Long Time No See...

Long time no see, fellow bloggers! We have had a few weeks off from the world of blogging to give us some time to focus on other assignments. The past few weeks in the classroom have been full observing, learning, and a little bit of teaching. All of these opportunities have been very valuable for next year when I’m on my own.

A struggle I encountered the past few weeks was time management while teaching. I had the opportunity to teach three lessons on theme, the students were loving the activities and really getting engaged! However, on the last day time was not our friend, the activities I had planned took longer than expected so we didn’t get everything accomplished that I wish we could have. With that being said the kids did PHENOMENAL that lesson, I originally thought they would really struggle because it was our first day finding the theme of a poem. But, they took the challenge and rocked it!

One thing that made me most proud was day 2 of teaching on theme. One of my students came up to me expressed that he thought I was doing a really good job and that I would make an excellent teacher. He continued to explain how he had learned so much and really enjoyed the lesson. This meant a lot to me because this student is not one to speak out and express his thoughts.

Over the next week I plan to continue my observations and prepare for another day with a substitute. I’ve had the chance to observe the classroom with a substitute in the classroom twice this year (Lord bless subs). It was very informative and really helped me make my sub plans for EUDC 435. Since I am accustomed to the schedule and the students the subs tend to rely on me quite a bit and have given me control often. This has been very exciting and quite the learning experience! Students will definitely test your limits and see what they can get away.

This week we have met and collaborated for our science fair and water cycle project. Next week we will continue to work on our science fair project and get ready to submit it!

This week my outside research was focused on effective questioning as my group worked on the hyperdoc for this week. The types of questions you ask your students are so important. Learning to ask better questions will yield better more thought provoking answers. This will help me prepare to use better questions in my future classroom and require students to dig deeper and make connections that will vastly improve their learning.

My first tweet is about making sure student's needs are met before trying to teach them. Students will not respond well if they do not feel cared for. Once student's feel supported then they are ready to learn and dig deeper.

My next tweet is about Google Classroom now supporting Newsela. You can now add an assignment from Newsela directly into your google classroom for students to see. Newsela is an excellent resource because it has current event articles on differentiated levels for students.

My last tweet is about vocabulary. The difference between teaching versus just giving it to students is huge. The article mentions how just having students copy a definition is not beneficial but having students investigate and work to find their own definition is more lasting.

The first object beyond Neptune has had been identified as having rings. Previously only the large planets (Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus) had rings. Now this dwarf planet, Haumea has spotted rings. The dwarf planet spins unusually fast and could be flinging debris. (https://www.sciencenews.org/article/oddball-dwarf-planet-haumea-has-ring)

This week I learned about NCTCS 4B, 4C, and 4D. To me these three standards revolve around the idea of knowing your students and teaching in a way that allows them to be most successful. Teachers should use methods that utilize student's strengths and build on their weaknesses. In my future classroom this will look like, getting to know my students and understanding when learning occurs for them. Something that is often not done is asking students how they liked the lesson and what could have been done to help them understand. Something so simple can result in powerful information gained and an opportunity to improve learning in my classroom.

Hope you all enjoy your fall break and find some time to relax!

Focusing on the WHOLE student...

My observations this week have been very exciting as we began flexible reading groups between 4th and 5th grade. This has gone well so far and the students seem to be enjoying this new method of guided reading. Prior to this students had a long stretch in the morning with straight instruction because lunch, specials, and recess are all in the afternoon. So not only do these flexible groups allow for maximum differentiation but it also gives students a change in setting so they do not get burnt out during this long stretch of content. Learning new student’s names has been a struggle because they are only in the room for a hour and thirty minutes each day and during that time they are in rotations. I’m slowly remembering them though.

A satisfying moment this week was when the students received their interim reports, not all of the grades were excellent but it was the comments I heard that made me happy. As students received their interims I heard, “Wow that remediation really helped my math grade”, “I’m doing a lot better this year”, and “I did okay but I still have room to grow”. The growth discussion truly set in with these students. Over the next week I plan to continue lesson planning for EDUC 435 and preparing to teach within the next 2 weeks.

This week we had a very productive meeting for our water cycle and science fair projects. We were able to meet and get our learning experience started for the water cycle project. We will be meeting again this week and make more progress.

