Friday, March 2, 2012
Change Ahead
The CCLS has defined 12 instructional shifts—six in ELA/Literacy and six in math—that represent changes in what and how teachers present their curriculum in the classroom. The shifts provide a framework for teachers to help students think more analytically and gain a deeper understanding of the material they’re learning.
After your group discussion, submit a post answering this question in your own words: How will these instructional shifts change your current instructional methods?
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The biggest shift that is going to change my instructional method is the increase in reading levels and the focus on reading more informational texts. Special education students are going to have to make bigger gains in order to be working at grade level.
ReplyDeleteI will make it a focus to implement literacy goals into my everyday lesson plans and activities.
ReplyDeleteWith an emphasis on close reading and interpreting texts of a more complex nature, our lesson plans will focus on specific texts for, in some cases, double the length in time as they do now. This will be a significant shift in instructional methods that will certainly be an adjustment.
ReplyDeleteI need to increase the intensity of vocabulary in my classroom. We do a lot of discussion in my room but we do not write about the discussion or reading . I will have to shift to them writing a response as well.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need to increase vocabulary!
DeleteThere will be more collaboration among teachers from different subject areas. I will focus more intensely on reading and writing.
ReplyDeleteI think collaborating with all subject areas across grade levels is a great idea! However, finding a time for all to meet will be a challenge.
DeleteWe will have to have more collaboration between teachers in order to align lessons. We will have to focus more intensely on reading and writing throughout our lessons.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest shift is to put an emphasis on vocabulary. No matter what subject is taught, vocabulary should be an emphasis.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteVocabulary will be important across the curriculum and carry that vocabulary cross-curriculum, not just teaching it in isolation.
DeleteVocabulary is essential to all disciplines
DeleteThe biggest shift will be more informational text with classroom conversations and written responses based on evidence from the text
ReplyDeleteUsing rigorous collaboration with other teachers about content being taught and having students focus more on reading and writing.
ReplyDeleteadding technical reading, writing, and creation.
ReplyDeleteI think it is going to be necessary to have a good foundation of vocabulary words in order to begin the scaffolding process. (Develop Tier II words) Another key factor is having the correct resources in place in order to have rigor embedded in the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest instructional shifts is the level of vocabulary that students need to be comfortable using and understanding. Students will be expected to apply higher level vocabulary on a consistent basis. Vocabulary is usually a hard concept for students with special needs to understand so we as teachers try to clarify and bring the word down to their level. Therefore, teachers will need to take more time to make sure that students truly understand these specific vocabulary words.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Rephrasing but emphasizing the "new" vocabulary will be essential in teaching true understanding and increasing the rigor for our students.
DeleteWe really do need to emphasize vocabulary. There is such a need for this.
DeleteI will continue to seek out and share/discuss with team, higher quality literary works to use with the students.
ReplyDeleteTechnology will have an important role in implementing these changes.
ReplyDeleteThe instructional shifts will influence my teaching by implementing more intense vocabulary, direct focus on more complex learning tasks, and increased expected learning outcomes.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to, as grade levels, schools, and a district, have a plan to teach Tier 2 vocabulary. We need to include those words in our instruction. Those words will be the key to grasping the CCSS.
ReplyDeleteI will incorporate more opportunities that engage the student as a learner. Students will become actively involved in the learning process and search more for answers rather then being supplied with information. I want to promote an aspect of education that is important to one and all the concept of life long learning.
ReplyDeleteVocabulary is important. Resources are needed.
ReplyDeleteAll classes will have to implement these changes.
ReplyDeleteMoving to informational text will be a big shift. Also, incorporating more vocabulary into the lessons will be important.
ReplyDeleteAnonny Moose
ReplyDeleteThe biggest shift for me will be to focus so much on informational text. It will be interesting to use fiction and branch out to related nonfiction.
I agree that all classes will have to implement changes.
ReplyDeleteIn my math class I will have to focus more on vocabulary and breaking down word problems. Students normally struggle more with understanding what the question is asking than solving the basic math problem that the question is really asking.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I see that so much with students. Math really isn't much about calculations anymore.
DeleteThis takes us back to the way we used to teach years ago! We will spend more time focusing on a specific skill and connecting it to a real life experience to really develop a core understanding.
DeleteI completely agree. Students struggle with actually understanding what the question is asking vs. how to solve the problem.
DeleteFor a long time we have been instructed that the "drill" method in math has been strongly discouraged as poor educational practice. It was very surprising to see that this is now a method that is encouraged. We have discussed as math teachers that what students need is repetition when dealing with multiplication and practicing other problems.
ReplyDeleteNow, they're finally making fluency a priority. After how long?? I just think it will be a while before middle and secondary teachers see this shift making an impact on the students they inherit.
Delete"Shifts" happen everyday. Life is full of "shifts" If teachers can be flexible, no "shifting" will be happening!
ReplyDeleter u using innuendo?
DeleteI think change is needed
ReplyDeleteI will be able to use reading and writing skills to help students be able to break down math problems into what information is given and what is needed. They will also be able to engage their writing skills by not only showing but explaining their work.
ReplyDeleteVocabulary level will be extremely important to all students. We will need better access to resources than we have currently.
ReplyDeleteI need to provide more opportunities for my students to read about science topics and hopefully current events in science that will relate to the standards. While I will provide opportunities for students to read meaningful texts, I would also like to use those texts for students to discuss and debate science texts. This will incorporate reading, writing, and communication skills.
