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Quality Teaching and Learning

Tools and artifacts to support great instruction and professional growth.

Common Instructional Framework (CIF)

The Early College Common Instructional Framework (CIF)

The Common Instructional Framework is a set of six powerful, research-based instructional strategies that prepare high school students to succeed in college coursework. They are a core component of JFF’s early college model.

CIF Examples and NonExamples

An overview and brief examples and non-examples of CIF strategies

321 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

CIF Implementation Tracker

A tracking sheet for logging weekly use of the CIF strategies and teacher refection.

53 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Data, Observation, Reflection Rating:

CIF One-pager Formatted

An overview of the Common Instructional Framework strategies on one-page.

914 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Observation, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

CIF Posters

One-per-page posters of CIF practices for classroom display.

42 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

CIF Short Descriptions

A one-page document with descriptions of the Common Instructional Framework strategies.

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CIF Teaching Scenarios

Math, History, Science and ELA teaching scenarios with focusing questions.

80 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, English Language Arts, History, Math, Science Rating:

Collaborative Group Work Evaluation Rubric

A rubric to evaluate the quality of collaborative group work.

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Collaborative Group Work Slides

A slide deck addressing the implementation of Collaborative Group Work.

1 MB Tags: Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework Rating:

Combined CIF Protocol Notes Cards

All the Common Instructional Framework protocols in one document (one per page).

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Common Instructional Framework Scenarios

Teacher scenarios for reflection on the Common Instructional Framework strategies.

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Common Instructional Framework Student Rubrics

Jobs for the Future's in-depth descriptions of the Common Instructional Framework and student rubrics to support the teaching and learning strategies.

1 MB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Rubric Rating:

Common Instructional Framework Teacher Rubrics

Jobs for the Future's in-depth descriptions of the Common Instructional Framework and teacher rubrics to support the teaching and learning strategies.

1 MB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Rubric Rating:

Cooperative Group Work Paper

A white paper detailing best practices for cooperative group work.

2 MB Tags: Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework Rating:

Identifying the Common Instructional Practices in Action

A checklist to help educators identify student behaviors when using the Common Instructional Framework.

14 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Observation, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

Instructional Crosswalk

A two-page document that crosswalks the CIF strategies with other frameworks including the Texas Literacy Initiative, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol and Project Based Learning.

122 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

JFF Common Instructional Framework One Pager

Jobs For The Future one-pager on the Common Instructional Framework outlining the six strategies to build college readiness.

803 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

Literacy Groups in Math

In depth tool built to answer guiding questions: How can teachers use literacy groups in the math classroom? What are the benefits of using literacy groups in the math classroom? What texts could teachers use in math literacy groups?

2 MB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Math Rating:

Practicing the CIF strategies

Short activities for students or adults requiring practice of the 6 Common Instructional Framework strategies with a text.

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Printable CIF Rubrics

Printable rubrics for the CIF strategies.

165 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Observation, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

Printable Literacy Group Rubric

A printable version of the Teacher Effectiveness rubric for Literacy Groups.

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Problem of Practice Thinking Map

A one-page template with criteria for developing a Problem of Practice.

125 KB Tags: Professional Development, Protocols, Reflection Rating:

Sample Student Learning Questions

Sample questions for teachers or coaches when reflecting on the application of the Common Instructional Framework.

25 KB Tags: Classroom Talk, Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups, Questioning, Scaffolding, Writing to Learn Rating:

Sifting Through CIF Facilitators Guide

A session to help educators effectively use the Common Instructional Framework strategies and address underlying concerns.

422 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Professional Development, Reflection Rating:

Sifting Through CIF Handout

A handout for the "Sifting Through CIF" session.

207 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Professional Development, Reflection Rating:

Sifting Through CIF Slide Deck

A slide deck for "Sifting Through CIF" Session.

925 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Professional Development, Reflection Rating:

Template For Introducing the Common Instructional Framework

A template for introducing the Common Instructional Framework

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The CIF Lab A Tool Kit.pdf

"PSJA Early College High School describes their school’s CIF Lab and their journey in developing it."

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Two-Page CIF Pocket Guide

A two-page guide to Common Instructional Framework strategies including how to identify the strategy in action and examples and non-examples.

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Observation Tools

Analyzing Trend Data

A template for analyzing data from a data trend walk.

129 KB Tags: Data, Observation Rating:

CIF Observation Tool

An observation tool for observing CIF practices.

125 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Observation, Reflection, Rubric Rating:

Common Instructional Data Trend Walk Record Sheet

An observation data gathering document for observing Common Instructional practices and the quality of their implementation.

