1. WHAT GREAT TEACHERS DO DIFFERENTLY 14 Things That Matter Most Chapters 14-16 PLC : December 13, 2011 LSHS Curriculum Specialists: Aaron Locklear and Sherry Odom

2. Starter Turn to your shoulder partner and briefly discuss the following: Why should teachers avoid “teaching to the middle” of the class?

3. Chapter 14: What About These Darn Standardized Tests? #13 Understanding Key Concepts: pgs.105-112 EEffective teachers do not allow hot-button issues to shift their focus from what really matters. EEffective teachers do not allow standardized tests to take over the entire class… EEffective teachers never allow their personal views regarding standardized testing to affect discussions they might have with their students, parents, or even peers.

4. Chapter 14: What About These Darn Standardized Tests? Understanding Key Concepts (con’t):  Effective teachers recognize that state standards force them to shift the focus from the textbook to the actual curriculum and student learning.  Great teachers do not merely hold up standards and watch students make their way toward them; instead, great teachers remain at their students’ sides, helping them to develop the skills they need to meet the standards.

5. Chapter 15: Make It Cool to Care #14 Understanding Key Concepts: pgs. 113-122  All effective teachers have a core set of beliefs to which they adhere as educators.  The key is to develop and establish a school wide environment that supports everyone’s efforts to do what is right.  The real challenge—and the real accomplishment– is to get all the students to care about what happens in the classroom….

6. Chapter 15: Make It Cool to Care Understanding Key Concepts (Con’t): IIn great schools, the teachers tell stories about what other teachers have accomplished with students. GGreat teachers do what is right, no matter what else is going on. GGreat educators understand that behaviors and beliefs are tied to emotion…. SStudents care about great teachers because they know that great teachers care about them.

7. Chapter 16: Clarifying Your Core Understanding Key Concepts: pgs.125-126  Being a teacher is an amazing profession.  It is challenging, dynamic, energizing, and draining- but most of all, it is rewarding.  We know our students talk about us; so do our colleagues; and so do people in our community. We can decide what we want those conversations to be like.

8. Read pgs. 127-128  TIME LIMIT to read: 2 minutes  THINK-PAIR-SHARE: Of the “Fourteen Things That Matter Most” listed, which do you feel is the foremost essential practice? Why?

9. THANKS FOR STRIVING TO BE A GREAT TEACHER  Plus Delta exit slip  Have a great Christmas holiday and a Happy New Year!  Next PLC book: “Classroom Assessment & Grading That Works” by Marzano