ReplyDeleteI will need to incorporate more in depth in-class discussions in mathematics and encourage students to increase their vocabulary levels within those discussions.
ReplyDeleteThere is just a lot of strategies/ideas/shifts - a little overwhelming. It will be a lot on the teacher modeling the shifts.
ReplyDeleteVocabulary must become a greater focus in class. This will help students in their writing and reading in a math classroom. I think this will also help with their understanding of what questions are asking of them.
ReplyDeleteWord Problems, Word Problems, Word Problems!!! I feel the shift will send the math world into solving more word problems.
ReplyDeleteIncorporating the six "shifts" into lesson plans will need combined efforts by teachers and administration and consistent and constant communication to ensure everyone is working together for the increased rigor that is being requested and for the success of our students.
ReplyDeleteThis will be very challenging for the students with special needs. It will be difficult for them to increase their reading levels to grade level texts. The reading level for students with special needs is often modified or accommodated to their ability level. All students will also need to increase their vocabulary and be exposed to more texts with common vocabulary that they can all learn, understand, and implement.
ReplyDeleteI am concerned as to how long it will take to see the ramifications of these shifts in the middle and high schools.
ReplyDeleteThe shifts will bring more cross-curricular instruction; which reminds me of the old thematic units we taught everything in 15 years ago. I think it's more meaningful when things relate that way instead of teaching skills in isolation.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteInstructional shifts that will most likely impact my students will begin with CC IEP's. Critical to provide the needed education for all students.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to reading, teaching students to use evidence to inform and make arguments in language arts is going to be a huge shift. We tend to just focus on the basic who, what, where, when, and why of a text to demonstrate comprehension. Now, we will have to go deeper into the text and PROVE answer and explain in further detail.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to math, students will now be expected to do more repetition with a concept. They will have a more deeper understanding if not taught to just "get the answer."
Through incorporating the six shifts, my lessons and instruction will need to be more in-depth with a focus on a deeper understanding of what has been read. This will include higher level thinking skills with writing and reasoning. Understanding what a question is asking will be an important factor.
ReplyDeleteI think for me one of the biggest shifts I see is giving students opportunities to apply skills they have obtained to new situations and creating projects using higher level thinking skills.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is so important to give students opportunities to apply skills daily, so they are prepared for real-life experiences!
DeleteI tend to dumb down the vocabulary and remove the obstacles that keep my students from learning or being successful. I need to change my mindset to see that over-coming those obstacles is what makes a meaningful learning experience and allows them to read a textbook to have future learning experiences.
ReplyDeleteThis will create a large shift in providing enough materials for students to read in my class. They get plenty of practice analyzing visual materials, but not as many written materials since there is no text provided that follows my curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI feel that repetition is key, to provide as many opportunities to review and dive deeper into the skill. But looks like we are going back to the philosophy 20 years ago!
ReplyDeleteDrill and kill to help students will be important! Isn't it funny how the pendulum is swinging again.
DeleteI remember theme units and teaching everything together when I student taught. I remember teaching SS and Science with L.A. when I taught first grade. It is great and it covers everything nicely, we just need lessons and materials.
DeleteIncreasing vocabulary will be key in helping students be successful!
ReplyDeleteI agree! A vocabulary rich curriculum is a shortfall in the current system. Many of our students come to us without an understanding of vocabulary which to build upon.
DeleteI think embedding science and SS with all content areas will be a big impact. I also think having the materials to implement all the research and media skills is a concern in L.A. so that all children can have what they need to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI think that we will be able to focus on drills in mathematics so that the students can be focused on what's being asked in the questions instead of the actual multiplication. It's good they have strategies to figure it out, but they also need to be held accountable for memorizing their basic facts. In ELA the students need to be at least 50% in informational texts. I love the fact that we're going to be looking even more at the informational texts! We need to make sure to keep going in-depth to make sure the students understand it!
ReplyDeleteI agree - there needs to be a connection between reading and science or social studies. We also need to develop more text based questions.
ReplyDeleteI think the shift will prepare the students for more "real world" experiences. 50% of their reading will be informational, they will write less narratives and more informational texts supporting opinions and arguments. They will participate in rigorous and rich conversations. They will prioritize concepts of math and which concept to use for a problem they are faced with. They will learn how to solve a problem from a variety of perspectives. This shift will prepare them for reality as opposed to an academic world with idealized skill usage.
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest shifts if allowing for application, which is where true learning is exhibited!
ReplyDeleteWe will now need to integrate all subjects more deeply throughout our daily teaching.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to make more connections between reading, science, and social studies!
ReplyDeleteWe need to be pairing down the texts we use, teaching students with more informational texts, introduce and use more intense vocabulary with the text, re-read texts multiple times to engage students on multiple levels of comprehension to gain a deeper level of understanding of a text.
ReplyDeleteThe Early Childhood Team
I think the shift will be good because the students will have a better understanding of what is being taught and WHY they need it. They will be learning how to become independent and become better prepared for college and life. I think it will be better for the students to have more time to be fluent and be able to "dissect" texts in all subject areas.
ReplyDeleteOur group discussed the challenges of having such a variety of learning levels within a class. Also, will our methods of assessment change? It seems that we should switch to assessing things like active participation and progress as well as achievement on tests and quizzes, etc.
ReplyDelete