Task #1: Setting the Stage What Is the Big Four? 2 Minutes

MONROE 1 BOCES INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING INSTITUTE NOVEMBER 20, 2015

Station 1 The Big Four Station 1: The Big Four

Task #1: Setting the Stage – What is the Big Four? 2 minutes

1. Read the statement:

The Big Four – Jim Knight http://www.instructionalcoach.org/big4/

“The Big Four is a comprehensive framework for instructional excellence that is made up of four high-leverage practices that are both easy for teachers to implement and have the greatest effect in terms of effect on teaching and learning. These four key areas are classroom management, content planning, instruction, and assessment for learning. The four areas came out of conversations with teachers and coaches, and each can be translated into a practical teaching practice with a tool for each. These four best practices are not a finished product, but one that is ongoing and continually evolving. Coaches and teachers across the country are helping us identify how each practice can be improved.”

2. Reread, highlighting words that help you understand what The Big Four is all about.

3. Do a quick Turn and Talk to share highlighted words.

4. After listening to your partner, make your thinking visible by capturing the essence of The Big Four (statement, picture, word splash…).

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 2 Task #2: Setting the Stage – How does The Big Four impact my practice?

9 minutes

1. Watch video #1 Jim Knight on The Big Four

 If the video isn’t already cued, go to today’s session on my blog (johnsonj.blog.monroe.edu – Instructional Coaching)

 Watch once without taking notes

 Look at the notecatcher below before watching it again:

 Watch the video again and take notes

2. Discuss as a group ______Video Notecatcher

What analogy does Jim Knight use to help us better understand The Big Four?

The Big Four Component Corresponding Analogy Component

What did I learn from listening to the coaches on the video?

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 3 Task #3: Creating a High Impact School – What does it look like if all of our teachers have expertise with The Big Four? 15 minutes

Text: Green Resource Packet from Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach for Dramatically Improving Instruction Jim Knight 2011 The tools in this packet are designed for administrators so that they know what it looks like when The Big Four are used effectively; however, this is valuable information for coaches so that they can look for and include these practices in their coaching cycles.

Purpose of the use of this text: In our leadership roles, we need to know where we are headed – our “final” destination – so that we can continue to walk with colleagues on the pathway toward that destination. Review the expectations of The Big Four to dive more deeply into the “final” destination in order to inform your practice.

1. Read the text independently and jot some notes about what stands out to you and how this informs your work (5 minutes)

2. Discuss as a group (10 minutes) ______

What stands out to you?

How does this inform your practice?

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 4 Task #4: Learning with and from others: What does it look like if The Big Four is successful? 14 minutes

Now that the stage has been set for The Big Four and you have reviewed the expectations, let’s dive more deeply into what this looks like in classrooms.

1. Work independently at first to think about what behaviors and practices you would see in classrooms if practices with The Big Four are highly effective – 4 minutes

2. Share as a group – 10 minutes

 Start with 1 category

 Each person shares 1 comment

 Proceed clockwise Content Knowledge/Planning Formative Assessment (for and as learning)

Behavior/Community Building Instruction

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 5 Task #5: Station Reflection 5 Minutes

 How does this information help us as coaches (or whatever role you have!)

(For more structure, see pg. 7 – Thinking Routine: Connect-Extend- Challenge)

 How will you use what you learned in this station in your position?

 What are your next steps?

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 6 Connect, Extend, Challenge

CONNECT: How are the ideas and information presented connected to what you know and have studied?

EXTEND: What new ideas extended or pushed your thinking in new directions?

CHALLENGE: What is still challenging for you? What questions, wonderings, or puzzles do you have?

Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 7 Julie Johnson, Instructional Specialist Monroe 1 BOCES Page 8