3 of 21

Writing into our work.

Reflect on your use of feedback in the classroom by responding to on or all of the following questions in 5 minutes:

Communication: Recall a recent instance where you provided feedback to a student or group. Did you focus on the task, process, or self-monitoring? How might shifting to one of the other areas improve outcomes?1 4
Cues/Reinforcements: What non-verbal cues (e.g., gestures, visual aids) or reinforcements (e.g., praise, rewards) do you use to communicate feedback? Are they aligned with your learning goals, and how might you refine them?1 4
Technology: Identify one tool (e.g., LMS comments, apps, videos) you use for feedback. Does it enhance clarity and timeliness? What limitations have you encountered?1 4
Action Step: Based on your reflections, what one change will you implement to strengthen feedback communication in your next lesson?

Example sentence starters:

“When I gave feedback on ___, I noticed ___…”
“A strategy I want to try is ___ because ___…”
“Technology helps/hinders my feedback by ___…”

Let's begin our discussion by focusing on how we adapt our teaching methods to different learning styles. This opening reflection encourages us to think deeply about our instructional approaches across three key learning modalities: visual, kinesthetic, and auditory.

In the next few minutes, you'll break into small groups to share your experiences and strategies. Consider specific examples from your teaching practice - perhaps how you use diagrams and charts for visual learners, hands-on experiments for kinesthetic learners, or discussion-based activities for auditory learners.

The Jamboard whiteboard will help us collect and organize these insights visually. As you discuss in your breakout rooms, have one person record key points on the shared whiteboard. This will create a valuable resource we can all reference later.

After our breakout discussions, we'll connect your experiences to universal teaching principles that work across different subjects and grade levels. This reflection sets the stage for our later discussions about cross-disciplinary perspectives and evolving teaching practices.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers here - we're drawing from our collective experience to understand how different learning styles can be effectively supported in our classrooms.

I'll set the timer for 5 minutes once we move into our breakout rooms. Be prepared to share your most interesting insights when we reconvene.

9 of 21

Thank you Please complete this survey before you go

https://forms.gle/kTNxFUbkqdULXQmd9

13 of 21

Student engagement through active learning strategies
Clear learning objectives and assessment criteria
Differentiated instruction for diverse learners
Building critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Common Teaching Principles

Subject-Specific Challenges

Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives

Different vocabulary and terminology requirements
Varying assessment methods across disciplines
Unique hands-on learning needs per subject
Technology integration varies by content area

As we examine teaching across different disciplines, we can identify both universal principles that unite effective instruction and unique challenges that emerge within specific subject areas. Looking at the common teaching principles, we see that regardless of subject matter, successful instruction consistently incorporates active learning strategies to keep students engaged and participating in their learning journey. All effective teachers, whether teaching mathematics or literature, establish clear learning objectives and assessment criteria to guide student progress. They also recognize the importance of differentiating instruction to meet diverse learning needs and focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

However, each discipline presents its own unique challenges. Subject-specific vocabulary and terminology can vary significantly – consider the difference between scientific terminology and literary terms. Assessment methods also differ substantially across disciplines; for instance, evaluating a laboratory experiment requires different criteria than assessing a written essay. Each subject area may require specific hands-on learning approaches, from manipulating scientific equipment to practicing conversational language skills. Additionally, the role and integration of technology varies depending on the content area – digital tools that work well for mathematics instruction might not be as effective for physical education.

As we transition into our next discussion about teaching practice analysis, consider how these common principles and unique challenges manifest in your own subject area. Think about which strategies you might be able to adapt from other disciplines to enhance your teaching practice.

14 of 21

Graphic Organizer: Teaching Practice Analysis

What We Know

Experienced teachers have developed effective strategies for student engagement and differentiated instruction across subjects.

What We Want to Learn

Discover innovative cross-disciplinary approaches that can enhance our teaching methods and student learning outcomes.

What We've Learned

Integration of diverse teaching perspectives creates a richer learning environment that benefits students across all subjects.

