3. Creating a Common Rubric to Define Excellent Instruction

Step 1: Brainstorm a List of Observable Indicators of Quality Instruction

  1. Think of a lesson you have taught or observed that was highly successful in terms of participation and outcomes.
  2. Think of these categories: teacher behaviors, student behaviors, and other indicators.
  3. What were some of the key attributes of the lesson that contributed to its success in each category?
  4. Individually, list teacher behaviors, student behaviors, and other indicators that you expect to see when quality instruction is present.

Step 2: Norm the Indicators of Quality Instruction as a Group

  1. In teams or small groups, share your individual lists.
  2. Combine and refine the lists to form one comprehensive list.
  3. Continue combining and refining until you have a list of three to five indicators in each category (teacher behaviors, student behaviors, other indicators).

Some examples of possible indicators are student engagement, exploring students’ ideas, thinking or reflection time, inquiry, and clear student expectations.

Step 3: Check Indicators of Quality Instruction

Be sure you have distinguished between indicators of quality instruction and lesson design and instructional strategies. For example, an indicator might be “student engagement” while one strategy the teacher is using to achieve engagement might be “cooperative learning.”

Step 4: Check for Understanding by Describing Each Indicator of Quality Instruction

Each indicator should have a description so that when looking for quality instruction, no one is confused regarding “what to look for.”

When describing indicators of quality instruction, use observational language. What does each indicator look and sound like?

Examples of Indicator Descriptions of Student Engagement

The student is encouraged to participate and express ideas.

The student is seeking to understand and asks questions.

Examples of Indicator Descriptions of Setting Expectations

Students are informed regarding the objectives, standards, and concepts being taught.

Students have a clear understanding of what they are going to learn, how they will learn it, and why.