Fundamental 5: Strategies for Critical Writing and Purposeful Talk: Snip It #8

The Fundamental 5 is both: a book by Sean Cain and Mike Laird and also a formula to make sure that you are giving quality, focused instruction. It consists of 5 methods you can implement to keep your classroom purposeful and relevant.

The first strategy is framing the lesson: having clear objectives, visually and authentically, discussed with students. The second strategy is work in the power zone, teachers are among students, talking and interacting, rather than sitting at their desk. In the classroom using frequent, small group, purposeful talk, for example think-pair-share, is the third strategy. This is a great way to listen and make sure students are understanding the lesson, strategy 4, for teachers to recognize and reinforce material. Finally, there is a focus on writing critically: purposeful note-taking, summary paragraphs or ticket's out the door. Together, these 5 strategies can help a teacher, with time-management, lesson flow and ultimately, help improve student growth and understanding.

This is a design that is showcasing, what most educators do already. There is no more preparation on our part, except to maybe use a timer and keep the flow, of the lesson in check, so that the last five minutes are all about closure. We often try to pack so much, into a class period, that at the bell, students are rushing out of the room, with little, if any, ending to the lesson. If we set a timer, and consistently close the lesson, with critical writing or purposeful talk, students will be more likely to retain the information and carry it over, to the next day.

This design plan is being implemented at our school in stages, but by next school year, all five strategies should be implemented, consistently and will be counted as part of our appraisal. Slowly, but surely, I am beginning to focus more on critical writing and purposeful talk, again, nothing new, I already do this, but, from now on, it will be known by a different name. I have been reflecting all day, on how I can use these strategies, to improve my teaching. It is all about focus and balance. Making sure students have clear objectives, actionable, daily goals and time to reflect, at the end of class. If I set a timer and stick with my time budget, this will all fall into place, in an organic and natural way. That is my goal, to keep it student-centered and flexible, just with a little more time, for students to put it all together, before they leave for the day.