In this slide, we're using a KWL chart to organize our collective insights about teaching practices. Let's walk through each section:

In the "What We Know" column, we acknowledge the wealth of experience in our group. Our seasoned teachers have developed and refined numerous strategies that effectively engage students and accommodate different learning styles. These tried-and-true methods form our foundation for discussion.

Moving to "What We Want to Learn," we're focusing on our growth opportunities. As educators from different disciplines, we're particularly interested in discovering how teaching methods from one subject area might enhance instruction in another. This represents our curiosity and commitment to professional growth.

The "What We've Learned" column reflects our collaborative insights from today's discussion. We've discovered that when we break down the silos between disciplines and share our teaching approaches, we create a more comprehensive and effective learning environment for our students.

This graphic organizer serves as a bridge between our opening cross-disciplinary discussion and our upcoming breakout room activities. Feel free to reference this chart during our small group discussions, and remember that this template will be available in our shared Google Docs for future reference.

Let's take a moment to review each column and consider how these insights might inform our teaching practices moving forward.

15 of 21

Cross-Subject Strategies

Interdisciplinary Learning

Digital Collaboration

Small Group Discussion Questions

Career Evolution in Teaching

How have student needs changed over time?
What teaching methods have remained effective?
Which innovations have improved your practice?

Which problem-solving approaches work across subjects?
How do you adapt methods for different learners?
What assessment techniques are universally effective?

How can math concepts enhance language learning?
What can STEM learn from humanities?
Where do your subjects naturally overlap?

How do you use Google Docs effectively?
What online tools enhance group work?
Which digital strategies promote engagement?

Now we're going to break into small groups to dive deeper into four key areas of discussion. Each section contains targeted questions designed to spark meaningful dialogue and share experiences across our diverse teaching backgrounds.

In the Career Evolution section, reflect on how teaching has transformed throughout your career. Consider both the changing needs of students and which fundamental teaching practices have stood the test of time. This is particularly valuable given our mix of retired and current teachers.

For Cross-Subject Strategies, focus on identifying universal teaching approaches that work across different disciplines. This connects back to our earlier discussion about adapting methods for various learning styles. Think about assessment techniques that could benefit all subject areas.

The Interdisciplinary Learning questions challenge us to find unexpected connections between subjects. For example, how might mathematical concepts enhance language acquisition, or how can humanities perspectives enrich STEM teaching? This builds on our previous cross-disciplinary discussion.

Finally, the Digital Collaboration section addresses the practical aspects of using technology in our teaching. Share your experiences with Google Docs and other online tools that have proven effective for student engagement and group work.

You'll have about 15 minutes in your breakout rooms. Use the shared Google Doc to record your key insights, which we'll discuss when we return to the main session. This will lead us into our next topic about technology integration across disciplines.

16 of 21

Technology Integration Across Disciplines

Exploring Digital Tools for Enhanced Cross-Subject Learning

Interactive whiteboards for visual math concept demonstrations
Virtual labs and simulations for remote science experiments
Language learning apps with real-time pronunciation feedback
Digital mind mapping tools for cross-subject connections
Screen recording software for asynchronous lesson delivery
Virtual field trips integrating multiple subject areas

Today, we'll explore how technology can enhance learning across different subject areas. Looking at our slide, we can see several powerful digital tools that are transforming education across disciplines.

Interactive whiteboards have revolutionized math instruction, allowing teachers to demonstrate complex concepts visually and dynamically. Students can see mathematical relationships come to life through real-time manipulations and graphing.

In science, virtual labs and simulations have become invaluable, especially when physical lab access is limited. These tools allow students to conduct experiments safely and repeatedly, observing outcomes that might be difficult or impossible to demonstrate in a traditional lab setting.

Language learning has been transformed by apps that provide immediate pronunciation feedback, helping students develop confidence in speaking new languages. These tools often incorporate gamification elements to keep students engaged.

Digital mind mapping tools are particularly powerful for making connections between subjects, helping students see how concepts in one discipline relate to another. This cross-pollination of ideas strengthens overall understanding and retention.

Screen recording capabilities have made asynchronous learning more effective than ever, allowing students to review complex concepts at their own pace. And virtual field trips create immersive experiences that can integrate multiple subjects – imagine exploring ancient ruins while simultaneously learning about history, architecture, and geometry.

