Sam Lawson

Graduate Student, Lehigh University
M.Ed in Secondary Education

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@12ReeceH Your highlighted sentence is so important! Good reminders for teachers to be very observant of their students.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@stella_math Great thing to point out, Stella! I used to always question why the material was important when I was in high school.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@emily_glueck Me too! It sounds a bit overwhelming at first to have to problem-solve or differentiate during a lesson and with no preparation.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

This struck me. We’re preparing students for a lot of unknowns, but the foundations remain the same. Focus on big picture skills like problem solving and comprehension! #tlt407 #iseckechapter8 #backwardsplanning

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@JulieFraenkel Great selection - I think another thing teachers need to be aware of is the possibility of other students embarrassing shy students. I know for the student I tutor, a big factor in determining whether or not to raise his hands is the anticipated thoughts of his classmates.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@12ReeceH Yes! It absolutely made me cringe hearing this as a kid. I think a great thing for teachers to do is to give the student positive feedback privately after class - that way, the action is acknowledged without the public recognition factor, which could be overwhelming.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

When I was in high school, I was convinced every assignment was busy work and that none of it actually contributed to my learning - UNLESS a teacher explained HOW the assignment was benefitting me. #tlt407 #backwardsplanning #thingstoremember

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@emily_glueck This is an interesting selection! I think it's great for teachers to ask students questions about their answers or to maybe guide them toward a different answer. I think it goes along with that idea of creating meaning through the process.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@JulieFraenkel Yes! As a student, I always noticed how assignments that came with expectations were always way less stressful and hectic for me.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

The idea of creating a rubric or checklist for assessment has always overwhelmed me. Isecke (2011) suggests asking students to co-construct rubrics so they are both (1) involved in determining what "successful" means & (2) invested in the process itself #tlt407 #backwardsplanning

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@GoffTeach Great thing to point out! I like that you highlighted the “no gotcha’s” part. Students should be challenged during instruction, but assessments should do what they’re meant to do- assess.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@rachelgingrichn I thought this was a great idea, too☺️

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

Assessment is a crucial part of learning for students, too! In addition to being clear and continual, feedback should also be specific, according to Dr. Sawyer, who teaches TLT 432. It’s important for teachers to explain the “why” behind the feedback. #TLT407 #backwardsplanning

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@CathyHa75089200 Such a great thing to highlight - I never thought of the importance of considering misunderstandings and preconceived notions of how the world works before reading this.

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@GoffTeach Loved this quote too! I think it's important for teachers to remember that success is measured by progress (or process), not a grade (or end result).

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

<3 this example of big idea breakdowns for literacy! Isecke (2011) explains the importance of breaking down a lesson's big ideas (based on standards, of course) into more specific understandings & addressing possible misunderstandings. #tlt407 #backwardsplanning

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@JulieFraenkel Yes!! I loved this one - saved a screenshot to my computer, too:)

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

@emily_glueck Great thing to point out! As a kid, I felt like I was always asking "Why do I need to know this?"

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

Memorization is NOT a helpful tool in real-life application! Teachers should be able to discern between what is useful long-term in real life & what is helpful for a short time in a classroom setting. #qualityoverquantity #tlt407 #backwardsplanning #chapter3

[Sam Lawson @MsLawsonLearns]

Isecke (2006) emphasized the importance of #studentunderstanding over #studentmemorization. Ch.1- Understanding allows students to become experts rather than notices (pic 1). Ch.2- Isecke outlines ways in which students can demonstrate understanding. #tlt407 #backwardsplanning