Shelbi Burnett
ED 498-Dr. Brooks
April 12, 2013
ATLAS Protocol
Introduction
Through working with, and observing English language learning (ELL) students during tutoring hours in addition to our class activities in ED 498, we have come to understand that these students have specific needs in the classroom. Often these diverse needs demand activities which are structured differently from those only designed for native English speaking students; however, these needs are not entirely different to students who struggle in content area vocabulary development. In fact some of the activities we can design and implement to aide ELL students, can help all students in content area classrooms with stringent vocabulary demands. Continue reading 'Using the ATLAS Protocol to Assess Student Work'»
Novel Resource Guide
Our task in ED 420 this semester was to create a plan to teach a unit using a novel. Because my content area is science, I was hesitant to use a science fiction novel so I used the historical science book of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. By accessing the link, the viewer has access to all of the information necessary to teach a unit using the book, from discussion questions to in class activities, and assessments.
Craft and Structure (9-10), ED 420 Content Literacy, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (9-10), Key Ideas and Details (9-10), Lesson Plans, Range of Reading (9-10), Standard #1: Learner Development., Standard #2: Learning Differences., Standard #5: Innovative Applications of Content., Standard #6: Assessment, Standard #7: Planning for Instruction., Standard #8: Instructional Strategies., Standard 2: Nature of Science, Standard 4: Issues, Standard 7: Science in the Community, Standard 8: Assessment
Reflection of my Teaching Experience
On December 6th, I had the opportunity to teach the lesson I had worked to design for Mr. Pitcock’s 7th grade science class. Because I had spent the entire semester observing this group, I had many ideas swirling around how I wanted to design the lesson, and what I wanted the students to take away from the experience. I had noted the lack of student focused instruction throughout the fall, and it was something by which I was troubled. I feel very strongly that science is a subject in which it is best to engage students with critical and authentic learning experiences where they can investigate and explore. So, in response to this, my first step, after discussing the topic of the lesson with Mr. P, was to design a classroom activity which would get students up out of their seats, and into a learning experience through which they could work together to investigate a topic for themselves.
Continue reading 'Teaching Experience & Reflection'»
All Posts, ED 327 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Middle Level Learners, Standard #10: Collaboration, Standard #3: Learning Environments., Standard #5: Innovative Applications of Content., Standard #6: Assessment, Standard #7: Planning for Instruction., Standard #8: Instructional Strategies., Standard #9: Reflection and Continuous Growth., Standard 3: Inquiry
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Reflection, Student Focus
This is resource file is a collection of developmental materials for first year middle and secondary education teachers built to assist them in shaping their instruction and curricular practice during their first years as professionals. In the first years teaching, it is critical for young teachers to build a sense of personal efficacy in the classroom–these resources might be a helpful place to start!
Start of School Resources
The start of the school year is a critical time for all new teachers. It is the time when you make your first impressions on the students and their parents, and the best time to set the expectations of your classroom for the rest of the year. These resources are all various tips, tools, tricks, and articles for helping teachers get the year started on the best note!
- This article is an interview with a new teacher and her thoughts on the first day as well as the future of education. The article describes her experiences as a first year
- http://www.thecherawchronicle.com/view/full_story/20129776/article-New-teachers-enter-classrooms-all-over-Chesterfield-County?instance=popular
- This article emphasizes the importance of establishing expectations within a classroom on the first day, as well as other important aspects to consider before embarking on your first day of school.
- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/creating-great-first-impression-grades-6%C2%968
- This site gives tips for back to school for teachers. It includes classroom set up, prepping for the first week, classroom management, and working with parents.
- http://www.nea.org/tools/back-to-school-guide.html
- This website offers resources to help teachers stay organized including back to school checklists, decoration ideas, letters to parents, and ideas from real teachers.
- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/get-smart-start
- This article from the NEA gives tips for classroom management for new teachers. Many teachers are nervous about going into new classroom and managing student behavior as well as the learning environment, but this article offers four areas to consider to establish an environment that promotes learning while being safe and structured.
- http://www.nea.org/tools/management-tips-for-new-teachers.html
Continue reading 'Resource File'»
All Posts, ED 327 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Middle Level Learners, Resources, Standard #5: Innovative Applications of Content., Standard #6: Assessment, Standard #7: Planning for Instruction., Standard #8: Instructional Strategies., Standard 3: Inquiry, Standard 6: Curriculum, Standard 7: Science in the Community, Standard 8: Assessment
| Resources
Ed 327 Reflection 5
December 4, 2012
The past few observations I have experienced with Mr. Pitcock’s class, two of the classes have been taking an exam, which has had me thinking about assessments a little bit. I know we haven’t really talked about assessments in this class, but I can’t help but think about it here because it is a definite part of what we do during the school day and year, and well we all have finals coming up soon too! Continue reading 'Reflection of the Fifth 2 Weeks at Westlane'»
Ed 327 Reflection 2
October 4, 2012
Observations…
Mr. Pitcock runs a very structured classroom. I am not sure if the students recognize it exactly because there is significant freedom with in that structure. Although this was something I recognized in my first impressions of him, it still manages to shock me the subsequent times I have been observing his class. Continue reading 'Reflection of the Second 2 Weeks at Westlane'»
There are many different types of effective assessments. Below I have outlined different types of assessments as well as various modifications/accommodations which can be used in the classroom to differentiate for these assessments.
