Coaching Stories - Sam Gray

Teacher: Sam Gray (@samaugustgray​)
School: Chadwick International - Songdo, South Korea
Grade: 4
Coaching Cycle: October 2021 - December 2021

Goal(s): 

• To help students use technology to develop agency
  
• ​ISTE Connection: Empowered Learner
  

Before Coaching

Sam was eager to shake up his timetable and get students working on things they prioritized themselves. He decided to start with math lessons, as we felt this would be the easiest transition point for the students. Prior to coaching, math lessons were dictated by the teacher and the process was linear for all students.

During Coaching

As we met and reflected, Sam’s lessons began to open up. Sam offered choice in the order of when to complete math tasks. Students had 3-4 activities for the week and thought about which ones they wanted to complete first, and why. Through student interviews, we found that students were happy to have choice, but were struggling with the amount of time given. We reflected and made changes based on student input. Students then started to use a Padlet to reflect on their goals and evidence their learning of different math strategies. This was an easy way for Sam to quickly check in with each student’s progress, even if he did not have the chance to sit with them individually.
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Near the end of the math unit I came in to teach the class how to use Clips to create video tutorials of their choice of math strategies. This bit of extra creativity gave the students an energetic boost to engage with their math.

Looking Forward...

Sam is keen to continue with another coaching cycle. He wants the students to take more responsibility of their learning, while giving him the time to confer with students and find out where individual needs can be met. The momentum his class has gained is growing with excitement. 

Read more of Cindy's Coaching Stories here.