1. Applying an Optimal Learning Model to Your Teaching Session 2
Transforming Our Teaching Through Reading/Writing Connections

2. Agenda Engage, Reflect, Assess Read Observe Discuss Try it/Apply it
Wrap/Up

3. Reflect
Meet and Greet
Review with your vertical team what you tried and applied from last session

4. Discuss Professional Reading
“Making Professional Development a Priority” (Conversations, pp )
Discuss the article and points that your felt affirmed your thinking.

5. Goals for the Session
Explore your own beliefs about teaching and learning
Begin to understand the Optimal Learning Model as an instructional frame work for real-world learning
Begin to think about and apply the Optimal Learning Model in daily instruction
Understand the importance of demonstration

6. View Video and Take Notes
Turn to the Notecatcher on page 5.
Take notes as you watch the video
Think about
What did you see in the video that made an impact on you?
What key teaching practice aligns with your core beliefs about teaching?
What is you understanding of the OLM?

7. Achieve a Deeper Understanding
Turn to the Optimal Learning Model p. 2-6
Turn-and-talk: share with a partner a real-world example of learning a skill or how to do something where the OLM can be used to describe how you were taught.
Share your stories with the whole group

8. Try It/Apply It in your classroom
Planning for application for next session:
Read #7
Choose Option 1 or Option 2

9. Wrap-Up
Read before the next session “Apply the Optimal Learning Model” (Teaching Essentials excerpt, pp
Meet with your grade-level teams to revisit the video on the website, plan together and try out using the Optimal Learning Model as you plan your lesson format.
Bring samples of your lesson plans and samples of your student’s work to share with your vertical team.

10. Session Evaluation Session 3, October 8, 2008
Revised Early Release Calendar
Revised Evaluation Schedule/Letter (focus of observation and evaluation)
Exit Card/Evaluation