Lassiter SIP

Rigor for All

In March the entire Lassiter staff has been through a training session on Rigor and how to utilize it in your classroom. This training was in response to one of the areas that the GAPSS team mentioned that was needed to increase student engagement and achievement. A new page has been added to the SIP blog for all things rigorous! Take the time to review the power point used in the training and also to read the articles from Educational Leadership that were used for the basis of this presentation.

Remember, students need lots of opportunities to practice and experience using their own thinking skills within their lives and especially in school. The more we honor their thinking process and the more we give them practice to develop those higher level thinking skills, the more they will flourish as independent and successful adults in a world that they will create and maintain for us when we sit in those rocking chairs later on.

More Marzano Strategies

The last three of Marzano's 9 Strategies have been posted on the web site. Check the list of pages onthe right for the latest additions of these strategies. Learn more about setting goals, providing feedback, generating and testing hypotheses, questions, cues and advance organizers. These are great strategies that will increase student achievement and will also apply the tenets of Lassiter's School Improvement Plan.

Student Engagement

This is an area of great importance for motiviating students. The power point attached gives lots of information about the power of engagement and how it can create a learning environment where students are actively engaged. This presentation was given at a Lunch and Learn At Lassiter on February 26th. Be sure to check the "new student engagement page" on the right side of this web page.

 

Performance Based Instruction

Teachers, check out the power point and the MANY content specific performance tasks ideas that have just been posted on a new page called Performance Based Instruction. This is the information that was presented on January 27 & 29 in-services. Great ideas that can spark more of your own great ideas.

I have also posted the video clip about the high school students from Pa. that were on the verge of being high school drop outs that turned their academic careers around after spending 2 years on a performance task. Could be a great motivator for your some of your students.

This site also contains useful information on Habits of the Mind. Be sure to check out the suggested web site for more ideas. Enjoy!!

Good information on graphic organizers and parent tips for homework!

Recent page additions for this blog on Marzano strategies focus on using graphic organizers. Check out the page for non-linguistic representations for some excellent examples of graphic organizers. And remember the following question and answer:

        When should I use a graphic organizer? Only when you want students to learn.

Also, take a look at the new page for homework and practice. It has excellent information about when and how to use homework and also great ideas for how parents can help with homework and what they shouldn't do for their kids with regards to homework. This is great information for using at open house or during conferences.

Ever wonder what the benefits of cooperative learning are? Have a peek at the new page on Marzano's research on cooperative learning. The research offers some revealing information about how to do it and the benefits involved.

Marzano's Top Nine Strategies

The School Improvement Plan for Lassiter High School this year requires all teachers to know, understand, and use these nine research based strategies in their classrooms in order to increase student acheivement. Each one of these nine strategies will have its own page that features information and ready to use strategies in all content areas. Be sure to click on the Marzano pages for resources and ideas for your classroom!

Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment

Formative Assessments are valuable teaching tools for student learning and achievement. The purpose of formative assessments is to constantly "check for understanding" with the students as instruction begins and evolves during a unit of learning. If done well, formative assessments can give students an understanding of where they are in terms of learning the knowledge but more importantly, it gives them specific next steps for what they need to do show mastery of that unit or standard. Please click on the Formative Assessment page link for information and strategies that you can use with your classes.

Diffentiation Information for Teachers

Teachers, differentiation information, strategies and examples are located on the Differentiation Page on the left of this page. Just click on the page and you will find lots of information, links, and power points that will help you! Look for more pages on other topics in the next few days!