Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I analyzed my data last night. I found out that over half of my students that participated in the paper and pencil lessons could not identify the different coins, and over 80% of them could not complete the worksheet without assistance from the teacher. With the manipulative lessons, 78% of my students identified the coins, and 93% of my students could complete the assessment correctly. I believe this is because I could differentiate each problem for each student. I also think the students find it much easier to recognize the real money over the worksheet money. Over all it was just easier for myself and the students to use manipulatives. Plus, I could invent games with the maipulative lessons.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My inquiry project is going well. I have done a couple of lessons using the hands on activities versus the paper and pencil lessons. I have not analyzed my data yet, but I have noticed how easy it was to differentiate my lessons with the hands on activities. In the middle of a lesson if a child is doing well or struggling I would change my lesson to fit every child's needs. I have noticed that my students that had the paper and pencil activities had a more difficult time recognizing the coins compared to the children who used the manipulatives.
I found that using real coins worked well for manipulatives for my hands on activities. I have also found great resources at the LRC of NKU. There I was able to take out the math Basel reader that my school has and correlated my lessons to the other teachers lessons. I am looking forward to taping my lessons, and analyzing my data.
I found that using real coins worked well for manipulatives for my hands on activities. I have also found great resources at the LRC of NKU. There I was able to take out the math Basel reader that my school has and correlated my lessons to the other teachers lessons. I am looking forward to taping my lessons, and analyzing my data.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My inquiry plans involves finding quality resources, and finding if paper and pencil learning/assessment is as effective as hands-on learning/assessment. I first have been looking for quality paper/pencil and hands-on resources. This has been very hard. Most of the best resources cost money, and working for a non-profit organization I do not really have any money to spend. I have been looking online and found a few great web sites. I would love to use some of the interactive web sites but we still have no computer. I also have found some paper/pencil worksheets as resources. I have a meeting with some of the other kindergarten teachers tomorrow to see what resources they use and if I can use any of their resources. I plan on reviewing the coins that we have learned the rest of this week, and then start my inquiry plan next week. I guess we'll see how it goes.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Task Five
Games for learning and assessment-video
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I loved this video. I only wish my classroom what one-eight as hi-tech as those schools. I don’t even have a computer in my room myself, much less my student. I am a big believer in technology helping the future learner, but we never seem to have the funding. I would love to give my students some time to play on the computer.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
Knowing that these students are able to get the technology that they need in the classroom, I feel that I should be able to get computers in my classroom. I found some resources on this website about grants that I am going to try. I also know a person who writes grants, and I am thinking about asking her about the best way to get the resources that I need.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
I could choose the topic of how to get adequate resources for my students in my inquiry plan.
Confronting the crisis in teacher training-article
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I chose this article because even though I graduated I still feel unprepared in being a teacher. There are so many questions I still have, and I constantly doubt myself. This article talks about the need for more quality education for the teachers which gives the students better quality education. I feel that my students should get the best education possible, but I do not always think I am doing that.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
All teachers must be prepared at all times. It is better to over plan then to under-plan. However, what if you don’t know what to plan, nor have the resources to plan? To be honest I feel that some of my education classes were just requirement classes and did not teach me anything. I really need to learn more about planning and all that goes into planning a lesson, unit, etc. I know how to make great lesson plans, but I was never taught where to start.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
I could use this in my inquiry plan by learning all about planning. I want to learn how do you start, how do you know how long to take, how to fit everything in one day that I need to, etc.
The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008-Blog
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I am all about technology! Well, the technology that I know how to use. I think classroom web pages are so great. You can do millions of things with classroom pages. If I had a classroom page I would have my news letter, communication board, activities we are doing in the classroom, and so much more on it. I think you cannot go wrong with a classroom webpage.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
This is a resource that I would love to have. I think this would help with my communication with my parents. I also think it is important having the parents know what I am doing in the classroom every day. However, right now I am doing lessons day to day. I have no clue what I am going to be teaching later this week. So, how as I suppose to make this wonderful website if I have no clue what to put on it because I don’t know what I am doing in the classroom. I need to be able to plan more than one day at a time to even be able to use this resource to its full potential.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
My main focus in my inquiry plan I think will be planning a sequence of lessons and using quality resources. I think a web page would be a quality resource if I could plan more than one day at a time.
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I loved this video. I only wish my classroom what one-eight as hi-tech as those schools. I don’t even have a computer in my room myself, much less my student. I am a big believer in technology helping the future learner, but we never seem to have the funding. I would love to give my students some time to play on the computer.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
Knowing that these students are able to get the technology that they need in the classroom, I feel that I should be able to get computers in my classroom. I found some resources on this website about grants that I am going to try. I also know a person who writes grants, and I am thinking about asking her about the best way to get the resources that I need.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
I could choose the topic of how to get adequate resources for my students in my inquiry plan.
Confronting the crisis in teacher training-article
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I chose this article because even though I graduated I still feel unprepared in being a teacher. There are so many questions I still have, and I constantly doubt myself. This article talks about the need for more quality education for the teachers which gives the students better quality education. I feel that my students should get the best education possible, but I do not always think I am doing that.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
All teachers must be prepared at all times. It is better to over plan then to under-plan. However, what if you don’t know what to plan, nor have the resources to plan? To be honest I feel that some of my education classes were just requirement classes and did not teach me anything. I really need to learn more about planning and all that goes into planning a lesson, unit, etc. I know how to make great lesson plans, but I was never taught where to start.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
I could use this in my inquiry plan by learning all about planning. I want to learn how do you start, how do you know how long to take, how to fit everything in one day that I need to, etc.
The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008-Blog
How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?
I am all about technology! Well, the technology that I know how to use. I think classroom web pages are so great. You can do millions of things with classroom pages. If I had a classroom page I would have my news letter, communication board, activities we are doing in the classroom, and so much more on it. I think you cannot go wrong with a classroom webpage.
How does this deepen your thinking about this domain?
This is a resource that I would love to have. I think this would help with my communication with my parents. I also think it is important having the parents know what I am doing in the classroom every day. However, right now I am doing lessons day to day. I have no clue what I am going to be teaching later this week. So, how as I suppose to make this wonderful website if I have no clue what to put on it because I don’t know what I am doing in the classroom. I need to be able to plan more than one day at a time to even be able to use this resource to its full potential.
How could this fit into your inquiry plan?
My main focus in my inquiry plan I think will be planning a sequence of lessons and using quality resources. I think a web page would be a quality resource if I could plan more than one day at a time.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Task four
What was that domain? Why did you choose this domain?
The domain that I chose was domain one. I chose domain one because I feel that I need the most work in my planning of lessons. I feel like I am not engaging all of my students at specific times in the day.
Which component from this domain are you most comfortable with?
I feel that I am most comfortable with the setting instructional outcomes component. I feel that my outcomes for my lessons are well aligned, easy to understand, and suitable for most learners.
Which component from this domain do you believe most strongly ties to instruction?
To be honest I do not think that you could disregard any of the components of planning and preparation, but the component that I think ties most strongly to instruction is demonstration of content and pedagogy. I believe without the knowledge of the content and how to teach the content, one cannot teach. I also think that one must possess both aspects, not just one.
Which component from this domain would you like to zero in on in your own instruction?
I would like to learn more about demonstrating knowledge if resources. In my classroom right now I have very limited resources, and I feel that my classroom is suffering hugely for that reason. I feel that if I knew how to get quality resources my students will be able to do more hands on activities, and learn more.
The domain that I chose was domain one. I chose domain one because I feel that I need the most work in my planning of lessons. I feel like I am not engaging all of my students at specific times in the day.
Which component from this domain are you most comfortable with?
I feel that I am most comfortable with the setting instructional outcomes component. I feel that my outcomes for my lessons are well aligned, easy to understand, and suitable for most learners.
Which component from this domain do you believe most strongly ties to instruction?
To be honest I do not think that you could disregard any of the components of planning and preparation, but the component that I think ties most strongly to instruction is demonstration of content and pedagogy. I believe without the knowledge of the content and how to teach the content, one cannot teach. I also think that one must possess both aspects, not just one.
Which component from this domain would you like to zero in on in your own instruction?
I would like to learn more about demonstrating knowledge if resources. In my classroom right now I have very limited resources, and I feel that my classroom is suffering hugely for that reason. I feel that if I knew how to get quality resources my students will be able to do more hands on activities, and learn more.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Task Three
Think about your assumptions about learning?
I assume that all people are lifelong learners. I know that I am learning new things every day. I learn from my life experiences and the people that I am around.
Do all students have a capacity to learn?
All students have the capacity to learn. I have a friend that is a special education teacher. She had a student in her practicum that was diagnosed as mentally retarded. His teacher told my friend that he will never learn anything that she may try to teach him. My friend did not believe that. She taught that little boy ten new words in the matter of six months. That might not seem like a lot, buy that child was learning. She proved to that boy’s teacher that he can learn if someone would just believe in him.
What shapes this capacity?
There are so many different aspects that shape the capacity of learning. If a child has a support system through home and school the better ability of learning a student may have. The environment that the child lives in is important in shaping capacity. The will and determination of the student, teacher, and family encourages learning ability.
