Post on 05-Jan-2016
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Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
John F. vonEschenbachJohn F. vonEschenbach
University of West GeorgiaUniversity of West Georgia
Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
Research-based Learning Principles:Research-based Learning Principles:– New learning is easier when it is New learning is easier when it is
linked to prior knowledge.linked to prior knowledge.– Learning is a social activity Learning is a social activity
BEFORE it is a cognitive activity.BEFORE it is a cognitive activity.– There is a need for numerous There is a need for numerous
strategies for organizing, storing, strategies for organizing, storing, and internalizing knowledge.and internalizing knowledge.
Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
Students need to write frequently Students need to write frequently in a variety of subjects:in a variety of subjects:– Every single dayEvery single day– It should not be “copying” It should not be “copying” – Writing forces the brain to make Writing forces the brain to make
sense.sense. Performance assessment is the Performance assessment is the
predominant form of assessmentpredominant form of assessment– Get away from the use of worksheetsGet away from the use of worksheets– Use a variety of knowledge Use a variety of knowledge
applicationsapplications
Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
Teachers are a key element in Teachers are a key element in students’ achievement:students’ achievement:– Teachers need to collaborate Teachers need to collaborate
regularly, especially at grade regularly, especially at grade levels.levels.
– Teachers need to allow students Teachers need to allow students to apply and not try to do it all!to apply and not try to do it all!
– Teachers need to be consistent Teachers need to be consistent and pervasiveand pervasive
Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
Essential Questions:Essential Questions:– Demand more than one word answersDemand more than one word answers– GPSs need to be phrased as questions GPSs need to be phrased as questions
at the front-end of the unit to guide at the front-end of the unit to guide student learningstudent learning
– Must provoke critical thinking and Must provoke critical thinking and inquiry NOT literal recall of inquiry NOT literal recall of informationinformation
Key Question is content driven and Key Question is content driven and is within the Essential Questionis within the Essential Question
Max Thompson’sMax Thompson’sLearning Focused SchoolsLearning Focused Schools
K-W-L plus AK-W-L plus A– Knowledge- What I knowKnowledge- What I know– Want- What I want to knowWant- What I want to know– Learned- What I learnedLearned- What I learned– Affect- How will it affect meAffect- How will it affect me
K-W-L:K-W-L:– Uses graphic organizersUses graphic organizers– Forces students to categorize and Forces students to categorize and
summarize informationsummarize information