Here are a few ideas that I loved learning about in this weeks reading.....
*Graphic Organizers are a great way to help the students learn to organize and analyze ideas.
*A Conversational Roundtable is a great way for students to discuss 4 different aspects of a topic.
*Evaluation Checklist is an awesome way for students to evaluate how well they worked.
*Developing Clarity About Learning Goals is great way for students to break down the steps of what they should know, should understand, and what they should be able to. This would be a great idea use in the classroom starting new units.
*I love the Novel Think-Tac-Toe! I love how the students have options.
*I love the idea of writing in your journal before and after learning a new idea.
This section is filled with so many useful ideas that I will for sure many copies for in my own classroom. I am looking forward to seeing how they benefit my students and me as a teacher!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Chapter 7
This was by far my favorite chapter!!!! Here are a few quotes I liked...
"All students are highly engaged in learning, and make material contributions to the success if the class by asking questions and participating in discussions, getting actively involved in learning activities, and using feedback in their learning. The teacher ensures the success of every student by creating a high-level learning environment; providing timely, high-quality feedback; and continuously searching for approaches that meet students needs."
"It's really all quite simple. Learning is hard work. People learn better when they feel valued and supported. To value and support learners, we must know them."
"Teaching is more efficient and effective when it matches the learners needs."
"It's really quite simple. Teaching is about building sound lives through the medium of the most worthwhile knowledge, understanding, and skill."
"It's quite simple. Effective teaching is responsive teaching. It begins with creating ties to each child. It begins with taming the fox."
"If we allow ourselves to fall in love with what we do, we will be born countless times, almost always in a form stronger and more fully human than the one that preceded it. Thus it may be that to teach more responsively, more effectively, we ultimately need to accept two challenges. First, we need to cultivate passion for what we do. Second, we need to remove our protective armor and allow our students to shape us, reflecting on and learning from what we see."
I wanted to end with this quote, because it is filled with the passion I want when I become a teacher. I have truly enjoyed reading, Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom, it is filled with stories and strategies that I will use in my future teaching. I want to thank Carol Ann Tomlinson for her words of wisdom.
"All students are highly engaged in learning, and make material contributions to the success if the class by asking questions and participating in discussions, getting actively involved in learning activities, and using feedback in their learning. The teacher ensures the success of every student by creating a high-level learning environment; providing timely, high-quality feedback; and continuously searching for approaches that meet students needs."
"It's really all quite simple. Learning is hard work. People learn better when they feel valued and supported. To value and support learners, we must know them."
"Teaching is more efficient and effective when it matches the learners needs."
"It's really quite simple. Teaching is about building sound lives through the medium of the most worthwhile knowledge, understanding, and skill."
"It's quite simple. Effective teaching is responsive teaching. It begins with creating ties to each child. It begins with taming the fox."
"If we allow ourselves to fall in love with what we do, we will be born countless times, almost always in a form stronger and more fully human than the one that preceded it. Thus it may be that to teach more responsively, more effectively, we ultimately need to accept two challenges. First, we need to cultivate passion for what we do. Second, we need to remove our protective armor and allow our students to shape us, reflecting on and learning from what we see."
I wanted to end with this quote, because it is filled with the passion I want when I become a teacher. I have truly enjoyed reading, Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom, it is filled with stories and strategies that I will use in my future teaching. I want to thank Carol Ann Tomlinson for her words of wisdom.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Chapters 5 and 6
"Teachers shape lives, not by providing a sturdier network of social services, not by helping the child explore the psyche, not be standing on the sidelines and providing strategies designed to capture the game point, but by equipping students with the intellectual wherewithal necessary to make their way in a world that increasingly demands academic preparation for full societal participation."
I started this post with this quote, because I thought is was powerful. This quote shows how priceless a teacher really is. Chapter 5 covers five elements of effective curriculum and instruction. The 5 elements are: Important, Focused, Engaging, Demanding, and Scaffolding. I found some key ideas for each element and they are...
Important- What we study is essential to building student understanding.
Focused- Whatever we do is designed to get us where we need to go.
Engaging- Students see themselves and their world in the work.
Demanding- Standards for work and behavior are high.
Scaffolded- Criteria for classroom operation and student behavior are clear to the students.
"Curriculum and instruction that are important, focused, engaging, demanding, and scaffolded give the students lofly things to do, establish an environment crafted on relationships and procedures that maximize the likelihood of success, tap into what matters to the learner, and build bridges between today's realities and the vision of tomorrow's suceess."
