#atplc Archive
For over a year, educators have used the #atplc Twitter tag to share resources and ideas about PLCs, connect with others around the world, and inspire each other to never stop learning. Now is your chance to join the conversation! Visit http://www.allthingsplc.info/tools-resources/twitter-chat for more info.
Thursday July 21, 2016
It's time! Join the hashtag for the next hr to discuss "Essential ?s Asked In A High Performing PLC." is moderating.
Welcome to chat! Please share your name, title, and school/organization!
Pumped for tonight’s w/ fearlessly at the helm Join me PLN! https://t.co/HWJZm55ZSX
It's time! Join the hashtag for the next hr to discuss "Essential ?s Asked In A High Performing PLC." is moderating.
Hello everyone! Steven, a Middle School Assistant Principal from Missouri
Good evening . Matt, Elem Asst Principal, from Kansas City
Patsy, coach, Hillcrest elementary, Wyoming https://t.co/XHKwE8ujCI
Welcome to chat! Please share your name, title, and school/organization!
Hi! Kristi, AP, from West Texas!
Hi all, Heidi join in from North Texas. I’m an assistant principal at my district's Bilingual Early Childhood School.
Can't seem to get anywhere on time. Jim Smith, Assessment and Data, Lighthouse Learning Community. Minnesota.
Tami from St. Louis joining in
Tonight's Topic: Essential Questions Asked In a High Performing PLC
(Back-to-School )
Hello from Missouri!
I'm Bill, middle school lead learner aka principal
Hi! My name's Patsy. I'm a coach at Hillcrest elementary in Wyoming!
Great Group From Across the U.S. tonight! Get ready to share your PLC journey and experiences!
Hi--I'm Shannon from WA state and I teach 1st grade.
Hi! Kim from NC third grade teacher!
Hi Shannon! Glad to connect w/ you on
Hello everyone! I am Tim an Elementary Principal from IL
Becky, principal from Monmouth, IL. First time joining this chat!
It's my first time here and am hoping to find a new weekly chat. Going through withdrawal this summer.
Welcome Patsy. Glad you are joining in for the chat tonight.
I'm a second grade teacher and hoping that I have success with my 1st chat
I am Steve...in HR in Batavia, IL
A1 just as Ts should spend time @ beg of year on classroom culture & relationships, same is true w/ norms. Take the time to develop
A1 Through discussion, align with school norms-all on the same page!
A1-my team always started with sticky note pet peeves individually and then combined and summarized into our norms.
A1: Not quite sure...we didn't have norms last year but am hoping to glean some ideas from my chat buddies tonight.
Great idea. Did this once w/ Ss where we created "bugs" & wrote 3-5 things that bugged them. Hung in the room as reminder
Building relationships such an important prt!
Welcome and feel at home. We are all here to support each other.
Not seeing the question,suggestions!
My name is Steven Weber and I am the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with (Arkansas). I am honored to host
Hi Bill! Welcome to my brother! Glad to learn w/ you tonight.
A1: We will review last year's norms and discuss any changes.
A1 make a list of common commitments - what do we all believe in & how will we hold each other accountable
A1:I think you need to have discussion, but depending on your team you might want some non-negotables, or have a list of ideas
Collaborative, shared leadership. Tie in with district & school norms as well
A1 norms are great until someone doesn't follow the norm. How has your team discussed how they will address them when not followed?
A1: Some teams focus on learning goals, lesson planning, and open house, but fail to establish team norms.
I just learned a new group processing called Center Piece, keep replacing and adding to the middle piece https://t.co/wlAWUJMChL
I just learned a new group processing called Center Piece, keep replacing and adding to the middle piece https://t.co/jd02kqzwUb
A1 I will ask our leadership team to lead their teams through the process of setting norms
Are you on your home screen or the screen?
Too often teams fail to discuss this, great point!
A team may have two new team members this school year. It is important to discuss team norms.
Hold each other accountable! Review norms at the beginning of meetings and agree to honor norms! It all takes time!
A1-we seem to always forget to agree on how to hold each other accountable. It is a goal of mine to have all the teams do this.