Continue reading 'Designing Assessments'»
Assessments can be particularly tricky to design. The links below provides excellent examples and tips for designing assessments.
http://www.indiana.edu/~best/write_better_t ests.shtml#V-‐1
http://caacentre.lboro.ac.uk/dldocs/otghdout. pdf
| Points |
5 |
3 |
1 |
| Ideas |
This paper is clear and focused. It holds the reader’s attention. Relevant details and quotes enrich the central theme. |
The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though development is still basic or general. |
As yet, the paper has no clear sense of purpose or central theme. To extract meaning from the text, the reader must make inferences based on sketchy or missing details. |
| Organization |
The organization enhances and showcases the central idea or theme. The order, structure, or presentation of information is compelling and moves the reader through the text. |
The organizational structure is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion. |
The writing lacks a clear sense of direction. Ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal structure. |
| Voice |
The writer speaks directly to the reader in a way that is individual, compelling, and engaging. The writer crafts the writing with an awareness and respect for the audience and the purpose for writing. |
The writer seems sincere but not fully engaged or involved. The result is pleasant or even personable, but not compelling. |
The writer seems indifferent, uninvolved, or distanced from the topic and/or the audience. |
| Word Choice |
Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging. |
The language is functional, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writer’s meaning on a general level. |
The writer struggles with a limited vocabulary, searching for words to convey meaning. |
| Sentence Fluency |
The writing has an easy flow, rhythm, and cadence. Sentences are well built, with strong and varied structure that invites expressive oral reading. |
The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical, more mechanical than fluid. |
The reader has to practice quite a bit in order to give this paper a fair interpretive reading. |
| Conventions |
The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, paragraphing) and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. Errors tend to be so few that just minor touchups would get this piece ready to publish. |
The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. |
Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, and grammar and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read. |
| Presentation |
The form and presentation of the text enhances the ability for the reader to understand and connect with the message. It is pleasing to the eye. |
The writer’s message is understandable in this format. |
The reader receives a garbled message due to problems relating to the presentation of the text. |
During ED 228 we were asked to design an objective summative assessment in the form of a vocabulary quiz based on a lesson we had created to teach vocabulary. The assessment below is a sample vocabulary quiz I might give 7th grade students after the completion of a lesson teaching about the cell. Continue reading 'Sample Objective Assessment'»
As part of ED 228, we designed assessments for the lesson plans we created. The assessment below is an example of an authentic summative assessment with a rubric which I would give students for a project on content area vocabulary. Continue reading 'Sample Authentic Assessment'»
Throughout Content Literacy, we discussed the need for Hooks and Closures. These are two integral parts of the lesson planning process which help students by creating continuity between lessons, objectives, and standards, and which also help instructors by informing them of where students are struggling with material. Listed below are examples of various types of Hooks and Closures to be used in lesson planning. Continue reading 'Hooks And Closures'»
All Posts, ED 228: Content Literacy, Resources, Standard #5: Innovative Applications of Content., Standard #6: Assessment, Standard #7: Planning for Instruction., Standard #8: Instructional Strategies., Standard 5: General Skills of Teaching, Standard 8: Assessment
| assessments, Closures, Hooks, Lesson Plan
Prompt:
Describe your mentor teacher’s style of classroom management and communication. Do you feel it is effective? What is it that gives you this impression? What aspect of your mentor teacher’s style would you include in your own classroom, and what aspect would you eliminate? Give a rationale. Watch your mentor teacher’s style of communication for 20-30 minutes: voice tone, facial expression, body language, hand gestures, eye contact, etc. How did the students react to the teacher’s style? Was there any particular aspect of the style that was more effective than another? What aspect of communication do you need to develop in order to assure student attentiveness?
Continue reading 'Role of Discipline in the Community'»
Prompt:
Considering what we have read in Vatterott, Wood and Van Hoose et. all about the philosophy of creating middle schools and high schools that reflect responsiveness to students’ developmental needs, think about your impressions of Shortridge’s attempts to live a student-centered philosophy. With a digital camera, document images of Shortridges “philosophy in action.” What does the image say about this school’s, teacher’s, club’s, etc. image of a learner? Provide 2-3 images and 2-3 counter images. For the reflection component, provide a caption explaining the context of each image. Then, provide a reflective rationale to address the prompt.
Continue reading 'Instructional Patterns and Strategies for Student Focused Schools'»
All Posts, ED 227: Introduction to Middle Secondary Education, Standard #1: Learner Development., Standard #2: Learning Differences., Standard #3: Learning Environments., Standard #4: Content Knowledge., Standard #5: Innovative Applications of Content., Standard #6: Assessment
| Classroom Management, learning environment, needs, Student Focus
So, if you had a million dollars what would you do? Would you invest in developing skills? Would you research? Would you fix what you have? Or would you do nothing: give it all away?
The articles from this week are proposing an interesting question and it is up to all of us future teachers to decide what new frontiers we will break into during our future in education. Throughout this semester we have repeatedly identified that technology is an invaluable resource in the classroom (like having access to a million dollars). We have clarified there are infinite ways of incorporating it into curriculum and pedagogy, and it is clearly possible for all these things to take place: but will it happen? Continue reading 'What Will You Do With Your Million Dollars?'»
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