September 25, 2017

Why Are Best Practices Important?

Thomas L. Friedman, author of The World Is Flat, refers to a twenty-first century world that will be very different from the one in which we were educated. To survive in a new, globally competitive world, today's children will need creativity, problem-solving abilities, a passion

for learning, a dedicated work ethic and lifelong learning opportunities. Students can develop these abilities through instruction based on Best Practice teaching strategies.

What Are Best Practices?

Best practices are an inherent part of a curriculum that exemplifies the connection and relevance identified in educational research. They interject rigor into the curriculum by developing thinking and problem-solving skills through integration and active learning.

Relationships are built through opportunities for communication and teamwork. Best practices are applicable to all grade levels and provide the building blocks for instruction.

Best practices motivate, engage, and prompt students to learn and achieve. Students who receive a balanced curriculum and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to transfer and connect ideas and concepts across disciplines will be successful as measured by standardized tests and other indicators of student success. Four best practices for teachers include teaching a balanced curriculum, teaching an integrated curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet individual student needs and providing active learning opportunities for students to internalize learning.

What Do Best Practices Look Like?

Classrooms that exemplify best practices are easy to detect as soon as you enter the room.

• Project materials and books are numerous.

• Students are engaged and focused on their work.

• Teachers often use collaborative and/or authentic tasks that place students at the

center of the learning process.

• Seating arrangements are clustered, varied, and functional with multi-instructional areas.

• Classrooms are activity-based spaces as opposed to places to “sit and get” lectures.

• Teachers are actively engaged with different groups and students are anxious to enlist visitors in their various tasks or assignments.

• There is a joyful feeling of purposeful movement, industrious thinking and a vital and vibrant atmosphere and environment.

Enjoy,

Ms. Nora Sierra

EC Assistant Pincipal