This week my outside research has been on good cause exemption students. This was new term thrown out during the PLT meeting I attended. Since it was an unfamiliar term, I decided to do some outside research. This was much more involved than I expected. I learned that a good cause exemption student can be qualified if they are in the ESL program, have a recognized learning disability, have been retained more than once, received reading intervention, or demonstrate proficiency in another form. All of these students qualify to pass without passing the EOG. This will be beneficial background knowledge about the variety of learners that may enter into my classroom.

My first tweet is about building relationships among your school community. During my time at my observations I have observed how vital this is. It is important not only for the benefit of the teachers but it also improves student's learning when staff connect.

My next tweet is about using technology to highlight student's strengths. It is amazing to see how different a student works with and without tech in the classroom. Using tech as a support in the classroom can transform the classroom.

My last tweet is about fostering students mistakes. Students should understand that mistakes are part of the learning process and are to be expected. Helping students understand that students may not YET understand but if they keep working they will is so vital to teach students perseverance.

The current event I researched this week was about the largest recorded solar flare since 2006 that happened on September 6th. "Solar flares, or storms, begin with an explosion usually above a sunspot, the area where strong magnetic fields poke through the sun's surface. When these spots become unstable, they erupt, releasing significant amounts of energy." This flare cause electrically-charged particles to collide with gases resulting in incredible auroras. Here is the link if you are interested in learning more: https://www.dogonews.com/2017/9/16/largest-solar-flare-in-over-a-decade-causes-slight-disruption-but-sparks-beautiful-auroras 

One of my favorite aspects about this week's text hyperdoc was the infographic about types of student inquiry. The infographic relates the four types: structured, controlled, guided and free as depth levels for swimmers. This helps depict the mix of teacher support and freedom of choice. 

This week I learned about NCTCS standards 2C-2D and that the theme of these standards is creating the best possible learning environment for your students. This will be different for every group of students and each individual students. However, it is important to get to know your students so you can understand what an environment that fosters learning looks like for them.

Growth is the Goal...

This week has been very busy, as usual. The students had their first math test this week. In my CE’s classroom she gives a pretest and a posttest for each big topic. I was very proud of the students that showed major growth, not everyone got an 80% or higher but almost all students showed growth! This was so satisfying because I had worked hard with several students during their independent practice to explain and assist in anyway I could. A struggle I ran into this week was time management. Next week I plan to get a head start on my assignments so I’m prepared for the week. This week we had a meeting about our water cycle project and it was very successful. We all shared ideas and contributed to get this project off to a great start.

Over the next week I will be attending my first field trip so I hope to observe and help make this a memorable learning experience for my students. This is also exciting because it kicks off our first SS unit so I can observe how my CE integrates SS into the classroom. This week as part of my outside research I decided to do some research on our field trip destination, the Alston House or the House in the Horseshoe. It is the site of a battle in the revolutionary war. (http://www.nchistoricsites.org/horsesho/main.htm) 

My first tweet is about how every student deserves to feel the pride of achievement. For some students this will be easy but for others this will require hard work. Either way students should understand that growth is the goal and that they can be successful. It is important to remember that we are sometimes their only cheerleader so we need to support and encourage every student.

My next tweet is about how we are being role models in even the smallest ways. Students are so SO observant. If we expect students to take risks we must model that same behavior. Growth takes place when students step out of their box however, the same goes for teachers.

My last tweet is resource list of apps to use in the classroom. The apps are organized into different categories that describe their purpose. This is the perfect resource for integrating technology into the classroom successfully and supporting the today's learner.

The current event I researched this week was the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled Mexico on tuesday. This is the second earthquake in a week however, this earthquake’s epicenter was on land. At least 225 people were killed and over 5 million remain without power. (https://www.dogonews.com/2017/9/20/powerful-7-dot-1-magnitude-earthquake-rocks-central-mexico) If you’re not familiar with DOGO news it is a wonderful website for kids to learn about current events.

My favorite aspects of this week’s text facilitation were the 5 tips about scaffolding because this can be very difficult to do successfully. Another aspect I really enjoyed was the common misconceptions in science. These misconceptions are very real for students and we should be planning and teaching to help address these issues to prevent gaps in student’s learning. This connects to standard 4B, teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students because teachers should be helping fill gaps not create them due to misconceptions.

Exhausting but SO Rewarding...

