

What constitutes a good lesson?  Schmoker says it is simple: clear learning objectives, teaching/modeling/demonstrating, guided practice, check for understanding/formative assessment... That's it!  Simple! Right?  I would almost believe that Schmoker and I are visiting the same classrooms across the country, except he is visiting a lot of western states and I am visiting a lot of southeastern states.  So, no... not the same classrooms, but the same experiences....WHY???

I love this from Madeline Hunter and Schmoker - "Students should be crystal clear on their learning objectives. They need to be motivated through interest or curiosity.  Teaching needs to be in SMALL manageable steps (Schmoker says about 5 minutes only at one particular time!) Between teaching segments, students need guided practice and/or check for understanding administered often.

I love James Popham, and he promotes formative assessment.  Effective teaching requires assessment evidence (formal or informal) so we can make informed adjustments.  This ensures the HIGHEST POSSIBLE PROPORTION of students will MASTER THE TARGET CURRICULAR AIM!  Love this!!! Effects of formative assessment on learning are among the largest ever reported.  (Just see John Hattie's research - Visible Learning).

OK... I am going to stop for tonight.  But I have much more to say on this topic... Unless some of you jump in and say it first!!!

Sarah