As we move forward in our discussion, we'll explore how these tools can be combined effectively to create engaging, multi-disciplinary learning experiences. Keep in mind that the goal is not just to use technology for technology's sake, but to enhance learning outcomes across all subject areas.

17 of 21

Additional Resources & Tools

Subject-Specific Resources

NSTA Learning Center for science education materials
Math Teachers Circle Network resources
AATSP Spanish teaching materials and activities

Cross-Disciplinary Tools

PearDeck for interactive lesson delivery
Flipgrid for video-based discussions
Nearpod for engaging multimedia lessons

Professional Growth

EdWeb.net for educator communities
Teaching Channel professional development videos
ASCD educator resources and webinars

Let me walk you through some valuable resources that can enhance your teaching practice across different disciplines.

In terms of subject-specific resources, the NSTA Learning Center is a goldmine for science educators, offering lesson plans, interactive activities, and professional learning resources. For our math teachers, the Math Teachers Circle Network provides collaborative problem-solving activities and innovative teaching strategies. Spanish teachers can benefit from AATSP's comprehensive collection of cultural materials and language learning activities.

Looking at cross-disciplinary tools, PearDeck transforms standard presentations into interactive experiences, allowing real-time student engagement and assessment. Flipgrid has revolutionized class discussions by enabling students to respond through video, which is particularly effective for language learning and scientific explanations. Nearpod combines multimedia content with interactive assessment tools, making it versatile across all subjects.

For ongoing professional development, EdWeb.net offers free professional learning communities where you can connect with educators worldwide. The Teaching Channel provides classroom videos that demonstrate effective teaching strategies in action. ASCD's resources and webinars cover everything from curriculum design to classroom management.

As we move toward our action planning next, consider which of these resources might best support your teaching goals and how you might integrate them into your practice.

18 of 21

Document your most significant insight from each chapter, focusing on practical classroom applications.

Choose one teaching strategy discussed today that you can implement in your subject area next week.

Reflect on Key Takeaways

Implementation Strategy

Cross-Disciplinary Connections

Identify one concept from another subject area that could enhance your teaching practice.

Action Planning

As we near the end of our session, let's take some focused time for action planning to ensure we translate today's discussions into practical classroom improvements. This slide outlines three key reflection areas that will help you create concrete next steps.

First, take a moment to reflect on and document your most significant insights from each chapter we've discussed. Think specifically about how these insights can be applied in your classroom context. Whether you're teaching math, science, or languages, identify the universal principles that resonated most with you.

For the implementation strategy, I want you to be very specific. Choose just one teaching strategy we discussed today that you feel confident you can implement in your classroom next week. It's better to successfully implement one strategy than to attempt multiple changes at once.

Finally, consider the cross-disciplinary connections we explored today. Identify one concept or approach from a subject area different from yours that could enhance your teaching practice. For example, science teachers might consider incorporating language arts strategies, or math teachers might adapt methods from social studies.

You'll be using individual Google Doc templates to record your action plans, which will serve as a personal roadmap for implementing these changes. This documentation will also be valuable for our follow-up discussions and tracking your progress.

Let's take about 5 minutes for this individual reflection before we move into our closing thoughts and next steps.

19 of 21

Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

Today's key insights: Cross-disciplinary teaching strategies and virtual adaptations
Next meeting: Chapters 13-15, focusing on assessment strategies
Access shared resources in our Google Drive folder
Complete reflection journal entry by next Tuesday
Submit one cross-disciplinary lesson plan example
Join our online discussion forum for continued collaboration

As we wrap up today's engaging session, let's review our key insights, particularly our rich discussion on cross-disciplinary teaching strategies and their virtual adaptations. These connections we've discovered between different subject areas will be invaluable for enhancing our teaching practices.

Looking ahead, our next meeting will focus on Chapters 13-15, where we'll dive deep into assessment strategies. This will build nicely on today's conversations about cross-disciplinary approaches.

I want to ensure everyone knows where to find our shared resources - they're all organized in our Google Drive folder. These materials include today's collaborative notes and the examples we discussed.

