Slice Columbus Protocol

National
School
Reform
Faculty
Protocol for
Harmony
Education www.nsrfharmony.org
Center
“Columbus Family Academy Slice”

Variation of the Vertical Slice, the Minnesota Slice, the Albuquerque Slice and the “Day In The Life” South
Bend and Hempstead Slices. The Vertical Slice originated in the work of the Bush Educational Leaders
Program at the University of Minnesota.
The purpose of the “Columbus Family Academy Slice” is to look at student work across classrooms and
grade levels in order to gain new insights and perspectives on teaching and learning. A representative
sample of student work is collected over a specific period of time and examined by staff looking for
evidence related to specific guiding questions.
Part I: Multi-age/Special Area Teachers Slice

1. Getting Started (5 minutes)
The facilitator describes the purpose for conducting the “Columbus Family Academy Slice”. The
facilitator reviews the Guidelines for Learning from Student Work (Horace p.2, November, 1996) and
encourages participants to focus on evidence and refrain from making judgments.
2. Framing the Slice (5 minutes)

The facilitator presents the guiding questions for the group’s work and future discussion. These
questions are clarified by the group. (The questions are provided in writing to all participants.)
3. Focusing Inward (15 minutes)

Each participant exchanges student work with another colleague to review in depth. Each person is
asked to answer the guiding questions in writing and to provide evidence for each response. Questions
that emerge from this look at student work are also written down by each participant.
4. Broadening the Perspective (30-40 minutes)

After reviewing the student work, the facilitator convenes all the participants for a guided discussion.
They review the guidelines for sharing perspectives based on the evidence. Participants share their
responses to each question and the evidence supporting their responses. Participants look for patterns in
their responses as well as differences that emerge from the evidence.
5. Emerging Questions and Insights (15 minutes)

Following the group’s discussion, the facilitator summarizes the evidence presented and the emerging
patterns, issues, themes and questions from the discussion. The group identifies potential next steps for
deepening the student work related to the guiding questions.
Part II: School wide Slice

1. Review of Protocol Guidelines (5 minutes)
The Facilitator reviews the purpose of the Columbus Family Academy Slice and restates the guiding
question for the slice.
This protocol was originally written in the 1990s/2000s. We encourage you to purchase an NSRF membership to access newer materials and to enroll in
CFG Coaches' Training to access all of the updated materials and to develop a more thorough, experiential understanding. Protocols are most powerful
and effective when used within an ongoing professional learning community such as a Critical Friends Group® and facilitated by a skilled coach. To learn
more about professional learning communities and seminars for new or experienced coaches, please visit the National School Reform Faculty website at
www.nsrfharmony.org.
2. Looking At The Big Picture (20 minutes)
Participants go to explore the work of students from every age group. The purpose is to answer the
school wide questions and to look at student work across classrooms and grade levels to find patterns
and differences in the experiences and work across the whole school. Participants are asked to write
down evidence they find across classrooms and grade levels related to the guiding questions and be
prepared to share within their small group.
3. What Have We Discovered (15 minutes)

The small group facilitator reconvenes the participants for a guided discussion about their question. The
participants share evidence related to their question.
4. Summary of Group Discussion (10 minutes)

The facilitator (or another designated person) provides a summary of insights, themes, and patterns
discovered by the group. They then ask the participants to share questions that have emerged from their
study. The group selects a representative to share out significant findings, insights and questions related
to their review of student work.
5. Large Group Presentation/Discussion (15 minutes)

The three groups gather together to share out their findings, insights, questions and recommendations.
Each group has five minutes to share what they have learned.
6. Large Group Reflection (10 minutes)

The facilitator leads a whole group debriefing of the process to explore what was learned, the value
of the process and what could be improved. What did we learn from this process? What did we find
useful? What did we find frustrating? What questions does this evidence raise for us as a staff?
This protocol was originally written in the 1990s/2000s. We encourage you to purchase an NSRF membership to access newer materials and to enroll in
CFG Coaches' Training to access all of the updated materials and to develop a more thorough, experiential understanding. Protocols are most powerful
and effective when used within an ongoing professional learning community such as a Critical Friends Group® and facilitated by a skilled coach. To learn
more about professional learning communities and seminars for new or experienced coaches, please visit the National School Reform Faculty website at
www.nsrfharmony.org.

Slice Columbus Protocol

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National

“Columbus Family Academy Slice”

Part I: Multi-age/Special Area Teachers Slice

2. Framing the Slice (5 minutes)

3. Focusing Inward (15 minutes)

4. Broadening the Perspective (30-40 minutes)

5. Emerging Questions and Insights (15 minutes)

Part II: School wide Slice

3. What Have We Discovered (15 minutes)

4. Summary of Group Discussion (10 minutes)

5. Large Group Presentation/Discussion (15 minutes)

6. Large Group Reflection (10 minutes)

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