Road Tested Article: Chunk-Challenge-Chew-Chat-Check

Getting into a good routine and disciplining myself to commit to an hour or two of professional reading a day is going fairly well.  I enjoy knowing that I will be able to share either in person or via blog or tweet what I am learning.  I am trying to stay focused on a few main topics: vocabulary, growth mindset, and helpful strategies for teachers to read and reflect upon.  
Chunk-Challenge-Chew-Chat-Check was an article I read today from the ASCD's Education Update news June 2015. Emily Mather writes about how this model is different from the traditional model of sit and get.  
~Chunk: teaching for no more than 10 minutes. Has to be in depth and high quality. This part if done 100% by the teacher talking and students listening.  

~Challenge:  Here essential questions or tasks are performed. This must be very well thought out and planned by the teacher.

~Chat: My personal favorite. This is where students are given the opportunity to practice what is being taught. Expressing it in their words, disruptive dialogue is welcome. The teacher can actively monitor and listen for student understanding.

~Check: a formal way for teachers to check for student understanding. Cold calls, Ticket out the door, thumbs up or down.  

Reflecting on this I know you would have to be very well planned out. Know your questions in advanced as mentioned, be prepared with materials, keep the pace going smoothly and obviously the students would need to know how to work collaboratively.  It all sounds good on paper but we need to keep in mind that quality is important. 
Being 21st century Educators to 21st century Learners is a fabulous task we need to embrace as we hone our skills.