PD Top 3: November

November 1, 2024

Discussion strategies earn a top spot on Hattie's scale with a .82 effect size. However, like anything research related, it matters how you choose to implement the strategy in your classrooms. That's the art and science behind instruction. I was recently listening to a favorite podcaster, Betsy Potash, in a series of podcast episodes about having more effective discussions. While Betsy brands herself as an ELA podcaster, her discussion strategies are applicable to most ages and content areas. She is a proponent of silent discussions, and has several suggestions for how to do that. However, a very low frills, low prep way is just to give each student a slip of paper with a discussion question that they start in their notebook. Then, you pass your notebook or paper around and everyone graffitis the sheet with writing or drawing based on the discussion topic. In the end, the person who started the discussion can synthesize the responses into an answer to share. All student voices are in the room and you did not have to do any heavy lifting to make that happen. For more discussion strategies, check out an oldie but a goodie in Jennifer Gonzalez's Cult of Pedagogy Big List of Discussion Strategies.

We all want to meet each student's needs, but at times that can be overwhelming. Luckily, Digital Promise has us covered. They developed a Learner Variability Navigator that gamifies the process of differentiation. All you have to do is choose a grade level band, identify a factor that a student needs some Tier 1 plus or Tier 2 support in, and then look over the strategy ideas and videos for supporting a student in that area. Let's say you want to help a kindergarten student in literacy with their working memory? You can click on the drawing strategy (or any of the many other ideas listed), read about it, and watch it in action in a classroom. A dream come true for knowing our learners well and responding to their needs!

Cari Lowry and Lindsay Schuessler, outdoor enthusiasts and Meramec Educators, are working hard this year to spread the wonders of walking to other educators. Using 52 Ways to Walk and 1000 Hours Outside, the duo have made walking an integral part of what they do at Meramec. Recently, they took the entire fourth grade class on a walking field trip through Shaw Park. The vital value to what they are doing, however, is spreading awareness about the importance of moving and being outside no matter what. Need to review some science vocabulary? Have students do it while walking around outside. Want a creative avenue to connect to any content? Have students go find an item outside, bring it in, and create a metaphor that connects to the content using what they found outside. Rebecca Groves, Wydown teacher, also took an opportunity to get students outside and writing by collaborating with the local Write Out Campaign. Students walked to the park, took in nature, and wrote poetry. So many amazing educators doing so much to keep students happy, healthy, and active!