Wow... right now I can only dream of having a classroom like the one described in the quote above. I think if teachers applied these 5 elements in their classrooms, they would be amazed with the outcome.
Chapter 6 shares strategies for the 5 elements.
Strategies for Important, Focused, and Engaging
-Focus student products around significant problems and issues
-Use meaningful audiences
-Help students discover how ideas and skills are useful in the world
-Provide choices that ensure focus
-Look for fresh was to present and explore ideas
-Share your experiences and invite students to do the same
Strategies for Demaning and Supported
-Use tiered approaches
-Incorporate complex instruction
-Use a variety of rubrics to guide quality
-Provide learning contracts at appropriate times
-Aim high
-Take a "No Excuse" stance
-Become computer savvy
-Help students realize success is the result of effort
-Use the New American lecture format
-Designate a "Keeper of the Book"
-Try ThinkDots
-Directly teach strategies for working successfully with text
-Use think alouds
-Use small group instruction as a regular part of instructional cycles
-Establish peer networks for learning
-Promote language proficiency
-Use weekend study buddies
-Make peer-critique or peer-review sessions a regular feature
-Cue and coach student responses
-Team with Resourse Specialists
I thought this was an awesome chapter... there were so many helpful ideas to help establish the 5 elements into your classroom. I will honeslty take to heart these helpful strategies and incorporate them into my own classroom.
I started this post with this quote, because I thought is was powerful. This quote shows how priceless a teacher really is. Chapter 5 covers five elements of effective curriculum and instruction. The 5 elements are: Important, Focused, Engaging, Demanding, and Scaffolding. I found some key ideas for each element and they are...
Important- What we study is essential to building student understanding.
Focused- Whatever we do is designed to get us where we need to go.
Engaging- Students see themselves and their world in the work.
Demanding- Standards for work and behavior are high.
Scaffolded- Criteria for classroom operation and student behavior are clear to the students.
"Curriculum and instruction that are important, focused, engaging, demanding, and scaffolded give the students lofly things to do, establish an environment crafted on relationships and procedures that maximize the likelihood of success, tap into what matters to the learner, and build bridges between today's realities and the vision of tomorrow's suceess."
Wow... right now I can only dream of having a classroom like the one described in the quote above. I think if teachers applied these 5 elements in their classrooms, they would be amazed with the outcome.
Chapter 6 shares strategies for the 5 elements.
Strategies for Important, Focused, and Engaging
-Focus student products around significant problems and issues
-Use meaningful audiences
-Help students discover how ideas and skills are useful in the world
-Provide choices that ensure focus
-Look for fresh was to present and explore ideas
-Share your experiences and invite students to do the same
Strategies for Demaning and Supported
-Use tiered approaches
-Incorporate complex instruction
-Use a variety of rubrics to guide quality
-Provide learning contracts at appropriate times
-Aim high
-Take a "No Excuse" stance
-Become computer savvy
-Help students realize success is the result of effort
-Use the New American lecture format
-Designate a "Keeper of the Book"
-Try ThinkDots
-Directly teach strategies for working successfully with text
-Use think alouds
-Use small group instruction as a regular part of instructional cycles
-Establish peer networks for learning
-Promote language proficiency
-Use weekend study buddies
-Make peer-critique or peer-review sessions a regular feature
-Cue and coach student responses
-Team with Resourse Specialists
I thought this was an awesome chapter... there were so many helpful ideas to help establish the 5 elements into your classroom. I will honeslty take to heart these helpful strategies and incorporate them into my own classroom.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Chapter 3/4 Letter to Jaremy
Dear Jeremy,
In my Differentiation Class, Jamie explained the hardships you are dealing with currently, and my heart goes out to you and your students.
"Teaching is fundamentally about building lives. Differentiating instruction focuses on the uniqueness of each child's life as well as its commonalities with all other lives. To build lives in a differentiated classroom means building them both collectively and individually (pg24). In my class we learn about 5 key teacher responses to students needs and they are: Invitation, Opportunity, Investment, Persistence and Reflection. I am going to break them down....
Invitation The teacher's words, demeanor and actions meed to communicate the following:
1- I respect who you are as well as who you can become.
2-I want to know you.
3- You are unique and valuable.
4- I believe in you.
5-I have time for you.
6- I lean when I listen to you.
7- This place is yours too.
8- We need you here.
Opportunity The teacher's words, demeanor and actions meed to communicate the following:
1- I have important thing for you to do here today.
2-The things I ask you to do are worthy things.
3- The things I ask you to do are often daunting.
