Learning Cycle Spins Individuals Into a Team by Valerie von Frank

In the article, Valerie von Frank, the writer talked about how the teachers in McConnell Middle School in Georgia developed a good rapport with each other through the schoolwide collaboration on curriculum planning which includes studying content , creating mini-lessons, observing each other's teaching, and developing common assessments.

This is the kind of environment that we have been establishing in Jefferson Middle School. We have been creating a sense of mutual accountability not only on our own doings but also on our school as a whole.

Valerie von Frank also cited Ed Tobia for saying that when teachers have opportunities to create, lead, and learn in teams, both teachers and students can benefit if the teams understand the purpose and how to focus their work. She also mentioned that the SEDL outlines a professional learning team cycle (PLTC) that is structured process involving specific phases in an ongoing cycle of learning.

Please, click here to read the whole article and other interesting items from the NSDC Journal Vol 4 No.7 April 2009.