DO YOU BELIEVE?

BEST FIRST Instruction

Pueblo City Schools Learning ServicesAugust 20, 2014

Objectives

• Know the definition of Best First Instruction

• Identify instructional practices that do not support Best First Instruction

• Identify instructional practices that should be modeled and encouraged

Core Beliefs

• Read the Core Belief Challenges

• Pair/Share - Discuss with a partner your alignment with these questions

They will need our best work.

Definition

• Please reflect on your note page what “Best First instruction” means.

PCS Definition

• “Best First instruction” is research-based daily classroom practices that engage all learners before interventions are planned. It includes core strategies such as explicit learning objectives that are tied to demonstrations of learning, differentiation, student engagement in rigorous and relevant learning, small group instruction, multiple response strategies, and effective feedback. Best First instruction operates from the core belief that each and every student will make learning gains.

BREAK

View videos of 6th grade math teacher, 3rd grade reading teacher, and 9th grade science

After each video write one high quality classroom instructional practice and one that you would coach the teacher to modify

Share out

Best First Instruction

Common practices that we want to generally avoid

• Stream of consciousness writing

• Observer math

• Films (as opposed to movie clips)

• Poor readers reading to the class

• Round-robin reading

• Constant busy work: coloring a map, crossword puzzles

Common practices that we want to avoid

• Excessive copying

• Worksheets that are not aligned or purposeful

• Word searches

• Repeated single responses

• Doing homework in class• Excessive review of homework in class

• Earning “free time”

Common practices that we want to avoid

• Copying definitions or defining words with little context

• Practicing listening to reading (when the purpose/objective is not related to reading)

• Presentations that are not tied to a rigorous rubric; numerous presentations

• Random spelling and vocabulary

Quality Instruction

• Aligned

• Guaranteed and viable curriculum

• Effective lesson objectives and DOL or Evidence Outcomes

• Activities are aligned

• Purposeful

• Activities are relevant and challenging

• Every aspect of the class is tied to learning

• Time is managed to enhance learning

Quality Instruction

• Effective strategies

• Engaging

• Multiple response strategies

• Student learning is active

• Scaffold lessons

• Rigorous and Relevant

Quality Instruction

• Differentiated

• Individual student needs are met

• Appropriate interventions are planned and implemented with fidelity

This Year’s Focus

Demonstration of Learning

Evidence OutcomeGiven the information discussed today, write at least three takeaway elements of Best First instruction.