What Were You Thinking

What were you thinking

Is this a Question or a Statement?

For some reason I here those words and think back to my childhood.  It makes me think of times when I was in trouble and getting scolded by my mother for something that I had done that was probably (definitely) not the brightest thing to do.

But what if we as educators took that phrase and used it on a regular basis in our classrooms?  Not for students that are misbehaving, but what if we asked this question in a positive educational context?  What would happen to the learning in our classrooms?

How often do we ask our students the following:



"What were you thinking when...                  You worked through that problem?"

                                                                         You solved that equation?"

                                                                         You composed this essay?"

                                                                         You created this project?"

                                                                         You played that guitar piece?"

                                                                         You wrote this blog post?"

Is it the fact that the phrase "what were you thinking" has such a negative picture in our minds that we don't want to use it in our classrooms?  I know that I didn't ask these questions nearly enough in my own classroom.  Why didn't I let my students learn out loud?  Is it that fact that we don't know where the conversation could go and we are afraid to get off track?  I know that I was always worried about making sure that I got through all the content that need to get covered, and although I wanted to pursue other topics, timing and pacing (I felt) didn't allow.  But imagine what could have been DISCOVERED if I had!  Instead of worrying about covering the content, what would have happened if I let the content reveal itself through the questioning of the students.

During our Instructional Rounds last week one of the areas of focus that was discovered was improving questioning.  Questioning Strategies that would and could lead to further and deeper discussions.

Imagine some of the conversations, discussions and LEARNING that would happen in our classrooms if we simply asked, "What were you thinking?"

All about that Data

As we have been implementing this first year of the instructional coaching process, one of the Big Topics has been the focus on Data driven instruction.   Helping staff use data to better instruct their students.  Meeting with Data Teams to look at the Data Team Process and help fill out the Pre-Assessment Form and develop good instructional strategies to make the instruction more meaningful and engaging for students.
I have always been one to look at data from every possible angle.  Don't get me started with how misleading data director can be.  I mean, I love it and love all the info I can get from it.  But statistically speaking, we are making numerous errors in how we place our color bands.  But that's a different topic, back to topic.  I was thinking it would be a good idea to use my Blog to share the templates that my building has used for our Data Teams.  I am not the creator of these templates, however, I did adjust them with some formulas and some automatically filling cells.

Data Team Templates

As an Instructional Coaching Team, we wanted some ways to track our data and how we are working, assisting, and mentoring other teachers.  So I also created some Coaching Templates for tracking our own data and thought it would be good to share those as well.  We used the "Woodruff Scale" for a reference.  This is a way of scoring the interaction between a teacher and coach.  Info about the Woodruff Scale can be found here:  Instructional Coaching Group.  Another part of the data that we wanted to track was how much coaching "light" vs coaching "heavy" we were doing each quarter.

Coaching Data Templates

If you have any questions on any of the Templates feel free to contact me.

Who Are We?

Who are we?  Isn't that the ultimate question.  Recently as part of my masters program I have started looking at how ones culture affects their education.  How it is important as educators to make an effort to get to know your students and their backgrounds in order that you can make lessons more relevant, more interesting, more connected to your students. It's called Culturally Relevant Pedagogy.
The focus of the class is to look at ways in which we as teachers can make connections with our minority students.  But this has gotten me to think about me own unique culture.  What it is that makes me, me!

Who is Scott Wittler?
I am a white male from the Midwest.  But what is it about me that makes me stand out?  That makes me unique and different from everyone else!
1) Hard working:  Born and raised on a farm, I learned how to work hard and continue to work hard in anything I take on.  Given a task to do, I will do it promptly and without question.

2) Respectful:  I was taught to show respect to my parents, elders, and people in authority.  When my parents told me to do something, it was done without question, complaining, or whining.

3) Think before you Speak:  This characteristic does bother people, as it might appear as if I don't care, or am not listening.  However, the fact is that I listen very closely, and thus always am thinking through my thoughts before speaking.  I don't always speak the first thing that pops in my mind.  I will ponder many thoughts and options before speaking.

4) Dress for Success:  I make an effort to try and dress as best as possible, whether it be some flashy shoes or some stylish socks.

5) Loyal:  I will stick by my friends side no matter what my come.  I will be there for them, they can trust in me and trust on me.

These last 2 characteristics I think are a reason for my love of superheroes.  I imagine myself in disguise (dressed for success) ready to rescue anyone in need (loyal).

So what is it that makes you, you?