Recommendations
The following recommendations are offered for your consideration.
1. Implement school-wide and classroom-specific academic vocabulary systems.
Academic vocabulary provides a foundation in all content areas and positively impacts student achievement. It is recommended that a school-wide system for both general academic vocabulary and content-specific vocabulary should be introduced, developed, and supported in every classroom. See Appendix - Section One: Student Achievement Documents: A & B.
2. Incorporate cooperative learning opportunities at least once a week in every classroom.
Cooperative groups in middle school classes have different emphases and goals; however, each can successfully engage students in classrooms. See Appendix - Section One: Student Achievement Documents: C - G for suggestions on implementation.
3. Emphasize high teacher expectations through the use of common instructional strategies such as “No Opt Out” and “Right is Right” techniques, from Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov.
Teach Like a Champion was CMS’s 2011-2012 book study selection, and it emphasizes a culture of high teacher expectations. Since the faculty is familiar with the text, commitment to implementation of a limited number of specific strategies in all classes will contribute to actual implementation and develop common expectations for students. “No Opt Out” reinforces the teacher expectation for all to succeed, and “Right is Right” sets a high standard for correctness in a classroom and forces students to perform accordingly.
1. Implement school-wide and classroom-specific academic vocabulary systems.
Academic vocabulary provides a foundation in all content areas and positively impacts student achievement. It is recommended that a school-wide system for both general academic vocabulary and content-specific vocabulary should be introduced, developed, and supported in every classroom. See Appendix - Section One: Student Achievement Documents: A & B.
2. Incorporate cooperative learning opportunities at least once a week in every classroom.
Cooperative groups in middle school classes have different emphases and goals; however, each can successfully engage students in classrooms. See Appendix - Section One: Student Achievement Documents: C - G for suggestions on implementation.
3. Emphasize high teacher expectations through the use of common instructional strategies such as “No Opt Out” and “Right is Right” techniques, from Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov.
Teach Like a Champion was CMS’s 2011-2012 book study selection, and it emphasizes a culture of high teacher expectations. Since the faculty is familiar with the text, commitment to implementation of a limited number of specific strategies in all classes will contribute to actual implementation and develop common expectations for students. “No Opt Out” reinforces the teacher expectation for all to succeed, and “Right is Right” sets a high standard for correctness in a classroom and forces students to perform accordingly.