In the meantime, I know that practice time for TLAC tends to get squeezed out with targeted tutorial time. How can we make time for practice? Here are just a few suggestions to get you started on thinking of creative practice options for your cohort of teachers, when there is no "time" to practice together. For all of these options, it will be important for you to run these by your administration and documentation that your teachers participated in this type of practice. We want to make sure you get credit for your work!
How to Practice When There is No Time to Practice!
TLAC Book Study Clubs: Assign specific chapter(s), then have teachers respond to some reflection questions in an interactive notebook. You can find some great reflection questions in the TLAC field guide. Have them turn it in, then respond to what they wrote (that's interactive part).
Observation Rounds: Invite teachers to come see you trying out a new technique. Ask them to provide you in writing with one thing you did well, and one thing to try using the language of the technique.
Practice in the Classroom (with coach): The best practice is done before teachers "go live" in front of students, but then we have to jump in and try it with the kids. Take a technique that you have practiced during previous TLAC sessions and let teachers know that we are going to take the practice to the next level...practice in the classroom. Go visit teachers for 5-7 minutes and look for use of the technique or opportunities they could have used the technique. Leave them with written feedback- one thing they did well and one thing they could try, being sure to use the language of the technique.
Practice in the Classroom (video coaching): Some teachers would rather submit a video of their teaching. Have a student tape their class for 5-7 minutes and submit the video to you. Provide written feedback-one thing they did well and one thing they could try, being sure to use the language of the technique.
TLAC scavenger hunt: Provide teachers with a few TLAC things to hunt for in others teachers' rooms. Be sure to include a form for teachers to record their responses. For example:
- Look for a Check for Understanding, then describe what the teacher did with that data or as Doug calls it the "do something about it right away" part.
- Observe an "everybody writes" moment. This can be a moment that a teacher used "everybody writes" or an opportunity that a teacher could have used "everybody writes". Describe the moment or opportunity.
- Observe a "threshold" moment as a student. Stand at the end of another teacher's line. What does it feel like to stand there? Describe how the teacher greets the other students ahead of you. How does that compare to how he/she greets you? What elements of "threshold" does the teacher include? What elements of "threshold" might the teacher try?
In the comment section below, please write 3-5 sentences explaining how your cohort has (or is planning) to continue practicing 30 minutes per week through the end of the school year.
Take a look at one of our program teachers from Edison Middle School describe his "breakthrough" moment using Teach Like a Champion. Read about it here in the HISD enews.
Nominate Your Campuses' Champions!
Do you have a teacher at your campus that is Champion? Please nominate them for an opportunity to be spotlighted in the "Breakthroughs" section of the HISD enews. This is a great way to celebrate the success of you, your teachers, and your campus! Please fill out this quick survey to nominate your teachers! PS- you can even nominate yourself :)
If You TLAC...They Will Come!
So excited to announce that Doug and his team are confirmed to visit HISD Monday, May 19th and Tuesday, May 20th. Final site visit schedules, including which schools to be visited, are being finalized with campus principals. In the meantime, we want you reflecting on what Doug might see if he came into your room? What techniques are your trying out? What techniques would you want him to give you feedback on? To help you reflect on this, please complete this pre-site visit reflection survey.
