PDC Heads Out on Learning Walks

On March 2, members of the district Professional Development Committee headed out to neighboring districts to take a look at some best practices in the areas of innovation and engagement.  Our PDC learning walks visited Rockwood, Parkway, Kirkwood, New City School, and Maplewood-Richmond Heights, taking a look at new ideas and different school approaches.  Taking time to look for engagement strategies and innovation work allowed the PDC to gain some new ideas to bring to Lindbergh as well as begin planning for their focus in 17-18.  

Following our time in schools, we spent time sharing what we saw, what we wanted to take back to our buildings, and what we wanted to leave a lasting impression on us.  Using the post-it plus app, we were able to compile and share our thoughts into categories.  

Lesson Study: Bring PD to Life in the Classroom

Sometimes...professional development is a miss.  That's right...we said it!  It may be that the professional development you are headed to is not something you are interested in at the time.  It might be that you just simply don't have time to learn one more thing outside of your classroom.

Well...Lesson Study might be your answer!  

 
At Sappington and Kennerly this year, some grade levels have had the chance to dive into Lesson Study, an on-site, in the classroom approach to professional learning.  Lesson study is a collaborative approach to refine ideas about “best practice” through careful study and actual instruction. It includes doing the following with your PLC:

• Planning
• Observing
• Reflecting

Data collected during classroom observations by the PLC include:

• Academic Learning

• Student Motivation

• Student Engagement/Attitude Towards Lesson

• Instructional Strategies

Grade levels at these schools chose what they wanted to focus on, collaboratively planned lessons together, decided what data they wanted to collect, and off they went...into one another's classrooms to learn more. The best part about this PD is that it is totally focused on you and what your grade level wants to learn more about at the time. In addition, it is short, focused PD, requiring very little time out of the classroom. And...most importantly, you walk away with new ideas immediately!