4- The things I ask you to do open new possibilities for you.
5-The things I give you to do here help you become all you can be.
6- You have specific roles here that make us all more efficient and effective.
Investment The teacher who communicates investment to learners makes it clear:
1- I work hard to make this place work for you.
2-I work to make this place reflect you.
3- I enjoy thinking about what we do here.
4- I love to find new paths to success.
5- It is my job to help you succeed.
6- I am your partner in growth.
7- I will do what it takes to ensure your growth.
Persistence The teacher needs to help students understand that this is a place where persistence is a hallmark. To do that, the teacher must communicate the following:
1- You're growing, but you're not finishing growing.
2- When one route doesn't work, there are others we can find.
3- Let's figure out what works best.
4- There are no excuses here, but there is support.
5- there is no finish line in learning.
Reflection Not only do teachers benefit from reflective practice, but students derive important messages from reflective teachers as well. To the student, a reflective teacher communicates the following:
1- I watch you and listen to you carefully and systematically.
2- I make sure to use what I learn to help you learn better.
3- I try to see things through your eyes.
4- I continually ask, "How is this partnership working?"
5- I continually ask, "How can I make this better?"
Jaremy I hope my thoughts help you in this time of need. I know you are going to make a great teacher, because you are making time to see the invisible. These students need you Jaremy! Don't be the one who gives up on them. Be the one who makes the difference. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerly,
Mallory Murphey
In my Differentiation Class, Jamie explained the hardships you are dealing with currently, and my heart goes out to you and your students.
"Teaching is fundamentally about building lives. Differentiating instruction focuses on the uniqueness of each child's life as well as its commonalities with all other lives. To build lives in a differentiated classroom means building them both collectively and individually (pg24). In my class we learn about 5 key teacher responses to students needs and they are: Invitation, Opportunity, Investment, Persistence and Reflection. I am going to break them down....
Invitation The teacher's words, demeanor and actions meed to communicate the following:
1- I respect who you are as well as who you can become.
2-I want to know you.
3- You are unique and valuable.
4- I believe in you.
5-I have time for you.
6- I lean when I listen to you.
7- This place is yours too.
8- We need you here.
Opportunity The teacher's words, demeanor and actions meed to communicate the following:
1- I have important thing for you to do here today.
2-The things I ask you to do are worthy things.
3- The things I ask you to do are often daunting.
4- The things I ask you to do open new possibilities for you.
5-The things I give you to do here help you become all you can be.
6- You have specific roles here that make us all more efficient and effective.
Investment The teacher who communicates investment to learners makes it clear:
1- I work hard to make this place work for you.
2-I work to make this place reflect you.
3- I enjoy thinking about what we do here.
4- I love to find new paths to success.
5- It is my job to help you succeed.
6- I am your partner in growth.
7- I will do what it takes to ensure your growth.
Persistence The teacher needs to help students understand that this is a place where persistence is a hallmark. To do that, the teacher must communicate the following:
1- You're growing, but you're not finishing growing.
2- When one route doesn't work, there are others we can find.
3- Let's figure out what works best.
4- There are no excuses here, but there is support.
5- there is no finish line in learning.
Reflection Not only do teachers benefit from reflective practice, but students derive important messages from reflective teachers as well. To the student, a reflective teacher communicates the following:
1- I watch you and listen to you carefully and systematically.
2- I make sure to use what I learn to help you learn better.
3- I try to see things through your eyes.
4- I continually ask, "How is this partnership working?"
5- I continually ask, "How can I make this better?"
Jaremy I hope my thoughts help you in this time of need. I know you are going to make a great teacher, because you are making time to see the invisible. These students need you Jaremy! Don't be the one who gives up on them. Be the one who makes the difference. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerly,
Mallory Murphey
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Student Profile/Interest Survey and Pre-Assessment
*I viewed the Student Profile Survey and I like how there are two columns stating, "Like me" and "Not like me". However, I am not a big fan of how the directions are set up. I know this is an easy survey, but if you were a third grader, and you saw the directions, wouldn't you feel a tad over whelmed. As a teacher I would go over the directions as a class so I know everyone understands.
*I loved the Student Interest Survey! The directions are sweet and to the point. I like how there are some in depth questions and then again fun questions like, favorite sport or movie. I will for sure use this in my class!
*I checked out the Pre-Assessment Inventory on Blackboard, and I think it is very helpful. I like how it is very organized and thought out. It is nice how there is a column for what is being inventoried, a column for the students trait, and also it is great that there is a comment column that gives you feedback and ideas and you can add to it too! I think this would be very beneficial in my classroom!