259 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Data, Observation Rating:

Form for Data Trend Walk

A template for capturing data in a data trend walk.

116 KB Tags: Data, Observation Rating:

Procedures for Data Trend Walk

A how-to guide for conducting data trend walks.

13 KB Tags: Data, Observation Rating:

Teacher Visit Notes Template

A notes template for a teacher classroom visit with teacher actions and student actions and showing Common Instructional Framework alignment.

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TSI Walk-Through Observation Template

A template from the Texas Success Initiative for capturing student and teacher behaviors.

84 KB Tags: Data, Observation, Reflection, Rubric Rating:

Planning

High Rigor Roles for Collaborative Group Work and Literacy Groups

Descriptions of high rigor group roles for students in literacy groups and in collaborative group work.

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Lesson Planning Checklist

A one-page checklist covering 12 components of effective lesson planning.

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Lesson Planning Presentation

A slide deck outlining the key components of lesson planning including examples and non-examples.

1 MB Tags: Assessment, Common Instructional Framework, Planning, Professional Development Rating:

Lesson Planning Two-Pager

A two-page synopsis of the components of a lesson plan.

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Motivation, Engagement, And Student Voice

Part of Jobs for the Future publication series Students at the Center that explores the role that student-centered approaches can play to deepen learning and prepare young people to meet the demands and engage the opportunities of the 21st century.

2 MB Tags: Active Learning, Collaborative Group Work Rating:

Personalization in Schools

Part of Jobs for the Future publication series Students at the Center that explores the role that personalized approaches to learning can play to deepen learning and prepare young people to meet the demands and engage the opportunities of the 21st century.

2 MB Tags: Active Learning, Collaborative Group Work Rating:

Role Cards

Cards describing group roles for students in literacy groups and in collaborative group work.

187 KB Tags: Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Literacy Groups Rating:

Sample Body Systems Lesson Plan

A sample lesson plan on the digestive system using a template aligned to the Common Instructional Framework.

58 KB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Middle School, Planning, Science Rating:

Student Role Sheets for Literary Circles

Student-facing sheets to support students taking on different roles in literacy circles.

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Professional Development

Active Learning Webinar

A webinar outlining the value and techniques for active learning.

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Collaborative Group Work

A slide deck with activities focused on the classroom practice of collaborative group work.

19 MB Rating:

Collaborative Group Work 2

A slide deck focused on the rationale for collaborative group work, protocols for collaboration and incorporating collaboration into lessons.

1 MB Tags: Collaborative Group Work, Common Instructional Framework, Protocols Rating:

Collaborative Learning Communities Guidebook 2015-16

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Culture of Success

A slide deck outlining a school culture of success.

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Deeper and Student Centered Learning

A slide deck with an overview of work to support deeper student learning.

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Effective Presentations - Agreeing on the Work

A video overview of how to approach developing a presentation and agreeing on the work of the presentation.

301 MB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Professional Development, Video Rating:

Effective Presentations - Presenter's Planning Worksheet

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Effective Presentations - Visuals

A video overview of how to approach developing a presentation and visual elements to support adult learning.

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Lesson Planning and Objective Writing

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Literacy Groups

A slide deck supporting literacy groups and literacy across all content areas.

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Looking at Teacher and Student Work

A slide deck outlining protocols for analyzing student and teacher work.

7 MB Tags: Collaboration, Protocols, Reflection, Student Work, Teacher Work Rating:

Norms for PLC

A template with key questions to help establish group norms in Professional Learning Communities.

17 KB Tags: Professional Development, Professional Learning Communities, Reflection Rating:

Protocols and Worksheets

A slide deck exploring protocols that can be used in conjunction with worksheets in an effort to increase rigor and active learning by using CIF strategies.

12 MB Tags: Common Instructional Framework, Protocols Rating:

Question and Classroom Talk

10 MB Tags: Bloom's Taxonomy, Classroom Talk, Common Instructional Framework, Questioning Rating:

Questioning & Classroom Talk Webinar

A webinar outlining the value and techniques for successful classroom talk and questioning.

110 MB Rating:

Questioning Circles

A graphic organizer for reflection on texts.

28 KB Tags: Professional Development, Reflection Rating:

Questioning Slides

A slide deck focused on challenging students through effective questioning.

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Scaffolding Webinar

A webinar outlining the value and techniques for scaffolding student learning.

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Student Survey

A slide deck focused on the rationale and use of student surveys.

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The Reflective Teacher

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Thinking Sheet for Literacy Groups

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Writing To Learn

A slide deck with activities focused on the classroom practice of writing to learn.

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