Week four is quickly coming to a close… which means my students are completing week 3! I’ve been very thankful to be in the classroom with them everyday this year so far except one. It’s been so great to see them grow on a daily basis. This week I was most proud of being able to help a few students with their addition and watch the light bulb go off in their head. That is a very satisfying moment when a student finally understands after working and working with that student. This week my struggle came with a wave exhaustion. Being in the school every day has been very rewarding and very tiring. However, lots of water and some extra sleep are easy solutions for that struggle. Something that brought me a lot of satisfaction this week was attending the PTO open house night at my school, the students were so excited to show their students what they had been learning and creating in the classroom!

Next week, I have the chance to sit in on a meeting where the 4th and 5th grade teachers will be deciding on flexible reading groups, where students will be switching classrooms during guided reading time. I’ve observed this type of grouping in a previous clinical experience in lower grades classroom, but I’m very interested to see it in action in 4th and 5th grade. This will also be very valuable to take part in this process because next semester when I begin teaching I will be able to transition in smoothly. This week in class we continued meeting about our science fair project and began discussing our next steps for the water cycle project.

This week’s outside learning came during this week’s PLT meeting. I was walked through powerschool, the system my school uses for a grade book and attendance. The lead teacher walked us through how to set up grading scales, how to add assignments, and so much more. This was very beneficial because all of the district I am in uses this system so I will be better prepared to utilize this system in my future classroom.

My first tweet from this week is about inquiry based learning. It's described here as having 4 pillars as part of it's foundation. The pillars are passions, goals, curiosity, and new challenges. These are four great ways to get your students about learning and engage them in inquiry-based learning.

My next tweet is about changing the mindset from "They didn't learn it" to "I didn't teach it well". This is important mindset change because without it we don't recognize the need for self reflection and changing things up. No student is the same and thus will require different teaching methods.

My last tweet is about a few formative assessment ideas to use for student reflection. One of my favorites included is actually the one that allows the student to make the choice for what fits them best. As I just mentioned every student is unique and has there own unique way of showing off their knowledge.

The current event I learned about this week is the spinach leaf that was transformed into beating human heart tissue (yes, you read that right)! I actually first heard about it while one of my student''s was on Dogo news reading about it. This would be perfect to show to students about real life science and get them engaged in inquiry based learning. 

This week was my week to unpack NCTCS 1A, 1B, and 1C so I learned a lot. It was very informative to go through and dissect these standards to find true meaning and intent behind it. For example pulling out key words and concepts was beneficial to grasp the full meaning of the standard. I look forward to seeing everyone else's NCTCS unpacked to get a more in depth knowledge about all of the standards!

Where did the week go?...

Wow this week has flown by! This week something I was most proud of was improving my classroom management skills. I had been having troubles getting students to quiet down whenever my CE left the room or stepped away. So I tried to be more confident when I told them to quiet down and to my surprise it actually helped! This week I was most proud of the number students that have begun to connect and ask me questions. To me this proved that the relationships I had been trying to build with students were beginning to pay off. Also, this week I was able to sit in on a PLT meeting where we were discussing different units and lessons. Thankfully I was very use to the language used in the units such as performance task, generalizations, and guiding questions. I remember my confusion level when I first heard these terms and I was very thankful to not have that feeling of cluelessness while diving into these units. Over the next week I hope to begin checking more things off of my checklist for EDUC 435 and do better with my time management. In SCED class this week, I was able to assist my classmates as we developed a deeper meaning of the New Bloom’s Taxonomy.

This week for my outside learning I did some research on the math website my CE plans to use in her, Prodigy. The website mixes math problems, online manipulatives, and fun games. The teacher is able to log in to see each student’s progress and when they are using the site. You can also embed formative assessments into the game. This site helps make math fun and exciting for students. And it’s also FREE! This is definitely something I would consider using in my future classroom and I’m very interested to see how this year’s students respond to it. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: https://prodigygame.com

My first tweet is about an awesome way to integrate tech into the classroom. Using VR to view the eclipse. This would be such an awesome experience for students and would get them truly excited to learn about it.

My next tweet revolves around the growth mindset. If we are going to change our classroom mindset then we must also change our classroom rules to reflect that change. These rules can inspire a student to become a better student, learner, researcher and so much more.

My last tweet is about making learning relevant for our students. Too often in classrooms you hear "Why are we doing this?", this question doesn't exist if teachers integrate real life into their classroom. Students get engaged and plugged in when they can find reason behind what they are doing.

