EngageNY.org

Engaging Families through Student Work

Principals, Session 5, May NTI

Learning Target

I can describe how student led conferences and celebrations of learning promote deeper learning and increased engagement for students and families.

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Agenda

• Session Introduction

• Student Led Conferences (video)

• Structures to support SLCs (video)

• Celebrations of learning (video)

• Counterculture & messaging

• Closure

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Why SLCs Matter

“Student-led conferences require and empower students to take the lead role in communicating their learning. The practice helps to build dispositions and skills such as adapting speech to the appropriate context and organizing and presenting information that will be vital for students in college and careers and is at the center of the Common Core speaking and listening standards. Sharing work and reflecting on learning with one’s family helps to bridge the divide that often exists between school and home and enables parents to understand their children’s progress more deeply” (Berger et al., 2014, p.181).

Purpose of SLCs• Students take responsibility for their learning in

both academics and habits of scholarship and character.

• They share insights about themselves as learners.

• They engage in assessment for learning.

• Students discuss academics with their parents in a positive and proactive way.

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Purpose of SLCs

• They hone their verbal communication and critical thinking skills.

• They build open relationships with their families about their growth in learning.

• Students meet speaking standards.

• They learn how to substantiate a claim with evidence.

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Connect, Extend, Challenge

• Connect – How are the ideas presented CONNECTED to what you already know or do?

• Extend – What new ideas did you get that EXTENDED or pushed your thinking in new directions?

• Challenge – What is still CHALLENGING or confusing for your to get your mind around? What questions, wonderings, or puzzles do you now have?

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Structures to Support SLCs

Alignments – what already exists in your school that aligns to this practice?

Adjustments – what already exists in your school that with adjustment could support implementation of student led conferences?

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Reflect

• What implicit and explicit messages are conveyed to students about themselves in relation to academic work?

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Celebrations of Learning

• How does this help prepare students for college and career?

• How does this impact engagement for students and families?

• Make some inferences. What were all the steps taken by leadership to make this happen at this school?

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Synthesis

• What is your “message” to teachers about student learning and growth?

• The message that you will share with everyone, every day, all the time.

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