Instructional Minute

A Guiding Coalition is that team that leads the "learning community" in a school or district. Guiding Coalitions are tasked with achieving the following 7 goals:

• Become PLC experts by learning the PLC process - from common vocabulary to the cycle of continuous improvement in which collaborative teacher teams participate.
• Become experts on the PLC process's benefits for students, teachers, and the school community.
• Disseminate information about the PLC process to collaborative teacher teams.
• Lead PLC transformation by example; maintain a laser-like concentration on improving student learning, focusing on results, and working collaboratively.
• Model continuous improvement.
• Design job-embedded learning opportunities.
• Support collaborative teacher teams.

"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team."

- Phil Jackson

Students don’t just hear expectations—they interpret them through teacher tone, body language, and instructional responses. Evidence from classroom practice and observation shows that when teachers visibly demonstrate belief in student capability, achievement, participation, and persistence increase.

Students ask themselves (often subconsciously):
“Does my teacher believe I can do this?”
Your response—verbal and nonverbal—answers that question every time.

Stretch It: A Simple Move That Builds Big Thinking

A core strategy from Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov

What it is:
Stretch It means responding to a correct student answer by asking a follow-up question that pushes their thinking further. Instead of stopping at “right,” you extend the learning. This communicates a powerful message: I believe you can go deeper.

Why it matters:
When teachers stretch student thinking, they reinforce high expectations, build academic stamina, and normalize productive struggle—all of which align with our learning community belief that all students can learn at high levels.

Examples:

“What made you think that?”

“What vocabulary word fits best here?”

“How would this change if…?”

We are looking forward to seeing you at the next Math Steering on February 24. Please look for an email from Ms. Sarah Kentner. The K-8 Math Steering Committee meets on the last Tuesday of every month!

We are looking forward to seeing you at the next 9-12 Math Steering on Feb. 19 at 3pm. Please look for an email from Steering Chair Liz Ballinger or Nicole Minor to join virtually.

The 9-12 Math Steering Committee meets on the second Thursday of every month!

The K-8 Science Steering Committee will be held on the last Tuesday of every month

at 4:15 pm. Please look for an email from Steering Chair Catherine Cole Adams to join virtually.

The documents attached outline K-8 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website. *Please note that pacing for Illustrative Math powered by Kiddom and Reveal Math will become available as the year progresses.

The document attached outlines 9-12 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.

A resource to use as you see fit.

The newsletter is created each week by the Instructional Division: