Spotlight on BTR Teacher Network’s and BPS Telescope’s
Learning Site at The Henry Grew Elementary School
What is a Learning Site?
A structured, collaborative inquiry in schools around a specific area of focus.
Teachers work as a team in a deep study of teaching and student learning.
A coach and host teacher contextualize & facilitate an observation and debrief.
Intentional structures make teachers’ thinking, theories, and practice visible.
How does a Learning Site Work?
1. Learning Site Focus Question:
How do we maintain safe, productive, culturally responsive learning environments where students demonstrate agency and independence?
2. Pre-Observation Meeting:
Identify a focus for observation and review the observation norms and process.
3. Observation:
Watch 5th grade host teacher, Daisy Johnson (above), in action and gather evidence for how she maintains a productive learning environment.
4. Pre-Debrief Synthesis:
Organize and analyze evidence from observation. Identify excavating questions to ask the host teacher about their thought process and decision making.
5. Debrief with Host Teacher:
Ask Host Teacher, 1st grade teacher Lane Ward, excavating questions and debrief the lesson.
6. Plan a Change Idea:
Based on new learning, identify one change idea in your own classroom and how you will implement it. Receive feedback from colleagues.
7. Virtual Sessions:
Follow up in three, one-hour virtual sessions to continue learning and collaborate with colleagues.
