Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year at Herrington Elementary School. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in Southern California and graduated from UCLA. I’ve taught in several different states and have experience teaching second, third, fifth, and sixth grade, as well as high school. In Oregon I was the principal of St. Francis School and served as president of the Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted. Additionally I worked at Purdue University, training new teachers and writing talented and gifted science curriculum. I live in Cedar Park with my wife Amy, my daughters Kate (13 yrs.) and Layne (12 yrs.) and my son Jack (9 yrs). I enjoy running, gardening, golf, reading, going to ballgames, concerts and cook-outs. This summer has been a fun one. We swam with sharks in Cancun and visited my parents in California. I attended baseball games at Dodger Stadium and at the San Diego Padres ballpark. It wasn't all just fun and games, as I delivered a bunch of teaching workshops for RRISD teachers. For more information about my thoughts on teaching read below or visit My Presentations and Publications section.
What Does Instruction Look Like In Mr. Jeffrey's Classroom?
Differentiated instruction provides students multiple options for acquiring information and making sense of ideas. Students are challenged at all levels. The primary way of achieving this is through the study of general themes and concepts. I provide students with deep and complex learning experiences. Instruction is a dynamic blend of whole group, small group, and individual instruction. Flexible grouping allows students to interact with others to develop new ideas. Inquiry, questioning the reasoning and assumptions behind ideas, is embraced. Differentiation recognizes student background knowledge, readiness, language, and preferences in learning and interests. University of Texas Shakespeare Specialized Enrichment Activities Individualized Learning Contracts Academic Simulations Constructivist Teaching Methods Junior Great Books Learning Centers Marcy Cook Math Tiles Meet our Student Teachers "The Coach" "Old Man" "King Monkey" A Final Thought Monuments aren’t built to honor people with high WISC, OLSAT, GRE, or SAT scores. Monuments are for people who did something. Built something. Helped someone. J. Renzulli |
A Peek Into Mr. Jeffrey's Class
Key Components of Mr. Jeffrey’s Differentiated Instruction
Depth and Complexity Concepts Universal Themes Compacting (Accelerated Learning) Scholarly Attributes Tiered Questioning Strategies Socratic Seminar Depth and Complexity Concepts Language of the Discipline What are the terms or words that are specific to a subject or discipline? Details What are the attributes, traits, or characteristics of topic? Big Ideas What overarching statement best summarizes what is being studied? Patterns What are the reoccurring events? What will happen next? Trends What ongoing factors have influenced this study? Unanswered Questions What is still unknown or not understood? Rules How is the topic or concept structured? Ethics What dilemmas or controversies are involved? Over Time How are things related over time? Multiple Perspectives What are the opposing points of view, roles, status, or values? Interdisciplinary Connections How are other disciplines related to the topic? Universal Themes Universal themes are the organizer that ties knowledge together. Patterns Order Relationships Structure Systems Change Power Conflict Scholarly Attributes Scholars……. Save Information Use Varied Resources Come Prepared Exercise there Intellect Set Goals Ask Meaningful Questions Possess Academic Humility Tiered Questioning Strategies RED - Function (purpose, reason) - Characteristics (features, details) - Types (kind, variety) - Traits (description, qualities) - Kinds (type, variety, sorts) - Attributes (characteristics, traits) BLUE - Purpose (reason, meaning) - Influences (effect, future outcomes) - Reactions (responses) - Consequences (outcome, results) - Origin (beginning, start) YELLOW - Value (importance) - Possibilities (outcomes, ways) - Significance (importance, purpose,good/bad) - Importance (meaning of) |