Mark's Learning Log- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024I have this wondering that we are teaching all students in the class – as a whole class lesson – in the junior years as though they all needed the intensive phonic instruction and frequent repetition. Yes some explicit instruction … Continue reading →mwalker
- Why Why is the question we all need to answer! May 31, 2024In my work with school educators this is the question I ask them to resolve for themselves. What drives you to lead / teach young people and why? What happened to you and why is that important. I was reminded … Continue reading →mwalker
- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024
Mark’s Visitor Map
Readers Map
Category Archives: Walkthroughs
Walkthrough on Relational Learning
Over the past month we have conducted weekly walkthroughs to gather data on elements of our school culture. Prior to conducting a walkthrough we asked staff what they thought the protocols surrounding walkthrough should be. To build and keep up … Continue reading
Walk throughs
A little clip that might help inform a conversation about walkthroughs at your school.
Posted in Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
Marzano makes a point about the use of his protocol in observing instruction in classrooms
Just a short clip on the use of protocols when observing instruction. here Marzano talks about the use of his protocol and not to be confused with other techniques. It’s a timely reminder as we here in Victoria embarked on … Continue reading
Posted in Instruction, Uncategorized, Video Clips, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
How far have we come as teachers in using technology to engage learners?
Have a quick flick through this presentation as we in Australia shut down for the summer school holiday period. I’m reminded of a now famous quote “Yes we can” when I see this. I remember as far back as the … Continue reading
Learning Walks on improved relationships and engagement.
Near the end of February my Assistant Principal and I went on a series of learning walks or walkthroughs with a focus on classroom rules and norms of working. We spent a short time in each classroom listening to students and teachers … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Teaching, Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
4 Comments
School improvement is not unlike peeling an onion – the jouney is layered and may produce tears .
At most weekly leadership meetings we agenda a discussion on a published research paper distributed and read prior to meeting and this week it was the 90/90/90 Schools: A Case Study article. The article written by two journalists was based on research … Continue reading
Maths materials – tools or manipulatives? A walkthrough query.
Readers of my blog will know that we have Michaal Ymer, an educator with a focus on maths, coaching teachers in classrooms. Michael early on in his work with us presented three main messages: students need maths materials to manipulate so … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Teaching, Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
Does consistency mean sameness or mindfulness?
At this weeks staff meeting Sarah, the assistant principal and I talked about the weeks walkthroughs posing some questions in particular the above question – is consistency between classrooms sameness or mindfulness? We used a fish bowl strategy to share our thoughts where Sarah and I … Continue reading
Feeling the beat!
Last Friday I was in a lift listening to the chanting of the latest hip hop song by a group of youths. One had just downloaded the song and was telling his friends that it a nerve … I think? Translate – … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
Teaching and learning coaches in schools
At this weeks district Principal’s meeting we heard a report from one of DEECD’s appointed teacher coaches working in our local public schools. She spoke about frustrations over the system’s need for accountability data verses the need to just do it … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Protocols, Teaching, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
What drives your classroom coaching program?
Last year I caught up with Barrie Bennett in Toronto and had the chance to talk through his framework for classroom improvement. It was one of those light bulb moments when it became clear for me what the missing focus was in both … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Teaching, Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
Leave a comment
Raise the Bar and Close the Gap
At last weeks principal network meeting we briefly talked about this notion of raising the bar on student achievement. Michael Fullan defines moral purpose for schools in terms of raising the bar and closing the achievement gap. The conversation was started from … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized, Walkthroughs
1 Comment
Walkthroughs
Want a funny clip to start a conversation about walkthroughs at your school. Look no further.
Posted in Video Clips, Walkthroughs
1 Comment
February Walkthroughs
Yesterday I was speaking to a colleague about the focus of walkthroughs in February. My colleague was told that I had changed some of my thoughts over the last 12 months and was seeking some clarification. I felt by the end of our conversation … Continue reading
Posted in Walkthroughs
3 Comments