An Illustrated Guide to the 5 Questions for PLC+

Bring your PLC+ work to life with this illustrated guide to the essential questions

Traditionally, teaching was a solo act. While many educators developed expertise on their own, important decisions were made in isolation, leading to inconsistent student experiences and missed opportunities to learn from one another. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) offered a way for educators to collaborate, but simply providing time to meet is not enough.

This beautifully illustrated guide offers a meaningful and accessible on-ramp to the PLC+ framework, an evidence-based approach that empowers teacher teams to do what matters most: boost student learning and improve teaching. By focusing on the five essential questions, this guide brings the big ideas of PLC+ to life with visuals, examples, and tools you can use right away.

This book will help you:

• Understand the five essential questions: Where are we going? Where are we now? How do we move learning forward? What did we learn today? Who benefited and who did not?
• Engage with illustrations and prompts designed to spark reflection and conversation, whether you’re reviewing student work, planning instruction, or tackling tough questions with colleagues
• Use checklists to help your team see connections more clearly and determine actionable next steps
• Explore spotlights on research that bring the importance and impact of high-functioning PLCs to light

Think of this guide as a roadmap you can flip open when you need direction, clarity, or inspiration in your PLC work. Then, continue with Your Introduction to PLC+ to go even deeper into the framework.

Douglas Fisher is a professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Fisher was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, leadership, and curriculum design, as well as books such as Your Introduction to PLC+, Welcome to Teaching, How Feedback Works, Teaching Reading, and RIGOR Unveiled. Fisher loves being an educator and hopes to share that passion with others.

Nancy Frey is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Her published titles include The Courage to Learn, The Art and Science of Coaching, How Scaffolding Works, and The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning. Frey is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California and learns from teachers and students every day.

John Almarode is a professor of education at James Madison University. He was awarded the inaugural Sarah Miller Luck Endowed Professorship in 2015 and received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia in 2021. John started as a mathematics and science teacher in Augusta County, Virginia. John has written multiple books, book chapters, papers, and reports. His collaborative work with colleagues on what works best in teaching and learning includes How Tutoring Works, Visible Learning in Early Childhood, and How Learning Works, all with Corwin Press.

Taryl Hansen is a visual practitioner and the creator of Frame the Message Ink, LLC (framethemessageink.com). She is an associate trainer for Cognitive Coaching^SM and holds a doctorate in teacher leadership and innovation from Arizona State University. Taryl has been trained by Thinking Collaborative and Grove Consultants International, leaders in the fields of learning and cognition. As a live graphic recorder and illustrator, Taryl works internationally to create vibrant and engaging visuals that bring essential elements to the forefront for learners, enhancing retention, driving engagement, and inspiring learners to collaborate in more meaningful ways.