Instructional Practices Policy

INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES POLICY

LAKEWOOD ELEMENTARY

REVISED OCTOBER 2017

INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE PRINCIPLES

In order to provide an environment where all students perform up to their potential and are prepared for the future, we will make sure that students:

• Are actively involved in their own learning.
• Use writing as a way to learn.
• Communicate with peers about what they are learning.
• Use technology in meaningful ways.
• Study subjects in a way that shows them applications to real life.
• Are able to make connections among content areas.
• Are instructed in ways that are aligned with the state standards for all subjects — English/Language Arts; Math; Science; Social Studies; Practical Living and Career Studies; and Arts and Humanities, and designed to help all students master that content.

TEACHER ROLE

To ensure that the principles and guidelines above are implemented, every teacher shall:

1. Use a wide variety of student-centered, culturally responsive instructional strategies and resources to address various learning styles.
2. Use activities where all students use higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.  
3. Assign tasks similar to those used for state assessments.  
4. Provide opportunities for students to connect their learning to other topics and subjects and real-life experiences.  
5. Use technology for appropriate and varied learning activities and to extend the classroom into the community and the world.
6. Provide students with opportunities to evaluate their performance and use the feedback to reflect on and improve classroom practice as needed.

PRINCIPAL ROLE

To ensure that these instructional practice principles and guidelines are implemented and teachers are able to fulfill their role, the principal will:

1. Make sure that these instructional practice principles and guidelines are taken into account in both the interview process and in the final selection of all teachers.
2. Encourage and support teachers in their role.
3. Encourage professional development that supports the implementation of this policy.
4. Be visible in the building and classrooms as well as attend PLC meetings to support instructional practice principles and guidelines.

POLICY EVALUATION

We will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy through our School Improvement Planning Process.

Date Adopted:  _____

Date Reviewed or Revised:  _____ Council Chairperson’s Initials _____

Date Reviewed or Revised:  _____ Council Chairperson’s Initials _____