Best+Practices

Best Practices Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum

My district already does this: A balanced literacy program that includes teacher-directed instruction, small flexible groups and SSR. Emphasize the use of technology not only for enhanced lessons, but also for better communication with parents, peers, and students. Communicates needs and issues through effective use of our Teacher Coaches, Staff Meetings, and Grade Level Meetings. Our teachers participate in on-going and meaningful staff development.

My district needs to do this: Continue to monitor how effectively teachers implement balanced literacy components in the classroom. Continue to offer opportunities for teachers to get training on the latest technology and uses for technology in the classroom. Continue to focus on areas of need through our staff development plans and activities.

FYI from Mount Olive: Good PLC strategy - At each of our monthly staff meetings, we "showcase" one grade level to show-off some of the good things going on in their classrooms. We divided the staff up and took them on a "field trip" to each of the grade level classrooms for a three minute presentation on something that is working well in their classrooms. The first month, we "showcased" the 5th grade who shared several reading strategies and their literacy stations ideas. This past month, we "showcased" the first grade who demonstrated "Math Expressions", a pilot program that will be presented as one of the new math adoptions that you will see soon. In both situations, I received notes and e-mails from the staff wanting to know more about what they saw, and I began seeing the ideas that were presented showing up in several classrooms. It has been VERY successful.

My district needs to STOP doing this: I can not think of aynything at this time.