Coaching+for+Teaching+Demos

**// 2009 //** Coaching takes place in a small group (usually the Director or Co-Director and two Fellows) over lunch a few days before the teaching demonstration is presented. The purpose is to hear the demo ideas from each Fellow and offer any questions or ideas to help him/her finalize the plan. Each person should get **__about 15-20 minutes__** to discuss his/her demo. 1.  Listen to the Fellow’s ideas (5-10 minutes) 2.  As a group decide if the lesson leans more toward “__learning to write__” or “__writing to learn__” (recognizing that every lesson has both components, but one is usually the stronger focus). 3.  Does the lesson __focus__ on teaching a specific one of the 6+1 Traits of writing (e.g., developing the ideas; improving the word choice; strengthening the author’s voice; organizing for clarity, etc.)? 4.  Discuss how the lesson meets Michigan’s English Language Arts __Grade Level Expectations__ for a specific (or multiple) grade level? Does that GLCE apply at other grade levels as well? 5.  Consider what __research__ supports this lesson as effective writing instruction (check the UPWP Lending Library or other writing “experts” as needed) 6.  How will the participants be __actively involved__ in writing and thinking? 7.  What are __two essential questions__ the Fellow would like to have the group discuss after the presentation? 8.  Any points or suggestions for improving the demonstration. 1.  Lack of __focus__ (telling about many different lessons rather than demonstrating one lesson) 2.  __Time__ issues (each demo is about 90 minutes maximum, including follow-up discussion) 3.  __Depth__ (Is the lesson teaching something rather than simply showing a cute idea or suggesting a writing prompt with no actual instruction? Does the demonstration develop participants’ thinking and writing skills?) 4.  __Feasibility__ (Can the demo work given the context of our group/room/etc.?) 5.  Any other things that seem “iffy”…?
 * // Coaching for UPWP Teaching Demonstrations //**
 * Suggested protocol: **
 * Suggestions might address: **
 * Both the Director/Co-Director and the other Fellows should discuss the plan with the presenter. To be sure that the presenter retains ownership of the demo, __ask questions rather than offering too many suggestions__. **