This week's current event is sadly again centered around, the growing Hurricane Irma. The students have had tons and tons of questions about it. It's been very exciting to see their interest level in learning about it. Today we had a 10-15 minute conversation discussing what a hurricane is, what different categories of hurricanes mean, and the path that meteorologists currently think Irma will take. This lead to a lot of deep thinking from the students, an awesome learning moment that was student driven! This connects to NCTCS standard 3D, teachers make instruction relevant to students, this a real life event that could possibly impact them so incorporating this into the classroom made learning real for students.

 

First Week of School...

The first week of school is almost over and I’m already so thankful for a year long experience in the classroom I will be doing my student teaching. The ability to see how week one is run is such a valuable experience, so that I feel a little more prepared when eventually it’s my name on the door. This week was full of paperwork, rules, policies/procedures, base testing, and learning new things. The students have begun to get into the swing of things and know what is expected of them. This week in SCED we met about our science project. We were able to find a standard and then a project idea to connect it to. Next week we are going to continue to meet so I hope we continue to make good progress on this project.

Continuing last week’s outside research, I had the opportunity to observe the lead teacher from the county office teach a lesson using Number Talks. Students are introduced to this method using an arrangement of dots and the students must find out how many dots there are. I like this method because not only are students encouraged to do mental math but it encourages them to explore several ways to get to the answer. After a few minutes everyone comes together to share the different ways they find out the answer, wow did some students have some unique methods. In their explanations they must relate it to a math equation and use correct terminology. As you continue to use this method you eventually start to use equations rather than dots. Students are praised for contributing and all hands must go down when students are speaking so listening and learning is intentional. This is definitely a method I would like to use in my future classroom because it truly gives you a small glimpse of their math mindset. It also connects to Standard 4C of NCTCS, “Teachers use a variety of instructional methods”, because the teacher is providing and helping students explain the multiple ways to reach the correct answer. This is very beneficial to students because students understand things differently so presenting them with multiple methods increases their chance of success.

My first tweet is about the difference between technology integration and simply using technology in the classroom. The difference is so vital because if the tech is not truly being integrated then it is just a substitution. Instead technology should be used to enhance the learning experience and create more opportunities for students.

My next tweet is about home for some student's being your classroom. After being in the schools for a week, I realize this now more than ever. Students who don't get the attention love and crave the attention in the classroom, so it is important we provide a welcoming environment for our students.

My final tweet is about encouraging students to ask "Why not?" and think outside the box. The world is quickly changing and jobs that one day were reliable may no longer exist. We should encourage our students to dig deep and dream big as part of this new generation.

This week's current event is about Hurricane Harvey, this would be a current event to discuss when talking about weather patterns/disasters. Hurricane Harvey made landfall 3 times and put down 51.88 inches of rain. This has left the coast of Texas devastated, unfortunately a history making storm. Here is a link if you're interested in learning more about some of the numbers associated with the storm: http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricane-harvey-wreaks-historic-devastation-numbers/story?id=49529063

New Beginnings...

WOW WOW WOW! It's been a busy week and next week will be even busier! This week I had to the opportunity to work along side my CE in setting up her classroom, attending trainings, PTO luncheon, and open house. I'm beyond excited for the kids to come in Monday morning and get started working with them! One moment I was very proud of is that I was able to talk to the principal of my school about PDPs and what it means to make SMART goals (thank you Dr. Parker)! She was very impressed that I was familiar with this process. One area I have tried to improve upon this week is asking more questions, for example rather than just knowing that's how they do things, I try to find out why so I can better understand the procedure and thought process behind it. This week's class was  more of an overview week however I did have the chance to connect with my new classmates in trying to navigate the blackboard page. 

This week in my outside research I looked into "Number Talks". This is a new math method my school will be using for the upcoming year and since I am not familiar with it I decided to do some research. Number Talks is all about using relationships between numbers to do mental math. Students then can share the various ways they came to get their answer. I'm very interested to see how the students will respond to this method! Here's a link if you're interested in seeing some videos about it: http://www.insidemathematics.org/classroom-videos/number-talks

TTotW: My first tweet is about when students take ownership in their own learning. This is such a valuable aspect as it truly encourages students to do their best. It also encourages students to dig deeper and find the meaning behind what they are learning about. A few examples given in the infographic are: they become problem solvers, they view mistakes as learning opportunities, they become explorers. All of these things are huge benefits of students owning their learning. 

