MyView Learning Letter #29-Explicit Instruction - How well I teach = How well they learn!

 

Uffda. That is big responsibility. How well I teach = How well they learn. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that the way we are teaching isn’t working for our students. Don’t feel discouraged if this is the case for you. 

Instead, work on improving how explicit you are with your instruction. Explicit instruction is "systematic method of teaching, proceeding in small steps, checking for student understanding, and achieving active participation by all." It's using the gradual release method of I Do, We Do, You Do. 

Teach first, then ask the questions. Be clear with your instruction. 

Or, work on improving the organization of your lessons to achieve higher levels of engagement. Be intentional with your instruction and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach when needed. Ask your literacy coach for ideas. Check out the engagement page on our website. 

No matter what, don't just stay in the land of students not learning. You have the power to control what you do and the impact of that will be outstanding! We are the adults. If kids aren't learning, we can't blame them. I leave you with this quote...

Resistance and Acceptance

I am a learner. It's my top strength. Because I love to learn, I also love to read. While reading this morning, I read a statement that made me stop and reflect on the Virginia Literacy Act. To summarize, "resistance causes excess stress so it's better to accept things. However, acceptance does not mean approval."  So I went on a deep dive of thinking and research on definitions. 

re·sist·ance

/rəˈzist(ə)ns/

noun

1. 1.

   the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.

   "she put up no resistance to being led away"

   
   

ac·cept·ance

/əkˈsept(ə)ns/

noun

1. 1.

   the action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.

   "charges involving the acceptance of bribes"

con·sent

/kənˈsent/

noun

1. 1. permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.

ap·prov·al

/əˈpro͞ov(ə)l/

noun

1. 1. the action of approving something.

   "the road plans have been given approval"
2. 
   
3. 2) the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable.

    "step-parents need to win a child's approval"

Refusing to accept the VLA leads to things that are 100% out of our circle of control. If I chose to refuse what it is asking me to do, I am going to be one stressed out, unhappy person. On the other hand, I can accept the VLA. I consent to following what it asks me to do and give it permission to direct my actions. What I LOVE is that neither acceptance or consent means approval because the second definition of approval is the belief that something is good or acceptable. 

Let's be honest. There are some things with the Virginia Literacy Act that I accept but do not approve. There are somethings that aren't good. Not everything can be. However, I am not going to resist because that will get me nowhere I want to be.