Reflections

Thank you to everyone to being so receptive and open minded about the Looking at Student Work Protocol. Addressing groups of people without an exact script to read is very difficult for me. You all made it a little bit easier. Hopefully, we will all learn a great deal from each other for the good of the children as we become more familiar with this protocol. DONNA

During a training session on Looking at Student Work Mary C. had compare/contrast essays of 6 students. The group covered the spectrum of her class. Mary asked the group (Lori, Donna, Jacqui C. (from OCE) and me to read for ideas about a modified student.) We were given about 10 minutes to read silently. Following this we asked a few questions for clarification (1 question was: did the students do the essay at home or in school-Mary replied school). Suggestions offered to Mary included: A new student from another country did better than the group expected. The student wrote down her ideas related to compare/contrast. It was noted that the student was trying to apply what she had learned. Lori took the notes of what each person said to give to Mary. Donna was the facilitator to keep the group on track. Mary thanked the group for the input and for staying with the help she wanted. The ideas that were generated, she noted, would be helpful for her whole class. Mary stated compare/contrast will be worked on during the year. The process was very long since we were trained first and then "practiced" the new protocol. The Looking at Student Work slides were very helpful to us in the training. They are on the wiki to assist all of us in the learning process. The protocol of "looking at student work" with colleagues, I believe, requires a leap of trust. Our experience was very positive! Sr. Catherine 11/22/2010
 * A different rubric for the modified student?
 * A stronger beginning/closing paragraphs for students
 * Continue developing compare/contrast across the curriculum
 * Assign the same essay later in the year to see students growth

﻿Well done, Donna and Lori. The "Looking at Student Work Protocol" reminds me of the Instructional Support Team we had years ago. A teacher could meet with the team to discuss a particular student with problems either in behavior or academics. We brainstormed ideas, supplied support and follow-up. It was very helpful. I can see the "Looking at Student Work Protocol" being helpful too. I often wonder if what I'm doing could be done better. Thanks again. I can not think of a "cool" comment. Roseanne 11/24/10

=__Reflections on January 7, 2011 - Distributed Leadership __= Thanks again to the fearless foursome. It was a productive day. My question was: Can we __pick__ members to make a team if we have a piece of student work to review? Roseanne 1/7/11

The opening line of today's handout spoke volumes...one good way for us to educate ourselves is to pause and become deliberate students of our students. A stronger professional community is within our grasp when we take advantage of what we all have to offer...listening and learning from each other generates a win-win situation for us as educators and allows us to then pass on what we've garnished on to our students. In my case today's session certainly proved "you can teach this old dog some new tricks". The way these distributive leadership sessions have been conducted, explained, and modeled have been clear and concise. (and so far, painless!) Thank you for sharing and shining new light in our new era of thinkers and learners! Kathy McD 01/07/11

It was a good day. I felt it was very benefical discussing the power of Protocols. I think an important point is that rituals and routines can build community. The protocols help establish a sense of respect and "security" when sharing or reflecting on work. Congratulations TEAM for a well planned and profitable day! ;>) Di 1/7/11

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Roseanne, the protocol we are using for looking at student work is different from an IST since the focus is on several samples of student work rather than focusing on an individual student. S.Catherine 1/7/11

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Thank you to everyone for being so open to learning and trying something new. I think that our meeting went very well. I look forward to continuing on this journey with all of you as a team! Donna 1/8/11

Thank you to everyone for your support today. I was not aware I would be presenting today but decided that I would take a risk. I know Donna and Lori did a great job at the last meeting that was sick for so I hoped I would reach the bar they had already set. I feel it paid off for me today, I enjoyed sharing the infromation we were given and helping you have the distributed learning experience also. Thank you for the teachers who gave me kind words, it helps to have validation when you put yourself in that situation. Mary 1/9

I just want to say Thank You to the team! They did a great job. I felt this was a good learning experience. I think this power protocol system is beneficial not only to the student but also to the teacher in that getting input from peers will be invaluable. It will also build greater teamwork which will make a closer faculty. I believe it is important to be able to present ideas without fear of criticism. I believe to get feedback will be helpful to the teacher and student. Michele 1/9/11

I hope I will do as well as Mary, Donna, and Lori did on Friday when it is my turn. With each of these meetings, I come to a better understanding about what it means to be a "facilitator" and the "presenting teacher". It also was nice being in groups with different teachers that I don't usually talk with during our regular school day. This truly is a great faculty and I am happy to be a part of it. Maureen 1/9/11

Thank you to the team for their insights. I feel like I understand the protocol better and think that it will be very useful. I hope I will be as prepared when it is my turn. I think input on our work is important and we can all learn from each other. We can always learn from each and hopefully this will ultimately benefit our students. Pat G. 1/10/11 Thank You for a new learning experience. I think this activity will benefit all of us. We are all in this boat together, I always need another paddle. We learn from sharing. Cathy Kane

Thank you to the team for doing such a great job presenting and explaining everything to us on Friday. I feel it was a very good learning experience. I think it was really helpful to look at the students work and take on the different roles needed to complete the process. -Toby

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Thank you to the team for all their preparation for this meeting. They explained <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">everything so well. It is so much to take in. I know as time goes by I will be better <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">prepared to be a presenter. I believe it is a gradual process. I am definitely in the <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Baby Jesus Group again. Terry Z.

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Thanks to everyone for being such willing participants in our new learning experiences. I think this will be a great way to help us help our students.Lori

Observing teachers working together in small professional communities was so enriching and rewarding. It was obvious that everyone was involved in the process. Everyone was an educational practicioner (I think of groups of Doctors gathering to look at the same information to decide what is best for the patient and all the input involved.) Warm comments prepared the way for cool comments. Teacher presenters left with good praise and good ideas. It was great to see so many involved in the process of looking at student work despite any personal fears. The faculty was a great team! Sr. Catherine 1/11/2011

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Reflections on class of January 14-Perception; conflict; cooperation <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">﻿﻿Reflections on Peer Coaching - Saturday, Jan. 15th class <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">I am excited to share Peer Coaching with the faculty. Saturday was a great day with Ann, I hope we can have her come for the faculty next year! Mary

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">I concur. Ann is wonderful. I think peer coaching will go hand in hand with the looking at student work protocol to help us all to grow together as a team for the good of all the students in the school. We need to start looking beyond being responsible for 20 or 30 students and move towards sharing responsibility for the success of all 300. Donna <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">media type="youtube" key="h60r2HPsiuM" height="390" width="640"

//__ March 4, 2011 Reflections on Looking At Student Work __//