My next tweet is a Bloom's taxonomy cheat sheet. This cheat sheet includes some question starters for each level of bloom's. So the questions range from requiring surface level knowledge to requiring students to think outside of the box. These are super helpful for helping your students progress through their learning and supporting them along the way.

My last tweet is about the importance of student teacher relationships. In order to inspire and encourage a student you must first show them you care. I love the quote from this "The way to influence is to begin with warmth". This is so simple yet so forgotten. Connect with your students and the benefits will be amazing.

             

This week was Solar eclipse week! I unfortunately was not in the direct path and only saw about 90% coverage, however, it was still very eery with it feeling like dusk in the middle of the day. This current event connects perfectly with science because it's all about how the planets align and why this happens. The perfect topic to dive into with students to begin the school year because it's relevant and educational!

Part of what I learned about NCTCS this week came when I was in teacher training with my CE. As I sat there and read through the standards, I thought about how often I just relate these standards to how I think about teaching ELA or math. But that's not including the whole picture. I then read through them again with science instruction in mind and realized there were a lot of areas I felt I could be more prepared for. I am excited to begin science methods and become more prepared in those areas!

Final Blog..

Wow! That seems weird to say, this is my final blog of the semester! Wasn't it just course orientation like last week? While I'm very thankful for the quickly approaching summer break, I also realize that there is a LOT due in the short time left. I've learned this so much semester, academically and personally. Two big things, sometimes the thought process is just as important as the outcome and life is short so appreciate every second (even the bad moments). This has by far been my hardest semester but the amount knowledge I'm leaving it with proves it was worth the hard work and tears along the way.

This week we have been finishing and polishing up our units. I have very much missed seeing my kiddos and cannot believe next week will be our last with them! It's been such a great experience seeing them grow and develop throughout the semester.

In my outside research for this week I have found another formative assessment tool called Quizlet Live. Students go to a dedicated webpage then must enter a game pin. As soon as the students have entered the correct game pin they will be randomly assigned to teams (teams can be reshuffled). The game aspect is that students have to work in teams to sort vocabulary terms to their matching definitions. Teams earn points by making correct matches quickly, but their progress is reset to zero if they make a mistake so they need to focus on accuracy more than speed.
Here is the link: https://quizlet.com/live

I will definitely utilize this tool to help my future students learn and remember new vocabulary. Students will be engaged because of the gaming aspect included. It also connects to NCPTS standard 4F, teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities because students must work together cooperatively and collaboratively to win successfully.

How many more Weeks?

This week has been stressful to say the least, but it's almost Friday and thankfully almost the end of the semester! This week at Washington, I was able to work on a reading passage with a small group of students. The students did a picture walk through the passage and then we worked on the vocabulary words that would be included in the passage. The reading was on a 4th grade level for the 2nd grade students so I was pleasantly surprised at how well they did with the passage. I had two children in my group who also spoke Spanish. So my group had a great experience discussing one of the vocabulary words, that sounded similar to a Spanish word that meant the same thing. The students that did not know Spanish were very intrigued to see the similarities between the words plumes, large showy feathers, and plumas, a feather or a pen. I was very thankful for my small amount of Spanish knowledge during that lesson!

Connecting words in other languages is a great way to deepen student's knowledge and understanding of vocabulary. This connects to NCPTS Standard 2B, teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world, because it helps students that speak other languages feel included in the class and can deepen understanding. This is definitely a method I would like to include in my classroom when appropriate.

This week in my outside research I found another formative assessment tool, an app called ShowMe. This app is an interactive whiteboard that allows students to use the white board and record themselves explaining what they are doing. This would be a great tool to use in centers if you have iPads in the classroom. Students will be able to explain their thoughts as they work out a problem so you know exactly how to help them! Here is a link to the app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8

It's (almost) April?!...

Not sure how March has already come and gone (almost)! This past week I taught two lessons in my clinical placement classroom. This was the first time I taught a full lesson to actual elementary schoolers, so to say I was nervous is an understatement. But, it went so well! The kids were so interested to learn about Amelia Earhart. As their final activity they had to write a newspaper article for the "Earhart Times" that was about Amelia Earhart. It could be a letter to her, about her childhood, or whatever they wanted, as long as it fit the criteria. The kids absolutely loved it! I had to force them to stop working on it because we were out of time. Reading over there articles has been so much fun! This is definitely an activity I will want to use in my future classroom.