Good point! Our team really needs to work on attitudes towards PLC. It was a big frustration for me (the attitudes).
A1 Our teams will brainstorm, collaborate & compose their norms. They will likely revisit their past norms as a jumping off point.
Also a friendly reminder for returning team members! Accountability!
very true! Team members need to understand how "rules" for meetings and collaboration
Pros and cons of higher educationhttp://ow.ly/Z3Ro302h9hd
A1: You must communicate, articulate, and be intentional towards the vision of your school. Value everyone's options too!
Agree!! Including myself...
My team always had to put in a curb sarcasm clause for me...😉 It did help me stay focused!
A1: Turnover and reorganization has been so high the last few years that teams are at square one again.
Patrick Lencioni wrote, all teams are made of infallible human beings. Teams need norms.
A2 focus on 4 essential ?s of PLC along with 4 C's (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication)
Sometimes it best to have a fresh start! Set the tone for the year!
I like this idea. Such a good way to affirm that everyone’s voice matters. https://t.co/kBdltBg46V
A1-my team always started with sticky note pet peeves individually and then combined and summarized into our norms.
A2: All about growth for the campus, Ts, and Ss! The vision must be all inclusive in order for the team to grow and impact change
A2 anyone can defend what is important to learn but finding consensus on what is essential is much harder
Turnover is a HUGE problem in my district...at my school alone 6 positions had to be refilled.
A2:Use data to drive descions. Ask where does you team want to be? Your team needs a map get to your goals
My thinking exactly!! https://t.co/MkeYEVaOzY
A2 focus on 4 essential ?s of PLC along with 4 C's (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication)
Really good point. Norms help build understanding and trust.
A2 Our teams use benchmark data to begin the launching point for setting learning outcome goals for the year.
A2-we struggle with trying to "teach" everything before our state assmt March. When you try to teach everything, you teach nothing.
A2 when looking at essential questions, consider leverage, endurance and readiness.
if you focus on the learning & process, the tests will take care of themselves
A2: I have to admit that the amount of control a team has over their PLC makes a big diff. in how well it functions & attitudes.
Just read the book Focus by Schmoker. Will help frame the conversations we have regarding essential learning. L. O. V. E. This book
A2: Begin w/ standards & 21st century skills analyses in context of 4 crit ?s.
Agree, as teams change, this is an important way to bring newbies into what is now Our Team for the new year https://t.co/0hBcjvs2PH
A team may have two new team members this school year. It is important to discuss team norms.
Well said Patsy. The team has to make some collaborative decisions on what is essential!
A2: Not everyone will agree but it's not about "me" it's a "them" mentality! We do what we do for students! Grow past yourself!
A2: Focus is on improving student outcomes. Know the data, strengths and needs.
I have never seen turnover like the last few years. Many young teachers leaving the profession. Teaming can help them.
Totally agree, sometimes it is what is best for the whole not the individual. Teamwork at it's core https://t.co/ZrM4WLMd8e
A2: Not everyone will agree but it's not about "me" it's a "them" mentality! We do what we do for students! Grow past yourself!
Teams need to feel empowered by leadership. Having a shared understanding of expectations and what is loose/tight is key
I truly believe that admin attitude can help or hinder a PLC & consistency makes a big diff.
Paul from NJ here. Dean of Behavioral Management/Special Education Teacher/Gamechanger. Good to see everyone.
A2 PLC's are new to our district-our focus is curriculum and lesson planning next yr. thoughts on questions?
A2 We look to our state standards, what is developmentally appropriate, & where they are in their continuum of learning.
I agree. It was an interesting year for us but I think that it only makes us stronger.
completely agree. I like to think of what is in my circle of influence. if it is me at first, then so be it
A2 we review benchmark data, to set goals along with growth points for each student
A2 Great thing about using student work/historical student data is that it becomes less about personal opinions and more about facts
great way to focus on making sure you are ensuring all students are growing. Love it!
A2- Much like the concept of personalizing PD, we must personalize learning. Begin with the end in mind. No more one-size fits all.
You are the 3rd person in my PLN who referenced Focus recently. I think its a sign!
