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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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