How much influence do you have upon this capacity?
I have a great deal of influence upon the capacity of learning of my students. I want all my students to succeed to their potential, and I need to teach to their potential. I need to guide their learning through the best way that my students learn. I need to use the best resources, and research-based teachings strategies that I can. Communication with parents is also very important.
How do these assumptions about learning shape our instruction?
Because I believe that all students can learn, I try to differentiate my instruction to try and meet all my students’ needs. Being a kindergarten teacher, I try to use hands on activities to guide my students to learn to the best of their abilities. I try to make my lessons challenging, but age appropriate.
I assume that all people are lifelong learners. I know that I am learning new things every day. I learn from my life experiences and the people that I am around.
Do all students have a capacity to learn?
All students have the capacity to learn. I have a friend that is a special education teacher. She had a student in her practicum that was diagnosed as mentally retarded. His teacher told my friend that he will never learn anything that she may try to teach him. My friend did not believe that. She taught that little boy ten new words in the matter of six months. That might not seem like a lot, buy that child was learning. She proved to that boy’s teacher that he can learn if someone would just believe in him.
What shapes this capacity?
There are so many different aspects that shape the capacity of learning. If a child has a support system through home and school the better ability of learning a student may have. The environment that the child lives in is important in shaping capacity. The will and determination of the student, teacher, and family encourages learning ability.
How much influence do you have upon this capacity?
I have a great deal of influence upon the capacity of learning of my students. I want all my students to succeed to their potential, and I need to teach to their potential. I need to guide their learning through the best way that my students learn. I need to use the best resources, and research-based teachings strategies that I can. Communication with parents is also very important.
How do these assumptions about learning shape our instruction?
Because I believe that all students can learn, I try to differentiate my instruction to try and meet all my students’ needs. Being a kindergarten teacher, I try to use hands on activities to guide my students to learn to the best of their abilities. I try to make my lessons challenging, but age appropriate.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Task Two
What is the purpose of curriculum and what role do we have as teachers in this purpose?
Curriculum design is at the center of developing student ability to construct understanding. Without appropriately designed curriculum, instruction can be ineffective at scaffolding understanding. For me, curriculum is a guide for teachers. As teachers, our role is to follow the guidance of the curriculum, support the goals of the school and district, and help our students learn to the best of their ability.
How much control do we have in the designing of curriculum? How much should we have?
As teachers, I believe that we have as much or as little control that we want over the curriculum. All curricular materials are subject to the interpretation and individual application of the teacher. However, there are those districts and schools that gives the teachers little choice or control. I feel that there should be no specific amount of control that a teacher should have. Each teacher is different and may need different levels of control of the curriculum. The school should be able to notice if the teacher is teaching the curriculum adequately, or if that teacher may need to go to grow in that aspect.
How does the curriculum that you have look like in your classrooms in a day to day environment?
I have a very relaxed curriculum in my classroom, because I am affiliated with the YMCA and not a part of the Kenton county school systems. However, I use the Kenton County curriculum guides. I collaborate with the kindergarten teachers at Caywood to make sure that I am on the same curriculum path as they are. I like to use hands-on, student-centered activities. I like my students to use inquiry to get them excited and intrigued in the lesson. My lessons are not always as student centered as I would like but I do try my best.
Curriculum design is at the center of developing student ability to construct understanding. Without appropriately designed curriculum, instruction can be ineffective at scaffolding understanding. For me, curriculum is a guide for teachers. As teachers, our role is to follow the guidance of the curriculum, support the goals of the school and district, and help our students learn to the best of their ability.
How much control do we have in the designing of curriculum? How much should we have?
As teachers, I believe that we have as much or as little control that we want over the curriculum. All curricular materials are subject to the interpretation and individual application of the teacher. However, there are those districts and schools that gives the teachers little choice or control. I feel that there should be no specific amount of control that a teacher should have. Each teacher is different and may need different levels of control of the curriculum. The school should be able to notice if the teacher is teaching the curriculum adequately, or if that teacher may need to go to grow in that aspect.
How does the curriculum that you have look like in your classrooms in a day to day environment?
I have a very relaxed curriculum in my classroom, because I am affiliated with the YMCA and not a part of the Kenton county school systems. However, I use the Kenton County curriculum guides. I collaborate with the kindergarten teachers at Caywood to make sure that I am on the same curriculum path as they are. I like to use hands-on, student-centered activities. I like my students to use inquiry to get them excited and intrigued in the lesson. My lessons are not always as student centered as I would like but I do try my best.
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