lmhenry9 For the next hour or so, my tweets will be about Chapter 1 of Understanding by Design, our #sbarbook this time around. Who's here?
druinok @lmhenry9 I'm here!!! #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok We just got into the hotel about 20 minutes ago. Still trying to finish Chapter 1 of #sbarbook.
Scott_Schaefer I'm here. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 I am here for #sbarbook as well.
lmhenry9 Well, where would you like to start #sbarbook tonight? Lots to talk about, I think.
lmhenry9 RT @agktmte: here are my thoughts for UbD Chapter 1. Sorry I won't be online again! http://bit.ly/mRb0nW #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis Hi, I'm here for #sbarbook
druinok There were lots of places where I felt convicted during this chapter - I have lots of notes :) #sbarbook
sarcasymptote @lmhenry9 ill be in and out. trying to finish up the proctoring schedule for exams. #sbarbook
druinok Too many teachers focus on the teaching and not the learning - That stepped on my toes a bit, been there #sbarbook
druinok How will we distinguish merely interesting learning from effective learning #sbarbook powerful question IMO
lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs Can you resend that last tweet with #sbarbook - I can't retweet it w/out losing the content
lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs I highlighted that comment also on page 15. "they spend most of their time thinking...accomplish the learning goals" #sbarbook
druinok @gwaddellnvhs I flagged that too :) too often content focused - #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok Yep. Been there, done too much of that (focus on teaching, not learning) #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs #sbarbook I really thought the problem is on pg 15, 1st full para. "they spend most of their time thinking.. accomplish the learning goals"
lmhenry9 I tend to focus too much on coverage - and then I don't get there. #sbarbook
druinok I also really liked the design tip on pg 17 - go up to a student during a lesson and ask those - would they be able to answer? #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook I think focusing on the Essential Understandings helps with coverage issues. You know what is truly essential, instead
lmhenry9 We get asked so many times, "why do we have to learn this" or "where am I ever going to use this?" #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse lol - sorry, that's a saying from my childhood, was used as "got my attention and made me squirm" #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs Part of what I am struggling with is how to make this all jibe with Common Core. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook of what the book has in it. EU's help us use the book as a tool to accomplish the EU's instead of a roadmap.
Mr_Martenis @gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 Trouble is, it's hard to get down to a small enough set of essential understandings. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs I sure hope you're right. I'm thinking that's how it *should* work anyway. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @jrykse I agree with you. The more I read, the more I think this fits in very well with SBG. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook I think the CC will help drive the EU's. then we go to our books and find content to teach the EU's.
mctownsley @jrykse is planning with the ‘end in mind’ (UbD) a clearer way of thinking about first steps towards #sbar? #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs I think part of problem with CC is that there is too much essential stuff #sbarbook
druinok @mctownsley I think that's a good point - I know that I used a lot of this when setting up learning targets, etc #sbarbook
Scott_Schaefer @Mr_Martenis Very good point! It is hard to decide what is the MOST important. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook with backwards design, that is how it has to work. it will be hard to get some admins on board, but my admin is supprtve
mathsfeedback Been guilty of this. Need to be less self-centred! RT @druinok "Too many teachers focus on the teaching and not the learning" #sbarbook
druinok Teaching is a means to the end - intersting way to put it :) #sbarbook
druinok What will count as evidence *on the field*, not merely in drills, ... ready to *perform with understanding...* on their own? #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @mctownsley @jrykse That's the way I did it - when I began #sbar, I decided what topics were of importance & went from there. #sbarbook
druinok @mathsfeedback that's a great way to put it! Instead of focus on ME and what I'M comfy w/, need to focus on KIDS and learning #sbarbook
mctownsley @lmhenry9 also connection to school’s embracing the DuFour PLC learning questions. 1) “What is it we want all students to learn?†#sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @druinok #sbarbook I think that is the heart of the acceptable evidence. What must learners be able to demonstrate to show understanding?
