Lead Lit Topic: Demonstration Lessons
Literacy leaders are more than “bag ladies” (or bag men), toting a set of books and tricks into classrooms to present dazzling lessons. A successful demonstration lesson is as much about collaborative planning, discussion, and debriefing with teachers as it is about what is actually presented in the classroom. Here is where you’ll find tools and strategies for working with teachers to get the most out of demonstration lessons, using them as a catalyst for discussions about assessment, curriculum, and standards.
Results
Quick and Frequent Demonstration Lesson: Phonemes
Clare Landrigan leads a demonstration lesson with a pair of kindergarten students who struggle with letter-sound connections. She explains why these “quick and frequent” activities are helpful for young learners...
Demonstration Lesson: A First Grader Decodes and Makes Meaning
In this demonstration lesson, Clare Landrigan confers with a first grader by building on his strengths of growing fluency and volume with strategies for decoding.
Coaching Minute: The Perils of Demonstration Lessons
In this brief video, Cathy Mere talks about how classroom visits that include demonstration lessons can build rapport with teachers but can also serve as a trap for literacy coaches....
Observing Colleagues: Leading Successful Classroom Visits
As coaches, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to be in many classrooms and learn from a variety of teachers. Classroom teachers, however, do not always have this luxury....
Classroom Observation Etiquette
As a classroom teacher, I would occasionally have visitors observe in my classroom for the day. Some people host visitors with the greatest of ease, but I had to work...
Peer Observations with a Purpose
“Please clean up the playroom,” I reminded my daughters before dinner. “Done!” they yelled three minutes later as they skipped through the living room. I peeked around the corner and...
Demonstration Lesson: Quotes in Writing
Tammy Mulligan leads a demonstration small group with fifth-grade girls on using quotes in their writing. The session includes a prebrief and debrief with the girls' teacher.
First-Grade Demonstration Small Group: Reading Engagement
Clare Landrigan leads a demonstration small group with first-grade readers who struggle with engagement and stamina. The lesson includes a prebrief and debrief with their teacher.
Story Play with The Grouchy Ladybug
In this demonstration small group, Clare Landrigan leads kindergartners in a story play session featuring The Grouchy Ladybug. The lesson includes a prebrief and debrief with the classroom teacher.
Planning for a Third-Grade Demonstration Group on Citing Evidence
Kathy Provost works with a third-grade teacher to plan a demonstration small group on citing evidence. They begin with observations from the previous day’s instruction to determine the group’s needs....
Third-Grade Demonstration Group on Citing Evidence
Kathy Provost works with a third-grade teacher to lead a demonstration small group on citing evidence. This is the second video in a three-part series.
Debrief of Third-Grade Demonstration Group on Citing Evidence
Kathy Provost and a third-grade teacher debrief after a demonstration small group on citing evidence. This is the third video in a three-part series.
Nonfiction Notes: Demonstration Small Group
Tammy Mulligan leads a demonstration small group with fourth graders focused on nonfiction note taking. The lesson includes prebrief and debrief sessions with the classroom teacher.
Fourth-Grade Advanced Readers: Planning
Kathy Provost helps a fourth-grade teacher plan how to support advanced readers in a demonstration small group. This is the first video in a three-part series.
Fourth-Grade Advanced Readers: Demonstration Lesson
Kathy Provost helps a fourth-grade teacher support advanced readers in a demonstration small group. This is the second video in a three-part series.
Fourth-Grade Advanced Readers: Debrief
Kathy Provost debriefs with a fourth-grade teacher after supporting advanced readers in a demonstration small group. This is the final video in a three-part series.
Demonstration Small Group: Discussing a Common Text
In this demonstration small group, Clare Landrigan guides first graders as they practice discussion skills around a common text. The video includes prebrief and debrief sessions with the classroom teacher.
First-Grade Small Group on Opinion Writing
In this demonstration small group, Clare Landrigan helps first graders craft opinion writing. The demo includes quick individual conferences, as well as a prebrief and debrief with the classroom teacher....
Making Cuts in Writing: Demonstration Conference
Is there anything more difficult than getting a student to trim their writing draft? Tammy Mulligan confers with fifth grader Noah and uses her own writing as a mentor text...
What’s Talkworthy? Demonstration Small Group
In this demonstration lesson with a sixth-grade group, Tammy Mulligan brings a chart of ideas from students in another school to jump-start the discussion of what’s “talkworthy” in book clubs....
Demonstration Lesson: From Play to Literacy in First Grade
Young children need a place and props for play in their classroom. But how can we transfer this learning from play to literacy instruction? Clare Landrigan works with a first-grade...
