We're blogging again! I hope you'll join in and share your ideas.  I'll get things started with a few thoughts about Chapter 1 -

Focus by Mike Schmoker: Chapter 1

The Importance of Simplicity, Clarity and Priority

 

 

“We accomplish more when we focus on less (p. 17).” It’s a simple statement that we need to consider as teachers!  At a time when ideas, approaches, resources, theories, and strategies are abundant, it’s easy to lose focus. Many times, you’ve heard me say, "make sure you know why you’re doing what you’re doing in the classroom."  Are you doing the same old worksheet because you always have or will it really move students along and get the results you want? Are students “practicing math facts” on laptops because they need the practice or is it an easy time filler? Are you doing that elaborate writing activity with your class because they will master the concept of author’s “voice” or because it looked really cool on Pinterest? 

Everything we do instructionally will get some results with our students.  Even “the same old worksheet” will get some result.  But will it get the result we want? Is it the best way to move students to mastery of a concept?  Do we know what mastery looks like and how to measure it?

At a time when information is at our fingertips and innovations in education are plentiful, how do we sort through it all and focus on what works? If you haven’t read the football team analogy and hospital example (p.12) that Schmoker presents, they will make you think.  We need a clear focus to our instruction, effective lessons/planning and meaningful opportunities for reading and writing each day. How can we bring focus to our team meetings and PLC time to address these key areas? Stephanie