Monday, August 28, 2017

First Learning Walks of 2017-18

Our first Learning Walks of the year were held during 1st and 2nd periods today and both walks were a huge success.

WJHS Learning Walks are an extension of our Teachers Visiting Teachers (TVT) program and are designed to allow teachers to "steal" ideas and to document evidence of our main instructional goals.

We boil quality instruction down to two key terms:

  • Above the Line: Students are thinking at high levels.
  • Get Real: Students are solving real problems, creating real products/solutions, for a real audience.

The staff members that participated the walks were:

Cindy Allen, Libby Brown, Blake Cook, Lilian Diaz, Bryan Hale, Ashley Jones, Rebecca Kirby, Alison Picklesimer, Tim Sparacino, and Jennifer Tatum.

The rooms that we visited were taught by:

Cindy Allen, Deb Bain, Amanda Barham, Carrie Beach, Libby Brown, Heather Crumpler, Lilian Diaz, Brittany Durr, Ashley Jones, Alison Picklesimer, Betty Pollreis, Mary Sellers, Scott Terrell, Deana Wallace, and Rebecca Wright.

Every room that we visited allowed us to learn something and document evidence of quality instruction (Above the Line/Get Real).

We saw outstanding examples of incorporating pre-assessment to drive instructional decisions, planning for student movement and engagement, multiple grouping techniques/strategies, creative ways to continue to build relationships with and between students, discussion prompt displays, and utilizing rubrics as a tool for student self-assessment.

Pictured below is today's 2nd period Learning Walk group (Bryan Hale, Cindy Allen, Lilian Diaz, Jennifer Tatum, Alison Picklesimer, Blake Cook, and Tim Sparacino).



We have more Learning Walks scheduled for this week and throughout the year.

Parents that want a peek into our classrooms can get in on the action by attending the PTO meeting at 8 AM on September 21st which will be followed by a Parent Learning Walk.


Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Articles of Interest (August 15, 2017)

I wanted to share some articles of interest that I've stumbled upon in my recent professional reading.

Teaching in a Block Schedule
From Cult of Pedagogy: Making the Most of a 90-Minute Block has examples of different structures that teachers use to maximize instructional time.

Teacher/Parent Communication
Before school started, we identified some key questions that parents always have.  They were:

  • What will my child be learning?
  • How and when will I know what progress my child is making?
  • How can I help my child?

Here is an interesting article from @alicekeeler  titled Digital Assignments- Include a Parent Corner that describes a potential way to keep parents informed about what is happening in your class and how they can help.

Finding Resources
One of the quickest and easiest tools to use to assist you with the curation of professional reading materials is FlipBoard.

We have our very own FlipBoard magazine called WJHS Learns.  You can "follow" our magazine in the FlipBoard app or simply click this link to read it online.

If you're on Twitter, check out my account: @sparacino.

In addition to my main Twitter feed, I've also created some lists that you could explore, consider subscribing to, and/or follow other educators directly from the list.

I suggest starting with the Must Follow, Topnotch 4 EdTech, and of course the WJHS Staff list.

Another Amazing Year
This year has such a positive feel already.  I'm so excited to be your principal and look forward to our learning together.

Go Wildcats!

Tim Sparacino, Principal
Washington Jr. High School
Inspiring Excellence!