This week in my outside research I found another formative assessment method. The method is called misconception check. First you present students with a common misconception about a topic. Ask students to agree or disagree and then explain their decision. This can help you understand if this misconception is true in your own classroom and help correct it if it does. This connects to standard 4A, teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students. This is because teachers can see the student's thought process concerning that particular misconception and helps them plan accordingly.

Back to Reality...

This week was our first week back from spring break and it's already been a busy week! This week at Washington we had the opportunity to watch the students during their lunch and give the teachers a duty free lunch. This was an awesome chance to give back to the teachers that have provided us with such a great experience! 

This week for my outside research I found another form of formative assessment. This assessment is called One Minute Essay. Students simply respond in one minute to a question or prompt. The question should however require a short answer that will not frustrate the students. This method allows the teacher to see the students first thoughts when given a topic as they have only one minute to respond. I would use this method in my classroom as either review or as a pre-assement to find out what students already know about a topic. This relates to standard 4B, teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students because the teachers must either know the students prior knowledge or assess their level of understanding during a lesson.

Almost Spring Break...

This break is going to be much appreciated! Just to be able to relax, catch up on sleep and a few assignments. This week has been short but very busy! In Social Studies Methods this week I have enjoyed diving into the discovery of Zealandia, possibly the hidden 8th continent. This is the current event that Megan and I chose to talk about in our Global Citizenship project. I really liked linking a learning experience to a current event because of the value that I believe students will see in the activities. I think students will love getting engaged in real world events and having it connected to their learning. This connects to NCPTS standard 3C teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines because teachers should promote global awareness by connecting learning to current events.

This week in my outside learning I found another formative assessment method, the technique is called ABC Summaries. Each student is assigned a different letter of the alphabet and they must come up with a word that starts with that letter. The word must also be related to something they learned in that lesson. Students could also write a short explanation of why the word connects to the topic. I will definitely use this method in my future classroom because students are required to think out of the box and search their vocabulary to come up with a word to connect to the topic. They also must explain their reasoning which shows critical thinking skills.

Halfway Done!

Cannot believe it's already March and we have spring break in almost a week!! This week at Washington my group was given the opportunity to lead a Dr. Seuss activity as part of Read Across America Week. We made a cute fish craft that looked like the cover of the book we read, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish". We also did an activity where they had to sort rhyming words used in Dr. Seuss books and graphing activity with goldfish. This was a very exciting experience and the kids loved it!

In class this week, we discussed TPACK and SAMR. TPACK is the proper integration of technology, pedagogy, and content. In other words the technology used to teach, how to teach, and what to teach. These are all very important aspects to pay attention to as a teacher. Good teaching uses two of those areas, but GREAT teaching uses all three. SAMR then is how to use technology in your lessons. It begins with substitution, simply replacing a tool with technology but the task does not change. Next is Augmentation, still substituting a tool with technology but the task is improved. Then Modification, this is when the task is changed and redesigned because of technology. Finally Redefinition, this is when technology changes the task into something not possible without technology. This is great knowledge to apply to my future classroom because it pushes you to use technology as a tool to drive learning not just include as a checkoff. Today's learners are surrounded by technology and we should teach them how to utilize it to it fullest potential. This also relates to NCPTS Standard 5C, teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment, because technology is constantly improving and we should be utilizing this tool to it's fullest potential to stretch our student's mind.

This week I researched a formative assessment tool called, Quizalize (https://www.quizalize.com). It is a quick and easy formative assessment tool. Also allows students to respond to questions as individuals or work as teams. The teacher then receives data of correct and incorrect answers recorded for each student. Data can also be easily downloaded in order to analyze and make further plans.

Week 7 Already!?

I cannot believe this is the last blog of February! This semester has flown by! This week we went to Washington Elementary and had a Tech Smackdown day. My experience of Washington has been priceless, it gives me the opportunity to see an experienced teacher in the classroom and see how they teach. Each week I develop more and more of how I want to do things in my own classroom. Then today I attended my 2nd graders George Washington program. It was awesome to see the kids so excited to sing about what they had learned about George Washington!