*I loved the Student Interest Survey! The directions are sweet and to the point. I like how there are some in depth questions and then again fun questions like, favorite sport or movie. I will for sure use this in my class!
*I checked out the Pre-Assessment Inventory on Blackboard, and I think it is very helpful. I like how it is very organized and thought out. It is nice how there is a column for what is being inventoried, a column for the students trait, and also it is great that there is a comment column that gives you feedback and ideas and you can add to it too! I think this would be very beneficial in my classroom!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What's is Being the Idea of Differentiated Classroom?/ Student Needs as the Impetus for Differentiation
Chapter 1 Quotes
"Teachers must take into account who they are teaching. The goal of a differentiatied classroom is to plan actively and consistently to help each learner move as far and as fast as possible along a learning continuum." pg2 "The one-size-fits-all teacher may very well discover that the "size" of instruction he or she has selected fits almost no one." pg 2
"There are 4 student traits that teachers must often address to ensure effective and efficient learner. Those are readiness, interest, learning profile, and affect." pg 3
"There are also 4 classroom elements they can modify in response to variations among students. Those are content, process, product, and learning environment." pg 4
"We make time to see the invisible."pg 9
"The most effective teaching does not seek transmission of knowledge isolated from human need, but rather attempts to help young learners discover the power of knowledge to reveal, amplify, and develop the best that is in them." pg 12
Chapter 2 Quotes
"If a child feels unsafe, threatened, or insecure, the brain blocks off the pathways to learning and attends to the more basic human needs instead." pg 15
5 Key Needs of Learners: Affirmation, Contribution, Power, Purpose, and Challenge. pg 16-19
"Effective differentiation begins with awareness and understanding of basic student needs. It progresses as teachers become more and more adept at understanding how those basic needs are manifested in the classroom and how each facet of classroom experiences meets a learner's need-or misses the mark for that learner." pg 19-20
"The truth is, we will never really do all each child needs us to do. A simultaneous truth is that the first truth is no reason to stop trying." pg 22
"Connecting with each child is at the heart of differentiated teaching, because this approach to teaching does not accept learners as interchangeable parts." pg 22
"Teaching is fundamentally about building lives." pg 24
"Differentiating instruction focuses on the uniqueness of each child's life as well as its commonalities with all other lives. To build lives in a differentiated classroom means building them both collectively and individually." pg 24
Thoughts on Chapters 1 & 2
This blog is like my journal... so I want to write down all of the quotes I like and then write my thoughts and feelings about how I felt about the reading.
-I thought this weeks reading was quite touching. I want to be that kind of teacher who sees the invisible and connects with each student. I want to create a classroom environment where my students feel like they can contribute, feel affirmative, have power, feel purpose, and are challenged. I want my classroom to be secure and non-threatening. I want to teach so each student can succeed. This weeks reading really touched me, because I've had teachers who compare to the reading, and I can truly say, they made me who I am today.
Monday, September 14, 2009
A Brief Primer on Differentiation
I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed the reading.... this book isn't like other textbooks. When I was reading I highlighted the things I wanted to reflect on or I thought interesting; thus, I am going to write a few quotes I liked.
*"Effective teachers, like effective parents, work from a coherent but ever-evolving set of beliefs and principles and teaching and learning."
*"Differentiated teaching is responsive teaching"
*"She must balance two factors in her classroom: the needs of her students and the requirements of a curriculum."
*"Four classroom elements: who she teaches, where she teaches, what she teaches, and how she teaches."
*"The more fully she understands who she teaches, the more aware she is that she must adapt what she teaches to serve individual learners well."
*Students Characteristics: Readiness, Interest, and Learining profile.
I thought the section I read was very helpful and easy to understand. I look forward to future readings.... I am actually being honest I love how the authors speak to me.
*"Effective teachers, like effective parents, work from a coherent but ever-evolving set of beliefs and principles and teaching and learning."
*"Differentiated teaching is responsive teaching"
*"She must balance two factors in her classroom: the needs of her students and the requirements of a curriculum."
*"Four classroom elements: who she teaches, where she teaches, what she teaches, and how she teaches."
*"The more fully she understands who she teaches, the more aware she is that she must adapt what she teaches to serve individual learners well."
*Students Characteristics: Readiness, Interest, and Learining profile.
I thought the section I read was very helpful and easy to understand. I look forward to future readings.... I am actually being honest I love how the authors speak to me.
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