February is a month to celebrate LOVE

ARI Region 4 shared the “LOVE” of researched based topics throughout the region this month.   

February 18, 2014 was an early dismissal for students in Tuscaloosa County and a learning opportunity for the teachers.  The ARI Regional Support Staff facilitated two groups of professional development at the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education office to faculties from five different schools. The elementary schools represented were Big Sandy, Crestmont, Cottondale, Maxwell, and Taylorville Primary.   

One session involved K-2 teachers learning about active engagement and the second session involved 3-5 teachers learning about strategic teaching. At the same time, the majority of Holt Elementary School teachers were involved in professional development on their own campus with a focus on analyzing student writing samples and collaboratively planning CCRS lessons.

Two region-wide formative assessment professional learning groups, representing six districts, met and extended their learning about how formative assessment impacts teaching instruction and teacher learning. The big idea of formative assessment involves getting the best possible evidence about what students have learned and then using this information to decide what to do next.

This has been a “lovely” month of learning together across our region.  ARI hopes this learning has touched the “HEARTS” of students in the classrooms.