Tech Smackdown day was another awesome highlight to this week. We sat (with mexican food) and shared our favorite tech tools that could be beneficial in our future classroom. One of the tools I researched was Formative, a tool for formative assessment that allows you to see your students screen as they work. I really like this tool because you can identify students who are struggling immediately and you can also keep students accountable because you know if they are working or not. I will definitely use this tool in my future classroom along with several of the other tools shared. This connects to NCPTS in so many ways! Standard 4H teachers use a variety of methods to assess what each student has learned, because this a unique way to formatively assess your students prior to a big assessment. It also connects to Standard 5A teachers analyze student learning, because as you watch students respond you can get a glimpse of their thinking process while answering their question then you can see how to intervene if the student is struggling.

 

 

Week 2 at Washington...

This week was our second week spending one class time at Washington Elementary School. I am loving it! It's been so valuable to see things such as our differentiation discussions in action, because it is one thing to talk about it among classmates but to see another teacher actually doing it is a great experience. I have learned so much about various ways to subtly differentiate so the students needs are met but students are not singled out. That is always a worry of mine is how to differentiate without making students feel different or singled out. I will be able to use some of the methods I am observing in my future classroom. This connects to standard 2A teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults because students should get the supports they need to learn without feeling different. It also connects to standard 2C teachers treat students as individuals because we should maintain high standards for all students but understand our students will need different ways to reach those standards.

One way this happened in the classroom this week was through hot dots.  I did not know much about this so I decided to research it a bit further. Hot dots are grade and subject specific multiple choice questions. The student simply reads the question then selects the answer using the Hot Dots pen. The pen then speaks and lights up to let the student know immediately if their answer was wrong or correct. Students can self-pace theirselves while working on areas they struggle on. Such a great tool I will definitely use to differentiate in my future classroom! Here is a link if you want to learn more: https://www.educationalinsights.com/category/our-brands/all-hot-dots/hot-dots.do

Welcome to Week 5...

It's finally week 5 and we are more than 25% into this course! That is unbelievable! As I reflect back I have learned so much already about new tools, resources, and strategies to place into my own classroom. This week one of the big focuses is on our Today's Learner project and the approach that students need is exactly what we have been working on with our units. They need to be creative, collaborative, and so much more. As a future teacher I try to envision what this will look like in my classroom. A lot of what I envision aligns with Standard 1 of NCPTS, Teachers demonstrate leadership. Specifically, 1A Teachers lead in their classroom because as part of this I will need to submerge myself into the mindset of what I am expecting from my students, I will need to think critically, make deep connections among the content, and work collaboratively with my colleagues. Also, standard 1D Teachers advocate for schools and students because many of these ideas will be new to our school system and to our students, such as the flipped classroom. However, if that is how your student's needs will be best met then the teacher must be the advocate. The in-flipped classroom is definitely something I would like to include in my future classroom to allow my students to apply their knowledge inside my classroom with my guidance.

This week in my outside research, I looked into a method of formative assessment called "3-2-1".  You simply have your student write down 3 questions they still have, 2 things they learned, and 1 thing they found interesting. One method of delivery could be a google form so answers are automatic and quick. By having students complete this you are requiring them to review the entire lesson and pick out pieces that align with the questions. You can also see where they struggled, what they understood, and what they liked to determine your next steps.

Broadening my Horizons....

Last week, we talked about teaching according to the "big picture". However, this week I feel like I'm truly starting to apply this as I begin to develop my generalizations and guiding questions for my unit.  As I sat and analyzed my unit, I began to think that it was too broad and that the questions I was developing were following that same pattern. But isn't that the point? If I am to truly teach according to the "big picture" then I shouldn't ask my students specific questions because then they will never make deep connections within the content. Asking specific questions would almost be like limiting my students rather than letting endless growth transpire! All of this links perfectly with NCPTS Standard 3C, teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content and Standard 4E, teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills because we are encouraging them to make deep connections between all subjects rather than just scraping the surface of individual content areas.

This week during my outside research, I learned about in-flipped classrooms. We all know that flipped classrooms are when learning happens outside the classroom and applying that learning inside the classroom. Well for an in-flipped classroom you let both of those things happen inside the classroom. One set of students watches a pre-recorded video of the teacher's instruction and the other half of students gets to work one on one with the teacher. This would allow for the teacher to more easily differentiate learning for students and to provide personalized supports. This would be an interesting method to try in my own future classroom to see how students responded. Here is the link to the article if you're interested in learning more about in-flipped classrooms: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipping-the-non-flippable-classes-jon-bergmann

New Perspectives...

