Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Assessment

How do I assess student learning?

In my classroom, I use formal assessments from a book, teacher created tests and rubrics. I use informal assessments while they work by teacher observation, using the Senteo system, playing educational games on the SMART Board, and using white boards to show answers.

How do I involve students in the assessment process?

I would say this a weak area of my teaching. I have had the students help create a rubric with me for an assessment and evaluate each other as far as participation in a group project but that's about all. I generally establish which standards are to be covered and how they will be assesed. The students do know at the beginning of a unit what the assessment will include and it's format.

I am going to use my blogging question with my students when they go to the computer lab to check their understanding of the topic we are working on right now in class and to see if they like to blog. Some of my higher students have blogged before in response to a book that was read to them. I am concerned that my lower students will have a hard time blogging because of their spelling skill level.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Unit Plan Reflection

How can I use the Internet to support my teaching and students' learning?

My second grade students come to school with very little background knowledge. I use the internet to bring world experiences into the classroom without the students actually visiting the sites. When we learn about animals and their habitats we can visit the jungle online, for example. The students can also research on the internet given a list of approved sites and computer lab time.

How can I ensure responsible and appropriate use of the Internet?

My students need to be supervised while on the Internet. They will be given a list of approved sites for them to use. We will also discuss the correct ways to use the Internet and the consequences for incorrect use.

Cosider how the knowledge you gained from this module will impact your teaching and your students' learning. Record your insights, key learnings, and questions or concerns in your reflection.
I would like to incorporate more independent research on the Internet for my students. I had not considered using a specific site list for the students but I think this is a very good idea. I would think it less likely that students would wander onto other sites if they have an approved list. I would hate for one of my second graders to find an inappropriate site. I am apprehensive about allowing my students on the Internet for just that reason.

Project info: My project is on Measurement and the students will create a power point showing objects they measured and the actual measurements.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Why Measurement?

My instructional unit is for second grade and deals with the topic of measurement. In this unit we will cover money, tools used for measuring, clocks and equivalencies in measurement.

My essential question is: Is math more than numbers?
My unit questions is: When do we use measurement in the real world?
My content questions are: How much money is here?
What is the change for this purchase?
What is the length of ______ using a ruler?
What time is shown on the clock?
How many inches are in one foot?

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Beginning Class Sessions

I am currently teaching second grade and am hopeful the skills from this class will make me a better teacher. It was a good reminder to look at the 21st Century Skills again. Our students will not be looking for jobs in the same market we were. Project Based Learning is effective in a differentiated classroom where all students can work at their level cooperatively. I have used projects before but had not called them "projects". Our entire second grade will be working on creating a weather brochure this month as an assessment to our weather unit. Each student will work on their own during computer time. The TIS at our school is assisting with this project. I will also use projects as teaching/assessment tools in other units. I was not sure how I would use a curriculum framing question in my classroom. I think with second graders I have to be pretty specific with instruction.