druinok @Scott_Schaefer totally agree! especially when state standards are written as if everything is equally important #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 I'm wrestling with essential understandings for my astro course. #sbarbook
druinok the assessment as evidence *on the field* kind of hit me... too often we "drill" (aka WS) and not "field work" (applications) #sbarbook
Scott_Schaefer @druinok And there are so many state standards too! #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @Scott_Schaefer @druinok At least with Common Core, they've narrowed the list some. But there are still a lot to choose from. #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok One kind of evidence I'd like to use more is simply asking questions - but planned questions, and documenting answers #sbarbook
mctownsley @Scott_Schaefer @druinok any connections between UbD & Reeves idea of “power standards� http://bit.ly/mF0rkW #sbarbook
druinok potential can of worms - how many of you have common assessments w/ your colleagues? #sbarbook
Scott_Schaefer @mctownsley I think EQ/ EU and Power Standards end up being very similar. #sbarbook
druinok I had flashbacks to @lmhenry9's #anyqs trip planning several times during this chapter :) #sbarbook
mctownsley @druinok my district is working towards creating/using more common assessments. #sbarbook
druinok @Mr_Martenis agreed - I have noticed that need this week while I'm at the AP reading :) #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok Is that a good thing? #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok We have common assessments. Fortunately, we're pretty agreeable. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok I am the only Alg2 teacher. No common assessments here. Don't think the other Math1 teacher will coordinate assessments. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @druinok My school has 100% common assessments within content areas. We make exams together, usually prior to the chapter. #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 yup - made me think about having the end in mind and how to get there :) #sbarbook
lmhenry9 I should say, no common assessments needed in Alg 2 - I do them for all sections. #sbarbook
mathsfeedback @druinok Everyone teaching the same course has the same big assessments. But I could make up my own "field work" assessments. #sbarbook
druinok we have common finals, but not chapter/unit tests or quizzes #sbarbook
lmhenry9 If you don't have a larger (math) dept - how do you do peer review for units?. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok I almost wonder if we could set up a wiki to do a peer review with other like-subject teachers. #sbarbook
druinok I really liked the idea of peer review - but not sure most teachers would go for it #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 same way we collaborate :) find people online to be your "virtual department" :) #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @druinok #sbarbook Wow. It is an expectation at my school. If you don't want to collaborate and work together, transfer. Strong culture.
lmhenry9 @jrykse But what if the rest of your department isn't on board? Then what? Go to someone in diff subject area who is doing UbD? #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok Tomorrow our team is meeting to work on next year's final exam. #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse good idea for vertical teams definitely #sbarbook
lmhenry9 RT @jsb16: Even w/ a reasonably lrg grp w/ the same course (soph physics 4 me), getting peer review isn't easy. Peers r reluctant. #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @lmhenry9 @druinok Online peer review would be helpful. I'm the only astro teacher at our school and I could use some feedback. #sbarbook
Scott_Schaefer @Mr_Martenis For UbD, I think someone OUTSIDE your content is better. They can sometimes grasp the Big Ideas better. #sbarbook
druinok @Mr_Martenis
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook I don't understand the "shut your door and ignore what others are doing" mentality. It makes everyone's job harder!
druinok @gwaddellnvhs same here, but have those people always been that way or did something happen to make them like that? #sbarbook
druinok @Mr_Martenis we have one at our school - will be at a workshop with her next week, can pass on your email if you want #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @jrykse I think it comes from the same mentality that quiet students are the best students (everyone working quietly). #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok Getting close to common unit tests. We share an awful lot of stuff. #sbarbook
atlteacher @gwaddellnvhs you're lucky to have a collaborative culture at your school. i think most of us are in sink or swim environments. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse We had a principle who demanded it. We still have a holdout or two, but they suffer bcs everyone works together well. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse to this day, that culture is very ingrained and expected. It takes strong leadership to make it happen though. #sbarbook
druinok I think our PLN is somewhat of a peer review - I know I have learned a ton through discussions and sharing here #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @lmhenry9 @jsb16 "Peers are reluctant" True! Tried to get peer observation going during our common time this year. Got crickets. #sbarbook