Can't believe we are already on week 3 of classes! I've had a lot going on personally this week that's given me some new perspectives and I've also learned a lot in my classes that given me some new perspectives. First off, I'm still amazed I never knew the difference between a topic and concept. I've even found myself struggling to even use them interchangeably in everyday conversation now, haha! This week in class we've taken this even a step further my talking about how to truly utilize a concept to it's fullest potential by using two concepts together to compare/contrast. As a future educator, talking about this was sort of exciting because it opened up new doors for me to introduce information in completely new ways that will require my future students to think critically and intensively. 

In class, we also began, to discuss what is SMART goal? I truly didn't realize how deeply I could analyze a single sentence, but by the end of the process I have a specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound goal. Setting goals for ourselves is a vital process of being life long learners and also connects perfectly with Standard 5 of NCPTS, Teachers reflect on their practice because as part of that standard teachers are expected to link professional growth to their professional goals. 

In my outside research this week I decided to explore the world of makerspaces. Earlier this week, our class visited Washington Elementary. During our tour of the school we were shown the school's makerspace, needless to say I was intrigued because I had never heard of such a thing. I found an awesome article about what a makerspace is and how it can be used. Basically, it is a space planned to foster student creativity and enable growth through hands on activities. Helping students explore their learning by providing them with tools and a blank slate is a wonderful opportunity to develop students into critical thinkers. If you're interested feel free to check out this awesome article: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/fostering-creativity-with-makerspaces-nicholas-provenzano 

This is an awesome tool to help students and I would love to be able to create this (maybe on small scale) in my future classroom to help students learn by creating and exploring.

Hello Week 2...

It's great to be one week into all of my classes and slowly getting back into a schedule! This week in Social Studies Methods we have been discussing the difference between a concept and a topic. Before this week I would have said they were synonymous. Now I understand they relate more like pieces of puzzle compare to the whole puzzle. The concept is the whole puzzle and the topic is the individual pieces of the puzzle. We also learned that concepts should be timeless, abstract, universal, encompass the big picture, and transferable. This idea also relates to Standard 4, Teachers facilitate learning for their students. By teaching through concept based instruction, teachers help their students understand that subjects are not separate but fit together and work together. Integration of all subjects models how students will apply their knowledge in the real world and helps students make connections to remember what they learn.

In my outside research for this week, it focused on how to use social media/technology to facilitate differentiation. This is the topic of the week for our differentiation discussion. There has been several great points about how it can be a beneficial tool in the classroom and some things to remember before incorporating it such as validity or reliability. I also found an excellent article via twitter that discussed how incorporating technology into a 2017 classroom provides the opportunity for mastery to all students. The article also related this to the book "Oh the places you'll go" because of the endless possibilities technology gives us. It definitely inspired me to find ways to incorporate technology into my future classroom, in order to let students take control of their own learning and eventually reach the mastery level.

One Semester Closer...

As I begin this new semester I am quickly realizing the reality of student teaching. Spring of 2018 once seemed so far away but now it is only a year away. Seems like just yesterday I was blogging for my Education 250 course.

Today was our first class of Social Studies Methods, I am nervous but very excited to dive into this course. Social studies was definitely never my favorite because it seemed like something to memorize and forget so I never understood why I needed to learn it. However, even just after today when I read the Powerful and Purposeful Teaching and Learning in Elementary School Social Studies article I am beginning to realize the huge importance of teaching social studies in the classroom. It is a subject that normally gets placed on the back burner in post Elementary schools because it not part of the EOGs. Yet still the need to be a well-rounded student still exists so our students can become well-rounded citizens. As future teachers, standard 6 of NCPTS calls us to contribute to the academic success of our students. This means we should be preparing them all subjects so they can be successful in all areas. Throughout this semester I hope to discover teaching methods and projects to use in my future classroom to get students excited about Social Studies and change its bad reputation among students. Students are quick to realize when the teacher doesn't like or care about a subject and they will quickly adopt the same attitude. Throughout this semester I hope to discover teaching methods and projects to use in my future classroom to get students excited about Social Studies and change its bad reputation among students. I also want these methods and projects to make the learning relevant and important to my students.