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Professional Learning Communities

The Ultimate Blueprint for Academic Success

Professional Learning Communities cover

Professional Learning Communities

The Ultimate Blueprint for Academic Success

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Description

Professional Learning Communities charts a streamlined process for creating a PLC.

The highest mission of a professional learning community is academic achievement. During Dr. Culp’s forty-plus years in education, she gained firsthand experience about the best way to build and sustain educational communities. Inclusiveness, strong relationships, and accountability should be woven into the fabric of the group right from the beginning.

This book lays out a blueprint for thoughtful actions that transform schools and their communities. Using ideas and techniques focused on six key areas, educators discover what needs to be taught, what needs to be retaught, and who needs to be taught. Their PLCs build solutions that place academic excellence within reach of every learner.

Real experiences from schools across the nation, as well as Dr. Culp’s decades of experience, have been mined to generate actionable steps. Each chapter ends with a collection of charts, worksheets, checklists, and tips that can be implemented immediately. Professional Learning Communities is the concise go-to guide that maps your path to lasting results and true success.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: Lay the Foundation

Building Blocks

Reflective Practices

Focus on Learning

Dialog

Shared Responsibility

Shared Values and Norms

Common Practices

Feedback

Creating a PLC

Collaboration and Trust

Inclusiveness and Shared Responsibility

Focus on Solutions

Step by Step

Set a Schedule

Select a Facilitator

Define the Environment

Build Your Home

Revitalize an Existing PLC

People Come First

Inform New Members

Reach Out

Celebrate

Building Blocks for a Professional Learning Community

An Accord to Open Every PLC Meeting

Questionnaire for Every PLC Member

Questionnaire for the Start of New Initiatives

Stretches to Enhance Group Response

Stretch 1: Build It Up

Stretch 2: Break It Down

Stretch 3: Bring It Together

Stretch 4: Identify Benefits

Stretch 5: Identify Challenges

Stretch 6: Eliminate Obstacles

Endnotes

Chapter 2: Gather the Goals

The Educational Forest

Find the Microclimates

Specify the Species

How Does Your Forest Grow?

Embrace Exotics

Cultivate Individual Plots

Forest Management

Slings and Arrows (Goal Sheets)

Sample Goal Sheets

Blank Goal Sheets

Goal Prompts

Broad Goals

Specific Goals

Unique and Short-Term Goals

Professional Learning Goals for Members

Endnotes

Chapter 3: Going Live

Begin at the Beginning

Planning for Success

Develop the Program

Teacher Portfolios

Call on the Community

Personalize Implementation

Collegial Implementation

Return to the Beginning

Link the Connection Points

Team Goals

Essential Outcomes

Milestone Achievements

Comparison Points

Resource List

Lesson Plan Template

Student Feedback

Portfolio Tips

Personalize the Plan

Endnotes

Chapter 4: Assess and Adapt

How Many and How Often

Assessing the Data

A Supportive Approach

Assessment Foundation

Types of Assessments

Building the Formative Assessment

Avoid Assessment Bias

Analyze and Assess Prompts for Data Collection

Common Formative Assessments

Summative Assessment Tips

Assess the Assessment

PLC Assessment for Schools

PLC Assessment for Members

Key Markers for Success



Endnotes

Chapter 5: Digital Expansion

The Value of an Online Presence

Initial Online Presence

Expanding Your Online Presence

Documents and Files

Collective Efforts

Adapt Digital Tools

Digital Tools for the Classroom

Instant Updates and Motivation

Tips for Sharing

Tips for Collaboration

Tips for Collective Work

Assessing Digital Tools

Common Classroom Digital Tools

Top Digital Tools for PLCs

Endnotes

Chapter 6: Sail on Course

Information Indigestion

Wilting Enthusiasm

Dysfunctional Roles

Why PLCs Fail

Avoid a Major Crisis

Climate Control

Best Research Practices

Recharge the PLC

Team Trust Survey

Exercises for Building Trust

Storytelling hour

Display case

Disaster day box

Share praise

Photo board

Course Adjustments

District-wide Impact

Endnotes

Appendix A: Stepping Onto the PLC Highway

Refresher 1: Lay the Foundation

Refresher 2: Gather the Goals

Refresher 3: Going Live

Refresher 4: Assess and Adapt

Refresher 5: Digital Expansion

Refresher 6: Sail on Course

About the Author

Product details

Published Aug 14 2019
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Extent 116
ISBN 9781475845334
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Illustrations 6 tables
Dimensions 228 x 161 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

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