Our turnover rate has started to diminish as we move closer to no longer being a priority school
The PLC is not the team it is the building. PLC is not something we do, its who we are, Admin too.
A3 we use the same template across grade levels and leadership mtgs. Consistency. Need to check this out though!
A3: My team uses a template provided by admin but am hoping that we could create something together.
agreed but we still must ask the right questions and understand what we are looking at/ looking for.
Sounds like progress to me! Small steps make big differences.
maybe the template is a good starting point to build upon and add on to meet your team's needs
Great share from - much appreciated!
Great pont here https://t.co/4LzDmFBmLf
Teams need to feel empowered by leadership. Having a shared understanding of expectations and what is loose/tight is key
is this for taking notes for your PLC time? What were you hoping to create?
Yes!! It sometimes takes a while to have all of us 'get' that concept.
A3: The 3rd edition of Learning by Doing has a ton of resources and templates team can use to advance their work
A3-we use the SMART goal form from LBDoing. I also got an agenda template from Mattos that we'll be using this year.
ICYMI: offers FREE reproducibles to support the work of teacher teams! Check out the tools at https://t.co/Lc0XeFR97w
A2b If we do not start supporting and making PD personal and individualized for Ts we are going to continue to lose great ones!
I plan on using this with our School Leadership Team this year
Yes, it is for notes. I honestly don't think everyone understands the same thing @ PLCs at our school.
A3: the AP's of instruction lead PLCs and they revise their forms based on the needs of the team...it can not be static
Our admin provides us with many solution tree docs to use during PLC. I went last year to the PLC conf. Love the overview template
A3 Our teams are still relatively new to implementing PLCs. We’ll depend heavily on templates. Love 2 see what’s shared
I would like for us to sit down & have a talk @ what we need to know to make PLCs more functional.
Great point! Love having the PLN connections and chats!! Keep inspiring me to try new things!
Sometimes the forms can trip up teams. The focus should be on the 4Qs and collaborating about Ss learning
True. That's a given...or if it's not a given, then this is how it connects to A1: Establish questioning as a norm
It's not about the template, but having a template helps teams stay focused on the work and reminds teams of the reason for meeting.
Do you have the 4 questions? Newbie
Oh, yes!! That is why I think that we need to have an honest & safe talk @ PLCs. It could really change our ideas.
keep it focused on what you want students to learn, how you will measure their learning and then how to intervene
Good point. I always remind admin to go easy on the forms. Has to be about the process, not filling out a form
Districts must examine int. and programs, along w/assessment practices to prioritize and do the right work,
Exactly! A place to record notes, all Ts have access- just a guide!
I agree but not all of us are on the same page.
A3 Agenda templates such as ones in "Meeting Wise" are helpful. Some are laid out like lesson plans with goal/objective to help focus
This is so true. Not much work gets done if you don't remember why you're there or what you are doing. https://t.co/FCiTBr60Yw
It's not about the template, but having a template helps teams stay focused on the work and reminds teams of the reason for meeting.
keep plugging away and celebrate what is going well.
And protocols. Found a lot of new protocols that we'll be implementing for data conversations and such to keep us productive.
A3 We use a template from the admn. where we include smart goals,strategies used and discuss what new strategies we can use
Do you have a link to share or an example?
Do you have any accountability pieces in place or is it more about the culture that PLC's create
Thanks for leading the chat tonight Have to run and put the kids to bed
A4 For sure! Helps guide our teaching- reteaching/enrichment. In addition to S and T reflection!
I think we tend to forget the good that is happening but it makes me so happy when we get to share this w/ our PLC.
Q4: Formative assessments are THE key to sustained growth and reflection! It drives the instruction!
A4: Formative use of assessment is the centerpiece of the PLC. Informing teaching, learning, next-steps.
We give CFAs after a few lessons and then regroup based on Ss need and Tt strength during core before continuing through the unit.
I gave teams the freedom to create their own protocols. Yes, I will take culture over a form ALL DAY
A4 FA takes the focus off of the teaching and puts it on the learning
Love that you tweeted this! I even talked @ these in my interview.
