Collaborating Through Vertical Content Conversations

Debbie Willingham
Nov 01, 2010

Vertical content conversations are a great way to continue and enhance teacher collaboration, both within a school and among feeder schools. Frequent opportunities for regular collaboration among teachers across grades and schools about common and similar content can be a key factor in increasing student success. It also enables teachers at different school levels to see subjects and students from the others' perspectives. Teachers of younger students are too often unaware of the critical role they play in preparing students for later grades, and higher grade level teachers are often unaware of the challenges faced by teachers when students are younger and less mature.

Organizing vertical teams of teachers can result in a successful plan for more successful classes. Vertical conversations are sometimes thought of as part of an advanced placement program, but they are much more inclusive than that. Teachers collaborating in this way are able to identify primary teaching responsibilities for different grade levels and courses, identify where and when skills should be taught and reinforced throughout the grades, identify exactly what students should leave a course/grade knowing and able to do, and build awareness of the importance of rigor in all courses and grades.

Introducing all students to higher level thinking strategies at an earlier age and developing a continuum of skill building from one grade to the next are important goals that can move schools from the status quo towards becoming exemplary schools. Reducing the amount of time spent on repetition so more time can be spent on new content and encouraging students to apply and build on past instruction, as well as encouraging them to accept more responsibility, are areas all teachers agree need attention. Working collaboratively on this effort results in a much higher potential for success. All of this takes open, honest conversations and setting aside time to discuss and make plans for implementation, but it is well worth the effort.

For more information about how to implement collaboration through vertical content conversations and many other ideas that set Learning-Focused schools apart, be sure to make plans to attend the 2011 Learning-Focused Great Ideas Conference in Atlanta.