Looking at Patterns and Themes

Tip:
Teachers collect data all the time, but it is our job as professional developers to help them understand how certain patterns or themes that constantly recur can help them improve their teaching practice. You can show them how to be teacher researchers analyzing their teaching practice in a professional development session at the middle or end of the year.

  • Create a chart similar to the one below. Add or delete categories.
  • Demonstrate how to check for understandings by triangulating evidence to look for same themes or patterns in more than two types of data.
  • Encourage teachers toBe objective and nonjudgmentalShare their findings with another teacherBounce off ideas and new questions.

Curriculum Area

Demonstrates Success

Needs Improvement

Patterns/Themes

Student Scores

Student Work

Class Participation

Interviews

Submitted by:Barbara Bray

Next Tip: Working with the Reluctant Adopter

  • Sign up for an e-mail newsletter.
  • Submit a question or tip.
  • PDQ Archives

PDQ Coordinator: Barbara Bray, President, My eCoach