Agree Tim. I don’t want to overcomplicate things when the purpose of the PLC model is 2 B laser focused.
Some PLCs focus on lesson planning. While this is important, formative assessment needs to be a priority when teams meet.
A4: has made a helpful impact equipping staff w/ formative assessment execution & analysis tools.
BAMM Using CFA makes teachers learners of their own teaching- students teachers of their own learning. Hattie https://t.co/ICqAhTDatg
Some PLCs focus on lesson planning. While this is important, formative assessment needs to be a priority when teams meet.
A4 FA’s & reflecting on data is an area our teams will grow in this year. This is the powerful & nitty-gritty work of PLCs.
Thank you so much for all of these resources. We do not have PLC's in place and I am loving what I am learning
A4: FA allows us to see if Ts are understanding our objectives and use data to drive our decisions going forward or reteach
We're getting there despite some bumps. Our team really cares @ each other; helps a lot.
A4- has rocked my FA world. I love all the man has written!
A5 Some of our teams have Voxer gps going to allow for ongoing communication beyond F2F mtgs.
A5 No formal plan but is used by some, definitely Google Docs, email to name a few!
A5:Our lead team uses voxer, we have our own school #, use Google Docs and emails
A5 totally forgot group texts!!
It seems than that you are off to an awesome start!
All teacher teams should use - I connect with educators in my school district and across the U.S. daily!
I would like to hear more about how your teams use Voxer. I am interested in trying this out this year
A4 Works best when consensus on the focus skill/knowledge, what type of assessment to use, and determine periodic assessment schedule
Yes. Let me know what you learn on that Tim
Agree! It’s a game changer for upping collaboration and allowing for asynchronous communication.
A5 We text but that's the extent of the none face2face other than email which has a low rate of response.
The form assessments should help drive lesson planning, but sometimes teams need support in how to interpret the data
Go to the app store and download Voxer. It's a game changer!
Hi Rosa! Glad you are popping in ; )
A4 Check our Collaborative Common Assessments by and Design in 5 by for building your assessment practice.
A5 Google docs is a favorite follow up tool for our teams
A6-B honest. B vulnerable. B supportive. B reflective.
LOL, love your tweet! is a versatile, free walkie talkie app and it rocks! https://t.co/iSInpvQHgG
I must be living in a hole! How have I not heard of this??!?
Take action. You will learn more by doing than by mulling things over for weeks. Make sure you have fun too!
A6: Assume positive intent from each other, & do whatever it takes to contribute to the success of your colleagues.
A6 Stick to the agenda! This is our biggest struggle, transitioning from chatter to the agenda.
A6 remember that this is about the students. Have fun, enjoy the ride, and take time to celebrate Ss and each other
Its where great minds come together for explosive growth, collaboration, coaching & encouragement
Its always fun when working in a PLC of deeply committed educators. Worth the effort to make it work. https://t.co/9D6nvaeLjz
Take action. You will learn more by doing than by mulling things over for weeks. Make sure you have fun too!
A6 remember that the PLC is a process, a journey, it's not a thing. It must be nurtured for maximum collaborative success.
Yes! Make sure your norms address this issue!
A6 Communicate, celebrate, reflect, be honest, have protocols, support each other! If possible spend time outside of school!
A6: Great teachers understand the importance of collaboration, thought partners, and continuous improvement.
I use voxer for professional development - I have a great women leadership group to share ideas.
A6-go from my students to our students. "Whatever it takes to grow a child!"
A6 Always keep students in mind. PLCs don't always agree and finding solutions can be challenging, but remember who it's really about
Love this! "Our students" Doing whatever it takes for our students.
https://t.co/YivUm9KCq0
A6-go from my students to our students. "Whatever it takes to grow a child!"
Great distinction. "Our students" is much more powerful than "my students"!!
Thank you for joining chat! There were multiple resources shared tonight! Have a great school year and collaborate for our students!
A6 Keep the norms
Have an agenda, stick to it
Be honest
Collaborate candidly
Stay focused on the 4 PLC Q's
Keep Students at the core
And never forgetting it is for ALL of our students
