Question+6


 * On the topic of**:

//Embedding Strategic Instructional Model (SIM) in Pedagogy//

1. What did we hear and in what ways is this current practice at GBS? 2. If this became an instructional tool as part of the RtI process,

a. How could that look at GBS? b. How would this engage more students in class? c. What kind of potential obstacles do you anticipate?

1. What did we hear and in what ways is this current practice at GBS?

SIM seems broad and may take a long time to in-service. Actually makes teaching easier, makes material more relevant to students and instruction more concrete. SIM is about maintaining high expectations but increasing support. It seems in line with Marzano's philosophies. This would change the way many teachers approach teaching. This doesn't have to be a radical change. These are tools that may used at different levels of frequency and intensity in different courses, depending on course and students present. · SIMS University of Kansas – 35 years of teaching strategic instruction model. Need to know it and get a local instruction coach. Note: District 204 is doing this now and have an RtI coach in place. They picked a guy named Layton – 8th grade science teacher…someone from the teaching staff to coach their teaching staff. (This should be our RtI teachers now in place.) There are 22 things…use it as a menu to have departments and school choose the staff development coming. · Danita Marshal or Kevin Feldman…use them. · Active in 15% of high schools right now! All students need SIM strategies because all students at all levels should have challenging reading material that is difficult for them to understand.

Components of this model (strategies) are present in some of GBS programs, such as TEAM, Sheltered content in the ELL program, some parts of the Academy,

2. If this became an instructional tool as part of the RtI process,

a. How could that look at GBS?

Our instructional team philosophy is in line with some of the strategies in SIM. They have identified common themes, overall goals, etc. Many K-5 teachers are experts at setting up routines for management, engagement, and differentiation. GBS would need lots of support and need to pick and choose components of the program. A pocket of trained SIM experts that could be used as a teacher resource when his/her students are having difficulty accessing the material. For regular ed.

b. How would this engage more students in class?

This seems particularly relevant for our Studies level classes. This should be true of all teachers. We need a common language school-wide. Though with the widest range of student ability existing in the standard level, it is also crucial to give those teachers the tools necessary to widen breadth of instruction. Could also help TEAM teach ers increase effectiveness of 2 adults in the classroom. Study Skills course should be used more as strategy instruction instead of homework completion.

Time and timing is critical to implement these systematic interventions.

Teachers and students (when we are rolling) would be affirmed and reinforced with great strategies.

c. What kind of potential obstacles do you anticipate? What teachers teach in terms of strategies is "sacred ground" and work would need to be done to create buy in. Part of the time issue is that time and training requires knowledge aquisition by our team, decisions on main strategies and time to implement in a meaningful way. Part of the learning is how this would look in different levels, content areas and ELL vs. non-ELL.