Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools John F. vonEschenbach University of West Georgia

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools Research-based Learning Principles: New learning is easier when it is linked to prior knowledge. Learning is a social activity BEFORE it is a cognitive activity. There is a need for numerous strategies for organizing, storing, and internalizing knowledge.

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools Students need to write frequently in a variety of subjects: Every single day It should not be “copying” Writing forces the brain to make sense. Performance assessment is the predominant form of assessment Get away from the use of worksheets Use a variety of knowledge applications

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools Teachers are a key element in students’ achievement: Teachers need to collaborate regularly, especially at grade levels. Teachers need to allow students to apply and not try to do it all! Teachers need to be consistent and pervasive

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools Essential Questions: Demand more than one word answers GPSs need to be phrased as questions at the front-end of the unit to guide student learning Must provoke critical thinking and inquiry NOT literal recall of information Key Question is content driven and is within the Essential Question

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Schools K-W-L plus A Knowledge- What I know Want- What I want to know Learned- What I learned Affect- How will it affect me K-W-L: Uses graphic organizers Forces students to categorize and summarize information