druinok granted, in our situation, its usually been a teaching idea or single lesson, not a unit plan, but still useful #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs I thought the backwards design template was complex, but using something like that regularly would make life easy in future years. #sbarbook
Mr_Martenis @druinok Yes, thanks. I'd be happy to get in touch w/another astro tchr who is into this SBG stuff. #sbarbook
mathsfeedback Agreed. Am trying 2 b more helpful to others, share. RT @AtlTeacher @gwaddellnvhs you're lucky w collaborative culture at yr schl. #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse I get that response a lot when people find out I'm reading a prof book for fun! :) #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse that is a problem. We have time built into our schedule weekly for collaboration. It is district wide, every wednesday. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse @druinok Seriously. Going it alone means you do all the work instead of partial. And the quality of the material is lower. #sbarbook
druinok @Mr_Martenis I don't know about SBG, but at least another HS astro teacher might be helpful :) #sbarbook
druinok and sometimes trying to share with others (when they've not asked) is taken wrong :( #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse My training suggested that every 15 - 20 min at the least a check should be make. learners should interact with EU often. #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse I think if the kids can't answer that, we need to rethink the activity and/or communication #sbarbook
druinok I think *WE* all get the power of collaboration, but I don't think we are a representative sample :) #sbarbook #awesomePLN
gwaddellnvhs @druinok I would agree. I am told I forget too often that I am not representative of avg teachers. (tech wise) #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok Totally agree with your statement here. #sbarbook
druinok Even today, while I'm at a professional even, I was reading my chapter and I had several people ask what I was doing and why #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse what about an exit ticket? #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse
gwaddellnvhs @druinok That is sad. #sbarbook
druinok @gwaddellnvhs I think it goes back to the "focused on teaching, not on learning" idea - #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse #sbarbook write the EU on board and refer to it often. Have learners write it down, then discuss what it means. Chap 5 has ideas.
druinok @gwaddellnvhs but I think we are the exception to the rule - we all are here voluntarily, giving up hours of time to read/discuss #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @druinok #sbarbook. Yes and we blog. We develop sites and content. We are the +3 SD above the mean group using technology.
druinok @gwaddellnvhs exactly :) #sbarbook but we continue to engage in those activities because we've found them meaningful and worthwhile
lmhenry9 Any closing thoughts for Chapter 1 of #sbarbook?
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 #sbarbook I think it will just get better and challenge us more as it goes on. I am excited to be doing this.
druinok speaking of blogs - wouldn't that be a peer review of lessons? I know a lot of us have modified lessons based on comments, etc #sbarbook
druinok @jrykse I thought the LA example was great! #sbarbook
lmhenry9 @druinok Maybe we look at putting a wiki or website together where people can post their lessons to be peer reviewed? #sbarbook
druinok @gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 agreed - I know I had some moments this chapter that was like a wake up call #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 I think a wiki would be a great idea #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 @druinok for #statbook we have a wiki already. I am also more than willing to host lessons on my site. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 I could look at putting together a wiki also if there is interest. #sbarbook
mathsfeedback Have used exit tickets and like the snapshot feedback they give me. RT @druinok @jrykse what about an exit ticket? #sbarbook
lmhenry9 Before we call it a night - when do we want to do #sbarbook next?
lmhenry9 @gwaddellnvhs I'll check into that. Thanks. #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @lmhenry9 I am okay with next monday. #sbarbook. As far as setting up a wiki, there are lots of alternatives. Betterlesson.com is one.
jsb16 @lmhenry9 #sbarbook wiki: Yes, please. I don't have the book yet...
lmhenry9 Do we want to do one more this week or wait until next Monday? #sbarbook
gwaddellnvhs @jrykse @lmhenry9 I am game for anything. Today was my first day of break. Spent it at school working! LOL. #sbarbook
lmhenry9 anyone else want to weigh in on when we do ch. 2 of #sbarbook?
Mr_Martenis @jrykse @lmhenry9 We've still got a few more days of school, but so far the reading has been quick. Again this week would be OK. #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 I could do again this week #sbarbook
druinok @gwaddellnvhs I am at the AP reading, so I cant do it in the afternoon - and next week will be at a workshop #sbarbook
lmhenry9 I have 2 thoughts - either Thu 6/16 or Mon 6/20. What do you want to do? #sbarbook
druinok @lmhenry9 I can do either date #sbarbook
lmhenry9 Hearing no major objections to Thursday, we will do Chapter 2 of #sbarbook Thu 6/16 at 9:30p est.
lmhenry9 Thanks everyone for good #sbarbook conversation! I'll get a transcript posted when I can.
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