For your follow-up tasks: Please complete your reflection journal entry by next Tuesday. This is crucial for processing today's insights and planning their implementation. Additionally, I'm asking each of you to submit one cross-disciplinary lesson plan example, putting into practice what we've discussed today.

To maintain our momentum between meetings, I encourage you to join our online discussion forum. This space allows us to continue our collaborative dialogue and share experiences as you implement these strategies in your classrooms.

The mind map you see on the screen summarizes our interconnected learning journey - from reflection to collaboration, from resource sharing to concrete next steps. These elements will guide our ongoing professional development together.

Any questions about these next steps before we conclude?

20 of 21

Welcome back to Our Book Study Discussing chapters, 12-15

Welcome to our 30-minute virtual book study session! We're excited to bring together our diverse group of educators, including retired, science, Spanish, and math teachers. Today's discussion will focus on sharing cross-disciplinary insights and experiences through interactive Zoom engagement. Let's create a collaborative space where every perspective enriches our understanding.

Virtual Learning Community for Cross-Disciplinary Exchange

Hello everyone! I'm delighted to welcome you to our virtual book study session. Before we dive in, I want to acknowledge the incredible diversity of experience we have in our group today, including retired educators, science teachers, Spanish language instructors, and mathematics specialists.

Our session today is designed to be highly interactive and will run for 30 minutes. We've carefully structured this time to maximize our cross-disciplinary exchange while keeping engagement high through our Zoom platform.

Looking at our participants today, I can already see the potential for rich discussions and unique perspectives that will emerge from our different backgrounds. This is exactly the kind of collaborative environment we aim to create – one where we can learn from each other's specialized knowledge and experience.

A few quick housekeeping notes about our Zoom engagement:

- Please feel free to use both the chat and raise hand features

- Keep yourself muted when not speaking to minimize background noise

- We encourage you to keep your video on to foster better connection

- Use the reaction buttons to show agreement or support without interrupting the flow

As we move forward, we'll be using various digital tools to facilitate our discussion and ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Let's make the most of this time together to share insights and expand our understanding across different teaching disciplines.

Let's begin our journey of collaborative learning!

21 of 21

Discussion Format & Tools

Digital Tools Overview

Zoom breakout rooms for small group discussions
Mentimeter for interactive polling and feedback
Google Jamboard for visual collaboration

Breakout Room Activities

5-minute focused discussions in small groups
Cross-disciplinary sharing and reflection opportunities
Collaborative note-taking during discussions

Collaborative Features

Real-time polling for immediate feedback
Shared digital whiteboard for visual thinking
Interactive Q&A sessions between chapters

Let me walk you through the digital tools and discussion format we'll be using throughout our book study session today. We've carefully selected these tools to maximize engagement and collaboration in our virtual environment.

Starting with our digital toolkit, we'll be utilizing three main platforms: Zoom for our main discussion space, Mentimeter for interactive polling, and Google Jamboard for visual collaboration. Zoom's breakout rooms will allow us to create intimate discussion spaces where you can share more freely in smaller groups. Mentimeter will help us gather real-time feedback and ensure everyone's voice is heard, while Google Jamboard will serve as our shared digital whiteboard for visual thinking and collaborative note-taking.

For our breakout room activities, you'll be placed in small groups for focused 5-minute discussions. These groups are intentionally mixed to encourage cross-disciplinary sharing between our retired, science, Spanish, and math teachers. This diversity will enrich our conversations and provide unique perspectives on teaching practices.

The collaborative features we've incorporated will help maintain engagement throughout the session. You'll participate in real-time polls to share your thoughts, use the shared digital whiteboard to contribute ideas visually, and engage in interactive Q&A sessions between chapter discussions. These tools will help bridge the virtual gap and create a more dynamic learning environment.

As we move forward to our opening reflection question, keep these tools in mind – we'll be using them extensively to capture your valuable insights and facilitate meaningful discussions.

1 of 21

2 of 21

3 of 21

4 of 21

5 of 21

6 of 21

7 of 21

8 of 21