1. Palm Elementary
Professional Development Planning
October 4, 2014

2. Questions?
Throughout the presentation if you have
questions please write them on the sticky
notes provided and post them in our
“Parking Lot” at the end.

3. Interactive Science Word Walls
Interactive science word walls are a great resource that
allow students to reference current vocabulary words
during their reading and writing activities. Interactive word
walls must be built throughout the course of the year, this
allows the students to visually learn the vocabulary words
while applying them within their daily learning activities.
Research suggests “word walls encourage students to
actively learn about words and therefore should be
referenced and used often during reading and writing”
(District, Spring Independent School, 2014).
“A word wall is a systematically organized collection of
words displayed in large letters on a wall or other large
display place in the classroom” (Olson, 2014).

4. List – Group – Label Strategy
The List – Group – Label strategy improves student
vocabulary and categorizing skills.
- Builds on student’s prior knowledge
- Engages students by utilizing critical thinking
skills
- Teaches categorizing and labeling skills
(Word Walls, 2014)

5. Step 1 – Students (whole class) brainstorm words that
relate to topic (List)
Step 2 – Form small groups in class. Students in each
group determine how words should be categorized
(Group)
Step 3 – Students label each category (Label)

6. What is the Gradual Release Model?
• “I do”- Teacher models the concept being taught
and completes sample on their own.
• “We do”- The teacher and students work
together on the assigned concept.
• “You do” (Together)- Students work with one
another to complete the concept without
immediate teacher assistance.
• “You do” (Individual)- Students work individually
on their own to show mastery of the concept.

7. Please watch the following videos…
• These videos follow the steps for gradual release,
using the List-Group-Label Strategy.
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLN_dqgyjY&fe
ature=youtu.be
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_aSz-eyYgI&
feature=youtu.be
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGr2AloGV0M&f
eature=youtu.be

8. When can constructive conversations
about student growth and school
issues can take place ?
• Early Release Meetings
• PLC
• Common Planning
• Anytime data is being analyzed

9. How will feedback to improve
instructional planning and delivery
being given?
• Classroom walkthroughs by Coaches
• Classroom walkthroughs by Administration
• Post walkthrough conferences of suggestions
and best practices.

10. Peer Observation for Teachers
• Teachers will be given time to observe other
teachers implementing strategies and gradual
release.
• Why is this important?
– “The human brain understands action by motor
simulation…Brain activity during peer observation if a
teacher has previously learned a skill” (Semadeni,
2009, p. 39).
• After professional development meetings or seminars,
teachers will benefit from observing the strategy in practice
so that they may learn to utilize the skill they have learned.

11. Bibliography
• District, Spring Independent School. (2014). Interactive
Word Walls Dynamic Teaching Tools. Retrieved from
http://www.springisd.org/docs2/ci/special/Word%20Walls
%202010.pdf
• Olson, S. (2014). Interactive word wall. Retrieved from
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/wordwall06259
9.html
• Semadeni, J. H. (2009). Taking charge of professional
development: A practical model for your school. Alexandria,
VA: ASCD.
• Word Walls. (n.d.). Reading Rockets. Retrieved Oct. 1, 2014,
from
• http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word.walls